Page 103 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
I gave a curt nod. ‘I shall be indisposed today… unless there’s a dire emergency.’
‘Don’t worry, Highness.’ The Underworld usually ran like clockwork; my Underworld family ensured it.
I hesitated before continuing. ‘I’m taking Persephone to the mortal realm for a week… perhaps longer. Our new schedule will allow everyone at least one long weekend each month for personal time. That includes you, Thanatos.’ His eyes widened in pleasant surprise. ‘While you rest, Hermes will oversee your army of soul collectors and manage operations in your stead.’
‘Great.’ Thanatos raised his cup in a salute.
‘I’ll be in my office tomorrow. Everyone will meet at ten sharp. We’ll review the new schedule and assign duties for my absence. I leave with Persephone in the afternoon.’
‘No problem.’
I took the tray of food and coffee, and my shadows enveloped me as I returned to Persephone.
‘Morning,’ she said sleepily, rubbing her eyes with her fists.
‘I brought you toast, eggs, and coffee.’ I laid the table and smiled as she scrambled from the bed, making excited squeaks.
We ate in silence for a while. Then she sipped her coffee and seemed to force herself to take deep breaths. I could taste her emotions, a blend of mildly spicy fennel and the tartness of lemons—vexation and agitation.
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ I asked quietly. She raised her eyes to mine; they shimmered with tears, dampness clinging to her lashes. I resisted the urge to go to her.
‘He was…’ She swallowed tightly. ‘Delusional. Deranged. He wanted me to be his consort. He said I belonged to him. That I was promised to him.’ She gave a half-hearted shrug.
‘Promised to him?’ I pondered those words, questioning whether the god behind Ixion had any connection to Adonis. ‘Did he…?’
‘No. He bit me. But he talked about what he would do, and…’ Her voice faltered, but selfishly, relief washed over me at her words.
The taste of panic and fear clung to the back of my throat—sharp and sour, like spoiled coffee. She was starting to hyperventilate. I rushed to her, kneeling before and taking her hand. Flattening my palm against her chest, I felt the rapid thrum of her heart.
‘Breathe,agapi mou. Inhale through your nose for four, hold for seven, then exhale through your mouth for eight.’ Shefollowed my rhythm, forcing the air in and out. I counted every breath. ‘Again,’ I said softly—again and again until the trembling subsided. ‘Good girl,’ I murmured as the trembling in her body receded.
‘I’m sorry,’ she muttered, dropping her eyes.
‘Don’t apologise, Persephone. I’m here for you. You’re going to be fine.’ A faint shudder rippled through her at my words.
The bite mark on her neck had faded to a faint bruise now that her powers had fully awakened. ‘Feeling better?’ I asked. She nodded, offering a shaky smile.
‘I knew you’d find me,’ she whispered. ‘I just need to pull myself together and stop being such a damn cry-baby.’
I shook my head. ‘You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever known. Even you get to fall apart sometimes.’ A small, reluctant smile curved her lips. ‘I’m taking you to the mortal realm tomorrow, for a week, maybe longer,’ I said, brushing my thumb over her hand. ‘We’ll travel. Do whatever you want. A change of scenery, and time together, is what we both need.’
‘I’d love that,’ she said, her voice barely a whisper.
‘I’ll run you a bath.’ She reached out, making little grabby motions with her hands, so I scooped her up, and she wrapped her legs around my hips, her head resting against my shoulder as I carried her to the bathroom.
‘I think you can carry me everywhere from now on. Walking is so overrated,’ she breathed close to my ear, clinging to me like a koala. I raised my brows in mock horror but continued preparing the bath with her still in my arms.
‘I love the sense of safety you give me,’ she murmured, and my heart swelled in response. ‘I—I need you, Hades. I need your touch.Yourbite.’ My mouth found hers before she could speak another word. A relentless kiss, thrusting my tongue into her mouth as she stroked hers over mine.
I deepened the kiss, and her legs slid down, but I kept her flush to me, her breasts and pebbled nipples hard against my chest, her nails digging into my shoulders, and my uncomfortably hard cock pressed into her stomach. She shivered deliciously.
I caught her bottom lip between my teeth, breathing hard. ‘Your wish is my command, my queen. I’ll hold you, kiss you, and suck those beautiful breasts the way you like.’
‘Yes,’ she whisper-groaned, lips swollen and trembling.
I kissed her again—hard, hungry. ‘Shall I kiss and lick your wet pussy?’ She nodded, eyes dark with need. ‘And bite you while I’m fucking your pussy… and your arse?’
‘That sounds really nice,’ she breathed, dragging her tongue over her lower lip. The sight nearly undid me, and my erection became a stone monument.
