Page 44 of Queen of Tempests and Sin

‘He’s dead, isn’t he?’ She swallowed and blinked fast. ‘He was an asshole.’ Her voice wobbled. ‘I knew this job was dangerous… most probably linked to Ixion, but when I questioned him, he lost his temper and beat me. I’m glad he didn’t get you killed, Cordie.’ A single tear rolled down her cheek. ‘I’ve been so worried.’

‘Oh, Guinn.’ I brushed away her tear with my thumb and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. As I gently washed her hair, I told her everything. From the contract on Si… to my failure… the chase… and how everything had spiralled since.

Everything, apart from giving Si head, and him eating my pussy, obviously.

Some things are best left unsaid, especially to a fifteen-year-old.

CHAPTER 17

POSEIDON

‘Ifeel the women will be safest in the Underworld,’ Hades said, swirling his whisky with casual detachment.

‘They will be just as safe in Genesion,’ I snapped.

‘True,’ he conceded. ‘But—’ his eyes pinned mine, serious and unreadable, ‘this entire situation is a clusterfuck courtesy of Ixion. The assassin⁠—’

‘Cordelia,’ I bit out.

‘Cordelia,’ he corrected, unbothered. ‘She and her sister need more than just protection—they need comfort. Stability. Familiarity. Persephone and Hecate can provide that. Temporarily, of course… until things settle.’

I exhaled heavily. He wasn’t wrong. As much as it made my blood itch to agree, the Underworld—with Persephone’s calming presence and Hecate’s magic—would offer both girls a level of care I couldn’t replicate in Genesion.

‘I’ll stay with them,’ I said. ‘Split my time between your kingdom and mine. But I won’t leave Cordelia for long.’

‘I didn’t think you would,’ he drawled, lifting a dark brow. ‘You’re already circling her like a storm. Can’t stay away.’

I didn’t rise to the bait. Not worth it.

‘I’ll inform Minos of the shift in plans. Jason can return to Genesion to assist him. Ajax, Theseus, and Perseus will remain with me. They’ll move between realms as needed. Theseus has already started going through Drakos’s affairs. The Mayfair offices were⁠—’

‘Empty,’ Hades finished, unsurprised. ‘Ixion covers his tracks too well.’

He took a sip, then added, ‘Persephone was disappointed our break was cut short, but she’s returned home to help Hecate and Hedone with coronation preparations. We’ve expedited it.’ His eyes gleamed—not the usual sharp glitter of calculation, but something else. Something suspiciously like joy. It looked strange on him, but he had his consort-to-be back, so fate had treated him kindly.

Fate, on the other hand, was afoot in my life, sending it into chaos—a lightning bolt in the form of a little assassin that shattered the neat, godly composure I’d maintained for centuries. I tried not to think of her rejecting me. Yes, I had claimed her, but I wanted—needed—her to accept and want me as much as I craved her. I could barely concentrate because of the alien need to protect her. What the fuck was going on with me?

I couldn’t love her. The thought was preposterous. But that fucking warm, persistent hum in my chest told another story entirely.

Shit. What a mess.

‘I’ll return to the Underworld. I’ll see you there.’ Hades said, rising from his chair with the grace of a wraith. ‘I’ll leave Erebus and Thanatos to help guard the women until you are ready to depart.’

‘I’ll let Cordelia know the plan, then head to Genesion with Jason to brief Minos on the temporary arrangement.’ I downed the last of my drink and stood. Hades gave me his signature cold bastard smile. I scowled in return before leaving to find her.

She was in the kitchen, fixing a drink.

‘How’s Guinn?’ I asked softly.

Cordelia yelped, spun around, knife in hand, eyes wild.

‘Godsdammit!’ She slapped a hand to her chest. ‘Don’t just appear like some poltergeist; I’m a little jumpy right now with everything that’s happened, and Ixion, and…’ She sighed, sheathing the knife, and picked up her mug. ‘Guinn’s fine. Sleeping. But what now, if we can’t go back to London?’

‘That’s what I came to discuss. Let’s sit.’ I gestured to the table and took the chair opposite her. ‘You and Guinn are going to the Underworld.’

She froze, blinked, and held up a hand. ‘The Underworld?’

‘Yes. It’s the safest place right now. It’s a temporary precaution until we find out more about Ixion, and let the dust settle.’