Megan reappeared with Zotera while I was still grinning at him.
“We’ll see you tomorrow. Call if you need anything,” Megan said before leaving in a flaming whoosh.
“Would you like me to make dinner?” Zotera asked.
“I’ll make it tonight. Can you check the front door to see if our grocery order is here?”
She left to do that while I started pulling out ingredients for simple sandwiches. Hades magicked up some of the bread we’d eaten in Italy, which I paired with fresh ham from the grocery order, some gruyère cheese, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise.
“Now, the sandwiches you made for me in Hell were amazing, but wait until you taste these,” I said.
I took my first bite and made happy sounds. As I’d guessed, it was phenomenal. Hades smiled a little as he watched me chew then took his first bite. His expression completely changed, and I grinned.
“Told you. So good, right?”
Zotera enthusiastically agreed as she ate hers.
“Anyone else want a glass of milk?” I asked.
Both Zotera and Hades declined so I poured one for myself and happily ate my meal.
My phone buzzed with a group chat.
Eliana: Lauv’s brother just called me. She and the other druids who cast Ashlyn to Hell have been missing since last night. They never go without leaving word. He thinks something happened and reported it to the Council. Guess who told him not to worry about it?
Megan: Fucking Adira. Related? Absolutely. Ashlyn, if you disappear again, we know where to look now.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the messages. Did I like that Adira was trying to send me to Hell again? No. But would I mind being in Hell again? Also, no.
I glanced at Hades and found him watching me.
“What would happen if I’m sent back to Hell?” I asked.
“Happen?” he asked.
“Would I ever be able to come back to earth again?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Without having to have sex with you?”
He studied me for a long moment. “Without sex. I will not plead or negotiate for your affection, Ashlyn. It is sweeter when freely given.”
My heart ached at how far we’d come.
“Thank you, Haaa.” The strangled wheeze that came out instead of his name surprised me. I cleared my throat. “Sorry. Not sure what that was.”
He leaned in and kissed my forehead.
“Mortals get sick easily with temperature changes. Jason explained it to me when he showed me his vast selection of clothes. I should have taken more care dressing you this morning.”
“The outfit was cute, so I didn’t mind,” I said.
My clothes immediately reverted to the cheeky shorts and crop top.
“Are you finished eating?” he asked.
“I am.”
