“This is the last time we kiss like this,” Hades said before capturing my chin and bringing my lips to his.
I cried because he wasn’t Eras and tried to pull away. However, Hades didn’t allow me a choice. He kissed me hungrily. Demanding my focus until I only thought of him. Until my falling tears were from relief.
When he pulled away, I was breathless and trembling. The sight of his familiar face was a balm to my soul, and the longer I stared, the calmer I became.
“You came,” I breathed.
“I did,” he said gently.
How could it only have been a few days since I last saw him when I felt so starved and desperate for his presence? Although he was still holding me, it didn’t feel real. He couldn’t be on Earth.
But if it was a dream, I didn’t want to wake up.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his bare chest.
“I missed you,” I whispered, hugging him tightly.
Hades’ hand cradled the back of my head, and his other rested on my waist, a comforting cage. The beat of the heart under my ear matched the thump of music still playing in the background.
“Uh, Ashlyn?”
The sound of Eugene’s voice caused Hades’ fingers to twitch on the back of my head.
“Father,” Zotera said.
I lifted my head to look at both of them. Or rather, just Zotera since she was standing in front of Eugene.
“I trusted you to keep her safe, Daughter,” he said.
It was like he’d slapped her. Tears welled in her eyes and slipped over as she ducked her head in shame.
Dream or not, I couldn’t stand the sight of Zotera’s pain. I reached up to caress Hades’ jaw and reclaim his attention.
“Please don’t hold her responsible for what happened,” I said softly. “It was my fault.”
His gaze swept over my face.
“I find no fault in you, Ashlyn,” he said with a tender light in his gaze. “In every action and word, you are perfect.” He lifted his head and looked around.
“Is this the Roost you spoke of? The place where you wished you could dance?”
“It is.”
Using his thumbs, he gently wiped the drying tears from my cheeks.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked.
I couldn’t stop my smile. What else could this be but a dream? The king of Hell told me I was perfect and asked me to dance after saving me from giving an incubus a blow job. A laugh escaped me.
“I would love to dance with you, Hades.”
He studied me another moment, a slow smile curving his lips, and took my hand. I followed him to the dance floor and rested my hands on his shoulders. His eyes flickered red briefly when I started to sway to the beat. Then he mimicked my moves, his hips rubbing against mine.
The murmur of Eugene’s voice had me glancing away from Hades, and I saw him trying to console a silently crying Zotera.
“Please tell her that you forgive her,” I said, looking up at Hades. “You’re the only parent who’s loved her unconditionally. Don’t take that away from her.”
He exhaled heavily and leaned in to set his forehead against mine.
