A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

He whispered words against her skin. “What else?”

She dared to turn her head then, and his lips brushed hers. Her breath caught hard in her throat. She couldn’t answer—wouldn’t. His mouth remained close to hers, but he did not kiss her, he waited.

“Tell me.”

His voice was hypnotic, and his warmth had her under a wicked spell. He was the adventure she craved. He was temptation she wanted to indulge. He was a sin she wanted to commit.

Her eyes fluttered closed and her lips parted. She thought he might claim her then, but when he didn’t, she took a deep breath, her chest rising against his, and said, “Just cards.”

He drew back, and Persephone opened her eyes. She thought she caught his surprise, just before it melted into an unreadable mask.

“You must wish to return home,” he said, and started down the stacks. If she wasn’t talking to the God of the Dead, she would have thought he was embarrassed. “You may borrow those books, if you wish.”

She gathered them into her arms and quickly followed after him.

“How?” she asked. “You withdrew my favor.”

He turned to her, his eyes dark and emotionless. “Trust me, Lady Persephone. If I stripped you of my favor, you would know.”

“So, I’m Lady Persephone again?”

“You have always been Lady Persephone whether you choose to embrace your blood or not.”

“What is there to embrace?” she asked. “I’m an unknown god at best—and a minor one at that.”

She hated the look of disappointment that shadowed his face.

“If that is how you think of yourself then you will never know power.”

She was surprised by his comment and met his gaze. Then she saw his hand move—he was about to send her away without warning again.

“Don’t,” she commanded, and Hades paused. “You asked that I not leave when I’m angry and I’m asking you not to send me away when you are angry.”

“I am not angry,” he said, dropping his hand.

“Then why did you drop me in the Underworld earlier?” she asked. “Why send me away at all?”

“I needed to speak with Hermes,” he said.

“And you couldn’t say that?”

He hesitated.

“Don’t request things of me you cannot deliver yourself, Hades.”

He stared at her. She wasn’t sure what she expected of him—that her demands would make him angry? That he would argue that this was different? That he was a powerful god and he could do what he willed?

Instead, he nodded. “I will grant you that courtesy.”

She took a breath, relieved.

“Thank you.”

He extended his hand. “Come, we can return to Nevernight together. I have…unfinished business there.”

She took him up on the offer, and they teleported back to his office. They appeared right in front of the mirror she and Hermes had hidden inside. Persephone tilted her head back so she could meet his eyes.

“How did you know we were in there? Hermes said we couldn’t be seen.”