He took a breath, steadying the rage that vibrated beneath his skin.
Just get another screw, he told himself, but when he turned toward the remaining hardware, it was scattered and most of it was missing.
“Fucking Fates!” Hades snapped, throwing the screwdriver across the room. It hit the wall opposite him just as Persephone entered. His eyes widened and he was overwhelmed with anger at himself. What if he’d hurt her?
“Are you well?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said, raking his fingers through his hair, pulling the tie that kept it out of his face.
She smiled, sad. “You don’t have to lie.”
He took another breath. “It’s just that nothing is going to plan,” he said. “I am almost finished with the crib, but everything keeps disappearing?—”
He stopped abruptly, realizing the source of his distress.
The Kallikantzaroi.
“Hermes,” he growled. “I’m going to castrate that motherfucker.”
Persephone’s laugh was quiet. “As frustrating as the Kallikantzaroi are, I still miss him.”
She crossed to him and placed the palm of her hand on his cheek, thumb brushing his skin.
“I love you,” she said, quietly.
He covered her hand with his own, reveling in the warmth of her touch.
“I love you.”
She rose onto the tips of her toes, and he met her halfway, their lips brushing in a soft kiss. His chest felt tight, the claws of desire digging deep.
He almost groaned aloud from the desperation, but he’d kept it on a leash for nearly two months, refusing to indulge in the sweet relief his wife so often offered, too afraid of what it would mean for her rest and his mental state.
But then Persephone’s hand dropped to his chest, curling into his shirt as she surged forward, mouth colliding with his again.
This time he groaned, pulling her close—as close as he could, given her belly—and deepened the kiss.
“Persephone,” he breathed, pulling away, forehead resting against her own. “The babies?—”
“Don’t stop,” she whispered. “Please. They will be fine. I will be fine.”
Hades closed his eyes, and in the quiet, he listened to her unsteady breaths, knowing he was too weak to resist something they both wanted.
He pulled back and took her hand, leading her down the hall to their room, the crib, missing hardware and Kallikantzaroi forgotten.
Their room was lit by nothing more than the amber fire in the hearth.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked.
“When it comes to you, I’m always sure,” she said.
Hades took a deep breath, chest tightening with her words. Persephone chose that moment to remove her robe. Beneath it, she wore a sheer, red chemise. The gossamer was tight over her breasts, heavy and full, draping softly over her round stomach.
His throat felt tight. “You are so fucking beautiful.”
He meant it.
He always meant it, but tonight the words hit him so hard, he ached with their truth.
