Page 62 of Desired By Eros

Hephaestus leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his expression serious. “I gave the pyxis to Hades for safekeeping.”

“Okay,” Eros turned to face him. “How do I get into the Underworld?”

“Apollo can get you in,” he replied simply.

Eros’s brow furrowed in disbelief. “What? No way in fuck am I asking him for help.”

He and the god of the sun had a long-standing rivalry, mostly due to Eros’s penchant for messing with him whenever they crossed paths. The thought of asking Apollo for assistance was about as appealing as a trip to Tartarus itself.

“It’s the quickest way, Eros,” Aphrodite said, giving him a knowing look before pulling out her phone. She dialed Apollo’s number and without hesitation asked him to meet them.

“What’s going on?” Apollo said as he materialized into the room, his presence filling the space.

Hephaestus wasted no time. “Could you get Eros to Hades’s office now? We’ll explain later.”

Apollo’s eyes flickered between the three of them, and it seemed like he sensed the gravity of the situation because he placed a hand on Eros’s shoulder. And before Eros could protest, there was a sharp tug of energy, and in the blink of an eye, they were standing in a cold, dimly lit office.

Hades, the god of the Underworld, looked up from a pile of papers. His dark gaze flicked over Eros, his lips curling into a small smirk. “Ah, Eros, you’re here for the pyxis?”

“Yes, I need it.”

Hades’s gaze never wavered as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest. “Well then, let’s see if we can come to an arrangement.”

“No arrangements, Hades. I just need the pyxis,” Eros stood his ground, his voice sharp.

Hades raised an eyebrow, his expression unfazed. “Oh, I see. You think I’ll just hand it over? Do you really believe you’re in a position to demand anything from me?” He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. “Tell me, Eros, how long do you think you’ll stay in the Upperworld?”

Eros groaned. “I’m not here for your games, Hades.”

“Do you really think this asshole has changed?” Apollo said.

Eros clenched his fists, itching to punch Apollo’s smug face, but he knew better. He was here for one thing and one thing only. He had to stay focused.

“I need the pyxis to save someone,” Eros finally said.

Hades tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he studied Eros, his expression unreadable. For a moment, it felt as though all hope was slipping away, and Eros was about to snap, ready to say something sarcastic, when Hades broke the silence.

“I hid it at the bottom of the Acheron River,” Hades said. “Orthrus will guide you.”

Eros blinked, his tension easing just a fraction. “Thank you, Hades,” he said, relief washing over him.

Apollo shot a glance at Hades before he teleported Eros outside the palace where Orthrus waited for them.

Apollo didn’t let go of Eros’s shoulder. “What’s this about?”

Eros shrugged him off. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“Actually, you do.”

“Fine,” Eros turned to him, frustration bubbling up. “Psyche was put under a spell, and the only way to break it is to get the pyxis.”

Apollo studied him for a moment, then nodded. “So, you care for Psyche? She’s the shifter that was staying with Artemis, right?”

Eros felt his face flush slightly, but he quickly grumbled, “Yes.”

“Well, look at you,” Apollo said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah,” Eros muttered, rolling his eyes.

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