He smiles at me the entire time, never looking away once, his strong hand in mine the only thing keeping me upright.
‘You’re awful at this,’ he whispers in my ear.
‘Where did you even learn to dance like this?’ I demand.
‘It helps with footwork, you know. Swing a woman round a dancefloor and you can swing a sword on a battlefield. Here.’ His hand presses against the small of my back, drawing me closer to him, and with his breath hot against the side of my cheek I can’t help the shiver that runs through me. ‘Let me help.’
Suddenly he’s the only thing keeping me moving, holding me close and lifting me, one hand on my back and the other clasped firmly in mine. I feel so dizzy as we spin round the room. I’m glad he’s holding me or I’d stumble to the floor.
‘Keep your eyes on me,’ he says and I turn from the blurred room to his eyes, steady, unwavering, a brown so dark it could pass for black. I don’t think he’s doing it on purpose – playing that game where we try to make the other’s desire burn. I don’t think he’stryingto make me come undone. But I don’t believe my dizziness is solely from spinning on a dance floor.
He releases me suddenly only to use the momentum to spin round me and catch me again. I twirl and he dips me so low his arm really is the only thing holding me up. I’m out of breath and gazing up at him. When he guides me up I collapse against him with delighted laughter.
‘Well, aren’t you full of surprises,’ I gasp.
Hades raises an eyebrow. ‘I aim to please.’
Apparently. The gods break into thunderous applause before joining us on the dance floor. I dance, with much less vigour, with other deities.
Hades returns with my wine glass and other gods pull me into conversations with them that are at turns fascinating and tedious. Nymphs appear with yet more food and, as the evening progresses, Apollo, Hemera and Helios begin to fade until they resemble regular immortals and Selene, Nyx and Artemis begin to glow in their stead. When the star gods too begin to glisten, Ares climbs on to a table and begins bashing his dagger against his glass.
‘Come now, it must be time!’ he roars.
The assembled deities give resounding cheers of agreement.
‘Get them!’
I had been talking to Aether, Pan and Eros but now they all grasp me, laughing at my startled expression.
This is the part of the wedding Mother always skirted past – when the bride and groom are marched to the bed chamber.
Other gods rush to join in. Antheia grabs my left arm while Morpheus takes my right. Across the room I see Hades facing a similar crowd: Pontus pulling his arms behind his back while others grasp his robes to pull him forward, Pheme and Peitho giggling as his sleeve rips in their hands.
I’m not sure how they know where they’re going, but they drag us – not that we’re resisting – to Hades’ bedroom and fling us inside. The door slams shut but it’s not thick enough to keep us from hearing the uproarious laughter of the gods on the other side.
And, finally, I turn to face my husband.
Alone.
HADES’ AURA DISAPPEARS THE SECONDthe door shuts. He brings his finger to his lips as I open my own to speak. He draws close to me and the moments seem to take forever.
Wine pulses through me and I lean into him.
‘They’re still outside,’ he whispers, breath hot on my skin.
‘Why?’ I ask.
‘Because they have nothing better to do,’ he says quietly. ‘And to ensure the marriage is consummated.’
I blink at him, wondering if he’s about to exclaim that he’s joking.
He doesn’t.
‘Oh,’ I say.
Then without warning I moan against his finger on my pressed lips, not taking my eyes off Hades and revelling in the horrified shock that flashes across his face.
The faint sound of snickering gods filters beneath the door and I smile my most innocent of grins.
