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 campaign 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 where the black applique was stitched.
“A touch of darkness,” he said. He traced his fingers 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 not 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.”