Shaking, I spat and curled into a ball.
Hermes launched from the bed to loom over me. “Vomit? Really? I try to pleasure you, and you throw up as if I'm monstrous?”
“I'm sorry,” I whispered. “I'll clean it up.”
“I don't care about the fucking mess.” He grabbed my hair and yanked back my head. “Do I disgust you that much, Lomasi?”
I just stared at him. As I did, Hermes's face shifted, getting even angrier. He lifted a hand. Holy shit, he was going to hit me. Never, in all our years together, had he ever raised a hand to me. But I wouldn't cower. I pushed myself up as best I could with him gripping my hair and stared the motherfucker down.
Hermes lowered his hand.
Before either of us could speak, someone drawled, “Having a little domestic dispute, Hermes?”
Hermes jerked back as I spun to see another dark-haired man standing in the bedroom. He was larger than Hermes. By a lot. Very muscular, tall, and with a commanding presence that shouted his divinity. His eyes were golden brown with a dark limbal ring. There was something about him that reminded me of the Hounds. All the Hounds I'd met.
“Hades,” I whispered.
Hades's stare shot to me and gentled. “Hello, Lomasi. Are you all right?”
“What the fuck do you want?!” Hermes growled before I could answer.
Hades ignored him and picked up my dress. “Put this on, sweetheart.”
I gaped at Hades as I took the dress, then slipped it over my head.
Hermes didn't bother getting dressed, just strode forward with his cock swinging and got in Hades's face. “You have no right to come here. When my father hears—”
“Your father won't do shit!” Hades snarled and grabbed Hermes around the throat. “He can't save you now, you insufferable little prick.”
I froze as Hades lifted Hermes off his feet and held him at eye level so he could sneer into his face. Hermes made choking sounds and clawed at the King of the Underworld. But Hades was unaffected.
“You fool!” Hades said. “You prance about the worlds as if you're untouchable, wreaking havoc wherever you go. And I couldn't touch you. Not until you broke a sacred law.” He tossed Hermes onto the bed.
Gasping, a hand rubbing his throat, Hermes demanded, “What fucking law? What are you talking about?”
“My boys are off-limits. Everyone knows that,” Hades sneered. “They are pieces of me, extensions of my magic, and for that reason alone, you can't touch them unless it's in self-defense. But they are also here to protect Earth, and that duty has been blessed byallthe Olympians. Your father and yourself included, you moron! So there are two Olympian laws protecting them.”
Hermes blanched. I'd never seen him scared before. He didn't wear it well. His eyes were too wide and his skin had curdled. I looked from him to Hades, then gasped. The inner irises of Hades's eyes were glowing gold.
Hades lifted a hand and pointed it at Hermes. “You attacked my hounds, messenger boy. Now, I get to attack you.” Hades stretched out a hand.
“Wait!” Hermes cried. “What do you want, Hades? Name it.”
Hades shook his head. “You're a fucking disgrace. Your father will be ashamed of this cowering.” He sighed as if thinking about it, then casually said, “But to keep the peace, I'll take Lomasi.”
My jaw fell.
So did Hermes's.
“What?” Hermes whispered. “Lomasi?”
“Yes. The woman you fought my hounds over. I'll take her as recompense. It seems fair.”
“No!” Hermes found some backbone and shot off the bed. “Do your fucking worst, Hades. But you can't have her.”
“Very well.” Hades grabbed Hermes by the wrist and flames ran out from his hand, up Hermes's arm.
Hermes screamed and fell to his knees.
