arms. “Your chaining plan is not going to work.”
“I’m sure I can find a way.”
“I’m going to assume you are joking.” Irritation flashed on her face, and her will of steel glinted in her eyes. “I’m not your pawn, Hades. I’ve proved that once, and you’re not going to enjoy it if I need to prove it again.”
Her strength blazed, and I liked it.
Heat flared within me.
As the god of this realm, every single being within it bowed before me.
She didn’t.
And fates help me, I liked it.
The pleasure of it streaked across my nerve endings, hot and wild. I turned and strode toward the window, desperate for the fresh air.
How did she control my body like this, without so much as a touch? For millennia, I had been in control. Then she arrived…
The large window was open, providing a view of the restless midnight sea. Waves crashed far below, and the wind carried the scent of the ocean. Still, it couldn’t drive the smell of her from my memory. It had imprinted on me, permanently becoming part of my soul.
I rested my hand on the window and leaned out. For the briefest moment, the sight of the sea calmed my mind. Then the memory of a similar scene flashed in my mind. I’d kissed her on a windowsill just like this. The things we’d done…
Fates.
Heart thundering, I spun around to face her. There was no place safe from her, so I might as well look at her. “Why are you here?”
“I’m willing to learn my magic.”
Understanding dawned. “You need a teacher.”
“Yes, like before.”
This was perfect. More than I could have hoped for. Yes, it was dangerous to train her to learn a magic that could defy even mine. But she had to learn that magic to help me with my goals.
And I was going to turn her to my side, anyway. I needed a queen.
I felt the corners of my lips tug upward. It was an almost entirely unfamiliar sensation. “I want something in exchange.”
“You were willing to help me before.”
“I was. But you didn’t want my help before. Now you do. So I want something in exchange.”
“Bastard.”
“I never had a mother. Can’t possibly be a bastard.”
“I didn’t mean literally.”
Again, the corners of my lips tugged up. I frowned. Fates, it was strange to smile. I forced the thought away. “I need you to help me find something.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Of course I’m going to worry about that.” She crossed her arms. “And how do I even know you’ll live up to your end of the bargain? Will you take more of the potion that compels you to keep your word?”
“No. I’ll train you first. Then you’ll help me.”
She scowled. “How do you know I’ll keep my word?”
“I’ll make you.”
She hissed.
I shrugged. “I’m already taking a risk. I know you’re trying to learn your magic so that you can lean closer into the light and avoid the dark. So that you can escape.”
“Of course.”
“I’m confident I can win you to my side.”
“You can’t.”
A low laugh rumbled from my throat, and I strolled toward her. My skin lit with anticipation as I neared, stopping right in front of her. I didn’t dare touch—if I did, there was no telling where I’d stop—but the tension that tightened between us felt like a caress. “You’ve felt the lure. The pleasure of the dark.”
Her jaw tightened, but the knowledge glinted in her eyes. I’d seen it in her when she’d been strangling Lucifer with her vines. She was fighting it even now.
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
I leaned close, my lips nearly touching her neck as I breathed deeply of her scent. Desire shot through me, and I knew I was playing with fire.
“You will,” I whispered at her ear.
She shuddered so hard, I could see it run over her. I stepped back, needing to escape her scent if I was going to keep my wits about me.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll help you with your mystery search. If you also allow my friends to visit. And if you won’t try to stop me from visiting them in Guild City.”
I blinked at her.
She was serious.
Seraphia
I stared up at Hades, my mind racing.
“You’re looking at me like I’ve asked you to build a roller coaster through hell,” I said.
“Friends? Here?” His brows rose.
“Yes, friends. Are you familiar with the concept?” Even as I said the words, I knew he wasn’t. Lucifer had said as much last time I’d been here. He’d called Hades his friend