Chapter 24
HADES
I’m such a fucking idiot. What was I thinking? Touching her. Tasting her. I wasn’t thinking; I lost my godsdamned mind.
Eating Persephone's pussy was like burying my face in fucking springtime, causing all clarity to vanish. The need to watch her unravel at my hands and mouth drove me ravenous. I remember how she would fall apart under my touch… before. This time, she responded in the same way—the sweetest, most erotic thing I’ve ever known. A bad but delicious mistake.
I took her panties from my pocket and clenched them in my fist. I’d give the world to fuck her, but I couldn’t succumb to the temptation again—not until she wanted to be my consort. My queen. I needed to be more standoffish with her. I shouldn’t have given in to the desire to taste her again. Shit.
Morpheus appeared, and I scowled at him, shoving the panties back into my pocket. ‘The dream,’ I said, and his face fell.
‘I’m sorry, Your Highness.’ He stared at the floor.
‘Tell me.’
‘Zeus demanded I tell him. I have no idea how he found out, Highness.’ His eyes rose to mine, and I knew he was speaking the truth.
‘Who else did you tell?’
Morpheus hesitated, releasing a worried breath. ‘Daeira was the only other person. I’m sorry.’
‘Bring her to me. Now.’
‘Highness.’ Morpheus bowed and vanished.
I paced my office, unease swelling like whisps of acrid smoke. What the fuck was going on?
‘She’s not here, Highness.’ The voice startled me. ‘No one has seen her for days.’
I gave him a slight nod, then shadow-walked to Zeus.
Fortunately, Zeus was in his office in the mortal realm. No nymphs in sight. ‘Brother,’ he said, jumping up from his desk. ‘Is there a problem?’
‘Yes.’ I held his gaze. ‘I know you told Persephone about the dream.’ He extended his hands, palms facing me, but I continued before he could speak. ‘And I know the only other person Morpheus confided in was Daeira. I assume she told you.’
Zeus’s eyes lowered, his shoulders slumping. ‘Yes.’
‘She is missing.’ Zeus’s eyes widened, and his brow furrowed. ‘What I can’t understand is why. And how Persephone was flashed to the Empousa’s lair. How did someone breach the Underworld’s wards?’
Zeus contemplated my question for a moment. ‘The only way in is through the secret entrance in New York that demigods occasionally used, correct?’ I nodded. ‘However, that would be tantamount to suicide. It leads directly to Tartarus.’
My head snapped up. ‘Unless… Give me a moment.’ I shadow-walked back to my bedroom. In the closet was a wooden box—one I hadn’t opened since the war. The box contained my helm of invisibility. I opened the box… and it was empty. Fuck.
‘It’s gone.’ Zeus spun around at my words.
‘What in Olympus… Are you trying to give me a coronary?’
I smirked. ‘Your heart is already dead.’ He curled his lip at me. ‘My helm is missing. Did you steal it?’ I squinted as I strode towards him, my temper prickling.
‘I swear on the Styx I did not, Brother. It would lead to war.’
His words made me pause. Think. ‘And that is precisely what they want,’ I mused.
‘Who?’
I lifted my arms in a ‘no idea’ gesture. ‘Someone is plotting against us. They want us to fight. It must involve other gods… We need to inform Poseidon.’
Zeus’s face paled at my words. ‘Fuck,’ he barked. ‘Then this stays between the three of us for now. I shall let Poseidon know.’
I nodded in agreement. ‘I will close off the secret entrance immediately,’ I replied. Besides, no one had used it in aeons.
Zeus gave a nod, and I went to leave but turned around. ‘The Council of Magic would form an unlikely yet powerful alliance. I think you should call off the war on magic. Meet with Hecate. She will liaise with the high priestesses on your behalf. With conditions, of course.’
‘I shall ponder it.’ His eyes narrowed as if in thought. ‘And Hades.’ I paused again, my eyes meeting his. Zeus hesitated before he spoke. ‘I’m not wooing Persephone. Ask her what I said to her.’
‘Then why all this circus?’ My voice was low, laced with anger.
He sighed heavily. ‘Entertainment.’ He offered a half-shrug, and I shadow-walked back to the Underworld before I stuck his head up his ass.
I returned to a scowling Hecate and groaned. ‘She told you.’
‘Of course she fucking told me. What the fuck are you playing at? You fucking asshole.’
So many fucks; she was livid. I sighed.
‘She kissed Apollo. In front of everyone,’ she seethed, and anger slammed into me like a wrecking ball.
‘I’ll fucking kill the little—’
‘No, you won’t.’ She cut me off, eyes hard as flint.
I set my jaw, but stayed silent ‘She was furious at you. And honestly, she had every right to be. It’s your fault, you jackass.
Tell her the truth, for fuck’s sake. Explain why you left before Apollo lays claim on her.
’ And she flashed from the room, leaving me feeling like a total bastard.