“And the Fates are Divine,” he said. “I must respect their existence as they respect mine.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“Doesn’t it? Or is it that it doesn’t sound fair to mortals?”
Persephone’s eyes flashed, a hint of her glamour reeling beneath her skin. “So mortals have to suffer for the sake of your game?”
“It is not a game, Persephone. Least of all mine,” he shot back, frustrated. Had he not done a good enough job explaining the balance of the Underworld? Or was it that she really wanted to think the worst of him?
“So, you’ve offered an explanation for part of your behavior, but what of the other bargains?”
Hades slanted his head, his brows slamming down over his eyes, and he took a step forward. He did not like her question. He had answered this, was she still not satisfied with his answer? Or was she angry about her own bargain? He expected her to backdown at his approach, but she did not, remaining where she was and lifting her chin in defiance.
“Are you asking for yourself or the mortals you claim to defend?”
“Claim?” Again, that light in her eyes stirred, and Hades wanted to smile at it.
Yes, my queen. Let me feed that fire, awaken your power.
“You only became interested in my business ventures after you entered into a contract with me,” Hades pointed out. It was true. Would she have started this witch hunt had he let her leave his club unattached?
“Business ventures? Is that what you call willfully misleading me?”
“So this is about you.”
“What you have done is unjust. Not just to me, but to all the mortals—”
“I do not want to talk about mortals. I would like to talk about you.” Hades leaned in closer, guiding Persephone toward the bookcase. His hands caged her, one on either side of her face. “Why did you invite me to your table?”
Persephone looked away, and Hades’ eyes lowered to her neck as she swallowed. “You said you’d teach me.”
She whispered the words, and they skittered down his spine, making him shiver, making him want to press into her, to cradle her softness between his thighs.
“Teach you what, goddess?” His lips dropped to her skin, and he brushed the column of her neck. He felt her shiver as he whispered words against her skin. “What did you truly desire to learn then?”
“Cards.”
The word was breathy, and the air between them was thick, a tangible weight full of erotic thoughts and fantasies. Her head fell back, supported by the bookcase, and her hands gripped the shelves as if she were fighting her own instincts and the voice in her head that commanded she touch him too.
His lips explored, and as he pressed a kiss against her breastbone, he looked up. “What else?”
She met his stare then, eyes fire-bright and searching. Their lips grazed each other’s as they shared breath.
“Tell me,” Hades begged.
Tell me you want me, he thought, and I will take you now. He would lift her into his arms, part her legs, and settle between them. The friction would release their passion, shake the earth and reverse rivers. It would end worlds and begin them.
It would change everything.
He waited, and her eyes fluttered closed as her lips parted, inviting his own. She took a breath, her chest rising and falling against his own. He leaned in, ready to capture her mouth when she admitted the truth. Tell me you desire me.
“Just cards.”
He drew away lightning fast, despite his raging desire, and attempted to mask his frustration at her response. It took some effort, and his fingers curled into fists, nails piercing his palms. The pain made it easier, helped him focus on something other than his hard-as-steel cock.
Fuck me, he thought.
If she would not own up to her lust, he would not continue to make a fool of himself.
“You must wish to return home,” he said, turning from her and leaving the stacks, pausing to look back. “You may borrow those books, if you wish.”
She blinked, as if she were under some sort of spell, before gathering the books and following him into the main part of the library.
“How? You withdrew my favor.”
“Trust me, Lady Persephone,” he said, keep his tone void of emotion. “If I stripped you of my favor, you would know.”
It would be painful, like skin stripped from bones.
“So I’m Lady Persephone again?” Her voice held contempt, and he wondered at her response. Was she angry with him?
“You have always been Lady Persephone, whether you choose to