A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

“You actually eat in here?” Persephone asked.

Hades seemed amused. “Yes, but not often. I usually take my breakfast to go.”

Hades pulled out a chair and helped Persephone sit. Once he took his seat, a couple of nymphs entered the dining hall with trays of fruit, meat, cheese, and bread. They were followed by Minthe. The nymphs placed the food on the table and Minthe came to stand between she and Hades.

“My lord,” Minthe said. “You have a full schedule today.”

“Clear the morning,” he said without looking at her.

“It’s already eleven, my lord,” Minthe said tightly.

Hades filled his plate and when he finished, looked at Persephone.

“Are you not hungry, darling?” he asked.

She was well-aware that he had called her darling. Though he had been doing it since they met, he’d never said it in front of anyone. A glance at Minthe told her the nymph had heard and didn’t like it.

“No,” she said. “I…usually only drink coffee for breakfast.”

He stared at her for a moment, and then, with a flick of his wrist, a steaming cup of coffee sat before her.

“Cream? Sugar?” he asked.

“Cream,” she said, smiling, and it was given.

She cupped her hands around the mug. “Thank you.”

“What are your plans today?” Hades asked.

It took Persephone a moment to realize he was talking to her. “Oh, I need to write—”

She stopped talking abruptly.

“Your article?” Hades asked. She could not tell what he was thinking, but she felt it and it wasn’t good.

“I will be along shortly, Minthe,” Hades said at length, and Persephone’s heart fell. “Leave us.”

“As you wish, my lord.” There was amusement to Minthe’s voice that Persephone hated.

When they were alone, Hades asked, “So, you will continue to write about my faults?”

“I don’t know what I am going to write this time,” she said. “I...”

“You what?”

“I hoped I might be able to interview a few of your souls.”

“The ones on your list?”

She explained that she didn’t want to write about the Olympian Gala or The Halcyon Project, knowing that all the other newspapers would jump on that story.

Hades stared at her for a long moment and then wiped his mouth with his napkin. After, he pushed away from the table and stood, striding toward the exit. Persephone followed.

“I thought we agreed we wouldn’t leave each other when we are angry? Didn’t you request that we work through it?”

Hades twisted toward her. “It’s just that I’m not particularly excited that my lover is continuing to write about my life.”

She blushed at hearing him call her lover. She thought about correcting him but decided against it.