Page 75 of Raising Hell
Hades studied me for a long moment then nodded at the man.
I looked at the rest. “You’re all welcome to try it. It’s called pizza. It’s very popular with humans in the United States.”
A few more people left their seats and went to the food tables to look at the boxes. I saw Zotera slip into the room from a hidden passage behind them. She glanced at the people taking a slice of pizza, frowned slightly, then met my gaze.
I waved her over.
“It’s okay. I said they could try it,” I said when she neared.
“I liked the cheesecake,” she said, joining us. She touched the remains of someone else’s meal and turned it into a fresh slice. “I can’t stop eating it.”
“There are so many other foods I think you’d like there,” I said.
“I’d like to try them all.”
“Do you need to taste them to make them or just see them? We might be able to use the viewing pool.”
“She would need to taste them,” Hades said. “As would I.”
That was a little disappointing since I’d promised myself not to use the furies to deliver any more food. At least we’d added a steak dinner and pizza to Hell’s food menu. I still wondered what Hades and Zotera would think of dishes like lobster and poutine.
Maybe once I was back home, I’d ask Megan to make a few deliveries. The thought made my chest ache, so I pushed it aside and worked my way through my slice of pie.
When I finished, I leaned back with a groan and looked around for the glutton. He caught me looking and lifted a brow as he chewed.
“What do you think?” I asked.
“It is delicious, Mother.”
He sounded like he actually meant it.
“Your father and Zotera weren’t too enthused by it. Next time I’m craving it, I’ll let you know.”
His chewing slowed for a minute, and when he swallowed, he inclined his head.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Just Ashlyn. Please.”
“Ashlyn.”
I glanced at the empty plate in front of Hades. “Not hungry?”
“Not for food.”
My stomach heated, and the need to look at his face tugged at me. But I kept it locked on his hickey-marked neck.
“Perhaps you would like to rest, Mother?” Zotera said, obviously trying to come to my rescue again.
“No, that’s okay,” I said quickly. The last place I wanted to be with Hades was in the bedroom. I needed to do something to distract him from my big revelation and cool his lust a little.
“I’d like to check on my uncle now. Please.” If Hades noticed I was talking to his collarbones, he didn’t comment.
“As you desire,” he said, smoothly standing and offering me his hand. “I will take you there.”
I set my hand in his, and he moved us from one room to another while I was still sitting. It wasn’t as disorienting as I would have thought. Mostly because the chair came with me. There was plenty of space for it. The room, which had once held countless souls, now only held a single one.
My uncle saw me and drifted close.
