“I am the many, Ashlyn, and I need you. If you wish to favor the humans and the creatures who have never shown you favor, it will be as you desire. Only those who seek to harm you will die at my hands or the hands of those I command.”
“Harm is too loosely defined. If anyone tries to kill me, fine. But if Megan decides to smack the back of my head because I went to the Roost and risked myself to save Eugene, I’m not okay with you killing her.”
“Uh, thanks for that, but I’m not dumb enough to try to hit you,” Megan said.
Hades flashed me a smile. “There. You have no need for concern.”
“Are you purposely choosing to ignore my point?” I asked, trying to step out of his hold. His arms tightened around me, and he pulled me closer until my cheek rested over his heart.
“It will be as you wish. Only those who seek to end who you are will die. No others.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, trying not to focus on how amazing his chest felt against my skin.
“Go attend to your mate, daughter,” Hades said. “We will discuss strategies in the morning.”
Megan nodded to him and glanced at me before disappearing in a blaze.
I tipped my head back and looked up at Hades. He looked exactly the same, which made sense since I’d only left Hell a few days ago. Yet, I felt differently toward him. More desperate. More determined to make him seeme. To make him loveme.
“You are mine, Ashlyn,” he said as if reading my thoughts.
“Am I? This still feels like a dream,” I said.
“How so?”
I eased out of his arms and studied him. His dark hair fell in sexy disarray around his head. His warm brown eyes watched me with an intensity that hinted he was seconds away from grabbing me and pulling me into his lap. He still wore no shirt, leaving the golden expanse of his lickable chest exposed to tempt me. Even his bare feet looked sexy. The old-time pants, not so much, but the way they rode low did.
“Ashlyn?” he said, coaxing me out of my thoughts. “How does this feel like a dream?”
“You’re here, using my name and telling me I’m perfect. Staking your claim. We both know I’m not who you want, though. You shouldn’t be here, Hades.”
He shifted closer to me, crowding my space and touching my throat gently. “I belong with you. Always.”
His words cut through me.
“You belong with her.”
“Do I?” His eyes flared briefly. “I fell in love with Persephone at first sight. She was walking in a field of flowers and basking in the sunlight. That version of her died quickly once we entered Hell, but before it did, she knew how to love and agreed to allow me to love her in return.”
His expression twisted with anguish and regret, and he briefly closed his eyes.
“With her, I was chained to a wall and left to die. You brought me back to life, Ashlyn, not Persephone. You, a mortal sent to Hell by mistake.
“I have many questions and very few answers. Allow me to stay with you. Please.”
Everything he said showed he knew exactly who I was…and he still wanted to stay with me? Ashlyn?
“What does that mean, exactly?” I asked.
He smiled slightly.
“I would like a chance to begin again.” He backed up a step, catching my hand as he moved. Bending at the waist, he brought my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers. “Never have I seen a beauty to rival yours. Call me Hades. Or your love. Whichever comes easiest to your tongue.”
I giggle-snorted and clapped my free hand over my mouth.
He glanced up at me with a slight smile tugging his lips.
“Never conceal your merriment from me, Ashlyn. Your laughter is joy and light.”
