A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone #1)

by Scarlett St. Clair

  The last to arrive were Zeus and Hera.

  Zeus, like his brothers, was huge. He wore a chiton that exposed part of his well-muscled chest. His hair fell in waves to his shoulders and was brown in color, threaded through with hints of silver-white. His beard was full and well-manicured. Upon his head, he wore a golden crown that fit between a pair of ram horns that curled down around his face. It made him look fierce and terrifying.

  Beside him, Hera walked with an air of grace and nobility. Her hair, long and brown, was pulled over her shoulder. Her dress was beautiful but simple—black, the bodice embroidered with colorful peacock feathers. A gold circlet rested upon her head, fitting perfectly around a pair of stag horns.

  Though Demetri had told her Hades never arrived alongside the other gods, Persephone thought he might make an exception this time, with the evening being themed after his realm, but when the crowds began to disperse, she realized he wasn’t coming—at least not via this entrance.

  Persephone and Lexa headed inside.

  “Weren’t they all magnificent?” Lexa asked.

  They were—each and every one of them, and yet, for all their style and glamour, Persephone still yearned to see one face among the crowd.

  She started down the stairs and halted abruptly.

  He’s here, she thought. The feeling tore through her, straightening her spine. She could feel him, taste his magic. Then her eyes found what they sought, and the room was suddenly too hot.

  “Persephone?” Lexa asked, confused by why she wasn’t moving.

  Then her eyes followed Persephone’s stare, and it wasn’t long before the whole room grew quiet.

  Hades stood at the entrance, the crystal backdrop creating a beautiful and sharp contrast to his tailored black suit. The jacket was velvet with a simple red flower in the breast pocket. His hair was slick and tied in a bun at the back of his head, and his beard trimmed close and sharp. He wore a plain black mask that only covered his eyes and the bridge of his nose.

  Her eyes trailed from his shiny black shoes up his tall, powerful frame and over his broad, well-muscled shoulders to his glittering coal eyes. He had found her, too. The heat of his gaze tracked her, roving every inch of her body. She felt like a flame, exposed to a chill wind.

  She might have spent all night staring at him if it wasn’t for the red-haired nymph who appeared beside him. Minthe was gorgeous, dressed in an emerald gown with a sweetheart neckline. It hugged her hips and flared out, leaving a train of fabric behind her. Her neck and ears were laden with fine jewels that gleamed as the light hit them. Persephone wondered if Hades’ had supplied them as Minthe looped her arm through Hades.

  Her anger burned hot, and she knew her glamour was melting.

  Her gaze shifted to Hades, and she glared at him. If he thought he could have her and Minthe, too, he was wrong. She downed the remainder of her wine and then looked at Lexa.

  “Let’s find another drink,” she said.

  Persephone and Lexa cut through the crowd, flagging down a server to exchange their empty glasses for full ones.

  “Can you hold this?” Lexa asked. “I need the restroom.”

  Persephone took Lexa’s glass and started to drink from her own when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

  “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” She turned to find Hermes. “A Goddess of Tartarus.”

  Persephone raised a brow in question.

  “Get it? Torture?”

  She gave him a blank stare and he frowned, explaining, “Because you’re torturing Hades?”

  It was Persephone’s turn to roll her eyes.

  “Oh, come on! Why else would you wear that dress?”

  “For myself,” she answered a little defensively. She hadn’t chosen her dress with Hades in mind. She had wanted to look beautiful and sexy and feel powerful.

  This dress did all those things.

  The God of Trickery lifted a brow, smirked, and conceded, “Fair. Still, the whole room noticed you were eye-fucking Hades.”

  “I was not—” she clamped her mouth shut, her cheeks growing red.

  “Don’t worry—everyone noticed him eye-fucking you, too.”

  Persephone rolled her eyes. “Did they notice Minthe on his arm?”

  Hermes smile became wicked. “Someone’s jealous.”

  She started to deny it, but decided it was silly to even try. She was jealous, and so she admitted, “I am.”

  “Hades isn’t interested in Minthe.”

  “It sure doesn’t look that way,” she muttered.

  “Trust me. Hades cares for her, but if he was interested, he would have made her his queen a long time ago.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Hermes shrugged. “That if he loved her, he would have married her.”

  Persephone scoffed. “That does not sound like Hades. He doesn’t believe in love.”

  “Well, who am I to say? I have only known Hades for centuries, and you—a few months.”

  Persephone frowned.

  It had been hard for her to see Hades in any other light than the one her mother had cast upon him—and it was ugly and unflattering. She had to admit, the more time she spent in the Underworld and with him, the more she was starting to question just how much truth there was to what her mother had said, and the rumors spread by mortals.

  Hermes nudged her with his shoulder. “Don’t worry, love. When you’re jealous, just make a point to remind Hades of what he’s missing.”

  She looked at him and he kissed her cheek. The move surprised her, and Hermes laughed calling as he flounced away, his white wings dragging the ground like a regal cape, “Save a dance for me!”

  When Lexa returned, she looked bewildered. “Um, did Hermes just kiss you on the cheek?”

  Persephone cleared her throat. “Yeah.”

  “Do you know him?”

  “I met him at Nevernight,” she said.

  “And you didn’t tell me?”

  Persephone frowned. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t think about it.”

  Lexa’s eyes softened. “It’s okay. I know things have been insane recently.”

  There was a reason Lexa was her best friend, and it was moments like this when she felt the most thankful for her.

  They cut through the crowd and returned to their table. After a few quick announcements, dinner began. They were served a combination of ancient and modern foods. Their appetizers consisted of olives, grapes, figs, wheat bread, and cheese. Their entrée was fish, vegetables, and rice. Dessert was rich chocolate cake. Despite the beautiful spread, Persephone found she wasn’t all that hungry.

  Conversation around the table wasn’t lacking. The group talked about various topics including the Pentathlon and Titans After Dark. Their conversation was interrupted when clapping began, and Minthe strolled across stage and took to the podium.

  “Lord Hades is honored to reveal this year’s charity—The Halcyon Project,”

  The lights in the room dimmed, and a screen lowered to play a short video about Halcyon, a new rehabilitation center specializing in free care for mortals. The video detailed statistics about the large number of accidental deaths due to overdoses, suicide rates, and other challenges mortals faced post-Great War era and how the Olympians had a duty to help. They were words Persephone had spoken, repackaged for his audience. What is this? Persephone wondered. Was this Hades’ way of making fun of her? Her thoughts fueled her anger.

  Then the video ended, and the lights came up. Persephone was surprised to see Hades standing on the stage—his presence elicited cheers from the audience.

  “Days ago, an article was published in New Athens News. It was a scathing critique of my performance as a god. Among those angry words were suggestions on how I could be better. I don’t imagine the woman who wrote it expected me to take those ideas to heart, but in spending time with her, I started to see how I could be better.” He paused to chuckle under his breath, as if recalling something they’d
shared, and Persephone shivered. “I’ve never met anyone who was so passionate about how I was wrong, so I took her advice and initiated The Halcyon Project. As you move though the exhibit, it is my hope that Halcyon will serve as a flame in the dark for the lost.”

  The crowd erupted in applause, standing to honor the god. Even a few of the Divine followed, including Hermes. It took Persephone a moment to rise to her feet. She was shocked by Hades’ charity, but also wary. Was he only doing this to reverse the damage she’d done to his reputation? Was he trying to prove her wrong?

  Lexa gave Persephone a quizzical look.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Persephone said.

  She arched a brow. “And what am I thinking?”

  “He didn’t do this for me. He did this for his reputation.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” Lexa said, grinning. “I think he’s besotted.”

  “Besotted? You’ve been reading too many romance novels.”

  Lexa walked toward the exhibit with the others at their table. Persephone hung back, afraid to see more of the creation inspired by her. She couldn’t explain her hesitation. Maybe it was because she knew she was in danger of falling for this god who her mother hated and had lured her into a contract she couldn’t win. Maybe it was because he listened to her. Maybe it was because she had never felt more attracted to another person in her short, sheltered life.

  She wandered into the exhibit slowly. The space was dimmed so the spotlight showed on the exhibits, which illustrated the plans and mission for Project Halcyon. Persephone took her time and stopped at the center of the room to observe a small, white model of the building. The card beside it stated it was Hades design. It was not a modern building like she had expected. It looked like a country mansion, nestled on ten acres of lush land.

  She spent a long time roaming through the exhibit, reading every presentation, learning about the technology that would be incorporated into the facility. It was truly state-of-the-art.

  By the time she left, people had already begun dancing. She caught sight of Lexa with Hermes, and Aphrodite with Adonis. She was glad her co-worker hadn’t tried talking to her and had been keeping his distance from her at work. It took her a moment, but she realized she was searching for Hades. He was not among the dancers or those in attendance at the tables. She frowned and turned to find Sybil approaching.

  “Persephone,” she smiled, and they hugged. “You look beautiful.”

  “So do you.”

  “What do you think of the exhibit? Marvelous, isn’t it?”

  “It is,” she agreed. She couldn’t deny, it was everything she’d imagined and more.

  “I knew great things would come of your union,” she said.

  “Our…union?” Persephone asked, confused.

  “You and Hades.”

  “Oh, we’re not together—”

  “Perhaps not yet,” she said. “But your colors, they’re all tangled up. They have been since the night I met you.”

  “Colors?”

  “Your paths,” Sybil said. “You and Hades—it was destiny, woven by the Fates.”

  Persephone wasn’t sure what to say. Sybil was an oracle, so the words that came from her mouth were truth, but could it really be that she was fated to wed the God of the Dead? The man her mother hated?

  Sybil frowned. “Are you okay?”

  Persephone wasn’t sure what to say.

  “I’m sorry. I…should not have told you. I thought you would be happy.”

  “I’m not…unhappy,” Persephone assured her. “I just…”

  She couldn’t finish her sentence. Tonight, and the last few days were weighing on her, the emotions varying and intense. If she were destined to be with Hades, it explained her insatiable attraction to the god—and yet it complicated so many other things in her life.

  “Will you excuse me?” she asked and headed for the bathroom.

  She took a few deep breaths, bracing her hands on either side of the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. She turned on the faucet, running cold water over her hands and splashed her heated cheeks lightly, trying not to disturb her makeup. She patted her face dry and prepared to return to the floor when she heard an unfamiliar voice.

  “So, you are Hades’ little muse?” The tone was rich, seductive. It was a voice that lured men and bewitched mortals. Persephone saw Aphrodite come into view behind her. She wasn’t sure where the goddess had come from, but once she met her gaze, she found it hard to move.

  Aphrodite was beautiful, and Persephone got the feeling that she had met this goddess before, though she knew that was impossible. Her eyes were the color of sea foam and framed by thick lashes. Her skin was like cream and her cheeks lightly flushed. Her lips were of a perfect fullness and pout. Despite her beauty, there was something behind her expression—something that made Persephone think she was lonely and sad.

  Maybe what Lexa said was true and Hephaestus didn’t want her.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Persephone said.

  “Oh, don’t play coy. I saw the way you looked at him. He has always been handsome. I used to tell him all he would have to do is show his face and his realm would fill with the willing and faithful.”

  That made Persephone feel a little sick. She didn’t wish to discuss this with anyone, much less Aphrodite.

  “Excuse me.” Persephone tried to step around Aphrodite, but the goddess stopped her.

  “But I am not finished speaking.”

  “You misunderstand,” Persephone replied. “I don’t want to speak to you.”

  The Goddess of Spring pushed past Aphrodite and left the bathroom. She snatched a glass of champagne and found a spot to watch the dancers. She considered leaving. Jaison had already agreed to pick Lexa up, as she was planning to spend the night at his house.

  Just when she had decided to call the cab, she felt Hades’ approach. She straightened, preparing for his closeness, but did not turn to face him.

  “Anything to critique, Lady Persephone?” His voice rumbled low in his throat like a heady spell.

  “No,” she whispered, and looked to her right. She still couldn’t see him, even in her peripheral. “How long have you been planning this?”

  “Not long,” he answered.

  “It will be beautiful.”

  She felt him lean closer. She was surprised when his fingers brushed along her shoulder, tracing the edge of the black applique. Now and then, he touched skin-to-skin, and she shivered.

  “A touch of darkness,” His fingers tracked down her arm and threaded them through hers. “Dance with me.”

  She didn’t pull away and instead, turned to face him. He never failed to take her breath away, but there was a gentleness to his face that made her heart hammer in her chest.

  “Yes,” she said.

  Eyes tracked them, curious and surprised, as Hades led her onto the floor. Persephone did her best to ignore the stares and instead focused on the god beside her. He was so much taller, so much bigger, and when he turned to face her, she was reminded of how he’d touched her in the water.

  His fingers remained twined with hers as the other hand landed on her hip. She didn’t take her eyes from his as he drew her close, growling low under his breath as their bodies touched. He guided her, and each brush of their bodies inflamed her. For a while, neither of them spoke, and Persephone wondered if Hades found it hard to speak for the same reasons she did.

  That was probably why she chose to fill the silence with her next comment.

  “You should be dancing with Minthe.”

  Hades lips thinned. “Would you prefer that I dance with her?”

  “She is your date.”

  “She is not my date. She is my assistant, as I have told you.”

  “Your assistant doesn’t arrive on your arm to a gala.”

  His hold on her tightened, and she wondered if he was frustrated.

  “You are jealous.”

  “I’m no
t jealous,” she said—and she wasn’t anymore. She was angry. He looked amused at her denial, and she wanted to hit him. “I will not be used, Hades.”

  That wiped the smirk off his face. “When have I used you?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Answer, goddess.”

  “Have you slept with her?”

  It was the only question that mattered.

  He stopped dancing, and those who shared the floor with them did, too, watching with obvious interest. “It sounds like you are requesting a game, Goddess.”

  “You wish to play a game?” she scoffed, stepping away from him. “Now?”

  He did not answer, and simply held out his hand for her to take. A few weeks ago, she would have hesitated, but tonight she’d had a few glasses of wine, her skin was hot, and this dress was uncomfortable.

  Besides, she wanted answers to her questions.

  She pressed her fingers into Hades’ palm, and the god smiled wickedly. His fingers closed over hers and they teleported to the Underworld.

  CHAPTER XVIII – A TOUCH OF PASSION

  Hades appeared in his office. The last time Persephone had been here, she and Hades had played a game of rock-paper-scissors. A fire crackled in the hearth, but the heat wasn’t necessary. She was already an inferno from their dance and that smile he’d offered just before they teleported hadn’t helped—it had promised something sinful.

  Gods. Would it ever be possible to control her body’s reaction to him? She was terrible at resisting him, and maybe it was because the darkness in her responded to the darkness in him.

  Hades offered her wine, and she accepted a glass while he chose his usual—whisky.

  He lifted his gaze and asked, “Hungry? You barely ate at the gala.”

  Persephone narrowed her eyes. “You were watching me?”

  “Darling, don’t pretend you weren’t watching me. I know your gaze upon me like I know the weight of my horns.”

  She looked away, cheeks coloring. “No, I’m not hungry.”

  Not for food, anyway—but she didn’t say that out loud.