A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Persephone said.

“Oh, don’t play coy. I saw the way you looked at him. He has always been handsome. I used to tell him all he would have to do is show his face and his realm would fill with the willing and faithful.”

That made Persephone feel a little sick. She didn’t wish to discuss this with anyone, much less Aphrodite.

“Excuse me.” Persephone tried to step around Aphrodite, but the goddess stopped her.

“But I am not finished speaking.”

“You misunderstand,” Persephone replied. “I don’t want to speak to you.”

The Goddess of Spring pushed past Aphrodite and left the bathroom. She snatched a glass of champagne and found a spot to watch the dancers. She considered leaving. Jaison had already agreed to pick Lexa up, as she was planning to spend the night at his house.

Just when she had decided to call the cab, she felt Hades’ approach. She straightened, preparing for his closeness, but did not turn to face him.

“Anything to critique, Lady Persephone?” His voice rumbled low in his throat like a heady spell.

“No,” she whispered, and looked to her right. She still couldn’t see him, even in her peripheral. “How long have you been planning this?”

“Not long,” he answered.

“It will be beautiful.”

She felt him lean closer. She was surprised when his fingers brushed along her shoulder, tracing the edge of the black applique. Now and then, he touched skin-to-skin, and she shivered.

“A touch of darkness,” His fingers tracked down her arm and threaded them through hers. “Dance with me.”

She didn’t pull away and instead, turned to face him. He never failed to take her breath away, but there was a gentleness to his face that made her heart hammer in her chest.

“Yes,” she said.

Eyes tracked them, curious and surprised, as Hades led her onto the floor. Persephone did her best to ignore the stares and instead focused on the god beside her. He was so much taller, so much bigger, and when he turned to face her, she was reminded of how he’d touched her in the water.

His fingers remained twined with hers as the other hand landed on her hip. She didn’t take her eyes from his as he drew her close, growling low under his breath as their bodies touched. He guided her, and each brush of their bodies inflamed her. For a while, neither of them spoke, and Persephone wondered if Hades found it hard to speak for the same reasons she did.

That was probably why she chose to fill the silence with her next comment.

“You should be dancing with Minthe.”

Hades lips thinned. “Would you prefer that I dance with her?”

“She is your date.”

“She is not my date. She is my assistant, as I have told you.”

“Your assistant doesn’t arrive on your arm to a gala.”

His hold on her tightened, and she wondered if he was frustrated.

“You are jealous.”

“I’m no

t jealous,” she said—and she wasn’t anymore. She was angry. He looked amused at her denial, and she wanted to hit him. “I will not be used, Hades.”

That wiped the smirk off his face. “When have I used you?”

She didn’t respond.