A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

“Persephone.” Hades voice was a low rumble, and she met his gaze. “Never bring a mortal to my realm again, especially Adonis. Stay away from him.”

She narrowed her eyes. “How do you know him?”

“That is not relevant.”

She tried to draw away from him, but he kept her where she was, pressed against him.

“I work with him, Hades,” she said. “Besides, you can’t give me orders.”

“I’m not giving you orders,” he said. “I am asking.”

“Asking implies there’s a choice.”

She wasn’t sure it was possible, but Hades held her tighter. His face was inches from hers, and she found it hard to meet his eyes because her gaze kept falling to his mouth—the memory of the kiss they’d shared in the garden, a phantom on her lips. She shut her eyes against it.

“You have a choice,” he said. “But if you choose him, I will fetch you, and I might not let you leave the Underworld.”

Her eyes flew open, and she glared at him.

“You wouldn’t,” she said between her teeth.

Hades chuckled, leaning in so that when he spoke, his breath caressed her lips. “Oh, darling. You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

Then he was gone.

CHAPTER VIII – A GARDEN IN THE UNDERWORLD

Lexa sat across from Persephone outside The Yellow Daffodil. They’d walked to the bistro from their apartment to have breakfast before they went their separate ways—Persephone to the Library of Artemis and Lexa to Talaria Stadium to meet Adonis and his friends for a day of Trials.

Stay away from him. Hades voice echoed in her head, as if his mouth were against her ear. She shivered. Despite Hades warning, Persephone would have gone with Lexa, but she had a god to research, a garden to plant, and a bargain to win. Still, she wondered why Hades disapproved of Adonis? Did the King of the Underworld know his warning would only make her more curious?

“Your lips are bruised,” Lexa said.

Persephone covered her mouth with her fingers. She’d tried to cover the discoloration with foundation and lipstick.

“Who did you kiss?”

“Why do you think I kissed someone?” Persephone asked.

“I don’t know that you kissed anyone. Maybe someone kissed you.”

Persephone flushed—someone had kissed her, but not for the reasons Lexa was thinking. He was just bestowing favor, Persephone reminded herself. He would do just about anything to ensure you don’t disturb him again. That included offering her a shortcut to his realm.

She wouldn’t let herself romanticize the God of the Dead.

Hades is the enemy, she reminded herself. He is your enemy. He tricked you into a contract. He challenged you to use powers you don’t have. He will imprison you if you fail to create life in the Underworld.

“I’m just guessing since you left the apartment at ten last night and didn’t come home until like five this morning.”

“H…how did you know that?”

Lexa smiled, but Persephone could tell her friend was a little hurt by her sneakiness.

“I guess we both have secrets,” she said and admitted, “I was up talking to Adonis. I heard you come in.”

What she’d heard was Persephone tiptoeing into the kitchen for water after Hades had teleported to her bedroom.

“Oh. You and Adonis are talking?”