Finally, Hades says, “I’m listening.”
“Keep me for the rest of the winter. And all that that entails.”
“Don’t be vague now, Persephone. Spell out what you’re offering, in detail.”
My face must be crimson, but I don’t let my smile falter. “If he thinks I chose you over him, it will drive him mad.” When Hades continues to wait, I swallow hard. “You live in the lower city, but surely you know how it works across the river. My perceived value is directly tied to my image. Among the other things, there’s a reason you haven’t seen me publicly dating anyone since my mother became Demeter.” In hindsight, I intensely regret submitting to my mother’s meddling in that regard. I thought it easier to not make waves as she cultivated a certain reputation for me and my sisters; I had no idea she’d use that same reputation to sell me to Zeus.
“Zeus is notorious for not wanting what he considers tarnished goods.” I take a deep breath. “So…tarnish me.”
Hades finally smiles and, good gods, it’s like being hit by a laser beam. Heat strong enough to make my fingertips tingle and curl my toes. I stare up at him, caught in the intensity of those dark eyes. And then he’s shaking his head, smothering the rush of strangeness through my body. “No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“I’m aware that you’ve likely not heard the word often in your privileged life, so I’ll spell it out for you. No. Nein. Nyet. Non. Absolutely not.”
Irritation rises. It’s a very good plan, especially when I had such short notice to come up with it. “Why not?”
For a moment, I think he won’t answer me. Finally, Hades shakes his head. “Zeus isn’t stupid.”
“I suppose that’s a fair assumption.” One doesn’t gain and keep power in Olympus without some level of intelligence, even if they are in a legacy role. “What’s your point?”
“Even if one takes Hermes out of the equation, he has spies in my territory the same way I have spies in his. No surface-level charade will fool him. It will take one report to prove it all to be a sham, which will entirely defeat the purpose of said sham.”
If he’s correct, my plan won’t work. How frustrating. Now it’s my turn to cross my arms over my chest, though I refuse to glare out of principle. “Then we do it for real.”
Hades’s slow blink is a special kind of reward. “You’re out of your mind.”
“Hardly. I’m a woman with a plan. Learn and adapt, Hades.” My breezy voice doesn’t belie the way my heart is racing so hard that it’s leaving me a bit dizzy. I can’t believe I’m offering this, can’t believe I’d be this impulsive, but the words just keep pouring out of my mouth. “You’re attractive enough in a broody sort of way. Even if I’m not your type, I’m sure you can close your eyes and think of England or whatever it is the boogeyman does when he engages in carnal activities.”
“Carnal activities.” I don’t think he’s taken a breath in the last sixty seconds. “Are you a virgin, Persephone?”
I scrunch up my nose. “That’s not really your business. Why do you ask?”
“Because only a virgin would call sex ‘carnal activities.’”
Ah, that’s what’s holding him up. I shouldn’t enjoy poking this man so much, but despite what I told him earlier, I honestly don’t think he’ll hurt me. My skin doesn’t try to crawl off my body every time I’m in a room with him, which is a marked improvement from Zeus and some of the other people who frequent that social circle. More, Hades might growl and snap and attempt to slap me down verbally, but he keeps sneaking glances at my feet as if it physically pains him that I’m standing on them. He’s irritating, but he’s not going to hurt me if he’s that concerned with my current level of comfort.
I give him a faintly pitying look. “Hades, regardless of the ridiculous importance the upper city puts on virginity, there are plenty of activities that can be termed ‘carnal’ that don’t involve penis-in-vagina sex. Really, I would think you’d know that already.”
His lips twitch, but he manages to get control of himself before actually smiling. Then he’s back to glowering at me. “You’re so eager to sell your virginity for your safety.”
I roll my eyes. “Please. Whatever fiction my mother sold to Zeus, I’m not a virgin, so if that’s what’s having your head in danger of exploding, you can let it go. It’s fine.”