Page 55 of For the Love of the Gods

Rose walked toward me, passing the row of gods seated on the right side of the table without a second glance. Just strode toward me, her eyes on my face the entire way over. I met her gaze, held it without backing down.

A distant, instinctual part of my brain registered that the power and age she’d gained since I’d last seen her looked good on her. Too good.

My rage kicked it out of focus a second later, my jaw clenching at the cold observation in Rose’s eyes. When she was within a few feet of me, close enough to smell her perfume, she cocked her head and narrowed her eyes at me. Let those envy-colored eyes trail down to the wood splintering under my hands on my chair, to the shadows gathering around my feet.

Rose blinked again. Then her shoulders pinched and her mouth tilted up just an inch as she placed a hand on the back of the chair that was meant to be her brother’s and said, “This seat isn’t taken is it? I’d hate to have to remove someone from it.”

“You know damn well that’s not your fucking chair,” I snapped, my anger straining my voice.

Rose raised one perfect eyebrow at me. “Really? Because I don’t see anyone here who would take it.”

I let out a low grumble and Rose let out a little laugh. Then, “Unless you’re seeing something I’m not. If so, you’re insane.”

Insane. That was new. I’d remember that.

At my silence, Rose said, “Oh, good. Glad it’s free, then.”

And then the room went taut. Every god and goddess stared at her, realizing that the young, sweet Rose Hades had just stolen the throne from her brother and father.

Realizing that it was now marriage or death—likely death, I had a few ideas forming—that would determine the future of the Underworld.

Chapter 16

Rose

Dominic’s smug fucking grin was the first thing I saw the next morning. I couldn’t sleep knowing how few walls separated us, especially not when my head was still spinning from that near kiss and my heart felt heavy from me rejecting the Fates.

And today of all days—a fucking Council meeting—was only going to make it worse. It would be a reminder of why I started working for them in the first place.

Shaking off the thought, I finally opened my eyes to see Dominic sitting in a chair in front of my bed. Staring at me.

“Can I help you?” I asked, pushing my hair out of my face.

Dominic assessed me with warm brown eyes, dragging his hand through his light stubble. “We’re going to be late.”

I snuck a look at the clock on my bedside table.Eight in the morning. I picked it up and threw it at him. It was a sloppy throw and he caught it with his left hand before it even got close to hitting him.

Dominic raised one thick eyebrow at my boldness. Whatever, it was too early.

“The Council meeting isn’t until noon,” I argued. “Why on earth would you wake me up this early?”

Dominic sat forward, resting his bare, tattooed forearms on his knees, still holding my clock. “You were already awake.”

I sat up fully, letting the covers fall to my waist. My cotton tank was somewhat modest, and a lucky shade of black that would hide any definition of my breasts. Not that I had any reaction that needed to be hidden from Dominic’s assessing gaze.

“You don’t know that,” I said.

Dominic grin lifted up a bit higher. “Sure do. Your eyebrows pinched together a couple minutes before you opened your eyes. Awake.”

“Exactly how long were you watching me for?” I wasn’t sure what answer I preferred. Because the thought of him watching me that intently wasn’t hitting acid in my stomach like I thought it would.

At my pause, Dominic continued, “Don’t get flattered. I was making sure you weren’t going to miss it.”

I scoffed and threw back the covers. “When have I ever missed a Council meeting?”

“Fair point,” Dominic said, right as I walked over to him. His eyes lingered on my bare legs for a second before he jumped up and strode toward my door. “Noon.”

“See you there, sweetheart,” I said to his back, then gave him a close lipped smile when he whipped around. If he could use the nickname, so could I.

---