Chapter 21 #2
People began applauding, and I turned around to see the most stunning woman I’d ever laid eyes on stride elegantly down the steps in our direction, with Hedone by her side.
I assumed her to be Aphrodite; with hair a thousand shades of gold married together and pale brown skin, she could have graced the cover of any top magazine.
She was captivating—tall, slender, and ridiculously beautiful.
She wore a long, diaphanous dress of pale gold.
I could see the darker hue of her nipples and the swell of her full hips, and as my eyes lowered, I choked on a laugh.
Well, I could see way too much. Yep, I needed to bleach out my eyeballs.
Everybody’s eyes were on us as she approached me.
‘Persephone, my darling.’ Her voice was low and sultry, like honey mixed with gravel.
I felt my cheeks warm as I gave her a small curtsy.
She laughed, shaking her head. ‘Come here.’ She enveloped me in a warm embrace, squeezing gently.
Hesitantly, I mirrored the gesture, and she whispered, ‘I’ve missed you so much.
’ Her words caused a lump to form in my throat, and tears pricked at my eyes.
I didn’t know her, and the guilt of that dug its gnarly talons into me.
‘I—I’m sorry. I—’
‘Don’t apologise, darling. I know you don’t remember me. We can reacquaint ourselves and relive all the fun we once had, hopefully.’ Her piercing aquamarine eyes held mine, and I nodded, giving her a wobbly smile.
‘How is Hades?’
‘Fine,’ I replied far too quickly. ‘He’s fine.’
Her smile was as cold and lovely as frost on a windowpane.
‘Zeus is an arrogant egotist. Apparently, he’s been a wanker since birth.
Don’t tell him I said that,’ she murmured next to my ear, causing me to giggle.
‘This competition to woo you is ridiculous. We all know you love our dark god.’ She winked at me, and I kept my mouth shut, unsure how to respond. ‘Let’s catch up soon, darling.’
‘Yes. Yes, I’d like that,’ I breathed as she air-kissed me and wandered into the throng of guests.
Aphrodite was beautiful, but her proximity emanated so much more than mere beauty—a potent cocktail of lust and longing.
She stirred the feelings I was attempting to bury—the desire I harboured for Hades, the infuriatingly arrogant god.
Hermes and Dionysus were deep in conversation with another person, so I swallowed hard and turned to Simmy.
‘Let’s have another drink.’
‘Oh. My. Gods. Apollo,’ Simmy squeaked as we strolled past, nodding towards an attractive man by one of the large pillars.
‘Are you fangirling Apollo? I thought you liked women?’
‘I do, but you’ve gotta appreciate beauty in any form, and apparently, he has a huge—’
‘Do not finish that sentence.’
‘What’s wrong with you? He’s hot!’ Not as hot as Hades. I wanted to stab that annoying little voice whispering in my ear.
We mingled; I met people, drank wine, and, while socialising, discreetly grabbed and devoured enough canapés to feed a small village.
The tingling sensation lingered; I knew Hades’ eyes were on me.
I took the dress as a success, because every time my gaze caught his, he was staring at me, and a muscle in his jaw feathered lightly each time our eyes locked.
I took another glass of wine as a different god sauntered towards me.
I could tell he was a god because he was enormous, beautiful, and a cocky SOB, dressed in a smart, deep blue button-down shirt that strained against his muscled chest and tailored trousers that clung to his massive legs.
High cheekbones, a square jaw, and drop-dead gorgeous—in fact, he had the look of Hades.
His long, wavy hair was so blond it appeared almost silver, and his eyes were like the ocean on a stormy day—blue-green with tinges of grey and silver.
A hum of power radiated from him. I placed my glass on a nearby poseur table and gave him my undivided attention.
‘Persephone.’ He bowed his head, and I smiled my fake smile, extending my hand. He clasped it, sending a hot shiver crawling down my spine. He turned my hand over and kissed my palm. ‘Poseidon.’
‘Oh, erm, pleased to meet you. I hope you enjoy the evening.’
‘Thank you,’ he grunted.
‘So…’ I hesitated. ‘Are you competing in this ridiculous competition to become my husband?’ The idea sent another shiver tiptoeing down my spine.
‘No. I wouldn’t do that to my brother. Unlike some.’ His eyes turned to Zeus, and his mouth slammed into a thin line.
‘Oh…’ I squeaked. Maybe Poseidon wasn’t so bad.
‘Additionally, I found you rather irritating. Not my type.’
I loosed a cough-laugh. ‘What? You don’t like strong women with brains and opinions?’
‘No. I prefer to be in charge.’ He winked.
‘At least Hades is confident enough in his masculinity to want a headstrong woman,’ I growl-snapped.
‘Too much hassle. Subservience is far easier.’ He raised an arrogant eyebrow at me.
‘Well, aren’t you a freaking ray of sunshine?’
‘Be careful, Human. I am a god.’
‘Yeah, whoop-dee-doo,’ I muttered.
‘See… irritating. I don’t understand why Hades is so obsessed with you. You’ve always had a bad attitude.’
Well, that was kind of rude. I placed my hands on my hips. ‘I’m a goddess, actually.’
‘Yes, a goddess who pussy-whipped my brother. And I’m the king of the sea… a very important god. So, if you break my brother’s heart, I’ll flood your city.’
My eyes widened, and every part of my being ached to punch him. Hard. ‘You may be an important god, but you’re still a dickhead.’
Poseidon’s eyes flashed like the waves of said stormy sea, and then he bellowed with laughter, engulfing me in a bear hug that almost severed my spine. ‘There she is, the ball-whipping vixen.’ He let me go, and I grunted. ‘Another drink?’ He cocked his head, and I shook mine.
‘I’m fine, thanks.’ I smiled through gritted teeth, and he spurted a laugh as he walked off.
What a cockwomble.
‘Persephone.’ Hedone’s voice made me turn.
‘I’d like to introduce you to Ares.’ I heard Simmy, who had just returned, groan and then abandon me again.
The git. A man who resembled a superhero from a Marvel movie—the enormous type of hero—eyed me with interest. His blond hair was buzzed short, and his shoulders were broad.
He was stacked, his muscular arms clearly visible through his white tuxedo shirt.
I smiled warmly and extended my hand. His wrist cords bulged like tree roots, and his powerful fingers enveloped my much smaller ones as he bowed to kiss the back of my hand, lingering a little too long to be polite. I gently tugged my hand away.
‘Nice to meet you, Ares,’ I said in a gracious voice.
‘Likewise, Persephone.’ Like flames of silver fire, his grey eyes roamed over me, while a smirk danced on his lips. Ares, the god of war, or more fittingly, the spirit of battle—and most probably a jackass. ‘Come and stand with me.’
I had little choice, as he all but carried me to a nearby pillar and stood way within my personal space.
He threw off testosterone in bucketloads as he eyeballed me.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable, I took a step backwards, but he followed.
I was screwed because my back now rested against the pillar, and he caged me in when his giant body almost pressed against mine…
I guessed he was unfamiliar with the concept of chivalry.
He bent slightly and inhaled long and slow, before raising his eyes to meet mine again.
I blinked. Blinked again. And then again. ‘Are you freaking smelling me?’
‘Good enough to eat.’ A devilish smile pulled on his lips, and I threw up a little in my mouth, so I took a large gulp of wine.
‘I always did like you. Hades was a lucky fucker the first time around. Now I’m going to win you for myself.
Just imagine the fun we could have in the sack.
’ I nearly stopped breathing at the thought, and my stomach roiled.
The prick grinned until a godsdamned dimple appeared on his cheek.
My anger flared, and common sense went out of the window.
‘Has anyone ever told you you’re particularly stab-worthy?’ I growled softly, wishing I had my divine blade with me. I’d stab him in the cock.
His response? Roaring laughter. ‘See! We’d argue and fight, but gods, the make-up sex would be worth it. You’ve always been a walking, talking siren, Persephone.’ He cupped his dick with a hand and grinned at me again.
‘You’re a rude pain in the ass, and—’
‘I’d love to be a pain in your—’
I almost choked on my wine. ‘Do not finish that! Ugh, you’re disgusting.’
‘And sexy.’
‘Pft.’ I glared at him.
‘I can’t help it. I’m irresistible. You’re adorable, even when you’re grouchy. Marry me, Persephone. I’ll fuck you until you can’t walk. You’ll love it.’ He winked at me. He actually fucking winked at me. ‘If Hades can’t handle your fire, babe, I’d be more than happy to teach you how to burn.’
Instead of flinging my glass at him, I acted like a lady, curling my lip and shooting him a death glare before scooting under his arm.
‘You didn’t say no,’ he called after me.
‘Gods, what a dick,’ I muttered to myself. ‘And what a dreadful thought. Ugh.’ I spotted Simmy again and whinged, ‘I need more wine.’
Simmy returned with a glass of pink fizz, and I took a sip. That tingling at the back of my neck made me raise my gaze to Hades, whose eyes were pinned to me from across the courtyard. His jaw was like granite; in fact, he looked murderous. Furious. He was so big.
Furiously… big.
Charon, Erebus, and Thanatos gathered around him as Tee whispered in his ear.
I gave him a small smile, and my heart sank when he looked away to greet someone approaching them—Minthe.
He began chatting with the laughing Minthe, who wore a low-cut, scarlet, sequined gown, and a sour taste filled the back of my throat.
I was two seconds away from running, jumping on his back like a monkey, and strangling him.
Instead, I exhaled a frustrated sigh and downed more wine.
‘How’d it go with Ares?’ Simmy gave me the side-eye.
‘He’s an absolute dick.’
Simmy hooted with laughter and nearly spat out his drink. ‘Yeah. He’s not very popular. But apparently, he’s also got a big—’
‘Shut up, you moron.’
Simmy snickered, then cleared his throat. ‘See you in a bit. I’ll keep an eye on you. Enjoy.’ He shot me a wary look.
‘What? Where—’
‘Persephone.’ An icy shiver trickled down my back like a waterfall of spiders.
I recognised that voice. I turned around slowly and looked up to meet the violet and silver eyes of the tall, muscular hottie from Kew Gardens.
His shoulder-length, dark-blond hair now hung loosely around his jaw-dropping face, and dressed in a tux, shirt open at the collar, he was particularly drool-worthy.
‘I’m Zeus. Pleased to meet you… again.’ He gave me a small wink, a razor-sharp smile cutting across his lips.
‘Zee,’ I whispered. Shit. Zee is Zeus.
Fuck. My. Life.
A kernel of panic took root, and I worried my bottom lip.
The last time I’d met him, I had been rude.
But, to be fair, he had been a complete creepy jackass.
I couldn’t run. I couldn’t hide anywhere.
I needed to pull on my big girl panties and face my colossal fuckup like a woman. I inhaled deeply and held his gaze.
‘Zeus. How nice to see you again. You look rather suave this evening.’ I extended my hand to him.
His large, warm hand enveloped mine, and as his lips brushed against my skin, a hot, delicious shiver ran from my spine to my toes. I tried not to shudder as I withdrew my hand. Power emanated from him, and as he met my eyes again, I tried to remember to breathe.
‘You and I, maybe, got off on the wrong foot, Persephone.’
‘What, when you stalked me?’ I bit out before my brain engaged. Those beautiful eyes swirled with silver again, and then he smiled. A smile that made my heart trip up. His mouth twitched, and I silently cursed. He could sense my attraction.
‘I’m not the only one who has been stalking you.’
‘What do you mean?’ I squinted up at him.
‘Well, Hades, of course.’
I fell silent. I tried to swallow, but the lump in my throat made it difficult.
‘I’d never seen Hades before I came to the Underworld.’ For obvious reasons, I didn’t mention the night I fought the Lamia.
‘Before he kidnapped you, you mean?’ Sugary amusement dripped from his words. His voice the whole time was soothing and melodic, and those eyes—gods, they were spellbinding. ‘He has been visiting you in your dreams for quite some time.’
My brows furrowed. ‘What?’ Then I realised.
Oh, my gods. My garden. And I felt my face heat as I recalled that dream—the dream when his shadows…
Gods. My embarrassment could have probably powered every solar panel in London.
I couldn’t react, but I was going to stab Hades in the cock, never mind Ares.
I schooled my face into a neutral expression. ‘Why are you telling me this?’
Zeus smirked. ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ He raised his shoulders.
‘Are you trying to woo me, Zeus?’
His smile turned malevolent. ‘Of course, I am.’
‘Then stop with the backstabbing and bitching. It’s rather off-putting… A little like stalking.’ My inclination was to throat-punch him, but that would be a colossal mistake. Instead, I took a long, deep breath through my nose, raised my chin, and arched an eyebrow as I held his gaze.
Zeus smiled; it was a hide-your-kids-and-loved-ones sort of smile, but then he rumbled a laugh.
‘Oh, maleficent Persephone. You’re quite endearing.
It’s no wonder my brother is so infatuated with you.
’ He took my hand, and I flinched at the contact.
‘He loves you, Persephone. Don’t fuck it up.
And do not fucking break the bastard’s heart.
’ Then he kissed my hand again and walked away, leaving me utterly bemused.