by Bella Klaus
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “This is just like before.”
“Except this time, we’ll actually fuck.”
“I’m so silly,” I murmured into his ear. “All this time I wasted when you were so perfect for me.”
“Not at all.” He hooked his hands beneath my thighs, raising me a foot off his lap. Leaning backward he positioned my sex over his erection’s blunt tip. “I was prepared to wait centuries for you to love me, and it’s been barely less than a month. I couldn’t be happier.”
Hades lowered me gently onto his erection, opening me up with a stretch that had me shuddering with pleasure.
I moaned, my voice trembling from the onslaught of sensations. “Even after suffering so much with those plants?”
“Everything that happened brought us together in a way that I hadn’t even planned.” He nibbled my bottom lip.
I slid down his hot length, feeling his bulbous tip push against my muscles, only for them to clamp around his shaft. Every bump, every ridge, every vein caressed my insides in a way they hadn’t been able to in my previous body.
“Oh.” I pressed my chest against his. “This feels so good.”
Wrapping his arms around my back, he ground his hips, creating delicious friction against my clit. “It feels like finally coming home.”
As we coupled, the energy centers in our bodies flared and joined our magic together just as we had once done before. This time, hope flared like a beacon through the pain and responsibility and frustration. At the kernel of these feelings was rapture—a joy that shone so brightly that it overwhelmed my third eye.
“You’re happy?” I murmured into our bond.
“How could I not be when I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“But we still have Mother and Samael—”
“Mere distractions.” He rocked in and out of me with steady strokes that sent lightning bolts of pleasure across my every nerve. “What really matters is you and me and that we’re finally together.”
Circling my hips, I rested my head against his shoulder, and exhaled a happy sigh. “You’re right, but I still want our home to a be safe place.”
“That’s what we’re doing.” His hands slid down my lower back and cupped my asscheeks.
A moan slid from my lips as Hades deepened our connection. He was so hot and hard and hungry for my body, and I was desperate for more. We moved against each other with an urgency I’d never felt in my entire twenty-or-so years, and with a depth of desire that I doubted I’d experienced in my previous lives.
“Open yourself up to me, Kora.” His deep voice resonated through my skull.
“How?” Even as the words escaped my lips, I already knew.
White tendrils of magic snaked out from the tips of my fingers, my toes, and from points along my face and body. Our chakras had already connected, and these were the meridians Hades had told me about when we’d first joined power in the greenhouse.
Hades groaned. “Fuck, I feel your magic.”
“Am I hurting you?”
His throaty laugh vibrated across my body. “Quite the opposite.”
Hades’ kissed deepened until my head spun, and my vision filled with white. He was everywhere—in my mouth, my sex, my mind, my magic—and I never wanted it to end.
We ground against each other, the air around us crackling with sparks and magic. As we continued to make love, the power connecting us thickened until it felt like we had become a ball of lightning.
“What’s happening?” I asked into the bond.
“In a minute, all this power we’re generating will discharge into the pagoda, which will spread across the Fifth faction, starting with its wards,” he replied.
“How do we know it’s working?”
“You’ll know.” He rocked back and forth, his magic caressing my swollen clit.
I moaned, but the sound disappeared into the kiss.
“Look into my eyes,” he said into our bond.
I hadn’t even realized they were closed.
Forcing my eyes open, I stared into blue flames that burned hot enough to incinerate me from the inside out. They communicate the intensity of his desire as well as the heat of his love.
I stared beyond those eyes and into his wide pupils and felt an insistent tug on my soul. “Is this our bond?”
“You feel it, too?” he asked, his voice giddy.
“Yes.”
His arms tightened around me until it felt like our bodies had completely melded. “This is what I felt as I stood the moment our eyes first met.”
“When I peeked at you from around the side of my house?” I asked.
He hummed his agreement. “It’s why I knew you were my soul mate. It’s why I knew that no matter what, I had to possess you.”
Tingling heat gathered deep inside my core, mirroring the bolts of lightning filling the edges of my vision. My consciousness slid further into Hades’ soul, making me feel like I was both within the pagoda and in a separate space where the only people who existed was us.
The inferno became hotter until the air around us rippled, and every hair on my body stood to attention in sync with my nerves. Hades’ thick length slid in and out of my hot channel, brushing against a spot that made my eyes roll to the back of my head.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“For what?”
It hit me like a clap of thunder or the sky tumbling down on my head. An orgasm so intense that it stole my breath. For a brief moment, my heart stopped, my lungs seized, and my vision turned black. It was like time had stopped, and all that was left was Hades and me and the intensity of our connection.
Then all the air rushed out of my lungs, bringing with it a barrage of sensations that tore through my body like a hurricane. The muscles of my core clamped and spasmed around his thick length, making Hades moan and shiver and fill me with hot fluid.
Magic exploded all around us and beyond the edges of my vision. Throughout this, Hades kissed me. Kissed me like the world was ending, kissed me like this was our first, last, and forever. A rumbling formed in my chest. I couldn’t tell which of us were purring or if it was our bond reconfirming that we had finally found the other halves of our souls.
As my climax ebbed away, visions filled my mind. It was like being inside a hollow ball made up of hundreds of screens, each displaying locations within Hell. Plants that once consumed the villages of the Asphodel Meadows turned brown and receded into the ground, while rubble from the destroyed homes reformed to recreate the buildings.
“Can you see this?” I asked into our bond.
“It’s your power,” he said, his words breathy with awe. “For the two thousand years I’ve been ruling the Fifth, I’ve never had enough to do anything but maintain the wards. But you’re turning it into a home.”
I spun around, trying to take in all the scenes playing out at once. The punishment pits were there, as was Persephone’s Garden, which rebuilt itself from the charred mess.
“How is this even possible?” I whispered.
Hades took my hand and brought it to his lips. “Your power is doing this, but I’m directing it with my will.”
“Could you teach me how to repair things?”
He wrapped his arms around my shoulders. “You already know how.”
I blew out a long breath. “Because I’m a goddess?”
“A goddess who now has memories of being herself.” He pressed a kiss on my temple. “Take your time, filter through the recollections, and rediscover your past.”
My heart sank, and I stared at the screens playing out beneath my feet.
“Kora?”
I gulped. “What if I don’t like what I find? What if I become that two-faced woman?”
“Do you remember being the young woman Demeter kept a prisoner for her entire life?” he asked.
“Of course I do.” I raised my head, meeting his warm gaze.
“That’s who I fell in love with.” He kissed my lips. “
But I still love my first wife.”
“Who happens to be the same person,” I muttered.
He tilted his head to the side. “You’re a version of Persephone who sees what I see in Demeter. I doubt you’ll ever care what she thinks of our relationship.”
I curled my lip. “If I ever get the chance, I’ll throttle her for everything she’s done.”
Hades pulled me close. “She’s vengeful, mean-spirited, and twisted, but I’d prefer to banish her to the annals of history.”
“You’re right,” I murmured. “As soon as we deal with Samael, we’ll make sure she can’t meddle in my life again.”
“There’s the spirit.” He hugged me close.
I leaned my head on his shoulder, watching scene after scene of the Fifth Faction rebuild itself into how I expected the angels had given it to Hades after the Great Divide.
The punishment pits became pristine white stalactites that hung beneath the river of lava, where tortured souls moaned in eternal torment, and the Asphodel Meadows reverted to a multitude of villages that represented multiple points in history.
There was even one that consisted of high-rises so crammed together that you could jump from one building to the other and never fall between the cracks.
“How big is the Fifth?” I asked.
“About twice the size of the British Isles,” he murmured. “Geographically, it’s one of the smallest, but we house the most powerful souls.”
I shook my head. “Do you ever get sick of ruling Hell?”
Hades snorted. “It almost runs itself. All I do is manage the demons and their politics. It’s my other roles that are a pain in the ass.”
My brows rose. “Such as?”
“The Demon King of Logris,” he muttered. “For reasons I can’t fathom, there’s always some kind of disruption within the Supernatural World.”
“I suppose it keeps things exciting,” I murmured.
“Well, the devil needs a honeymoon sometimes.”
“Are you thinking of taking me somewhere?”
He chuckled. “There are places I can show you within the Supernatural World that will turn your hair white, but we have an eternity to explore them together.”
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and gave him a peck on the lips. “Thank you for finding me.”
“It was always going to happen. You and I are meant to be together, and no matter how much others try to keep us apart, we are two halves of the same entity.”
My skin tingled at the declaration, and I let my eyes flutter shut as I basked in Hades’ love. He pulled me into his chest for the longest embrace, letting our hearts beat in unison as though we really were one body.
Hades’ head snapped up.
“What’s wrong?” I opened my eyes.
“Namara’s tapping on the edge of my consciousness.”
Realization slapped me upside the head. “Oh.”
“Do you know what she wants?” he asked.
“The last time we spoke, she told me Azriel was getting ready to set up an emergency meeting with all the Demon monarchs.”
Hades took my hand and glanced around at all the screens. “I suppose the repairs we’ve made are good enough. Come on, I’ll show you out.”
“What do you—”
Before I could even finish that sentence, our surroundings changed, and we returned to the stone pagoda. Hades rose to his feet and pulled me up by the hand. As I stood, I pictured myself in a pea-green armor to contrast with my vibrant hair. Swathes of leather wrapped around my body, hugging its every curve.
His eyes narrowed. “How can someone look equally as delicious when she’s clothed or unclothed?”
I turned in a circle and grinned. “Do you like it?”
“You are far too delectable to be seen in such form-fitting clothing,” he growled. “I’m never going to be able to concentrate on anything with you around.”
I threaded my fingers through his and pulled him toward the edge of the stone structure. “Come on. Let’s see what Namara wants.”
Hades teleported us to a field of poppies that bordered one of the few rivers in the Fifth Faction that wasn’t made of lava. I stared down at the water and frowned at the iridescent bubbles floating from its surface. One of them rose to eye level before popping and releasing the scent of rotten eggs.
My nose wrinkled. “What on earth is that?”
“The River Acheron. Its currently without a boatman, so the water’s gotten a little stale.”
I glanced around at the flowers, their heads the size of my palms. They released wisps of pollen that reminded me of the scene where Dorothy and her friends fell asleep in Wizard of Oz. “And why are we here?”
“Because Azriel is in the elevator with her, and I’ll be damned if I entertain that wanker in my palace. He can stand in the Mourning Fields like every other unwanted visitor.”
“I see,” I said, not quite understanding why Hades disliked Azriel. “Would you like to elaborate?”
“Angels are the most loathsome creatures,” he snarled. “Always thinking they’re above the other supernaturals, even though they’re newcomers compared to gods.”
“Do they think they’re equals?”
He scoffed. “Their creator rendered the likes of us to their employees, even though we were once the same. Angels are yes-men, messengers, foot-soldiers. Only their boss is the one who holds all the power.”
I knelt and hovered my hand over the pollen, letting it swirl around my wrist. The purple powder formed a curled line before I flicked my fingers and ordered it to go and pollinate. “How did one god get to conquer so many?”
“Fashion,” he muttered.
“Be serious.” I gave his leg a nudge.
Hades scowled. “Human devotion is what makes one god more powerful than the other, but tastes change. Conquerors foist their religion on the conquered, and tyrants ostracize or slaughter those who don’t share their beliefs.”
My brows rose. “It’s as simple as that?”
He pulled me up. “We didn’t encourage our worshippers to spread the word. The other god did. When he gained enough power, he brought the likes of us down to earth.”
“Wow.” I placed a hand over my mouth. “You weren’t joking.”
He tilted his head toward the sky. “One day, the angels will fall, and I hope what replaces them is more palatable.”
I bit down on my bottom lip, considering his words. Hades had been right to describe the fall of the old gods as fashion, as humans did change who they worshipped based on the politics over history. It was fascinating, and I wondered if they knew the effect their allegiances had on the Supernatural World.
The elevator lowered itself from the sky and landed in the middle of the meadow, its doors hissing open.
Azriel gestured for Namara to exit first, and she sashayed out in her true form as an imp.
“Your Majesty,” she said with a broad smile. “It’s been a while.”
Hades narrowed his eyes. “I see you’ve brought that flying dick.”
Azriel ruffled his feathers, his lips tightening as he frowned. “I see you’ve tidied up the place a bit.”
“Amazingly astute observation,” Hades drawled. “Is this the pinnacle of Angel Academy excellence?”
The other male’s nostrils flared. “I’ve come to deliver a message.”
“Couldn’t you have sent a scroll?” Hades said, sounding bored.
“What are you doing?” I asked into our bond.
“If Azriel thinks I know about his affair with Namara, he’s likely to do something stupid.”
“Like?”
“How about confessing to his superiors and getting himself tossed out of Heaven for consorting with a demon?”
I would have asked if such a thing were possible, but Lucifer had already told me why Samael had gotten himself banished. Azriel was sort-of an ally now and our strongest connection with Heaven. If we continued to keep his secrets, perhaps he would feed tid
bits through Hades’ secretary.
Holding my silence, I turned to Namara and offered her my warmest smile.
She gazed at me from under her lashes. “I’m sorry Your Majesty, but I told His Majesty about King Lucifer.”
“He already knows,” I said. “And I’m pleased you’re so loyal to Hades.”
Relief crossed her features, and she returned my smile.
We stood back, watching Hades and Azriel continue to swap barbed insults before the angel stepped toward the elevator.
“Don’t you want to know what’s in the message?” Azriel asked with a disgruntled sniff.
Hades folded his arms across his chest. “Do I have any choice?”
It took every ounce of self-control not to roll my eyes at Hades’ mind games. We both knew what was in that scroll, but he didn’t have to go so far as to act like he wasn’t interested.
“I’m holding an emergency meeting of the Demon Monarchs,” Azriel said.
“Let me check my imaginary diary.” Hades’ lip curled. “We’re busy.”
Azriel stamped his foot. “You don’t even know which date I’ve chosen.”
“I plan on being busy.”
“Tough, because everyone is mandated to attend or face the wrath of Heaven.” Azriel raised his chin.
Hades rolled his eyes. “You angels sure are a wrathful rabble.”
“Watch out for an invitation. When it arrives, you have a minute to open it, or it will transport you to the chosen location against your will.” Azriel turned on his heel and stomped toward the elevator, leaving Namara behind.
I turned to Hades, who sent his secretary a wink before she grinned back and followed after the angel.
“Do you think Azriel knows you’re playing with him?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Hades said. “At least when he returns to Heaven, he can talk about how much he despises the King of the Fifth instead of how much he loves fucking his secretary.”
“They’re questioning him on his movements?” I asked.
“According to Lucifer, Angels are a tight-knit and controlling bunch.”
I leaned against his side and wrapped my arms around his middle. “Part of me thinks Lucifer misses them.”
“You noticed the tarnished armor he wore to the Devil’s Ball?” Hades asked.
