Page 108 of The Queen & the King

I slowly drag my nails down his chest. “Oh?”

“You’ll have to wait to find out.”

Fucker. I fucking love playful, flirty Hades. I kiss him deeply. When I pull back, his lips chase mine, but I don’t allow him to catch them. Two can play at this game.

We shift, getting more comfortable, suddenly hit by a wall of exhaustion. I’ve been running on desire and adrenaline, but now that I’m sated and safe in my mate’s arms, I feel sleep tugging at me, lulling me into it. I nuzzle into his neck, inhaling his scent, and my eyes droop closed.

“Love you, my Hades,” I manage to get out before I drop off into unconsciousness.

Sixty-Three

Hades

FALLING ASLEEP FEELS ALMOST ODD.I’m not drifting off to see her. I’m actually trying to rest. Fuck. When was the last time I actually rested? It feels like years, centuries even. I know there’s still so much to do. My father is still at large, yet at the moment, with Persephone in my arms, I think things might just work out.

I smile and kiss her softly before finally closing my eyes and drifting off.

I expectedto be in our meadow, to see Persephone again, our dreams linked because our bond has been renewed. What I did not expect was to once again be in front of the Fates of all the Pantheons.

I groan. “What now?”

“Wow, ungrateful,” Atropos snaps, crossing her arms over her chest.

I glare at her and perform a mocking bow. “How might I serve the Fates?”

“You think to mock our summoning, boy?” Orunmila, the Orisha of Destiny from the Yoruba, hisses.

My jaw ticks. “I mock that you have anything to offer me other than cryptic warnings.”

Orunmila’s dark eyes narrow on me, and he steps closer as if to intimidate me, but I don’t falter. If anything, I stand straighter. I am done bowing to Fate.

Skuld, the Norn of the Future from the Norse Pantheon, holds up her hand, stopping Orunmila. “This is not why we are here.”

I cross my arms, glaring down the Gods of Fate. “Yes, do inform me. Why are you once again intruding on my dream?”

Orunmila growls but bites his tongue, gesturing to Atropos. She pauses as even more Gods of Destiny arrive, surrounding me in the dream. “The Destroyer of Worlds,” Atropos whispers, watching my reaction.

The dream shakes as the Primordial power, the heart of darkness from which all shadows spring, awakens. The gods look at each other nervously. “Destiny. Fate. Future. I don’t care,” I warn. “Choose your next words carefully when you mention my wife.”

Atropos shakes her head, holding up her hands in supplication. “You misunderstand. We are not threatening your queen.”

The dream slowly steadies, though the gods don’t look any more relaxed.

“Then why bring her up?”

“We need to discuss the role she will play in the upcoming conflict,” Atropos answers.

Even inside the dream, I feel my body respond. It tenses, and every muscle locks down on bone.

“Let me make this perfectly clear. Any ideas or plans you’re spinning around Persephone and me are done. We are not puppets to be strung along at your will. We have given enough, endured enough, and now we get the happiness and peace we deserve.”

“You think to order us?” Hesmut asks, astonished. “The Gods of Fate?”

“Yes, I do,” I snap, the dream around us flickering. The Primordial power rouses further, responding to my anger and frustration. “I am not a boy or a soldier. I am a king, and the only reason you would summon me here is because you need something from me.”

A heavy silence falls, and I keep my eyes on Atropos. She may not be the oldest god present, but of all of them here, she has the most experience with me, and she will know to weigh my words carefully.

I bow mockingly again. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll be returning to my dream.”

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