A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

“Persephone,” he called. She kept walking, pulling on her clothes as she went.

Hades cursed and finally caught up with her, pulling her into a nearby room—it was the throne room.

She turned on him, pushing him away angrily. He didn’t move an inch, and instead caged her with his arms.

“I want to know why,” she demanded. Persephone could feel something burning in her veins. It ignited deep in her belly and rushed through her like venom.

He didn't speak.

“Was I an easy target? Did you look at my soul and see someone who was desperate for love, for worship? Did you choose me because you knew I couldn't fulfill the terms of your bargain?

“It wasn’t like that.”

He was too calm.

“Then tell me what it was!” she seethed.

“Yes, Aphrodite and I have a contract, but the bargain I struck with you had nothing to do with it.” She crossed her arms, prepared to reject that statement when he said, “I offered you terms based on what I saw in your soul—a woman, caged by her own mind.”

Persephone glared at him.

“You are the one who called the contract impossible,” he said. “But you are powerful, Persephone.”

“Do not mock me.” Her voice shook.

“I would never.”

The sincerity in his voice made her sick.

“Liar.”

His eyes darkened. “I am many things, but a liar I am not.”

“Not a liar then, but a self-admitted deceiver,” she said.

“I have only ever given you answers,” he said. “I have helped you reclaim your power and yet you haven't used it. I have given you a way to walk out from underneath your mother, and yet you will not claim it.”

“How?” she demanded. “What did you do to help me?”

“I worshipped you!” he yelled. “I gave you what your mother withheld—worshippers.”

Persephone stood for a moment in stunned silence.

“You mean to tell me you forced me into a contract when you could have just told me I needed worshippers to gain my powers?”

“It's not about powers, Persephone! It’s never been about magic or illusion or glamour. It’s about confidence. It’s about believing in yourself!”

“That's twisted, Hades—”

“Is it?” he snapped. “Tell me, if you'd known, what would you have done? Announced your Divinity to the whole world so that you might gain a following and consequently your power?”

She knew the answer and so did Hades.

“No, because you’ve never been able to decide what you want because you value your mother's happiness over your own!”

“I had freedom until you, Hades.”

“You thought you were free before me?” he asked. “You just traded glass walls for another kind of prison when you came to New Athens.”