Page 45 of Queen of Tempests and Sin

‘The Underworld,’ she repeated, her tone incredulous. ‘It feels a bit… extreme. I’m not a coward, Si. I won’t go into hiding. And besides, isn’t that place crawling with dead people?’

I chuckled. ‘Not just the dead. You'll be safe. Guinn will be safe. That’s what matters.’

She narrowed her eyes. ‘This is emotional blackmail.’

I knew her sister was her Achilles heel. Manipulation was another inbuilt trait of the gods, but I’d use any method to keep her from harm. ‘No. This is survival. Hecate and Persephone will be there. Hades thought female company would help.’

‘I don’t need “female company”. I’m not fifteen.’

‘Guinn is,’ I said gently.

Cordelia sighed and raked a hand through her hair. ‘Fine. Temporarily. But I want my life back, Si. I won’t stay buried like some scared rat.’ Her jaw set in that way I was beginning to know well—defiance radiating from her in waves.

‘Persephone is Hades’ wife, isn’t she?’ she asked, her curiosity cutting through her resistance.

‘His consort-to-be. The coronation is soon. But yes, she’s… his.’

‘She must have some big balls to put up with him. He scares the crap out of me.’

I snorted a laugh. ‘He scares you?’ Cordelia nodded. ‘Are you scared of me?’ I asked before I could stop myself. She hesitated, and a strange, dull sensation ached in my chest. Did I frighten her?

A beat passed before she answered. ‘Only when you try to kill me after I attempt to assassinate you. That was not a pleasant experience… Most of the time, no.’ I let out a slow breath of relief. ‘How do you do that anyway?’

‘I’m a god. I have many skills…’ I grinned at her. She huffed and motioned for me to elaborate. ‘I can dry drown someone by flooding their lungs with water or blood. Or suck every ounce of water from their bodies with a flick of my wrist.’ I paused. ‘That one’s particularly nasty.’

‘Eww. That’s just plain gross.’ She grimaced. ‘And you can control the sea?’

I nodded. ‘And create earthquakes and control the weather. I’m a man of many talents.’ I drew out the word “many”, making her roll her eyes dramatically. ‘Anyway, Hades has well and truly met his match with Persephone. She’s a fiercely irritating woman. The type of woman who could start a fight in an empty room.’

‘Sounds like my type of girl.’ She tilted her head, a twitch of a smile on her luscious lips, and I squinted at her.

‘Oh, and another thing… I’m coming with you to the Underworld, Little Red.’ I gave her a slow, wolfish smile. ‘I still owe you a punishment… and a fuck.’ She gave me a frosty glare.

‘How about a blow job?’ I wiggled my brows.

‘Ahh, I appreciate the offer,’ she deadpanned. ‘But I don’t have a penis.’

I roared a laugh. Gods, she was feisty.

‘I am going to fuck you, Cordelia.’ I purred the words like a promise.

‘I have two fingers, a thumb, and nightly orgasms. I don’t need a cock to satisfy me.’

My mouth watered at the thought, and my cock twitched. ‘Do you always use your fingers, or do you have toys?’

‘None of your damn business!’ Her cheeks flushed that delicious pink… then her smile turned wicked. ‘Vibrator. Easy and super reliable.’

I resisted the urge to groan at the image of her, legs spread, pleasuring herself. ‘Can I watch? Then you can compare it to my dick.’

She barked a laugh. ‘No man can compete with my all-singing, all-dancing vibrator.’

‘I’m not a man, Cordelia.’ I leaned in slightly, voice a seductive purr. ‘I’m a god.’

‘You’re also an arrogant twunt!’

I blinked. ‘Twunt?’

‘Not only a twat but a cunt as well. Yes… A—a twunt! Congratulations, you’ve earned the full title.’ Her cheeks were a delectable shade of rose, and her eyes sparked with anger. She rose abruptly, storming out of the room.