Page 41 of Tempted By Hades

The next three hours passed much too quickly for Hades. As the hour for dinner drew nearer, dread grew alongside his anticipation. While he wanted to see her again, he didn’t know what to do. How was he going to convince her to marry him and be his queen in the next few weeks so that she would be allowed at the Sealing Ceremony? Was honesty still the best way, or now, knowing that she was essentially trapped in the Underworld with him, would she resent him and feel tricked?

Because no matter how he twisted it and looked at it from different angles, the guilt eating away at him told him that he did indeed trick her when he seized that opportunity during her fight with her mother.

He would have to tell her the truth, and the sooner the better.

A knock on his door jolted him from his thoughts. “Yes?”

The door swung open, and one of the more senior palace servants, Nonnus, entered. “Lord Hades, dinner is almost ready. The staff has prepared everything exactly as you ordered. Would you like me to fetch your guest and bring her to the dining room?”

“No, thank you, I’ll do it myself,” he said, dismissing Nonnus with a nod. Hades considered transporting himself directly outside her door, but walking over there would give him more time to think about what to do and say to her tonight.

On his way to the living area, however, he saw his reflection in the mirror and realized he hadn’t even changed out of his outfit from this morning, not to mention, his hair currently resembled a bird’s nest, probably from pulling his hair out. Sighing, he made a detour to his own rooms to change and refreshed himself before heading to Persephone’s room.

Stopping outside, he paused, giving himself time to take in a deep breath before he knocked. “Persephone? Are you ready?”

“O-one moment!” came the muffled sound from behind the door. Two heartbeats later, it swung open. “Uh, hi,” Persephone said shyly as she stepped out. “I, uh, hope this is appropriate?”

Hades’s entire mouth turned as dry as the Sahara. Persephone was wearing a stunning green gown with a deep neckline that showed off her delicate, pale skin. Embroidered flowers lined the neckline and encircled her slim waist and flared off into a full skirt made of the lightest gossamer material. Her straw-colored hair had been left down, though styled in waves that framed her beautiful face.

“Hades?” Earth-colored eyes looked up at him expectantly.

“I…you look nice.” He swallowed audibly. “I mean, that dress looks great on you.”

“Thanks!” She twirled around, sending the skirt flying around her.

“Where did you get it?” He cringed inwardly at how that question sounded so stupid, but at least he said something instead of gawking at her like an idiot.

“You’re not the only one with magic,” she said. “And, well, you’re right about the seeds.”

“I am?”

“Yes. I can use my powers here now.”

“Oh, right.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve had the staff set up dinner for us. Shall we?”

She took his offered arm. “Let’s go.”

As they walked through the palace, Hades wondered if he would regret setting up tonight’s dinner. He wanted to be a good host, after all, and make her feel at ease. However, he also had to remind himself about his vow not to sleep with her. He was already having the most impure thoughts about her.

For heaven’s sake, it’s just a dress.

And she was just a woman, one whose soft hands branded his skin as it lingered over his forearm, and whose heady perfume tickled his nose with its intoxicating aroma.

“Welcome,” Nonnus greeted as he gestured for them to enter the dining room. “Our chef has prepared a special menu tonight. She hopes you enjoy it.”

“But if you don’t like it and would prefer something else, you may simply ask,” Hades said to Persephone.

“I’m sure it will be just marvelous,” she replied, her eyes sparkling. “I look forward to it.”

They sat down at the table in the middle of the room with Hades at the head and Persephone to his left.

“Wow, this is a huge table.” Her eyes grew wide as she scanned the elaborate set up. Aside from the set of plates, cups, and cutlery, the rest of the table was decorated with crystal vases filled with fresh flowers, elegantly embroidered linens, gleaming gold charger plates, while flickering votive candles added warmth to the ambience. “This is all for the two of us.”

“I instructed the servants to make this dinner special.” Now he was regretting it, because it all seemed so romantic and cozy. He didn’t want to give the wrong impression after all.

“Are we going to have dinner like this every night?”

He hoped not. “You may, if you wish, but I do not dine like this all the time. In fact, I’m so busy that most days I usually just have a tray sent to my office.” If he remembered to ask for something to eat.

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