Page 37 of Raising Hell
“You’re pale yet flushed,” he said with a frown. “Allow me to provide you with nectar. I beg you.”
“No,” I said, managing to shake my head. “I’d rather wait for the food. But maybe I could sit for a bit.”
Hades immediately led me toward his throne.
“In my own chair,” I added quickly. There was no way I could handle any more lap time just yet.
His steps hesitated, and we both looked at the throne beside his. While he’d transformed the entire room, he’d left the thrones alone. His remained a black uncomfortable looking seat of power and mine a dangerously spiked throne of thorns.
“Zotera? I know you spent a very long time on that chair, but would you be willing to make it a little safer for me to use?
“Yes, Mother,” she said without a hint of disappointment.
She hopped up from her place and set her hand on the chair. The thorns melted away, bending and smoothing into the surface so it looked more like a twisted tree throne than a tangle of bramble ready to draw blood.
A cushion materialized in the seat, and she stepped away just as we reached the dais.
“That’s perfect, Zotera. Thank you.”
Hades didn’t release my hand until I was comfortably seated on my cushion. When he did, he stepped back and studied me. At the heat in his gaze, I looked down to ensure my dress was covering my legs.
“What?” I asked, seeing nothing wrong.
“I never thought I would see you take your place.”
Persephone’s place…beside him.
“This isn’t my place. My place is in Uttira.”
“Are you certain?” he asked before taking his seat next to mine.
I scanned the hall, taking in its new beauty. A human-looking face peeked out from a secret opening in the wall. Hell wasn’t the same horrible place I’d thought it was when I’d first arrived. That didn’t mean I wanted to stay, though.
Zotera settled into her spot at the base of our thrones, and I had a sudden thought.
“Zotera? You’re not stuck here, too, because of some contract, are you?”
“Mother?” she said, obviously confused.
“If you want to swim in the lake or eat something delicious, you can.”
“Thank you, Mother. I’d rather stay here with you.”
“Hades agreed to call me Ashlyn. Could you do the same?” I asked.
She folded her hands peacefully in her lap as her gaze flicked to Hades.
“I would prefer to call you Mother if you’ll allow it.”
“She earned the right,” Hades said. “Don’t take it from her.”
“I’m not trying to take anything,” I said. “But I’m not Persephone.”
“I understand,” Zotera said. “I would still like to call you Mother.”
I nodded, unwilling to rob Zotera of anything, even her love for a woman who was completely cruel to her.
She frowned slightly when Hades reached out to take my hand again. His fingers played with mine, caressing my skin. I loved it. So much so that I struggled not to turn my hand so I could caress him in return.
