“How about another hug?” I suggested.
He snorted.
“A hug is payment to me, not you.”
“Says who? I like hugs just as much as anyone, and I’ve spent a lifetime not getting many. If you’re willing to give them, I’m willing to take them. But just hugs. No butt grabs. No boob grabs. Just holding me to give comfort and share a little bit of what I’m feeling.”
“And what are you feeling?”
“Alone. Scared. Overwhelmed.”
He slowly stood, mistrust all over his face, and opened his arms. I didn’t hesitate to go to him and wrap my arms around his waist again. It felt so right and good when his arms closed around me in return. In the shelter of his embrace, all the troubles I faced didn’t seem so oppressive.
“See?” I asked softly. “I feel less alone. Less scared and overwhelmed. What about you?”
“You are once again balancing pleasure and pain.”
I tipped my head back to look at him.
“What do you mean? This hurts?” I asked, concerned.
His gaze feathered over my face.
“Nothing brings me more pleasure than your willing touch.”
“But?”
“But I fear the payment.”
I sighed and set my head on his bare chest again.
“You feared Persephone’s payment. I won’t ask for knives or blood, Hades. That’s not who I am. And I’ll try not to hurt you, but I know not all pain is physical.”
“Each word you speak drives the blades of this gentle knife deeper.”
I eased from his arms and gave him a sad look.
“Should I stop offering hugs?” I asked.
“Never.”
I caught his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
“Amend the contract and eat your ambrosia whenever you’re hungry.”
The words moved on his skin, and he sat once I was eating again.
“What is ambrosia?” I asked. “I’ve read about it and about nectar, but the books weren’t clear on what either was, other than that they were food and drink of the gods.”
He studied me, the frustration on his face growing.
“I hate her games,” he muttered under his breath.
I reached across the table and took his hand. His gaze locked on our joined fingers.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine,” I said.
“Ambrosia,” he said without looking up, “is created from plants found in the celestial gardens on Mount Olympus. Consuming it gives our powers strength. We cannot die without it; yet, we are diminished. Nectar does much the same. It is the nectar from the same plants we use to create ambrosia. My brother thought to deprive me of both when he sent me here.”
