Cerberus nodded once, stiffly. “Wait here,” he ordered, gathering his shadows and slipping away to where Hypnos’s cave and his garden of flowers were. No alarm bells rang, nobody questioned his intentions—the loyal lapdog of Hades.
He returned the next moment with a small poppy in his hand. “I will decide if she’s in danger, not you. Watch for my signal.”
Hermes took the small, delicate, incredibly powerful flower from Cerberus’s palm. His eyes widened with hushed excitement. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Cerberus’s jaw twitched as Hermes stored the flower away in his golden hair. He didn’t bother answering as he strode from the winged god and retreated to Hades’s left side.
He stopped short as he saw Cyane enter the ballroom, dressed in liquid gold. Melinoe romped by her side, holding her hand and pulling her forward.
“Ah, so you’ve finally decided to join me, Cerberus,” Hades mused. “It seems our guest has joined us as well.”
Cerberus fought the shock in his system, staring athismortal, who’d been sleeping under him not that long ago. She was so beautiful that he barely heard Hades over the soundless gold reflecting the candlelight with dazzling effect. Melinoe dragged Cyane through the puddles of nectar, making him shudder.
She looks like a goddess.
Hermes flew to Cyane’s side just as she caught Cerberus’s gaze from across the room. Cerberus tensed with lust, but then her attention was pulled from him far too soon.
“You’re slow to respond,” Hades muttered.
“I was caught up in my head,” Cerberus said, unable to pull his eyes off Cyane. All his eyes, all his hounds were fixated on her.
“She makes a lovely addition doesn’t she? Too bad it seems she’s been targeted by my blight of a daughter. It really diminishes her beauty.”
Even though he’d asked for the winged god’s help. Cerberus gritted his teeth, his belly yawning open to eat. Eat, and then fuck. Then fuck again.
Hades continued when he remained silent. “Tell me what has caught up your head enough to ignore me? It was her, wasn’t it? I suppose I can forgive you. The first time I tasted cunt, no one saw me for months. Was she good?”
“She was,” he said, his mouth salivating.
“My damned!” Hades swiveled on his throne. “I never thought you’d actually go through with it. I would’ve brought a mortal woman down here ages ago if I knew they’d tempt you. Then again, you have fine taste. Cyane is extraordinary, isn’t she? I could almost forgive you for ignoring me this grand day.Almost.”
Cerberus swore under his breath and looked at his lord. The hackles on his hounds rose. “I apologize, I was overcome.”
“And yet you spoke to Hermes before joining me. Are you branching out? Eager to try a man next? So soon?”
Cerberus tensed with anger.
Hades’s slow smiled was full of leer. “What is that saying these newer mortals love to spew?Go fuck yourself?It has a new meaning, doesn’t it, when it comes to you and me.”
“Hermes sought a poppy from Hypnos’s garden,” Cerberus said. The vow he gave to Hermes, to Styx, did not state any retroactive deceptions. He hadn’t lied. And who knew Styx better than Cerberus? He’d spent more years by the primordial goddess’s side than anyone else.
Hades’s smile dropped. “Hmmm.”
“Hypnos refused.”
“Delightful. Did you take care of it?”
“I made a deal with Hermes instead and gave him the flower.”
Hades sat back and sipped his nectar. “Do you know what he plans to use it for?”
“To put a god to sleep.” Cerberus had to guess. “I assume.”
“Obviously. And what did you get in return?”
“Added protection for Cyane,” he said vaguely. Despite the omission, the truth felt good on his lips, a reminder he was still loyal to Hades and always would be. He didn’t wish his lord harm. “When I am not there to protect her myself.”
Hades sighed. “I’m annoyed now. This all annoys me. I hate being annoyed.” He waved his empty hand emphatically. “Cyane is not yours, she is mine, and her protection isyoubecause you are also my protection. Have more faith in your abilities, hound.”
