As Hades’ warmth pressed against her bare back, the steady beat of his heart eased her from sleep. Her tresses muffled the soft rumble of his breathing. One arm draped over her hip, fingertips brushing her thigh. Until last night, she’d slept in her bed. Waking up here, with her god pressed against her, was something she would now crave forever.  

“You smell of ambrosia and sunlight,” he breathed into her hair. He traced his fingers over her leg, sending gooseflesh skittering over her body. “I don’t remember the last time I tasted sunlight.”  

She rolled to face him and blushed. He caught her chin between his fingers and tipped her head up to brush his hand down her face. “If you keep that up, I won’t be able to wait until I’ve talked to Nyx.”  

His chuckle was dark when he dropped his hand to her neck. She felt her pulse hammering against his thumb as he pulled her closer to him. “Is my pixie so impatient that she can’t wait for my touch?”  

With his hand still at her throat, she moved to straddle his hips. Her legs barely fit over his wide frame. She tested the water by leaning down, seeing if he’d push her away again. He didn’t, but his grip tightened a fraction when she claimed his lips. He tasted of the darkest fruit and forbidden knowledge.  

He released his hold on her when she broke away from him, gasping for air. “I need you, Hades,” she pleaded.  

She felt his desire at the apex of her thighs. He was hard beneath her, the heat of him making her shiver when he shifted his hips. There wasn’t a lot separating them, just her plain panties and his silk pajama bottoms. All she had to do was push the fabric aside, and she’d be able to feel him.  

Before she could, he cradled her cheek in his palm and smiled softly. “I don’t remember anyone telling me I am needed. I’ve never seen someone look so…” He trailed off, suddenly at a loss for words. “Devoted.” 

The sadness in his tone dampened her lust. Just touching her allowed Hades to see her memories; he’d explained that the first night she was here. He knew every detail about her life, the hidden and the obvious. All she knew about him was that he had never been gifted the kindness he’d given her. The rumors about his relationship with Persephone were turbulent, but she had never been fond of the Greek gossip mill. Whatever happened between them was none of her business. All that mattered was showing him that she was nothing like Persephone.  

She slipped her hands into his hair and pushed the strands out of his face. He had the most stunning eyes. Electric blue engulfed the entire iris, erasing any hint of pupil. “You should slick back your hair. It makes you look strikingly beautiful, like the statues they carve.”  

“Normal people think my eyes are intimidating,” he said with a smirk as he brushed his thumb over her cheek. “Have you no fear?”  

“Never with you.” She watched him intently for a moment before sitting up again. “The only thing I’m scared of is losing you.”  

He sat up against the headboard and gathered her in his arms. The hard planes of his chest were smooth, and she nestled into him. “Whatever happens, I will not hesitate to keep you safe. Just know that if you ever lose me, I did all that I could to prevent it.” 

His words were an omen, sending a chill through her. She appreciated that he didn’t pretend they were above the Fates. No amount of blissful ignorance would stop the inevitable: someone would find out about them. The Fates were hardly ever kind. His scent lingered on her skin like a brand, and hers was on him. 

“Please speak with Nyx,” he said to clear the tension that had settled. “We’ll worry about the bigger stuff later.”  

“I will.” She laid a spread of kisses over him. His nose, his cheeks, the side of his neck. Then pressed a lingering one to his lips.  “Hades, I think I love you.” She hadn’t meant to say the words out loud. Not yet. It had been less than a month since she arrived. 

“My little pixie, I fell in love with you the moment I felt you enter my Underworld, when Hypnos told me you were mine.” He placed his palm at the nape of her neck and kissed her again before she could pull away. Between kisses, he kept speaking. “I have loved you since I sent you away.” Another graze of his lips. “I have loved you when you aren’t here.” This one was longer. “And every time you’ve been back. Even if I never approached you.”   

Butterflies made her stomach clench as he peppered her with love the way she had to him. When he moved to claim her lips again, he stilled. Darkness fell over his electric eyes, sending a chill through her. She pulled away from him, concern twisting her face. She’d never seen him look so ominous.  

It was easy to forget that people feared him for good reason. He had a reputation amongst the gods for being quick-tempered and unapologetically cruel. Staring at him now, she knew he’d earned that reputation.  

“Hades?” She waved her hand in front of his face. “Hades, are you okay?”  

He didn’t respond as he came back into his body. Instead, he gently placed her next to him and slipped out of the bed. His silk pajamas changed to slacks that simply appeared. A crisp black button-up was next, and then a tie that matched the exact blue-gray shade of her eyes. The suit jacket was last. He deftly straightened it as he turned to her. The intensity in his eyes had doubled, and his jaw was clenched, highlighting the sharp angles of his face. The reminder that Hades was not handsome in the traditional sense was startling. He was striking, imposing, devastatingly beautiful. As death should be.  

“I apologize, my love, but I have business to attend to that unfortunately cannot wait.” He leaned over the bed and placed his lips to the crown of her head. When he straightened, he slicked his hair back and winked at her.  

“Is everything alright?” She clutched the bedsheet to her naked chest as she struggled out. “Did I do something?”  

That unsettling darkness returned as he pulled her against him. “Gods below, no. You’ve done nothing wrong. Hypnos just informed me that something serious is happening with one of my servant souls. I cannot ignore that, unfortunately.”  

She nodded. “Okay.” 

“Nyx will be here within the hour to guide you to her office.” He searched her face, his brows pinched in concern. “You’re going to love her. When I’m done, I’d like to show you more of the Underworld.” 

He languidly pressed his lips to hers, keeping the contact gentle. Before long, it transformed into something primal and desperate. She wanted to grab him by the collar and drag him back to the bed to finish what they’d started. Before she could, he disappeared, leaving an overwhelming cold in his wake.  

Hades, I think I love you. She’d told him she loved him, words she hadn’t said to another person since her first death. Since Marcus. It would be easy to blame the Fates for this attraction. To say she had no option in the matter. That would be a lie. She had every chance to turn away. She never would and, if she ever got the chance, she’d thank the Fates. Just to rub it in their faces. 

She let the sheet fall from her naked body and walked into the ensuite bathroom. Meaning to shower, she paused when she caught her reflection in the mirror.  Several lifetimes’ worth of scars created a map along her body. One at her throat, another across her abdomen. There was even a gash between her shoulder blades. There were more. Some faded, some ugly. But the one that reminded her to keep fighting the Fates was invisible: her original curse.  

Their involvement started before she’d taken her first breath. Being stillborn, her father begged for a miracle, and Hera, queen of the Greek gods, answered. In exchange for Thea, a family servant, Hera granted Pandora life. No one knew why Hera wanted Thea, but she readily agreed. Rumor had it that Thea was in love with her father and would trade her life for his happiness. When the Fates learned Pandora cheated death, they swore their vengeance. Her first curse was to live a life of misery that aimed to break her spirit and nearly did.  

Her mother, who hated her for stealing her husband’s attention and love, made it her sole objective to ruin Pandora’s life. Three lifetimes later, Pandora still woke in a cold sweat after nightmares of her abuse. When her mother found out that Marcus, a stable boy, was in love with her, she sold Pandora to Moros, hoping he’d be as cruel. She met Helen that day and got to keep Marcus. Moros had saved her. For a long time, the Fates remained dormant. Until they made her choose between Marcus and becoming Athena’s Champion. She chose Athena and always would.  

Still, her punishment was not done. They simply changed tactics. They’d cursed her with Hades. 

If they thought it would scare her into submission, they were in for a rude awakening. They had given her what she needed: love. She didn’t care that it was forbidden. Didn’t care that the consequences would destroy her. If she could give Hades everything Persephone had denied him, it would be worth it. 

Unable to sit with her memories any longer, she showered, washing away the thought of his eyes darkening and the filth of her past. When she stepped into the living room to finish towel-drying her hair, she stopped short. A gorgeous woman was sitting at the kitchen counter, watching her with faint amusement. Her skin was dark as night, sparkling stars dotted everywhere, and more shimmering glitter coated her purple waves. When they made eye contact, Pandora gasped. Each of hers held a galaxy that glowed and swirled lazily.  

“My, my. What a pretty thing you are,” the goddess purred, crossing her legs at the knee and leaning closer. “Hades sent me to introduce myself. I am Nyx, Goddess of Night and resident therapist.” 

“You’re stunning,” Pandora stuttered as she moved to sit on the barstool next to the goddess. “I’m Pandora.”  

“Flattery will get you everywhere, especially with the gods. We live for praise,” she said with a wink, and Pandora understood why Hades trusted her. “Our first session is this morning. Please remember that therapy takes work, darling, and you will not heal overnight.” 

“It can’t be any harder than fighting a horde of demons,” she joked. 

“Have you ever had to fight your own demons? The ones that know every detail that you keep hidden?” Smiling gently, Nyx patted her arm. A speck of glitter on her hand brightened and then streaked along her flesh like a shooting star. “Make a wish. The most unexpected things could happen.”  

As she did, a portal appeared behind the goddess. She smiled and bobbed her head, indicating they would step through together. Whatever was coming, Pandora would face it with her head held high, even if her heart hammered furiously in her chest.  

Editor: Shannon Hensley