Hades glanced up at the light and grunted but didn’t slow down. The path he walked disappeared into the trees ahead. A cool breeze stirred, carrying away the lingering heat from the lava river as we entered the gardens.
Trees towered above us, and grasses and flowers swayed beside the path. It smelled fresh and clean like outside in the spring. I filled my lungs with the scent and closed my eyes for a moment to commit it to memory.
We emerged into a clearing a few minutes later. Sunlight warmed the top of my head as I looked around. Soft moss covered the ground, and a stream trickled over the rocks nearby. I saw no other people. Just the sun and trees and stream.
Hades set me down, and I marveled at the supple cushion under my feet.
“This is beautiful,” I said, turning a slow circle.
“I made it after the first time I saw you, filling it with your favorite things.”
I crouched down to run my hands over the tiny purple and yellow flowers in the moss. More flowers swayed at the base of the trees circling the clearing.
“You made this for Persephone?” I felt a stab of jealousy and then pity. “She didn’t like it, did she?”
“No. She refused to take solace here once the underworld became her home.”
“She was an idiot,” I said, facing him. “This place is amazing. I love it, and I’m glad she didn’t wreck this like she did everything else.”
To prove it, I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek. His arms snaked around me and locked me against his chest.
“Again,” he whispered.
The need to give him what he craved trembled through me. Poor, beautiful, unloved Hades.
“I won’t kiss you because you asked,” I said, pressing my lips to his cheek again. “But I’ll kiss you because you made something so beautiful for someone you loved.” I brushed another kiss along his jaw. “For being sweet.” My lips teased the corner of his mouth. “And for no reason other than I want to,” I breathed.
He moved his head and would have claimed my lips if I hadn’t turned mine.
“Let me kiss you my way,” I said softly.
“I crave your tongue and teeth and nails scoring my skin. I need you. I beg you. Surrender yourself to me. Let me taste your lips.”
His words called to me. He was the King of Hell, a being with unimaginable power, and he was begging me. It was a powerful feeling, and I wanted to give him everything for it. I’d never before had so much control over anything.
“My way,” I breathed. “I forget who I am when you take control, and I don’t want to forget.”
He made a tortured sound.
“Your way,” he agreed.
He took me to the ground with him, and I half lay on his chest once he settled.
“Your way,” he repeated, trembling with need.
I leaned in and pressed my lips to his chest. His hand cupped the back of my head. It didn’t confine me in any way but was another display of how much he was allowing me to control the situation. He wanted everything I was willing to give, and he wanted it badly. The thought fanned my own desire, and I opened my mouth to taste him. A hint of exotic spices flooded my taste buds, and a shiver of need ran through me.
I nibbled and kissed my way up to the column of his throat. I lightly used my teeth there, nipping the skin in the junction of his shoulder and neck.
Another tormented sound escaped him.
“Should I stop?” I asked.
“Never,” he growled.
His free hand stroked over my side, heating my skin through my dress and coaxing me to do more. To give more.
I kissed the spot I’d bit then lightly sucked on it.
