Page 115 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“Prince and princess. Got it,” I groan.

“Be on your best behavior. I mean it, little devil.”

I lean over across the space between us, my breasts spilling out of the top of my dress. His breath hitches, and his cock starts to harden against his pants.

I bat my lashes. “My best behavior? Which one?”

“You’re a cruel woman.” He stares at my chest hungrily. If the twins hadn’t weaved my hair into this stupid crown, it would have fallen to the floor by now.

“Mmm,” I purr, picking at each button of his shirt with my nail. “How cruel?”

Minos raps on the window impatiently. “Hades is waiting.”

Aedon ignores him, sliding his hand up my thigh toward the blistering heat growing between them. “Shit,” he groans. He pushes my underwear aside and dips a finger in between the folds brushing my clit. I whimper in response. He withdraws his finger and sticks it into his mouth, licking my juices off of it. “Delicious.”

Minos cracks the door. “Stop fucking and start moving.”

“To be continued.” A wicked grin flashes across Aedon’s face, and he steps out of the vehicle.

It’s now or never. Minos removes me from the car by force, setting me on my feet before I can fight him. Aedon takes my hand and wraps it around his bicep, ready to escort me up the stairs. Fire still burns where he touched me, and I shift uncomfortably, clenching my legs together to try to release the pressure.

A blonde-haired man with a crown of rubies steps out of the vehicle behind us. This must be Hades. He’s shorter than I would have thought. Instead of a suit, he wears a long black leather coat and a buttoned lush green silk shirt. He’s left the top few buttons undone and peeking out is a medallion, not a medallion, but the eye of the Graeae. The three sisters who share an eye and could tell the future. They disappeared a long time ago after their eye was stolen from them by a godly asshole who killed their other sister. They had given away her location. Traitors in their own right.

He sticks his hand out, and a woman in silk gloves that reach her elbows takes it. Her arms are slender. She’s taller than him with chestnut hair that flows down to her waist. The woman is adorned in a lush green dress that matches his shirt. A crown of flowers is woven into her hair, blooming a pale pink. Persephone.

The pair approach us elegantly. Persephone practically floats over the ground.

“Beautiful night it is,” Hades exclaims in a deep voice. Persephone clasps Aedon into a hug. Hades takes everything in with violet eyes, the eyes of the gods. They land on me, surprisingly warm. He lifts a brow and flicks his gaze to Aedon.

I'm so nervous that I'm gripping Aedon’s arm like my life depends on it. This is the part that makes me want to throw up.

“I’m sorry I’ve been absent from court,” Aedon apologizes. “I’ve been busy.”

Persephone’s gaze swivels to me. There is a delighted curiosity in her violet eyes. “Don’t be rude, Aedonaeus, introduce us.” She has a voice like wind chimes.

“This is my wife, Josephine,” he says briskly. “Jos, this is my adoptive mother and father, Persephone and Hades.”

I expect more surprise from them.

“Let me be the first to offer you my condolences.” Hades takes my hand and gives me a sly grin, a slight bow, and kisses my knuckles. It’s weird having a king bow to you, but I give him a nod. Persephone smacks his arm with a quick glare then envelopes me in a hug. She smells like roses, and her skin feels like flower petals.

She holds me by the shoulders with soft fingers, looking me over. “You are magnificent, dear. What are you doing with him?”

I hear Aedon’s adoration. “I tricked her. Don’t ruin it for me.” He winks.

“If you need help escaping, blink twice. His father is quite the trickster himself.” I recall the story that has been passed down for generations. Hades had kidnapped her. Kate had always rolled her eyes when it was brought up.

“She married me of her own free will.” Aedon slides his arm around me, gluing his palm to my back.

My insides scream to say something, and it flies out before I can stop it. “He begged. How can a girl say no when a man grovels on his knees.”

Persephone clasps her hands in delight. “Oh, I like you. You’re feisty.”

“And you were behaving so well.” Aedon shakes his head.

“Don’t listen to him. I don’t mind you drawing attention from this dreaded affair.” Hades’ face scrunches up in disgust.

Persephone sighs. “Keep it civil.” She tosses me an apologetic look.

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