“If I knew what was to be expected of her, things would be different,” Cerberus snapped. He bristled at Hades’s claim on Cyane. Cerberus saw her as his now. HIS. Her words of fealty and worship were binding.
“My bloody cunt! Can’t anyone enjoy surprises anymore? Paranoia rules the gods, and while I once found that mightily enjoyable, now I grow weary of it. I will not let anyone, even you, ruin my plans.” Hades’s eyes slid to meet his. “You can never tell who is listening in. If our lady Demeter can attempt to drown us in flowers, who else might have knowledge of my realm? One eye or ear is all it takes.”
“Yes. My lord,” Cerberus gritted, holding Hades’s gaze. “That is true.”
The tense moment came to an abrupt end when an undying approached the dais. Hades turned back to the task at hand—making deals.
Cerberus sought out Cyane, his hungry eyes landing on her immediately. The golden, shimmering dress like a spotlight, highlighting wherever she was in the ballroom. He wanted her to subject herself to him in front of witnesses, vowing loyalty in the limelight of that dress. Then he wanted to stake his claim in front of all higher and lesser beings alike and show them who she belonged to.
Her fealty washis. Her submission and servitude. Cerberus had been the only one to taste her, to feel her worshipful touch, to see her wide and innocent gaze upon him—her need so great, and it had all been his.
It bothered him that she was here. Ileft her alone. Who, if not Hades, found and brought her here?He didn’t like others staring at her like he did.
Melinoe’s grip on Cyane’s wrist had not relented. His eyes fell to it hatefully.
That one touch from the blighted goddess infuriated him nearly as much as what Hades’s mysterious plans were. His ideas on the subject were not kind to Cyane. Even Hermes’s wandering eyes, scanning Cyane’s flesh, didn’t bother Cerberus as much as Melinoe’s hold on her.
Let Hermes look.
If he touches her…
I can kill him, eat him. Oh, to eat a god.He always wondered what it would be like. He would enjoy it if it were Hermes. He would take his time and revel in the winged god’s screams and wear his flying, blood-soaked adornments as a trophy.
But not Melinoe. He wouldn’t dare devour her. The very idea of it threatened his stomach with sickness. Her presence alone was despised by all, her voice brought rot to the mind, and though hatred for the goddess burned deep, Queen Persephone may never forgive him for eating her only child.
The Day of Deviance was swiftly approaching. Cerberus stepped forward, intent on stealing Cyane away before it began.
“Stay,” Hades commanded Cerberus before he could take another step. “We are not done speaking.”
Cerberus turned to glare at Hades, barely able to hide his murderous contempt. He wished no harm to come to his lord but...what would it feel like devouring such a god?
I do have his face.
“You did not answer my summons multiple times this day. You’ll be punished as I see fit.”
Near tipsiness,with her feet drenched in the god’s nectar, Cyane held onto Melinoe for balance. She hadn’t even sipped the liquid, but the powerful scent of it made her world tilt. It was just a little, but enough to feel in her human body. Though her sex ached, her mind lingered on what happened between her and Cerberus.
The ballroom was so beautiful it glowed, and there was more light here than she’d seen since her descent, andgoddess, how Cyane missed the light. Each little candle flame was like a golden star in the night sky, and their little sparks reflected off the liquid at her feet. Her dress, which at first she had been almost afraid to wear for its brilliance, was reflected back at her.
For once she almost felt like she belonged.Fuck, it felt good. Except Cerberus didn’t accompany her—he was across the room, watching, protecting her from afar when she would like his cold presence beside her.
Relief was the best part. Every step she took with Melinoe through the hallways, she’d been afraid there would be nothing but rotting carnage at the end. Pieces of bodies strewn about, splashes of blood across the walls.
Cerberus hadn’t been there when she’d awoken, but the whistling had. There’d been a knock, and she’d opened the door of the gatehouse to find Melinoe standing on the other side, the gold dress in hand and a giddy smile on her doll-like face.
Melinoe’s smile hadn’t lasted, faltering as she barged past Cyane, entering the room. Despite the bed being made, the smell of sex had lingered. Melinoe tore away the blanket Cyane used as a robe and ordered her into the bath.
Now the goddess wouldn’t let her go.
Hermes peered down at Cyane, his haughty eyes narrowing on her face. He’d been talking for some time, but she hadn’t been listening. She was waiting for Melinoe to let her go so she could go to Cerberus.
“So familiar,” Hermes purred. “Who are your parents?”
Any good feelings Cyane carried, fled at the mention of her parents. “I—”
“She doesn’t know who her parents are, don’t you know? They abandoned her at birth,” Melinoe tittered.
Hermes glanced at Melinoe, scowling. “Interesting.”
