He had laid out clothing for me? Strange. I shook my head, but knew that there was nothing I could do but comply. He led me to a suite of rooms, but instead of leaving me, he followed me in. I turned to him in surprise.
“Why are you staying?”
“Because I’m not ready to leave you yet,” he replied smoothly. His expression was almost eager and the fact that we were alone together in a bedroom slammed into me. I backed away.
“I will never give myself to you willingly,” I promised.
“We’ll see,” he murmured, sliding back up next to me. “Never is a very long time and I’m very patient. But for now, I only wanted to show you something. Come look.”
He moved to one corner of the elaborate suite and pulled a velvet curtain away from a long mirror. It stood at least seven feet tall and was framed in wrought gold.
“Show me Raquel,” he demanded. Instantly, the sparkling mirror shimmered and I could see inside Zeus’ palace, where Raquel and Cadmus were still peacefully sleeping. They had no idea yet that I was even gone. I felt a rush of relief. Even though it was inevitable, I wanted to put off their heartache for just a bit longer.
“Is this what you meant when you said that I could remain with her?” I asked. “Because that wasn’t quite what I had in mind.”
He smiled gently. “There are a couple of options,” he answered. “And we’ll discuss them at dinner. First, you should wash. Then you must get dressed.” He waved his hand toward the bed and I found a gorgeous jade green crushed-velvet gown there. It was exactly the color of my eyes. “Go ahead. Don’t be shy,” he added.
“You want me to get dressed… while you are here watching?” I was incredulous. He smiled again and stepped back to sit on a chair in the corner. He was almost entirely concealed by the shadows, yet every inch of my body felt his presence.
“Go ahead,” he instructed softly. “I’m harmless. Pretend I am not even here. I know you will look lovely in this gown. I selected it myself. I cannot wait to see it on you.”
“I’m not washing,” I said firmly. “It’s my husband’s blood. If you don’t like it, don’t look at me.”
A low chuckle came from the corner. “I’m the god of the Underworld,” he said. “Do you think the sight of blood bothers me?”
I sighed and turned to the gown. It was silly to refuse to wash, but as long as Cadmus’ blood was still smeared on me, then I felt as though he was still here with me, in a strange way.
The shadows covered Hades’ face, so I tried to pretend that he wasn’t here with me. Turning my back to him, I lowered my thigh-length tunic and allowed it to drop to my ankles. I stepped out of it and reached for the gown, but Hades voice murmured into my ear from directly behind me. He had moved so quietly that I didn’t even hear him.
“Allow me,” he breathed. He held out the gown and I moved away from him.
“I’ll never allow you to touch me,” I snarled. “I’m a married woman. My heart belongs to Cadmus.”
“Trust me, I’ll never touch you against your will,” he promised. “I’m simply going to help you with this gown. The buttons are complicated.”
I eyed him for a moment and then sighed, stepping into the gown and pulling it up as quickly as I could, covering my naked body. He fastened the buttons that lined my back, standing so close that I could feel his warm breath on my neck. Regardless of my protests that I would never let him touch me, my body longed for it. It was an effect that I couldn’t control and I couldn’t ignore. My nerve endings were on fire where he touched and I ached to lean closer to him. I hated it. But I couldn’t help it.
He brought his lips to the side of my bare neck and brushed them softly along my skin. Without meaning to, I whimpered and then silently cursed myself. I didn’t want him to know the effect he had on me. Steeling myself, I focused on Cadmus’ face in my mind, trying desperately to ignore Hades’ powerful charm.
Block it out, block it out, I chanted silently.
I had forgotten, however, that Hades could read my thoughts and I felt him smile against my neck.
“Just as I thought,” he said softly. “You’re exquisite. I’ll leave you now to finish.”
He was gone and I didn’t even hear the door close behind him. Letting my breath exhale in a rush, I turned to the mirror on the vanity. The gown was becoming. It was strapless and hugged my form, with a slit on one side all the way to my hip. My husband’s blood was still smeared on my arms and my cheek and I felt a tiny bit of satisfaction. Maybe it would act as a reminder to Hades that I was a married woman. Not that it mattered to him.
On the vanity counter, I saw a glittering emerald necklace, chunky and elaborate. I smirked.
Nice try, Hades, I thought.
I hoped that he was listening to my thoughts right now. There was no way that I was removing my bloodstone and replacing it with any other necklace. No way in… well, Hades.
I looked into the magic mirror one more time before leaving and found my husband and daughter still sleeping. I traced the outlines of their faces on the glass, sadness welling up in my heart. Was this really going to be my future? I would forever be damned to watching them from a mirror? I swallowed a lump in my throat and turned away, leaving my new bedchambers for dinner.
When I arrived in the dining room, I found Hades already seated at one end of the table. Persephone was at the other end, radiant in a canary yellow satin gown. Bright yellow sapphires adorned her hair and her neck. She didn’t look pleased to see me, not that I could blame her.
“I’m sorry, Persephone,” I told her quietly. “I do not wish to be here.”
She nodded. “I’m sure,” she acknowledged. “But it doesn’t change the fact that you are.”
I ignored that and walked to the only other place setting at the long table. I was situated directly between Persephone and Hades. Before I knew it, he was behind me, sliding out my chair like a perfect gentleman. I sighed again and was seated. This might possibly be the strangest position I had ever been in. I was sitting directly in the middle of a husband and wife. The husband wanted to sleep with me- to possess me- and the wife had full knowledge of that and to top it off, they loved each other deeply. What an odd marriage.
Hades snapped his fingers and servants began bringing in the courses of our meal. Having not eaten in days, I was starving and practically inhaled my food. Each bite was delicious and my goblet was kept full of ice cold nectar. I tried to talk about my situation, but Hades shushed me.