A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone 2)

That got Apollo’s attention. He sat up in the bath and stood, completely naked.

“You’re willing to bargain with me?” he asked.

Persephone turned her head away, swallowing hard. If she were being honest, seeing Apollo naked was no different than seeing the statues in the Garden of the Gods at New Athens University, but there was something different about seeing flesh rather than stone.

“Yes, Apollo. That’s what I said.”

Water sloshed and she knew without looking that he had gotten out of the bath.

“This...friend. She must be very important to you.”

“She is everything.”

“Apparently,” Apollo said, amusement in his tone. “Especially if you are so willing to defy Hades and bargain with me.”

Persephone’s eyes snapped to Apollo. He had done nothing to cover himself.

“Will you help me or not? I did not come here for polite conversation.”

“You call this polite?” the god scoffed.

Persephone’s fists clenched tight and Apollo narrowed his eyes. She wondered if he could sense her losing control of her glamour.

“Beg,” he said. “On your knees.”

Persephone was disgusted. “Never.”

“Then I won't help you.” He started to turn when she called out, “Wait!”

Apollo paused, lifted a brow, and waited.

Persephone worked to keep her anger under control as she made her way to the floor, and when she spoke, her voice shook.

“Please.”

“No.”

Apollo started to walk away just as vines erupted from the floor with no warning, trapping him.

“Well, well, well, you are full of surprises,” the god said.

“I said please.” Her voice was venom. She would torture him and she would take immense pleasure from the act.

“You are a goddess. A goddess masquerading as a mortal!” Apollo ignored her plea, his eyes glittered with excitement. “No one knows, do they?”

That wasn’t exactly true but instead of answering, the vines that held Apollo grew thorns. A sharp splinter exploded near his face and cock, silencing him.

“I believe we were having a conversation,” she said. “That involved you saving my friend.”

Apollo narrowed his gaze, then attempted to snap the vines holding him. After a few tries, he gave up, panting. “What are these made of?”

Persephone blinked—she didn’t know. But she was surprised that Apollo hadn’t been able to break her magic. Maybe her anger and hatred for the god had something to do with their strength.

He met her gaze, eyes inquisitive. “You are a powerful little creature.”

“I am not a creature.”

“Yes, you are. You are a leech, sucking the fun out of my evening.”