Chapter 21

Hades

“I should have offered to take her to a restaurant.”

Lucifer raised an eyebrow at my grumbled comment as I walked into his den. After returning Cerberus to the gates of Hell, I’d escorted Persephone back to Lucifer’s home. Upon discovering he was there, I’d decided it was a good time to update him on the details of my trip to Olympus. Persephone was showering and changing, so there was still time to offer to take her for lunch, but it seemed awkward after how I’d reacted to her suggestion that we go to a restaurant in the first place.

“Sorry,” I muttered. “I was just thinking out loud.”

“Not a problem,” Lucifer assured me. “I’ve been known to do the same. How was the visit with Zeus?”

I took a seat on one of the leather sofas and let out a frustrated breath. “It was annoying. I seriously doubt Persephone will ask to visit Olympus again. I had no idea how run-down it’s gotten. Zeus, naturally, still believes Olympus is a glorious place. He’s even worse off than the last time I saw him.”

“How is that even possible?” Lucifer asked. “The last time you saw him, he was in goose form, trying to seduce a succubus as he left trails of goose shit all over the place.”

I laughed at the memory. “It’s hard to believe there’s anything worse, but Zeus did a great job of proving it to me. He couldn’t even remember inviting Persephone to visit. If I never see his pale ass again, it will still be too soon. I can’t decide which side was worse.”

“Please, don’t tell me he was naked.” Lucifer shuddered at the idea.

“No, but his robe kept flying open.” I accompanied my explanation with a shudder of my own. “Then there was Ares. I definitely didn’t want to see him again. He claims he only wants me back on Olympus to fight with him.”

Lucifer considered what I’d said before responding. “It’s possible he’s telling the truth. Most inhabitants of Olympus are no longer capable of holding their own in a fight, but I imagine Ares still trains as if he’s going to be in some great war.”

I agreed. “You’re right. I can’t think of anyone who could give him a good fight. Athena used to be impressive, but the last time I saw her, she was too confused to offer him much of a challenge.”

“She hasn’t been the same for several centuries.” Lucifer paused to consider all I’d told him. “It doesn’t sound like there’s any plan in the works. Persephone should be able to return home when she’s ready.”

Persephone was not returning to her home yet, but I decided to try for diplomacy. “I’d still feel better if Persephone stayed here a little longer now that Ares knows about Persephone’s relationship to Azrael.”

Lucifer leaned forward, tapping a pen on his desk as he mulled over what I’d said. We could pretend it was a request, but we both knew it wasn’t. I might be loyal to Lucifer, but I wasn’t a good follower.

“You want me to keep Persephone in my home, even when we think there’s no danger to her?”

His question pissed me off, and my irritation was obvious in my tone. “Are you telling me you think we should send her home? I wonder how Beatrice would feel about putting her best friend in danger.”

“Don’t fuck with me Hades,” he growled. No matter how close we were, he had his limits, and I was pushing them. I’d bet my left nut we were both aching for a good fight. I was always tense after dealing with the assholes on Olympus, and Lucifer hadn’t looked happy when I’d walked into his den. He clearly had his own pain in the ass to deal with.

“Lucifer!” Beatrice called out, pulling us both back from the edge.

“In here!” he shouted in response.

Beatrice entered the room and briefly glared at me, so I assumed she was annoyed with me about something to do with Persephone.

Lucifer immediately rose to his feet and walked across the room to pull Beatrice into his arms.

I didn’t even pretend to look away. Since meeting Persephone, I was a complete voyeur. It wasn’t the sex so much as the affection between a couple. My new fascination was unusual for me. Even when I’d been desperately searching for the woman who could lift my curse, I’d never stopped to consider what falling in love would be like. I’d only thought about how good it would be to find my release in a woman again. Hell, after the first five years of my curse, I’d reached a point where I’d do anything to find release in my own hand.

That’s all I’d cared about with the other women. They’d hated me, and I hadn’t given a damn as long as they eventually came to my bed. With Persephone—my Persephone as I considered her—I hadn’t even tried to take her to my bed. She wouldn’t turn me away. She was so transparent, so open, I couldn’t miss her arousal. I loved that about her, loved how she never tried to be coy.

“Are you done gawking at us?”

Beatrice’s question jerked me from my own thoughts. I had been standing there, just staring at them.

“Sorry.” I shook my head to clear it. “My mind wandered.”

“We noticed.” Lucifer’s lips were twitching, likely because he’d figured out where my mind had wandered to. His attention shifted to Beatrice again. “What did you need to see me about?”

“I’m going out to lunch with Persephone and Lucy after Persephone finishes getting ready,” she replied.

Lucifer frowned as he considered what she’d said. Though his daughter was a grown woman, he still acted like Lucy was a child in need of his constant protection. “Where are you going?”

“That café overlooking The River of Fire.”

At her reply, Lucifer frowned more. “That’s a long trip. I’m not sure you should go when we haven’t decided if there’s a danger to Persephone yet.”

Since he was using Persephone as an excuse to prevent Lucy and Beatrice from going out to lunch, I figured I might as well take advantage of the situation. “Lucifer agreed that Persephone should stay here and have guards for at least another two weeks.”

“You did?” Beatrice sounded shocked. “Persephone is planning to go home tomorrow.”

Over my dead body.

“Persephone was mistaken,” was my terse response.

“You might want to communicate better,” Beatrice told me with narrowed eyes.

Surprisingly, Lucifer came to my defense. “He’s new to this.” His attention shifted to me. “Why don’t you go talk to Persephone about your fears regarding her safety while I arrange for guards to accompany the ladies to lunch?”

“I’ll go with them after I talk to Persephone,” I said on my way to the door.

Lucifer’s words stopped me. “I think you’d prefer to stay with me. Azrael is stopping by here soon.”

“Fuck my life,” I grumbled.