“Let this celebration remind you of all that you once enjoyed and might enjoy again.”
A second later, I heard a string instrument of some kind. The slow, plucked notes echoed in the space. It definitely wasn’t any kind of music I’d ever heard before, but it was nice and calming.
In the center of the room, people started to move in unison. The poses and gestures flowed smoothly from one to another.
“Would you care to dance?” Hades asked.
I almost laughed at the thought of me out there trying to mimic their moves.
“I think I’ll watch for a while.” And I did, unable to look away. The dancers had a mesmerizing beauty in their graceful yet simple movements that modern dance definitely lacked.
Hades stayed by my side, quietly watching with me. Everything faded from my awareness except for the dancers and the music. I loved that I was able to stand there and observe every detail without having to look away. However, I eventually noticed my enjoyment was causing the rest discomfort.
A circle of space existed around us as if they were afraid to get too close to us.
To me.
They were casting Hades longing glances. How long had it been since they’d seen him? Based on all the clues I’d witnessed—the golden discs for mirrors, the music, the lighting methods—it had been a very long time since Hades was last walking around.
“Your children miss you as much as you missed them,” I said to him. “Go mingle.”
His fingers stroked over mine.
“No. Your pleasure is my pleasure. I will watch the dancing with you.”
I shook my head at him and fought not to smile.
“You say sweet things. But I’ll feel guilty if you stay with me the entire time. You called them here. They want to talk to you and are afraid of me. Give them the attention they crave.”
He got a stubborn look in his eyes, and I stepped in front of him to blatantly set my free hand on his bare chest. The stubbornness vanished, replaced by hunger.
“Why can’t we both enjoy ourselves? I’m not going anywhere, and I’m safe here, right? There’s no reason for you to hover.”
“Kiss me,” he breathed. “Kiss me, and I will leave your side.”
I snorted lightly but quickly leaned in to press my lips to his chest, just over his heart. I’d assumed it would be safer than his mouth, but I was wrong. His scent flooded my senses, and the need to taste him consumed me. I opened my mouth and flicked my tongue over his skin.
He groaned and shook as his hands closed over my arms, breaking the spell.
I quickly retreated and looked up at him, trying not to show how much I’d just scared myself with my reaction to him.
“You’ve been kissed. Now, go talk to your children.”
His gaze locked with mine. The need I saw there stole my breath and set my pulse fluttering. My lips parted. His gaze dipped to my mouth. Heat and yearning crawled through my body. I needed his lips on mine. A shaky exhale escaped him, and he started to lower his head.
Instead of kissing me, he pulled me into his arms for a hug.
“I yearn for the day that you kiss me without cause.” He brushed his lips against my ear and then was gone.
Unsteady, I stayed as I was for several heartbeats and focused on breathing.
Hades was dangerous in so many ways and none of them expected. Before coming to Hell, I’d pictured a cruel god filled with wrath and disregard. He had plenty of wrath, but no cruelty or disregard. I looked up, watched him embrace a man and enthusiastically pat him on the back.
Hades seemed loving and just. Too bad his goddess-wife had messed him up in the head.
Shaking that thought aside, I focused on the music and dancing. People moved around the room, joining conversations or dancing on the floor. Several of the tables held food for grazing. I saw the man from the night before, picking at some cheese and figs while he spoke to a woman.
His gaze caught on me. I nodded before looking away, not wanting to make him uncomfortable, and found another person watching me. Feeling awkward and very observed, I gave that one an acknowledging incline of my head and turned my attention to the dancers.
