My face flushed.
“I apologize, Mother. I didn’t mean to anger you.”
“I’m not angry,” I said. “Just a little embarrassed. I’m pretty sure Zotera and Eugene are having sex at this point. Probably a lot of it.”
The woman blinked at me and burst out laughing. Then she immediately sobered to stare at me.
“It’s true. Zotera seems to love him,” I said. “I’m sure she’ll have a lot to tell you when she returns. Oh, and the food she can make. We should have a banquet tonight with some of the things your father tried.” I turned to look back at him and found him just a step away, listening to our conversation.
“What do you think? A banquet and some stories?” I asked.
“Yes!” someone called out.
“We want to hear what happened on Earth!” another called.
I smiled at Hades and lifted my brow in question.
“As you will it,” he said.
* * *
Tired, I snuggled against Hades as he carried me to our bedroom.
“It was a good night,” I said softly.
“It was,” he agreed.
Everyone’s uncertainty had faded during the hours we’d spent together feasting and sharing what had happened on Earth. They all knew that I wasn’t the version of Persephone they remembered. That I was human now, without power but loved by the man they called Father. Not one of them had shown a shred of maliciousness after that bit of news, for which I was grateful.
The door opened at our approach, and I saw that he’d changed it again for me. It was a mix of modern and old, just like back home. The shower was larger, and there was an opaque glass concealing the toilet now. A way for him to see me yet give me privacy. I snorted a laugh at that but didn’t complain.
He placed me on the bed then made me giggle by flipping over me to reach the other side. I rolled toward him and settled into my place on his shoulder.
“Can I choose how you wake me up in the morning?” I asked sleepily.
“Nothing would please me more than to wake you the way you wish.”
“Good. I want to wake up naked while lying on top of a naked you. Good night, Hades.”
I smiled as I fell asleep to his whispered, “temptress,” and smiled even bigger when I woke up just the way I’d wanted.
“Mmm. I like this,” I said, rubbing my cheek against his smooth chest.
He groaned, and I felt his claw-tipped fingers gently scratching my scalp. Grinning, I lifted my head and met his glowing red gaze.
“How long have I been sleeping on you like this?”
“Since the moment you closed your eyes,” he said, his voice rough. “I didn’t know when you would wake.”
“I’m not sure if you’re a very smart man for planning ahead or one who likes to torture himself.” I trailed my fingers over the sharp lines of his changed face. “May I kiss you and end your torment?”
He hissed out a pained sound and coaxed me closer with his hand buried in my hair. I brushed my lips lightly over his before pulling back.
“I’d like to have a private moment before we shower together.”
He groaned, and his hands fell to his sides as he closed his eyes. I chuckled and started to slide off of him. I wasn’t thinking of our positions when I moved. Or rather of his size difference. But what poked me in the backside had us both very aware of my mistake in seconds.
“Sorry,” I whispered when he winced. “I didn’t mean—”
