AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Between blinks the table shrunk to half its size, making them much closer and cozier with one another than made her comfortable. But she didn’t let it show, didn’t squirm or adjust in her seat. Nor the surprise she felt at the blatant use of his power, the ease with which he could wield it as he summoned more wine, the decanter pouring glasses on it’s own; even after several glasses of wine, Hades power was immense.
He was dangerous.
She had grown up knowing he was dangerous, powerful beyond measure, more powerful than any Olympian, any Titan. He had had millennia to practice and shape it, force it to his will, she shouldn’t be surprised. But even Zeus broke a sweat once in awhile, especially after drinking heavily.
They sat in silence, neither wanting to be the first to give in and speak first.
The freshly filled glasses flew across the room to set themselves in front of them, not a drop of wine splashing out of the glass as the liquid tried to slosh over the sides. An invisible extension of the glass holding it inside.
Persephone didn’t touch hers, forced herself not to look at it as it clinked against the table. She wouldn’t be the first to look away either.
“So,” Hades said, eyes blazing as he plucked the glass into his hand before it could touch the table. She swallowed and struggled against the thickness in her throat, hoping he couldn’t sense the anxiety washing over her.
For a moment, she was glad he had spoken first, that she hadn’t had to take that leap and look too eager. Too impatient to make this deal and get out of this place. But that feeling was replaced quickly, she didn’t trust him and had to remain vigilant while she negotiated.
One wrong move, one foolish agreement, and she would be stuck with him in the Underworld for eternity.
“I will marry you,” she started.
“Excellent,” Hades said, bracing his hands on the table and pushing himself to stand.
“But—”
“But?”
“I have conditions.”
He sat down again, feigning nonchalance as he gestured for her to continue. His dark eyes twinkling in the light of the flames behind her, annoyance written all over his sculpted face.
She cleared her throat twice, ignoring him as he raised his eyebrows, and said, “I want ten months above every year.”
“Three,” he said without missing a beat. He had been expecting her to ask for this time away from this place, then.
Persephone glared at him. “Eight.”
“Four.”
“No,” she said, her voice commanding and firm.
The sound of Hades’ sucking his teeth was grating, even across the table from him. His eyes narrowed in thought, contemplating her as she stared him down. “Six.”
Her back was sore from being so straight, the chair stiff behind her. Watching as he swirled his wine around and around, seemingly careless about the whole interaction, she pursed her lips at his indifferent attitude and nodded once, tightly.
This was her life they were negotiating for. And he was acting as if they were arguing over the price of a loaf of bread.
“Fine,” she said sharply. “I have to be there for spring and summer, obviously. So I’ll leave the Underworld at the beginning of spring and only return once temperatures drop and harvest is finished.”
“As long it doesn’t intercept my six months.”
“I cannot missThesmophoria. My mother will expect me to be around for it, deal or not.”
Hades leaned forward, and said, “Once the sixth month comes to a close, I will be taking you home. By force, if necessary.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I don’t mind being a little forceful.” He winked and leaned back in his chair, turning to watch as his wine refilled itself rather than her.
She nodded in agreement, ignoring his comments about force, though her core warmed at his intensity, the way his mouth moved around the threat. She swallowed and went on, “Pelops must be returned immediately to his mortal life. Nobody will remember that he died and they all have to welcome him home as if he was merely missing for a few days. On an extended hunting trip or something,” she said. Hades nodded along, everything sounding all right to him so far. Good. “He won’t recall any of his time here, not a moment of the Underworld. He can’t know that he died, or he’ll lose his mind. It will break him and he will never be the same.” Pain tinged her words, though she tried to sound strong and unwavering in her demands. She couldn’t help but imagine how awful his life would be if Hades’ didn’t agree.
Hades narrowed his eyes but let her continued uninterrupted.
“He will be the same person with the same memories.”
