“Then, yes. And since we’re going to do this again, would you mind creating a privacy screen for the bathing area? That way, when I’m done helping you, you can finish bathing in private. You know, like most people do.”
He stared at me for a moment before a slow smile curved his lips.
“You are cunning, Goddess.”
“I’m no goddess. I’m just Ashlyn. And Ashlyn really likes to shower privately.”
“So does a goddess. She also likes dry dresses.” As he spoke, the remaining moisture left my dress.
I stood and took a step back from the tub. The requested privacy screen appeared, blocking Hades from my view, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
The screen was long enough to shield the bathtub and the shower from the bed area but wasn’t very tall, maybe reaching the top of my head. The shower rock was clearly visible from where I stood, but since it was several feet over my head, that was expected. Unless Hades was standing right next to the screen, he wouldn’t be able to watch me shower.
That is, if the screen stayed.
These rooms tended to reset when we left them. Did that mean none of this was really here? I walked to the vanity and touched the things there. They all felt real.
“Thank you again for creating this room for me. The decorations are very pretty.”
The silence on the other side of the screen was broken by a low moan that sounded a bit pained.
I slowly turned to stare at it. Water splashed lightly. Was he using the scrub brush to hurt himself?
Biting my lip, I debated what to do. I knew next to nothing about gods and how they behaved. However, what I had read had hinted at their need for adulation, not masochism.
My gut told me that Hades didn’t hurt himself because he liked it. He did it because he was suffering. And that was something I understood very well.
I took a step toward the screen as the rhythmic splashing continued.
Focused on trying to find the words to help him, I wasn’t prepared for what I saw when I stepped around the screen. Head back and throat working, Hades remained oblivious to my attention as he thrust into his fisted hand.
Not self-harm. Definitely not self-harm.
He snarled another groan and started to lift his head.
I turned, and I ran for the door.
The latch stuck on my first attempt but released on the second. I flew into the hall, unprepared for the pile of furs just outside.
My foot caught and I fell like a cut tree.
Thankfully, I got my hands out in time. They took the brunt of the impact, and I only scraped my face a little.
Groaning, I rolled onto my back and looked at what had tripped me. Zotera, her eyes wide as she partially sat up, stared back at me.
“Father!” Her shrill cry echoed in the halls and shaved more years off my life.
A shadow filled the doorway, and I lifted my gaze from her to a very naked and very angry Hades.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Water ran down Hades’skin. Naturally, I followed the path until I reached his hips and the dangerously engorged length that remained there. Zotera’s yell had obviously interrupted him.
While I blinked at the view, he reached down and picked up Zotera by the throat.
“What did you do?” he demanded, giving her a shake.
Zotera’s mouth opened and closed, her face turning red. Shocked, I didn’t think; I scrambled to my feet and closed my hands over his wrists. My attempts to free her went unnoticed.
