“You think our blood changes the fact that you willingly entered into a contract with me? These things are law, Persephone.” She glared at him. “The mark will dissolve when the contract has been fulfilled.” He said it like that should make it all better.
“And what are your terms?” Just because she was asking didn’t mean she was going to agree.
Hades jaw was tight. He seemed to be restraining himself. Maybe he wasn’t used to being ordered around. When he lifted his head and stared down at her, she knew she was in trouble.
“Create life in the Underworld,” he said at last.
“What?” She hadn’t been prepared for that, though she probably should have been. Wasn’t her greatest weakness her lack of power? An irony considering her Divinity.
“Create life in the Underworld,” he said again. “You have six months—and if you fail or refuse, then you will become a permanent resident of the Underworld.”
“You want me to grow a garden in your realm?” she asked, shocked.
He shrugged. “I suppose that is one way to create life.”
She glared at him. “If you steal me away to the Underworld, you will face my mother’s wrath.”
“Oh, I am sure,” he mused. “Much like you will feel her wrath when she discovers what you’ve so recklessly done.”
Persephone’s cheeks flushed. He was right. The difference between them was that Hades didn’t seem at all fazed by the threat. Why should he be? He was one of the three—the most powerful gods in existence. A threat from Demeter was a pebble thrown.
She straightened, raising her chin and meeting his gaze head on. “Fine.”
Then she felt the pressure of Hades hand on her wrist like a shackle and tore her hand free.
“When do I start?”
Hades eyes glittered. “Come tomorrow. I’ll show you the way to the Underworld.”
“It will have to be after class,” she said.
“Class?”
“I’m a student at New Athens University.”
Hades looked at her curiously and nodded his head. “After...class, then.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. As much as she hated him right now, it was hard not to enjoy the sight of him.
“What about your bouncer?”
“What about him?”
“I’d prefer he not remember me in this form,” she said, lifting her hand to her horns. Then she called up her glamour. It relaxed her a little, to be in her mortal form. Hades watched the transformation as if he were studying the form of an ancient sculpture.
“I’ll erase his memory of you...after he is punished for his treatment of you.”
Persephone shivered. “He did not know I was a goddess.”
“But he knew you were a woman and he let his anger get the best of him,” Hades said. “So he will be punished.”
Hades said it as a matter-of-fact, and she knew there was no arguing.
“What will it cost me?” she asked because she knew who she was dealing with, and she had just requested a favor from the God of the Dead.
His lips twitched.
“Clever, darling. You know how this works. The punishment? Nothing. His memory? A favor.”