“You wanted them to know who Michael was.”
Hades shrugged and tried to pull her back into his embrace.
Persephone resisted.
Hades scowled.
“If the other Olympians were to learn how much you've helped the Cerberuses, they would punish you.”
“They wouldn't dare,” Hades scoffed, but a shiver of unease shot through him. One-on-one, he could handle any Olympian, even Zeus. But if they were to all come at him together . . .
“Hades!” Persephone smacked his arm.
He jerked back. “What was that for?”
“I was speaking, and you were not listening.”
“A crime indeed.” Hades nuzzled her neck before kissing her there. “What did you say, my queen?”
“That the paintings were bad enough, but you also inspired Lomasi to go after them.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hades! You gave her the urge to arm herself and go after the Cerberus on that dangerous mission!”
“If I hadn't, they would have died. The Fates warned me. I was within my rights to act since that dumb law about them not killing people would have—”
“They wouldn't have had the chance to kill anyone,” Persephone cut him off.
“Then it was even more important for me to interfere. I'm allowed to help when my hounds are in jeopardy.”
“Yes, fine,” she conceded. “But you aren't allowed to help anyone else.”
“Again, I don't know what you're talking about, my love.”
“Lomasi. You saved her life. I know you did.”
Hades sighed and gave up on the teasing denials. Persephone knew him better than anyone in existence. Probably because he told her everything. “Hermes tried to kill her.”
“Hermes gave herhisimmortality. It was his right to take it back.”
“Not when he knew it would deny my hounds a mate!” Hades growled, his eyes heating with magic. “It was an attack against me as well as my hounds.”
“All right. Easy now.” Persephone calmed him with a single touch. “I know it was unfair, but it could be argued that you were interfering with mortal business on Earth.”
“That wasn't mortal business,” Hades said. “It was personal. She wouldn't have made it, Persephone. Lomasi would have died before I got her to them. In seconds. I had to act.”
“I understand, and I even approve. You know I want all the Cerberuses to find love. But we have enemies, Hades. Enemies who would use any means to bring us down. Do you want to be chained to this realm, unable to help the Hounds at all?”
“No,” Hades, Lord of the Underworld, sounded like a petulant child.
“I'm just saying that you need to be careful when you help them. Subtle.”
“I was subtle. I didn't instantly heal her. I let it look as if she were going to die. Any gods watching would assume that my hounds saved her by bonding with her.”
“If Lomasi was destined to be their mate, she would have survived without your help.”
Hades brushed a lock of hair away from Persephone's face. “She's pregnant, my love.”
