Page 41 of Raising Hell
“Thank you for the reminder.”
He nodded, an odd look flitting across his features before gently pressing his lips to my forehead. I closed my eyes and held him just a little tighter, loving the contact.
“Come,” he said. “We have many more to see.”
We spent hours searching out those we’d freed. At first, most were in their rooms. When we started finding those empty, Hades took me to the “baths,” a network of steam-filled rooms with large mineral water pools in the center.
The first one was crowded with beautiful naked people splashing around in the water or lounging on the tiles beside it. So much casual nudity. Everything was fully on display, and nobody seemed to notice or care as they spoke in groups, their voices bouncing around loudly in the space.
The chaotic movement and noise quieted as those closest noticed us. Hades weaved his way farther into the room, towing me along with him until he reached the water’s edge.
“My children, you have atoned for your wrongs. Let old grievances be forgotten and start anew.”
He looked at me expectantly, and I felt a surge of panic as I realized he wanted me to say something. At least fifty naked people were staring at me too. One was eating olives while glaring daggers.
Oh shit. I knew that one. It was the starving man.
At least, he wasn’t trying to choke down the food this time.
I gave him a hesitant wave, which seemed to surprise him. He shot Hades a panicked look. When I did the same, I found Hades glaring at me.
“What?” I asked as the panic and fear tried to pull me under.
“Enjoy yourselves,” he said before releasing my hand and picking me up bridal style.
He’d never picked me up before. Ever.
I hung on and tried to stop myself from shaking. It didn’t work.
He strode from that room into a hallway that connected to another bathing room filled with people chatting away. The volume from the one we’d just left increased as he released me and caged me against the wall.
He glared at me with furrowed brows and a red light flickering in his enraged gaze. His jaw ticked as he took one seething breath after another.
“What did I do wrong?” I asked when he remained silent.
“Kiss me,” he said harshly.
“Here? Now? Why?” I looked both ways, seeing too many naked people in the surrounding rooms. Was that why he’d brought me here? To pressure me?
Heat flooded my cheeks, and my pulse started to race.
“Yes, here and now,” Hades said. The floor trembled again.
I knew I should listen. What was a kiss? A press of lips against lips was no big deal. But it was. I knew it was. I would lose myself again, and I didn’t want that. Especially not here in front of this audience. Especially not with Hades still believing he was kissing Persephone and not me.
A hint of logic pushed through my panic.
“You’re angry. Why?”
“You aremine,” he said, placing one hand at the base of my throat. The touch was light, but as his thumb grazed over my racing pulse, I felt the implied threat. It would take no effort for Hades to snap me like a twig. Yet, I knew he wouldn’t. Pain wasn’t what he wanted to give me.
I struggled to focus on him and not the idea of what he did want to give me.
“Each tender look,” he said softly. “Each kind word. Those belong to me and no other.”
What he was saying penetrated the fog his touch was creating.
“Wait. You’re mad because I waved at the guy I recognized?” I asked in disbelief. “I’ve waved at Zotera, and you didn’t get upset.”
