Page 48 of The Queen & the King

Thirty

Persephone

THE FIELD WELCOMES ME AS USUAL, AND I TAKE A DEEP BREATH,enjoying the peace. Hades will be here tonight. I know he will. I feel it in every fiber of my being. We will have to deal with the phantom caress and dulled senses, but I still crave his touch, and it’s definitely better than nothing.

The energy shifts. A moment later, Hades materializes, standing in the middle of the meadow. My feet are moving before I’ve fully registered his presence. I launch myself into his arms, trusting that he’ll catch me. It’s funny that I’ve known this man for so little time, yet I’ve never felt more comfortable putting my trust in someone.

He wraps his arms around me, cocooning me in his strength and warmth. His chest rumbles with a groan or a growl. I’m not sure, but everything about this moment is almost perfect.

“Did you miss me?” he asks, his voice full of amusement.

Did I miss him? What a stupid question. I missed him the second we landed back on the cliff and started running home.

Instead of replying, I slam my lips to his, kissing him deeply. The fact that I can barely feel him is even more frustrating nowthat I know what his touch feels like, now that I know what his lips feel like, now that I know his taste, his smell, his aura, and his heart. Now that I know what I’m missing.

Hades moans into my mouth as I deepen the kiss, my tongue playing with his. I plunge my fingers into his hair, wishing I could feel the silky strands. He playfully nips at my tongue, but his growl tells me he’s not being as playful as he’s letting on. He is burning as hot for me.

I savor the taste of his need before pulling back and gazing greedily up at him, only one thought circling through my mind over and over.

Mine.

“You got home safe?” I ask. It’s a ridiculous question, given he is currently here with me, but one I need to hear the answer to. I need to hear that he is safe.

Hades nods, pressing his forehead to mine, panting a little from our passionate kiss. His fingers dig into my ass, and I moan at the feeling.

“Did she suspect anything?”

Any mention of my mother is like a bucket of ice water over me, but we probably do have things to talk about.

“No, I had an accomplice on the inside,” I say, my lips twitching. I need to think of a way to thank Margaritte for her kindness.

“Accomplice?” Hades asks, pulling back.

I nod. “One of the servants. I’m not sure why she’s helping me, but she often has a look about her.” I pause, trying to think how to describe Margaritte’s almost pained expressions when she looks at me. “Like she’s apologetic about something.”

Hades’ brows draw for a moment before he brushes whatever he is thinking away. He exhales heavily and presses kisses all over my face, obviously as relieved to see me as I am to see him.

“Was my brother still there?” he asks, nuzzling my cheek.

“I didn’t see him, but I think so.”

Hades tilts his head, waiting for an explanation.

“My mother said something about a god-shaped hole in the living room,” I continue. “But I’m not sure who else was there.”

Hades nods thoughtfully. “I didn’t receive a progress report. Then again, he is a dick.”

I blink and then burst out laughing.

Hades watches me, his expression almost awed. “Fuck I missed you…”

I smile, nuzzling him. I will take a lifetime of this if it means I am with him.

Hades grins, and the sight of it makes my heart ache for him. He looks so unburdened, so free, and I want to be the one to make him feel like this. He kisses me again, harder this time. My whole body shivers in response, but he pulls away much too quickly. I pout as he lowers me to the ground, but his perfect grin remains firmly in place.

“I have a surprise for you,” he says, excited about whatever he’s planned. I tilt my head, watching him.

What could he surprise me within the Dreamworld?

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