Page 26 of Hades and Persephone: Crown of Souls

“Another one of Hades’ horses. It means,”

“Bright. Shining.Blazing.”

Surprise snaps her eyes wide. “You remember?”

“I—” I blush, a little stupefied. “I’m not sure where that came from.”

She stops walking to study me in a way that is borderline too much. I suddenly want to hide, to shed my skin. I feel overexposed. “You were very bonded to Aethon. Perhaps your soul simply remembers the bond.”

She begins to walk again, her hand tugging at mine. But I’m struck by the sudden realization that this woman knew mebefore.

“Maya,” I call, tugging on the hand she holds. When she looks at me again, I ask the question that suddenly burns to break free. “Did you know me—before, I mean?”

Something shutters in her face. “I did. But I’ve been instructed to let you remember in your own time. I can tell you nothing, and for that I am deeply sorry.”

“Will you—” I press. “Will you tell me if we were friends at least?”

Something mists in her eyes. She gives a tiny sniff, straightens her shoulders and nods. “We were very close. I’ve kept every secret you ever entrusted to me snugly locked away in here.” With her free hand she taps her fingertips into her chest. “Let’s get you to Hades, shall we?”

Chapter

Thirteen

Persephone

Maya leadsme through the palace—a maze I’ll soon need to learn—to the wide arched double doors of the enormous entrance. Standing on glossy black tile beneath an onyx chandelier fashioned to resemble what I can only imagine is bone, the flame that dances over the Hydra’s sacrifice casts shadows that whisper ominously throughout the grand space. They draw goosebumps to the surface of my flesh, and Maya responds with a confounded frown.

“Are you cold?”

“I just got a chill.”

“But—but it’s so warm.”

The Underworld really is warm. The heat is nearly tropical, even under the unending stretch of night. “I’m fine.”

She doesn’t look convinced, even as she gestures to the doors. “Hades should be just outside.”

“Thank you.” I turn to the door as the wispy fabric of the gown twists delicately around my body. I can’t help but feel like a princess in this dark castle. And as my fingertips reach outto pull at the door handle, a quick flash of unexpected fantasy plunges into my mind. The blade of it dives deep, desire cutting to the core of me.

I imagine myself fleeing from a beast so dark, taunting him—always taunting him. The ground trembles under the bludgeoning of his footfalls. My heart thunders, quickening with anticipation. With the hunt. With the inevitable capture.The claim.

A thrill is caught between reality and fantasy as I pull open the door and step onto the stone that seems carved straight from the cut of the very mountain in which birthed this dark castle into existence.

Hades has never looked more God than he does in this moment. He’s shed his suit for a wispy black button-down shirt that is open just enough to tease a display of his chest. The shirt is tucked into black britches, and black leather riding boots crunch over loose mountain rock as he twists to face me. Thrown over his shirt is an open black jacket that falls down the length of his body. His shoulder length hair is tied at the nape of his neck, and I can see the hard clench to his sharp jaw even beneath his trim beard. He looks like a pirate.

Or a handsome devil come to steal away my soul.

Beside him is a beast that is unlike any horse I’ve ever seen. The creature is massive, not only in height, but in girth. Gleaming black hooves cut into the path where he stands at the back of his master, ebony eyes tracking the very flutter of my racing pulse.

The dark fantasy I’d entertained only moments before spears my belly hot as a newly forged blade. Liquid desire burns through me, entirely unexpected. It twists inside my womb with a demand I can’t begin to understand how to sate. The sharp pain of it steals my breath as I press my palm into my belly, attempting in any way that I can, to steady myself.

“Little Goddess,” Hades murmurs darkly. The rich tones of his dark voice do nothing to lessen the burning ache that’s building inside me. His nostrils flare and I clench my legs instinctively. I could swear, as impossible as it is, that the man—the God—can scent my arousal.

The idea alone is enough to bloom a flush of apple red in my cheeks. I duck my head, cutting my gaze from his. At my stomach, my knotted hands tremble just slightly as I move slowly down the steps of the palace entrance to the man and beast that await me at the bottom. Heat burns now under every inch of my skin, and still, I manage to shiver as I stop before Hades.

“Are you cold?” His finger slides under my chin and I find my gaze forced to his penetrating one.

“Just nervous.” The words feel pulled from me. Sometimes, I feel like there is nowhere I could possibly hide from this man. All he needs to do is peer into my eyes to catch the ink of truth that tattoos all my secrets onto my naked soul.

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