The Passion of Hades - Eliza Raine Page 0,33

volunteered a guard?' He wagged his tail.

'It took years for you to tell me that, by the way,' Hades said, resuming walking. 'I don't think you ever told anyone else. You just arrived at one of Aphrodite's parties one day, looking outrageously gorgeous, and announced yourself as Demeter's daughter, goddess of Spring.'

'Seriously?' I hurried to catch up with him, tearing my eyes from where they'd involuntarily glued themselves to his ass.

'Yup. I knew there and then that you were no normal goddess.'

'How long were we married for?'

He paused before answering.

'Four years.'

'That's not long for an immortal god,' I said slowly.

'No. It is not.'

Sadness rolled from him, and I felt a pull in my gut as though I were physically wired into his emotions. I tried to think of something helpful to say, but nothing came.

We walked in silence the rest of the way to the training room, Hades opening the door for me when we got there.

'Now, you realize that I will have to make you angry in order for us to do this?'

'Angry is fine. But try not to scare the shit out of me again,' I said, walking onto the training mats.

'I won't,' he said quietly. 'As I told you, we all have our powers. One of mine is to make people feel their worst fears. In fact, I have a dog who has the same power.'

'You have a dog?' I turned and gaped at him.

'Yes. Several, actually. But Cerberus is the most important.'

'Wait, doesn't he have three heads?'

Hades nodded.

'Yes. I assume he exists in your human mythology?'

'Yeah, and he's sort of terrifying.'

'He's about as terrifying as I am,' Hades chuckled, rolling up his sleeves. I cocked my head at him.

'You realize that's pretty terrifying, right?'

His beautiful face turned serious as the smile slipped away.

'Yes. I do. But not all of my powers revolve around fear.' He held his hand up, palm facing me. 'Give me your dagger.'

I pulled Faesforos from the sheath around my thigh and hesitated, before handing it to him. In a flash he had taken the knife and drawn it across his raised palm. I gasped as gold blood ran from the wound, trickling down his forearm.

'What are you-'

'Gods’ blood is called ichor. And it is gold. But that's not what I want to show you.' The cut began to glow silver, the same color as his eyes, and then the skin was knitting back together, sealing the wound. 'Healing is something you must learn as these Trials get more dangerous. Your body will do some of the work while you rest, but you must learn more immediate healing.'

'What other types of magic are there?'

'Many, many types. You already know, and dislike, the power that transports us places. Only very powerful gods can do that. Lust and love are commonly held gifts though. As is the power to make others angry.'

'What powers do I have?'

'Your black vines defend you both by their physical use and their ability to drain other's power. Your green vines make things grow, adding strength to nature. Your...' He trailed off, his eyes locking onto mine. 'It's probably not worth going into that until we know if you have regained that particular power.'

I felt my face crease into a frown.

'What? What particular power?'

Hades whole body had stiffened.

'We'll go into that if it comes up,' he repeated, his voice stern. Indignation rose like a tidal wave through me.

'I'm not a child,' I snapped. That dangerous spark flared in his eyes.

'I am your King,' he replied, voice cold and hard. 'You will do as you are bid.' Black smoke began to flicker around him.

I didn't know if he was deliberately goading me to get me to use my power, or being an actual prick, but either way, it was the only trigger I needed.

'Will I fuck,' I answered, and lifted my palms, willing the black vines into existence. They burst from my hands and I felt a surge of delight as they went exactly where I wanted them to.

Hades stood his ground as they hit him, instantly beginning to coil around his shoulders. He narrowed his eyes at me, a small smile spreading across his lips as he spoke.

'I like this shirt, and I have a feeling you're going to try to make a mess of it.' With a little blue shimmer his shirt vanished, and I felt my vines go slack as my concentration vanished, the sight of his bare skin taking all of my focus.

Then a wave of power hit