Page 116 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“Of course.” Hades smooths his coat and offers her his arm. “I look forward to getting to speak with you, Josephine.” It sounds strangely like a threat or a promise that it will happen sooner rather than later. More dread digs into my bones

In an instant they are gone, floating up the stairs and through the massive ornate doors with their bodyguards positioned around them.

The weight of the Universe drops in the silence that follows. It isn’t awkward silence but more of a breath before a storm, like when you can see the dark clouds in the distance, hear the rumble of thunder, smell the rain, and taste the earth. Aedon’s arm is still poised around me, and his palm is still pressed to the center of my now sweaty lower back. He’s contemplating something.

“Well, that was intense,” Vivian comments. “Thanks for the introduction, by the way.”

“If you think that was intense, wait until we go inside,” Hermes says, trying to remain passive.

“Behave,” Aedon reminds him.

With Aedon escorting me, my sister and the brutes behind me, and our entourage of guards on our heels, we ascend the steps with as much grace as we can manage. Servants standing by quietly give us small reverent bows of the head. They run to hold the doors open for us, and we enter the mansion. My confidence is back in full swing.

Inside it’s gaudy and dark, not at all how I would have designed a gala. Although the outside of the mansion is white, the inside is black. Black marble covers the floor and the walls have been hung with black curtains. The place is almost devoid of life. Gold metallic accents are adorned with red glittering rubies, reminiscent of Hades’ crown. The chandelier is made of red hand-blown glass, spiking out like I imagine Medusa’s hair once did, and lights emanate from inside of it.

“Looks like a funeral,” Vivian comments from behind me.

She’s not wrong. It looks like a weird funeral. The place has been decorated as if the point of the party is to unsettle the guests. A small orchestra plays off to the side. The shadows they cast loom across the floor like writhing Tartarian demons. The music is surprisingly appropriate unlike everything else.

People are everywhere, staring at the descending stairs reverently. Hades and Persephone are poised on the steps like Grecian statues. They were just announced. Announced. I panic and try to turn around, but Aedon steers me back.

He pulls me against him and kisses me without warning. It immediately drags me in, wrapping me in a blanket of our comforting darkness. I forget that he just told the ruler of the Underworld we’re married. That we’re about to walk into the lion’s den. That we’re throwing blood in the water and challenging the sharks to circle. There’s a calm confidence in the kiss, and I feed on it.

“Think about how I’ll reward you later.” His velvet voice sends a shiver down my spine. “Everyone ready?”

“I was born ready,” Vivian says primly. “I’ll see you after you’ve had six panic attacks.”

Hermes escorts her down the hall to what I assume is the royal balcony, where we'll end up after this awful procession. A little bit of me hates that she can get away with back door entrances. Aedon guides me forward, followed by Minos and the guard. The sea of eyes finds us. The entire ballroom falls silent.

“Prince Aedonaeus, chosen son of the king and future protector of the Underworld,” a man announces.

There’s confidence and power exuding from Aedon. It’s breathtaking. He’s probably done this hundreds of times, but the way he demands respect is something I have never seen before. From the look of the room this is new for them, too. I can only imagine he used to charm his way through an entrance. Now he’s a strong powerful man to be feared.

“... accompanied by his fated wife, Princess Josephine, purveyor of the wicked, protector of the Remnant, and future queen of the Underworld.” I guess I get my own title. I don’t hate it. It’s something to be feared, and I should be.

Instead of panic, I feel a sense of power. I assess the crowd that's staring at us with morbid curiosity and terrified concern. I’m drunk, but not with alcohol. No, I’m drunk on their uncertainty. It gives me power, and Aedon feels it too. The atmosphere is charged with electricity. He takes my hand and kisses it in front of the entire room. The self-doubt that filled me only minutes ago has completely disappeared.

With my head held high, we descend the steps with all the grace of the royalty that we are. It’s like I’m having an out of body experience. Aedon’s eyes haven’t left me since he kissed my hand. He told me to behave, and now he’s looking at me like I’m a meal in front of our future constituents. I want to fuck him right here in front of everyone.

He can tell because he pulls my back into his chest and breathes in my ear. “You are mine. Do you understand?”

He brushes my hair over my shoulder, revealing the only scar that I’m proud of, his name. There's a gasp before murmurs break out amongst the people. They noticed. It was a possessive move, and I try to ignore the thrill fluttering through my heart. I try to take a step away, but he doesn’t let me go. He's going to make me submit, albeit quietly, in front of everyone.

“Not even the tattooed gentleman by the bar?” Out of the corner of my vision I can see Aedon with that sexy smirk sitting on his face, but it’s tainted with anger, and maybe some jealousy. He leans to the guard nearest to us, whispering something, and the man nods.

He presses his body against the back of mine, still speaking into my ear. “What am I going to do with you?”

I turn my neck to look at him. “Punish me, Aedon,” I dare him quietly on his lips.

I can feel his hardened length against me. We’re being watched with fascination, on display for the world. I don’t mind giving them a show. Our lips meet, and the room erupts, roaring praise. A man with a camera tries to sneak by, but Minos grabs it and smashes it without an apology. So that’s why we never saw photos of the royals where I’m from. What a power move.

Our security has fanned out, trying to calm the crowd while simultaneously creating a path. Minos looks scary with his towering height and muscled tree trunk build as he escorts us, eyes swiveling over each face. We make the walk across the ballroom toward a set of stairs that leads to a balcony. Hades and Persephone are already perched up on it with Vivian and Hermes, all watching us with amusement. Maybe at one time the king and queen were just like us, being worshiped, but something tells me this is different.

As we pass through the crowd, I notice the man I'd mentioned to Aedon, the one by the bar, being dragged out. Jealous bastard. We’re led into a stairwell, and a door is closed behind us, muting the raging party. Aedon and I don’t follow, and Minos hesitates, giving Aedon an anxious glance.

“We’re fine,” Aedon dismisses him.

After the sound of another door closing echoes off the walls, he rounds on me. “Punish me?”

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