Page 63 of The Queen & the King

I swallow. “There’s something I’m missing. Isn’t there?”

I feel Hades tense above me, his gaze searching mine. He’s reluctant to tell me. Why?

He nods, and his eyes flash with pain. He desperately wants to tell me but can’t for some reason. I cup his cheek, sliding my thumb gently beneath his eye.

“And there’s a reason you can’t tell me. Right?” I ask, searching his face.

“It hurts you,” he replies, his voice thick with despair and memories.

I nod, stroking his cheek.

“I’ll replace it with new things,” Hades says after another moment, the pain in his expression easing a little. He leans down, brushing his lips over mine, and I smile into the kiss, my heart soaring for this man. I’m not sure what I’ve lost, but I am sure of what I’ve gained.

Hades pulls back too soon, his gaze traveling to my horns. It takes a lot not to pull away from him, to hide them. I’m not used to people seeing them, even less used to people seeing them as anything but hideous.

“Those can’t grow back fast enough,” Hades growls.

I sigh heavily. “She’ll only cut them off again.”

Hades’ jaw clenches. “Bitch.” I stroke his cheek again, just watching him, admiring him. My cheeks heat when his gaze meets mine again, knowing he caught me staring. “Your horns are beautiful, Persephone.”

My vision blurs a little as my eyes fill with tears. “Really?”

Hades nods. “In the Underworld, everyone has horns.”

“I’ve never seen anyone on Olympus with horns.”

Hades smirks playfully, tilting his head so his horns are on show. “Well, technically, you have.”

I smile, reaching up and wrapping a hand around his proud horn, enjoying how perfectly it curls away from his head.

Hades moans, his eyes shuttering. “Fuck.”

My eyebrows lift at his reaction, and my stomach heats a little. I squeeze the horn, and Hades growls in response.

“Not fair when I can’t do it back.”

I stroke my hand up and down his horn. “I love them.”

Hades smiles, his eyes still dark. “I didn’t have any for a long time.”

“You didn’t?” I ask, squeezing his horn again.

“It’s… uh, really hard to think when you do that.” He moans.

I reach up with my other hand and squeeze his other horn. I’m rewarded with a low groan from Hades, his eyes rolling back a little in pleasure.

“Hades?” I kiss along his jaw, wanting to hide my face as I voice the question I’m about to ask him.

“Hm?” Hades moans, lost in pleasure.

“Can I…” I feel my face burn with a blush, “suck your cock?”

Hades pulls back, looking down at me as if I’ve asked him the most ludicrous thing. “My spring. My cock is yours to do with what you will.”

In a flash, I push him onto his back and straddle him, kissing down his neck. I don’t know what has gotten into me, but I need to taste him.

Hades groans, and I can feel his eyes searing into me. His shadows caress my skin as I kiss down his chest, and I glance up at him. He is resting his head on his hands, the picture of male satisfaction, and I’ve never been more turned on.

---