Page 43 of Touch of Death
Unease settles over me as I train my eyes downward in an effort not to watch.
“I believe we should retire,” Death says, and a wave of relief washes over me at his suggestion. I don’t know how much longer I’d be able to sit here and pretend not to notice what is happening all around me.
“Of course, how thoughtless of me,” Eros says. “You must be exhausted.”
With a wave of his hand, the man who led us here hurries over and motions for us to follow him.
Death rises before helping me to my feet.
“You are more than welcome to stay, Death. I am sure that even you could find a partner, or two, willing to die for your pleasure … if you should wish.”
“No,” he answers coldly before adding, “but, thank you.”
I have to fight back a smile as a wave of relief washes over me at his dismissal of Eros’ offer. Even if it was a refusal simply because he feels obligated to protect me, I am thankful for it nonetheless.
Though part of me wonders if he’s taken Eros up on this offer before, given how quickly it was proffered.
I sneak a glance up at Death, wondering if he could kill someone for the sake of his own pleasure.
“Until morning,” Eros calls out in the way of a goodbye, raising his goblet to us as Death leads me away.
19
Hades
“My, my, you have been a busy one,wife.”
Persephone freezes, her back still to me from where I sit in the dark corner of her room. Slowly, she turns to give me a soft smile.
“Hades, forgive me, I was not expecting the pleasure of—"
“Pleasure,” I snort in disgust. “There is no need for such pretenses. There is no pleasure to be found between us. Tell me, where were you today?”
“I was simply taking a stroll through the city. You know how court proceedings can tire me.”
“Is that so?” I ask, allowing an edge to creep into my voice. “And if I were to tell you I heard differently?”
“I suppose it would depend on what you heard, as well as who you heard it from.”
“Who I heard it does not matter when I have learned that my wife is a traitorous bitch.”
Persephone’s smile remains plastered to her face, but I can see the fear flicker through her eyes.
“I would never—”
“You would, and you have,” I cut her off. “Have I not given you everything? Have I not warned you what would happen if you betrayed me again?”
“Hades, I swear—”
“Lies,” I snarl, rising from my chair. Persephone takes a step back, but I close the distance between us with a menacing slowness. “You forget who I am, wife. You forget the power that I hold over you. You forget that I am the God of the Underworld, and that I can make your life more of a living hell than it already is.”
Persephone's eyes widen as she stumbles backward. I catch her by her waist, pulling her toward me until there is no space left between us.
I can feel her heart racing against my chest, and I take a moment to relish the fear that I can smell emanating from her skin.
“You forget that I can take away everything you hold dear," I continue, my voice low and dangerous. "So, you will tell me the truth, wife. And you will do it now.”
I watch as Persephone's resolve crumbles into tears as she drops her chin, mumbling something that sounds like an apology.
