Page 20 of Tempted By Hades

“You seem even more somber than usual. What’s the matter? A particularly stubborn soul in the Underworld, or did Zeus borrow your pitchfork again?” As usual, Apollo couldn’t resist the opportunity to stir some mischief.

Hades shot him a withering look, but Apollo’s grin only widened. “Hmm, that’s not it,” Apollo’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he leaned back, reveling in the prospect of some divine drama. “It’s a woman, isn’t it?

Hades sighed, his annoyance evident. “You always assume the worst, Apollo.”

“Assuming is my specialty,” he replied, unperturbed. “So, who is she? A mortal caught your eye, or did one of the goddesses finally see through your brooding exterior?”

Hades scowled. “It’s complicated,” he muttered. Apollo didn’t know about Persephone—and he couldn’t know about her. At least, not until he had secured her. “She’s angry with me.”

“What did you do?”

“Why do you assume it was my fault?”

He tsked. “Because nine times out of ten, it’s the man’s fault.”

Hades sighed. “I promised her…something in exchange for a kiss. And so, we did, then I got called back to the Underworld because of work. I came back, though, ready to fulfill my end of the bargain. But by then, she was already angry with me and told me to go away.”

Apollo flinched. “Ouch.”

“But—wait a minute.” He searched the other god’s face. “You believe I’m in the wrong? When I came back? I could have just never returned, and she wouldn’t have been able to find me.”

“Let me get this straight,” Apollo began after a brief moment of silent contemplation, his tone dripping with theatrical incredulity. “She asked you for something, and you said you would give it to her in exchange for a kiss. She agrees, and this kiss, I assume, was consensual. I mean, she wasn’t doing it for something that she desperately needed?”

“Of course it was consensual. It was her idea!” he shot back, offended Apollo would even think that hewould take a kiss from a woman without her consent. “And I confirmed with her before we kissed.”

“Alright then. So, you kissed her, then you ran away.” The god of the sun waved his hand around. “No wonder she’s pissed.”

Hades shot him a glare, unamused by Apollo’s dramatic flair. “You make it sound like I absconded and left her with her virtue in tatters. It was a kiss. And like I said, I came back. But now she’s mad at me. And I don’t know why.”

“Ugh.” Apollo ran a hand down his face. “Really? Dude!” He gripped the edge of the table and blew out a breath. “Well, if it’s not obvious to you, then let me school you: the girl likes you.”

“Likes…me?”

“Yeah. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so upset. You could have just been a notch on her belt, and she’d have forgotten about you as soon as you ghosted her, but no. Your kiss—and you—made an impression on her, but then you left! Right when it was getting good for her. It’s no wonder she was angry.”

“But I—” He clamped his mouth shut as Apollo’s words sank into him.

He did, indeed, screw up.

“Ooh.” Apollo rubbed his jaw with his thumb and forefinger. “You’ve finally had a lightbulb moment. Congrats!”

“This isn’t a jest, Apollo.” He swallowed, hating the next words coming out of his mouth. “I need advice, not your theatrics.”

Apollo’s jaw dropped. “What? Advice? From me? Okay, okay. What type of woman is she? Down to fuck, or a good girl?”

“What? I don’t understand those words that you just spoke.”

“Does she like to play games, or is she a ‘good girl’?”

Hades nursed his drink while his mind swirled with thoughts of Persephone. Is she the playful type, weaving games of emotion and intrigue, or is she a ‘good girl,’ expecting straightforward honesty and sincerity? He pondered these questions as if navigating the labyrinthine paths of her character.

“She’s a ‘good girl,’” he said firmly.

“Then you’ve got to be straight with her. Mortals love that kind of thing.” His impish grin returned. “And for all god’s sake, make a grand gesture and try to win her over. Though, I guess, for you, that’s a big ask.”

“A grand gesture.” But what type of grand gesture could he make for Persephone? She was the goddess of the spring. Nothing she needed or wanted was beyond her reach, as far he knew.

Well…there was one thing.

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