Page 20 of Raising Hell
“So be it. Refresh yourself, my love.”
Despite everything, those words curled around me. What would I give to have someone say that to me and really mean it? Everything.
“I’m not your love,” I said, trying to keep my bitterness at bay. “I’m Ashlyn, the lowly human.” The reminder didn’t seem to bother him at all. “Can I have honey cakes for breakfast?” I added.
“Anything you desire.”
His very agreeable attitude made me a little suspicious as I slid from the bed. However, he remained where he was while I disappeared into the water closet. The shower was already running when I emerged, and steam curled around the space. Keeping my bangle in place, I tossed my gown and binding over the privacy screen and took my time washing.
Unlike the last time, I didn’t try to pretend I was back home. Rather, I focused on the reality of my situation and tried to brainstorm non-sexual ways I could appease Hades and prove that I was human. I wasn’t sure the two goals aligned, but I wasn’t willing to give up on my chance for freedom to save a world that had never done anything to save me.
As soon as I finished rinsing, I stepped out of the water and grabbed a small square of cloth from the waiting stack.
“You can turn off the water,” I called as I dried.
The water stopped pouring over the rock above, making it possible to hear Hades pacing on the other side of the screen.
“You said I could name my price for the gift I gave you,” I said hesitantly.
The pacing stopped.
“What price do you demand?” he asked warily.
“It’s not a demand, just a request for an explanation. What gift did I give you?”
“You touched me willingly and remained by my side while you slept.”
“And what kind of payment would Persephone have requested after doing that?”
“You hate when pleasure outweighs the pain and devise ways to keep the scale imbalanced in pain’s favor.”
Well, that sounded sad, but it gave me some insight into appeasing Hades. In his mind, the ultimate pleasure was sex. But his attitude this morning proved that he’d found a measure of pleasure in simply being touched. The man was obsessed with having sex with me—or rather, Persephone—but whether he realized it or not, he was also starved for attention and affection. His need to hold my hand was proof enough of that.
I tossed the last damp towel aside and went to take my binding from the screen. It snagged on something and wouldn’t move. Neither would my gown.
Narrowing my eyes, I stopped tugging and crossed my arms.
“Are you stopping me from getting dressed?” I asked.
“Wouldn’t you prefer clean clothing?”
“I thought Persephone was the only one to play games. Why try to keep me naked after I was so willing to snuggle with you last night? Aren’t you afraid of ruining my generosity with this petty grab for more than I’m willing to give?”
Clean bindings and a gown appeared on me. My hair was also dry and swept up into a set of intricate braids.
Hades stepped around the screen and scowled at me.
“My gaze craves your bare flesh like you crave the sun. I will never turn away from any glimpse you offer. However, mygamewas nothing more than a wish to provide for you after you gave so willingly.”
“Ah.” As my thoughts raced, I smoothed a hand down the front of my dress. “I think we need to let go of the past and move forward with a clean slate. Forget the old Persephone you knew and try to see me as a completely separate person. In return, I’ll do my best not to make assumptions about your intentions and ask for clarification when I’m not sure. Does that sound good?”
He continued to frown at me, but I could see a flicker of something in the depths of his gaze. Hope, perhaps, buried under an eternity of learned mistrust.
“Okay. I’ll go first. Right now, I don’t know what you’re thinking. I’m guessing that you’re suspicious and maybe a little angry. So, to show you that I’m being sincere, I’m going to give you a hug. No payment is needed. And I’d like you to accept the hug without turning it into a play for sex.”
His arms dropped to his sides as I closed the space between us, and I didn’t miss the hope in his eyes. Poor, unloved Hades.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave him a real hug, offering him comfort and sympathy. Persephone had been one bitch of a wife, and from what I’d seen so far, Hades hadn’t deserved all that hate. Oh, he wasn’t some innocent saint. I knew that. But he also wasn’t the greatest evil ever to have existed.
