When they arrived at Nevernight, Antoni helped Persephone out of the cabin of the limo. Hades took over from there, leading her into the club, nodding to Mekonnen as they passed. Before they entered the main part of the club, Hades used his glamour so that they moved unseen across the packed floor, up the stairs, and to his office. He was too nervous to teleport with her at the moment and did not want to make her sick, fearing she had too much to drink.
Once they were inside his office, he dropped his glamour and crossed the floor to his bar, pouring her a glass of water.
When he looked up, he was struck by her beauty. Why did it hit him differently every time he looked at her? Tonight, she wore teal, and it made her skin look bronzed and her hair look like spun gold.
He pushed the glass across the table. “Drink.”
She approached as he poured himself a drink. As he finished, she swiped it from the table.
“Persephone,” Hades growled, and she smiled, his glass raised to her lips.
“Yes, Hades?”
Her voice was husky and made him grip the edge of the table hard. She sipped the whiskey and then turned, strolling across the floor. Her hips swayed, drawing his attention.
“I think you should stop drinking,” he said.
“You are bossy.”
“I am not bossy. I’m…advising.”
“Isn’t someone supposed to ask for your advice before you offer it?” she asked as she turned and leaned against his desk.
“The same could be said for your opinion.”
She glared at him.
“Why did you bring me here?”
Hades came out from behind the bar and approached.
“Because I wanted you safe.” He took the glass from her and held her gaze as he downed the remainder before setting it aside.
“I don’t think I’m safe with you,” she whispered when he looked at her again.
Hades did not know what those words meant, but he felt compelled to say, “I would never hurt you.”
“You don’t know that.”
They stared at one another, before he lifted his hand. “Come.”
He led her toward the wall behind his desk, and he noted her hesitation in the way she pulled away from his touch.
“Why don’t we just teleport?”
“It makes you dizzy,” he said. “And I’d rather not contribute to that given your…state.”
Persephone’s eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed flat. “I’m not in a state.”
He sighed inwardly and tugged on her hand, and she followed him through the wall, which was really a portal, or gate, into the Underworld. Those who entered here would find themselves in a cavernous entrance called Cape Tenaron. There, they would be met by the River Styx, a body of water they would likely not survive.
Hades could use this entrance to go anywhere in the Underworld he wished, and when they stepped through, they found themselves in his chambers.
He indicated the bed. “Rest. When you wake, we will talk.”
He had questions, about Adonis and about her article in New Athens News.
“I don’t want to rest,” she said.
Hades just stared at her.
“Ask me what I want, Hades.”
He wanted to groan. This was torture, and worse, he indulged her.
“What do you want?”
“To finish what we started in the limo.”
It was significant to him that she had not responded with ‘you.’ And only solidified his wish to ensure they go no further than they had.
“No, Persephone.”
She scowled. “You want me.”
He said nothing; he could not deny it and would not admit it.
She pushed away from him and walked toward the bed, slipping the straps of her dress off her shoulders.
“Persephone—”
“What?”
She turned toward him, and her dress fell in a puddle at her feet. She stood bare before him, all golden skin and glorious curves.
“Tell me you don’t want me.”
He swallowed hard, clenching his hands at his sides. So many emotions swirled inside him, a carnal need to claim her and protect her. He could not do both. He reached for the robe she had worn the last time she was here; it hung in the same place, on the screen behind where she’d changed. He held it out so that she could slip her arms inside.
“Get dressed, Persephone.”
She glared at him and snatched the robe from his hands, but she did not put it on. Instead, she stared at him.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
He hadn’t because if he said he did not want her, that would be a lie, and admitting it would be inviting her to his bed.