Page 103 of The Queen & the King

I step across the threshold, and my weary body relaxes when I am fully immersed in the room. Part of me wishes Cerberus was here so that I am not alone. The other part is grateful for the time to decompress and reacquaint myself with my home, my room, my power, and myself. I kick my boots off and step onto the dark rug, letting my toes curl into its plush softness. My lips tug into a smile. I could spend all day here, just appreciating being here and whole again, but I am acutely aware of the mud and ichor coating my skin, and the shower beckons me. I have not felt this gross since I dreamed of Hades in the tree.

I walk into the adjoining bathroom before pulling off my armor and leggings. Shoving them in my sink, I take a moment to look at myself in the mirror. I’ve definitely looked better. Not only am I covered in grime and filth, but I have lost weight, and even through the gore, I can see the dark circles under my eyes. I lean in closer and smile, noticing my eyes are shimmering, filled with life and hope. No, I don’t look bad. I just look fucking exhausted. The battle took its toll, but I still feel my power coursing through me. I look like a warrior queen.

I step into the shower, and I don’t even attempt to hold back my moan as the hot water slides over my body. Everything aches, even muscles I didn’t know I had, and the steaming water makes them shift deliciously, loosening the knots and strains.

I wash the dirt from my hair and smile as I rub in my familiar strawberry -scented shampoo. All of my toiletries at my mother’s house were magnolia -scented, which is fine, but this is my preferred scent.

Following my shower, I pull on shorts and a cami top, feeling more like myself.

Hades hasn’t returned to me yet, and I need to see him. I leave the comfort of our room to seek him out.

The doors to the throne room open as I approach, my outfit morphing into the familiar curve-hugging black dress the moment I step over the threshold. My heels elevate as four-inch pumps replace my comfortable slippers. I sigh and instinctively adjust my gait.

My annoyance at my outfit change is extinguished the second my eyes land on Hades in his exquisite suit. It seems his outfit also changed when he entered the throne room. He’s sitting on his throne, his legs wide as he slouches. While he’s wearing his suit, he’s removed the jacket and rolled the sleeves of his shirt up to just below his elbows. His arms are resting on the arms of the throne, but I can tell he’s been running his fingers through his hair by how tousled it is. He rubs one of his hands over his face before his gaze meets mine, and he sits up a little.

“Hi.” I can hear the affection in his voice, but he sounds as exhausted as I feel.

My heels click as I take the steps up to the dais. “Hi.”

Hades holds his hand out for mine, and I slide my hand into his. “They’re hot on his trail,” he says, almost growling. He yanks me closer, pulling me into his lap, and I wrap my arms around his neck.

“My demon,” I say, cupping his cheeks as he slips his hand into the slit of my dress and squeezes my thigh firmly, sure of his welcome.

“My spring,” he whispers back, squeezing my thigh again.

I brush my lips over his, whispering, “I told you I would find my way back to you.”

“And you did.” He kisses me deeper. “My dark spring.”

I smile against his lips. “My mushy demon.”

Hades bites my lip. “Mushy? I’ve never been called mushy before.”

I moan. “My sexy demon.”

Hades lifts me, shifting me so I straddle him. The slit in my skirt that already tracks high up my leg rips slightly to accommodate the spread of my thighs.

Hades groans at the sound, his eyes straying to the ripped fabric at my thigh.

I grin and ask, “Sexy?”

“Extremely,” he says, trailing his fingers along the silk of my dress and following the split fabric, careful not to touch my skin. “My queen,” Hades growls, and my whole body hums in awareness.

“My king,” I reply, glancing at his lips.

Hades’ maddening exploration continues, his fingers teasing, only ever touching the silk of my dress. “You know. It’s a tragedy no one has ever fucked on these thrones,” he says.

His eyes have gone black with desire, and I know mine reflect the same hunger. “We should rectify that,” I say, nipping sharply at his lower lip in retaliation for his teasing.

“I agree, Queen Persephone,” Hades growls.

I slam my lips to his, unable to take it any longer, unable to resist him for another moment. Hades moves his hands back to my hips and digs his fingers into my flesh, grinding my pussy against his already hard length. His claws come through for thebriefest of moments, but in that time, he completely shreds the dress, leaving me naked on top of him. There is something so fucking erotic about being on top of him naked while he is fully clothed beneath me. It’s definitely a vulnerable thing, but I trust him completely. I pull back, feeling my crown appear on my head, the weight pressing down softly, fitting me perfectly.

Hades looks up at me in wonder, his eyes going from my body to my face to the crown, hungrily taking it all in. “If I could have you like this every fucking day, I would,” he groans, rocking me against him again. His cock throbs beneath me, and I’m cursing those fucking trousers separating us.

I slowly unbutton his shirt, keeping my gaze locked on his. “You can.”

“Dance for me,” Hades growls, his voice so low and commanding that I can’t help but follow his instruction.

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