Page 45 of Tempted By Hades

Dressed in an ensemble that combined sophistication with a touch of sensuality, she effortlessly moved through the space, revealing the grace that came with her Naiad nature. Her dark hair framed her face in sleek waves.

Her eyes, enigmatic and exuding a seductive charm, met Hades’s gaze. “Good morning, Hades. We have a lot of work to do. Where’s Hermes?”

Hades bit back his reminder that she should address him properly. But, over the millennium, he had gotten used to Minthe’s antics and her constantly pushing his buttons.

Good thing she’s good at her job.

“When don’t we have a lot of work?” he said instead, leaning back in his chair.

She smirked. “Then shouldn’t you summon Hermes?”

Shrugging, he called for the messenger of the gods, who instantly appeared before his desk. His athletic figure hinted at perpetual motion, and his expressive eyes sparkled with mischievous intelligence. Dressed in a toga with a stylish, modern twist, Hermes carried an air of eternal youth and eternal curiosity. With a charismatic grin, Hermes had an uncanny ability to navigate the realms of both humor and seriousness, making him a favored messenger among gods and an unpredictable presence for everyone else. The glint in his eyes hinted at an eternal sense of adventure, a characteristic that mirrored his constant journeys across the divine and mortal realms.

“Finally,” Minthe muttered, and she approached Hades’s desk with a huff.

“Hello, Hades,” Hermes greeted with his signature charm. However, his eyes glided past Minthe, a subtle disregard that didn’t escape Hades’s notice. The atmosphere carried a touch of tension, a familiar dance of strained relations that Hades had observed before.

As Hermes and Hades exchanged pleasantries, Hades mused inwardly about the complex dynamics between Hermes and Minthe. Their relationship, marked by a series of on-again, off-again moments, often spilled into their interactions with him. Hades was caught in the crossfire of their intermittent discord, a perplexing dance he struggled to comprehend despite his godly wisdom.

Minthe impatiently tapped her heel against the floor, the rhythm of her impatience evident in the subtle yet persistent sound. “We’ve got a mountain of tasks to sort through,” she exclaimed, a note of exasperation underlying her words.

Hermes glanced at her, catching the glare she shot in his direction.

Unfazed, she continued, “But the most important item to discuss is a past agreement with two souls.”

Hades acknowledged the urgency in Minthe’s tone. “Tell me more,” he prompted, his attention now fully on the impending discussion about a matter that demanded immediate attention.

Minthe leaned over the desk, her ass in the air and her skirt riding up, and pointed at a document. Hades smirked, enjoying Hermes’s reaction.

She has him eating out of her hands. Well, as much as you can have a god eat out of your hand.

As the tension lingered, he heard an, “Um, hi.”

All eyes turned toward the door where Persephone stood. Today, she was dressed in a simple white linen dress, cardigan, and sandals, while her hair was swept back into a sleek ponytail. She looked shy and bashful today, a far cry from last night’s seductress. Had she changed her mind about wanting to sleep with him?

The thought made his gut clench.

“Sorry, I was looking all over for you this morning. You didn’t show up for breakfast.”

“Lady Persephone,” he greeted in his most formal tone. “What can I do for you today?”

“Nothing…I mean, I was just bored.”

“Hades?” Minthe interrupted. “Who is this person?”

He did not appreciate her tone, especially not from one of his underlings. He also did not like the way Persephone shrank back. “No, you’re not disturbing us, Lady Persephone. Please come in.”

“Uh, hi,” she said with a wave. “I’m Persephone.”

“This is Lady Persephone, Goddess of Spring, and my honored guest,” he introduced. “Persephone, meet my…associate, Minthe, and Hermes, messenger to the gods.”

“Honored to meet you, Lady Persephone,” Hermes said with a bow. “I’m well acquainted with your mother, Lady Demeter. You remind me of her—and just as lovely.”

Minthe, too, bowed her head in deference, while muttering some form of greeting under her breath.

“Would you like to stay and watch us work?” Hades said.

“W-watch us?” Minthe’s head snapped up. “She can’t be here! We are doing important business.”

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