A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

“How often does Minthe come to you in the bath?” she asked, as she stepped out of the pool.

“Persephone.”

She didn’t look at him as she grabbed a towel to cover herself. She reached for the peplos and the crown Ian had made for her.

“Look at me, Persephone.”

She did.

He hadn’t quite exited the pool, but stood on the steps, his feet and calves submerged. He was huge—his body and his erection.

“Minthe is my assistant.”

“Then she can assist you with your need,” she said, looking right at his cock. She started to move away, but Hades reached for her, and pulled her to him.

“I don’t want Minthe,” he growled.

“I don’t want you.”

Hades tilted his head to the side, and his eyes flashed.

“You don’t…want me?” he repeated.

“No,” she said, but it was as if she were trying to convince herself, especially since Hades’ eyes had dropped to her lips.

“Do you know all of my powers, Persephone?” he asked, finally leveling his gaze with hers.

It was really hard to think when he was so close, and she looked at him warily, wondering what he was getting at.

“Some of them,” she said.

“Enlighten me.”

She recalled the passage she’d read about the Lord of the Dead’s magic.

“Illusion,” she said.

And as she spoke, he leaned in, lightly kissing the column of her neck. “Yes,” he said.

“Invisibility?”

A press of his tongue in the hollow of her throat.

“Very valuable,” he mumbled.

“Charm?” She breathed.

“Hmm.” The hum of his words vibrated against her skin, lower this time, closer to her breast. “But it doesn’t work on you...does it?”

“No,” she swallowed hard.

“You seem to not have heard of one of my most valuable talents.” He pulled the towel down, exposing her breasts, and took one tight bud between his teeth, sucking until a guttural sound escaped her mouth. He pulled back and leveled his gaze with hers. “I can taste lies, Persephone. And yours are as sweet as your skin.”

She pushed at him, and he took a step back. “This was a mistake.”

That part she believed. She had come here to meet the terms of her contract. How had she ended up naked in a pool with the God of the Dead? Persephone grabbed her clothes from the floor and moved up the steps.

“You might believe this was a mistake,” he said, and she paused, but didn’t turn to look at him. “But you want me. I was inside you. I tasted you. That is a truth you will never escape.”