Page 29 of On a Pale Horse
He shook his head, his nose tickling her. “You wouldn’t have. I keep it mostly tamped down.”
A tear leaked from the corner of her eye and Persephone reached out and caught it before snuggling closer to her side. “You got a keeper there, girl. I don’t know a woman alive who wouldn’t want that kind of power in a man.”
Hel’s agenda and her urgency to get Hades back suddenly became clearer. She wanted to ask him about it but not here, not now in this moment, when he’d finally gotten himself back.
He pulled out of her and went to the bathroom, returning with a cloth. He cleaned his semen from her skin and the floor and then pulled them both up. “Now, how about you ladies give me a chance to show off my other skills.”
Persephone laughed. “And what skills might those be?”
He winked at her and Cloris jerked. She’d never seen him wink before. It was becoming and fucking sexy on him. “Well, follow me, My Goddess, and find out.”
Persephone laughed taking his hand. He held his elbow out for her to take and she couldn't help herself from wrapping her fingers around his forearm and allowing him to lead them to the bed. He climbed up first and Persephone followed. Cloris crawled across the bedspread and pushed him to his back. “Your turn is over. It’s my turn now.”
Thirteen
Hades
Hades woke beside Cloris stretched out naked in his arms. For a moment he thought he might cry as the memory came back to him in vivid detail. He sat up and looked around for Persephone. After they had another round at the club, they’d all returned to their home. But now it seemed as if she’d left.
His arm was numb from Cloris’ head laying on it, but he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Hey sleepy head? Wakey, wakey.” Gwyn’s voice cut through his joy.
Hades didn’t think anything could ruin this moment. Gwyn sat at the end of the bed dressed in black slacks, black loafers, and a black cashmere sweater. Only the best for their resident fairy king.
Hades twisted to ensure Cloris was covered before he climbed out of bed and slipped into some underwear and a t-shirt. Once covered he faced Gwyn. “What are you doing here?”
The faerie chuckled and settled into the covers where Hades had been, somehow not disturbing Cloris. “Don’t get dressed on my account. I don’t mind in the least.” He cast his eyes up Hades body and somehow Hades still felt way too naked to be having this conversation with Gwyn.
Instead of sparring with him further, or allow him a glimpse of Cloris, Hades headed to the kitchen and put on some coffee. He offered Gwyn a cup when he followed and hopped onto the countertop.
“People eat on that.” Hades pointed out.
Gwyn didn’t move, not that Hades expected him to.
“Okay, what are you doing here?” Hades asked again.
Gwyn took a sip of the coffee, nodded, and took a bigger drink. “This isn’t bad. The coffee in faerie sucks more times than not. The kitchen staff don’t understand the temperature ratio the beans need for good espresso.”
Hades laughed and drank his own. “Everyone hates my coffee. Wait, you’re living with a former barista. Why not have Bianca show them how to fix your coffee at home?”
Gwyn smiled sweetly; what Hades might even consider seductively. “Because Bianca would cut off my balls if I asked her to make me a cup of coffee. No thank you. As for your question, someone told me you are in a market for a sword.”
Hades put the mug on the counter, so he didn’t drop it. “Someone?”
Gwyn leaned side to side. “Okay, okay, Katherine’s hound told me you were looking for a sword.”
Hades head pounded behind his eyes in the tell-tale signs of a beginning migraine. “Gwyn, can you get to the point? Do you have the sword?”
Gwyn’s eyes narrowed as if he didn’t appreciate Hades practicality raining on his parade of insanity. “The point is I know the guy who owns this particular sword, and he is happy to turn it over if they can get it back afterward. Well, specifically Merlyn wants it back. As far as Arthur is concerned the only fight he wants is with dust bunnies and paper cuts.”
So why was this man in Hades’ house? He stared him down and shook his head. “Great. Go tell Tyr and Scarlet? They can go see Merlyn and make the arrangements.”
Gwyn hopped off the counter with grace that belied his size. “Sure thing.” He offered a salute and then dipped his hand in the sink and disappeared.
Cloris entered a few moments later. “Sorry, it’s way too early to deal with him. I stayed back until he left. How did he get in here anyway?”
“The usual reflective surfaces or what not.”
