I glanced over my shoulder at him when he didn’t answer and wished I hadn’t. My insides quaked with the intensity of his gaze as it slowly swept along my exposed back from heels to face.
“Once my payment is complete,” he said, his hands fisted on his covered thighs. “Do not prolong this.”
Right. Get on with his suffering, my embarrassment, and possibly sending him over the edge.
After attempting a calming breath, I tossed the gown aside and stepped under the water. My legs shook, and I closed my eyes, willing myself to forget he was watching. I pictured myself at home, enduring another boring Saturday until I had to go to the Roost. There would be all manner of creatures there trying to gain my attention and steal my will, but at least, I wouldn’t be trapped in my house alone.
I wet my hair on autopilot. Hades didn’t make a sound as I washed myself from head to toe. When I needed to rinse, I turned around, well aware of the view I gave. The itch to look, to make sure he was still sitting on the lounge, crawled under my skin as I rinsed away the soap. My hair squeaked by the time I finished, and I wished I had some conditioner.
With a sigh, I stepped out from under the water and looked down at the floor.
“Could I have a—”
A stack of towels appeared beside me. I retrieved one and kept my eyes averted as I dried. His continued silence made it easy to pretend he wasn’t there until I picked up my gown and slipped it on over my head again.
Dressed, I finally looked up at Hades. The sight that greeted me was far from pleasant.
Hades sank the knife he gripped into the meat of his thigh, pulled it out, and slowly stuck it in again.
“No! Why? I showered.” My voice shook. “You weren’t supposed to bleed.”
“You bled. So must I.”
He withdrew the bloody knife and let it drop to the floor. When he stood, he swayed on his feet.
“The punishment was just.”
“This isn’t just. My pain lasted for a second, maybe two, before you healed me,” I said, letting too much emotion slip. “Heal yourself. Now.”
His dry chuckle lacked any humor. “Why? Was once not enough? Do you wish to bathe for me again?”
“No,” I said, giving in to my frustration. “I wish to eat and can’t do that with you dripping blood all over. It’s turning my stomach. What is wrong with this place?”
His glistening and torn pant leg immediately reverted to dry, unmarred material.
“My apologies, Goddess,” he said bitterly. “My intention is never to ruin your appetite.”
I ran a hand over my face and tried to pull myself together. When it came to dealing with Hades, I was so damn lost all the time.
“Would you care to dine in here or in the Throne Room with Zotera?”
“What’s your preference?” I asked, hoping to appease him.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and he closed the distance between us.
“My preference?”
I nodded hesitantly, unsure of the reason behind the growing outrage in his expression.
“I would prefer never to bleed for your pleasure again. I would prefer that you dine on me in that bed and give me the pleasure I am due!”
The ground trembled at our feet, an indication of his anger.
“So the throne room then?” I said, faking an indifference I didn’t feel.
He growled at me, looking two seconds from closing his hands around my throat. Like the insane person I was, I turned my back on him and walked to the door, glancing back at the last second.
“Coming?”
