Page 30 of Spring's Descent
19
HADES
“I’ve got you, little witch,”I said, pressing a kiss to her brow as we landed along a cluster of rocks in the foothills of the Mountains of Mourning. Obsidian rock made up much of the range, great pockets throughout forming an extensive network of caves caught in between the chilled air gusting up from Cocytus and the vast flows of magma deep beneath the surface, their rivers stemming from Tartarus.
Persephone’s green eyes blinked open, still glazed with sleep just as I allowed my wings to fade from view. Her small hands balled against my chest, gripping the shredded pieces of my tunic. It was just a brush of her knuckles against my skin, but a shock of electricity shot through me.
She gasped, jerking back and nearly toppling from my hold.
“Put me down,” she snapped, pushing against me and causing another pulse of power to leave her palms.
I stumbled back under the force of her magic, gritting my teeth against the heat searing through my veins. The life magic burned as it forced the stagnant parts of myself to come alive. It was mending, healing all that had been dead, but every part of me that was resurrected felt like another bundle of raw, blistered nerves freshly awakened.
She landed on her ass, scrambling to her knees as she drew to the edge of the ledge. Rubbing against the throbbing of my chest, I watched as she took in our surroundings, like a doe caged by a wolf. There were only a few feet in either direction with the cave’s entrance at her back before land fell away with the sharp mountain sides.
“Still thinking about running, little witch?”
Her rich green eyes snapped to mine, her chin lifting as she squared her shoulders. “Where are we?”
I tilted my head to the side, my hungry gaze trailing the curves of her body. Her nipples were hard and ready to be sucked, and I could glimpse the thin layer of fabric between her thighs, barely concealed by what remained of her dress. She was thin, as if she’d been forced to skip meals often, but that would change as soon as we reached The Dark Palace. I intended to dote on my future wife, ensuring she never felt the pangs of hunger again.
Persephone’s body was incredible. Fucking perfect. But nothing compared to the way her fists clenched or the fight in her eyes that suggested she’d rather skin me alive than accept my help.
“We’re at an in-between of sorts.”
Her brows furrowed, showing a flicker of uncertainty. “Tartarus is behind us while Cocytus is ahead, but you’ll need fresh clothes if you plan on maintaining that life thread of yours.”
Her eyes narrowed, but I caught the sound of her stomach grumbling as I took a step forward.
“Food and water are also inside,” I continued, striding ahead.
She stepped to the side as if I’d toss her over my shoulder. Pausing, I leaned into her, letting a smirk twist the edges of my lips as I inhaled deeply. Her pulse quickened as I gently lifted myhand, savoring the way her breathing grew shallow as my thumb swept across the blush staining her cheek.
“You will join me inside, little witch.” She licked her lips, eyes staring up into mine as if horrified at her body’s reaction. My pupils dilated as I scented her arousal, like the sweetest vanilla. “If not for food, then for the hot springs.”
She swallowed as fear and excitement warred within her. “Hot springs?”
Persephone
Unable to look awayfrom Aidoneus’s cerulean gaze, I was almost too exhausted to remember why I hated him. Every inch of me hurt. It went beyond a physical pain, as if whatever Kampe had put me through had tapped into my life-force. If the fates inspected my thread at this very moment, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was tattered and frayed along the edges.
I was seconds away from collapsing, wanting nothing more than to find myself nestled in Aidoneus’s arms. His arrogant smirk was irritating, and I cringed inwardly at all the suffering he’d caused, but gods did my body want to give in, to follow him into the caves and yield to his whispered promises.
“Hot springs?” I heard myself ask, my voice sounding breathy and a little desperate.
Aidoneus’s eyes swirled with mischief as he took a step back, and I hated the way I was left colder for it.
“Yes. You’re in desperate need of a bath.”
Scowling, I shoved past him and stalked toward the darkness of the cave.Arrogant bastard.
“Not all of us can fall from a bridge over a boiling river of blood and fire and look as perfect as you.”
“You think I’m perfect?”
I shot him a glare. Ignoring his radiant smile as he fell into step beside me, the two of us entered the cave together.
“I was being sarcastic,” I muttered as I stepped further into the cave, following the sounds of bubbling water. The heat was the first thing I noticed. Gooseflesh pricked along my skin as my bare arms and legs started to thaw. I wrapped my arms around me, rubbing out the subtle pricks the rapid temperature change caused. Gods above, did it feel good.