Page 102 of Hell On Earth
He portaled us to the bedroom, and my clothes completely vanished.
Another wheeze came from my throat when I tried to say his name. I coughed and shook my head when he gave me a concerned look.
“I was only going to say that Zotera shouldn’t be stuck cleaning up dinner on her own. And we haven’t spent much time with her lately.”
“Zotera will understand,” he said, leaning in to kiss my clavicle. “Will you let me taste you?”
“I can’t imagine a time I would ever say no to that,” I said with a grin.
He led me to the bathing room, which seemed to be his favorite place. I surprised him by running and jumping in cannonball style. When I popped up, he was beside me in the water.
“How big was the splash?” I asked, wiping my eyes.
“Impressively big,” he said, smiling.
“You want to try?”
“Considering the way your delicious bottom hit the water first, I’ll decline.”
“Worry it’s going to hurt your unmentionables?”
“You can mention them anytime you like. I’m simply afraid I will empty the pool when my enormity makes contact.”
I laughed so hard I cried. He held me through my fit, chuckling with me.
“By the gods in every realm,” Hades said softly as I quieted, “I love you, Ashlyn. You are my heart.”
I kissed his lips tenderly. “I love you too, Haa.”
Frowning, I cleared my throat and tried again. Only a wheeze of air came out.
“I can’t say your name,” I said, fighting not to panic. “Why can’t I say your name?”
He portaled us to the living room, fully clothed and dried. I looked at the clock, trying to figure out the last time I’d spoken his name.
“We were eating the sandwiches when I said it. I know it. So maybe thirty minutes ago?” I turned to Hades and cupped his face. “Promise me you won’t shake things if I can’t call you back right away. Okay?”
“I swear,” he said, kissing my forehead.
“What’s wrong?” Zotera asked, standing in the entrance of the kitchen. She had the plates in her hand.
“Ashlyn can no longer say my name. Is that her sandwich?”
“Yes.”
“Take a bite and try to speak my name.”
She did and said Hades without a problem.
“You think the food was spelled?” I asked. “Why would they spell it instead of poisoning me?”
“Because I would simply heal you. The only time I am not with you is when you sleep.” He looked at Zotera. “Try the milk.”
Zotera took a drink, made a face, and made a familiar wheezing sound.
“It was the milk. I could taste the spell before I tried speaking your name.”
“Can we undo it?” I asked.
