Debauched (Hades and Persephone Book 3) Read online

  She inclined her head. “We’ve tried over the millennia to replicate Persephone’s plants, but without her magic to germinate the seeds, all we can produce are weaker versions.”

  “Oh.” I took a sip of what tasted like gloopy cucumber juice and grimaced. Weak was an understatement. “Do we have any seeds left?”

  “The dryads are collecting them as we speak.”

  I nodded and emptied my glass. “Can I see Hades?”

  Her thin lips curled into a smile. “He has been eager to see you.”

  “So, he’s awake?”

  She pulled a lever on the bed, and one side of the mattress sloped down a few angles and twisted into a recliner. “If you would like to shuffle onto the left of the mattress, I can transport you to him myself.”

  “Can’t I walk to his room?” I asked with a frown.

  The healer paused. “Your Majesty, the poison is still in your blood and trying to break down your nervous system. All I’ve done is lessen its effects enough to restore your higher brain functions. If you attempt to use your magic or move your limbs in any coordinated manner, the effects could be disastrous.”

  My lips thinned. She was probably just exaggerating to make me a more compliant patient. After all, she had just asked me to roll onto that contraption so I could see Hades.

  “Is there a way to extract the active compounds in aloe-panacea?”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, I added, “We do it all the time when preserving plants. Sometimes, you can distill the water content and get the most important parts. Other times, it’s the cold press.”

  “Very well, Your Majesty.” She gestured at the other side of the mattress. “I will take you to King Hades.”

  As soon as I rolled onto the other side of the mattress, straps wrapped around my torso, legs, and neck. It dipped to the side, turning ninety degrees before pausing to turn again. Two extra rotations later, and I lay on another mattress but with Hades at my side.

  His wings had retracted, but his hair had turned a vibrant green. Instead of his usual golden skin, he had turned a verdant olive. My stomach lurched. The plant was still in his system.

  I leaned across the mattress and ran a hand down his cheek, feeling for signs that he hadn’t transformed into a dryad or some other type of plant-based creature.

  My fingers slid down his cheek, across skin that was smoother than usual and felt like petals. I felt down his neck, over his collarbones, and down his muscular chest. Apart from the coloring, he seemed exactly the same as usual.

  His eyelids fluttered open, making me snatch my hand away. He turned his head toward me and stared out through forest-green eyes.

  “Hades?” I whispered.

  “Perhaps I should have continued my pretense of slumber. I’ve always wanted a beautiful woman to molest me in my sleep.”

  I rolled over to him, pressing my body against his side and placed a kiss on his warm cheek. “How are you feeling?”

  “Salty, plant-like, and foolish,” he said, his voice bitter.

  My brows drew into a frown. “Why?”

  “I fell for such a transparent trick,” he said through clenched teeth. “The damsel in distress.”

  “How were you supposed to know?” I murmured.

  “I thought you would be furious that I went to her aid,” he said.

  “That was my reaction at first, but she sounded so coherent and scared,” I murmured. “Even I thought it was her.”

  Hades swallowed. “I’m sorry that my actions hurt you—”

  “Don’t apologize.” I squeezed his hand. “You were trying to do the right thing.”

  “You know it’s you I love.”

  “Of course.”

  He inhaled a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut. “Caria has updated me on the situation with Demeter. When I think she can descend no further into the depths of pettiness, she surprises me with another diabolical act.”

  I cringed at his words. “By now, I thought Mother would have enough magic from managing the Third Faction.”

  “She didn’t drink her shot at the Devil’s Ball,” Hades muttered. “Not that I wasted much time staring into her malevolent features.”

  “Let’s focus on getting better. I asked the healer to prepare a more concentrated dose of aloe-panacea.”

  Hades nodded. “That might be enough to reverse the poison’s damage to your system, but the healer couldn’t remove Demeter’s plant.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s taken root in the pit of my stomach. Each time she removes the organ and lets it grow back, the plant returns.”

  My stomach dropped. “What?”

  He pulled down the sheets, revealing his muscular chest, tight abs and… I leaned forward, my brow furrowing. Something was in his belly button—a tiny green plant with leaves that resembled a lotus flower.

  “That’s where Persephone’s plant attacked.” He plucked the little flower. “We’ve tried everything, filling my stomach with salt, weedkiller, copious amounts of demon-brew. We’ve tried Hellfire, black flames, red flames, even yellow fire, but each time we remove the plant, it returns.”

  “No,” I whispered.

  “Demeter specifically designed it to take root in my soul,” he said. “For the rest of eternity, I’ve got to keep vigilant and never allow it to grow out of control, or I will become the flower to a massive network of roots that will spread poison across the land.”

  Tears stung the backs of my eyes. “How could she hate you so much?”

  Hades shook his head. “Never underestimate the depths that creature would plunge to return you to her ample bosom.”

  I swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry.”

  He flashed me a broad smile. “I knew Demeter and I knew the risks of crossing her, but these days with you were worth an eternity of suffering.”

  “Don’t say that,” I said, my voice breaking.

  “Even if it’s true?”

  “Hades, I can’t—”

  He pressed a finger to my lips. “It’s still too early for you to say you love me and mean every word. And I wasn’t joking when I said I would wait for you, even if it took centuries.”

  My heart ached. Did he somehow feel unworthy of my love? “That’s not what I wanted to say.”

  “Kora?” he asked with a frown.

  “I can’t let you suffer,” I murmured. “She must have created a way to kill the plant, and there’s a chance to get that information—”

  “No,” he said.

  “Why not?”

  “When you walk into this next trap of hers, she will be prepared with enough demons to overpower you and enough memory suppressants to make you believe you’re a human girl suffering a terminal illness.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut. That’s exactly the sick kind of stunt Mother would pull. She could dangle the cure for Hades and offer me the chance to earn it by drinking some elixir. When I no longer remembered him, she would fail to extract the plant.

  “All right,” I said. “If we can’t make a deal with Mother, then what?”

  “We can steal the cure from her, or I can learn to live with this condition and hope we find a solution. But before we consider our options, I must insist on a kiss.”

  Chapter Two

  I stared into Hades’ verdant eyes, wondering if the plant had burrowed its way into his brain. He’d just been attacked by Mother, used to nourish a monstrous root, and was now facing a lifetime of having an indestructible parasite that could consume his body and soul.

  “We need to focus on restoring you to health,” I said.

  “It’s just as you said. The dryads are sifting through Persephone’s garden for seeds, and the healer is making a concentrated version of aloe-panacea. What I need is a pleasant way to pass the time.”

  My hand slid up to his brow. “Are you all right?”

  “Do you know what I thought as that plant leached my power?”

  I shook my head.<
br />
  “That I regretted all the time I’d wasted hiding the truth from you,” he murmured. “That I wished I had spent every day basking in the light of your eyes rather than concerning myself over the integrity of the Fifth.”

  My heart fluttered. “Oh.”

  “And if this plant is a prelude to a larger attack that will turn me into a mindless husk, the last thing I want to remember is the taste of your lips.”

  I sucked in a deep breath, my chest filling with warmth. Without another word, I wrapped my hand around the back of his head and leaned in for the kiss.

  Hades’ lips were softer than flower petals, and they tasted of raindrops. “You’re not salty at all.”

  “I don’t know about that,” he drawled. “But if it’s salt you’re looking for, at least one part of me can provide you with what you crave.”

  A chuckle filled my throat. It was comforting that he could joke about his dire predicament.

  His arms snaked around my waist, and he pulled me into his broad chest. “I’m so glad you returned to me.”

  “Mother and Samael tricked their way into the penthouse and tried to force me to agree to stuff my soul into Persephone’s body.”

  Hades stilled. “That’s her aim?”

  I nodded.

  He didn’t speak for what felt like ages, and I tilted my head up, waiting for him to suggest that I inhabit the body of his former wife. An ache formed in the back of my throat. It wasn’t fair of me to keep thinking that Hades was in love with two women. Persephone was my original body, and Kora was her soul—only patched together with the magic of Zeus.

  “Don’t take up her offer.” Hades’ voice sounded from afar. “It’s probably an attempt to get you under her control. With all the healers and alchemists I have at my disposal, we can strengthen your body.”

  “I wasn’t planning on listening to her bullshit, but why?”

  “When I picture Persephone now, it’s not the sleeping beauty in a glass coffin or even the young goddess I abducted and married. All I see is the feral creature with Demeter’s cunning and madness.”

  “Right,” I murmured.

  “Kora is my wife.” He pressed a kiss on the top of my head. “Persephone is lost to me forever.”

  I stared into his handsome features, my pulse fluttering like an overpowered butterfly. These were the words I’d longed to hear—his confirmation that he considered me separate from Persephone, and that he preferred me.

  “Are you sure?” My voice trembled.

  He gave me a sharp nod. “If she returns to Hell, I will have her destroyed.”

  All the air left my lungs in a huge sigh of relief. Resting my head on his shoulder, I slid my hand down his broad chest, marveling at the smoothness of his skin. My fingers trailed a path down the contours of his abdominal muscles, making his breath catch with my every touch.

  “It’s made me much more sensitive,” he said in a thick voice.

  “How so?” I trailed my hand up and down the first inch of his treasure trail.

  Something hot and turgid radiated its warmth. I focused on caressing Hades’ belly. If we started anything before the healer returned with the herbs, we might be stuck in this room together without concentrated aloe-panacea for hours.

  “Every time your fingers brush my skin, it’s like tiny sparks of electricity are spreading across my nerve endings,” he said. “It’s almost as exhilarating as having you fly me about on wings of lightning.”

  A knock sounded on the door, and Healer Iaso stepped inside, holding a tray containing two glasses of a liquid so green that it appeared nearly black.

  I pulled my hand away from Hades’ stomach and tried to push myself up to sit, but the healer shook her head.

  “Careful, Your Majesty.” She set down the tray on the bedside table beside me and offered me one of the tall glasses. “The poison is still partially in control of your motor functions.”

  “Thanks.” I reached for it but missed.

  She pulled it out of my reach and brought it to my lips. “It looks like your suggestion of a more concentrated form of the plant was right. The poison continues to sabotage your system.”

  I reared back and stared into the glass. “Will this counteract the poison?”

  “We won’t know until you try it,” she murmured.

  “All right.” I took my first sip, expecting something that tasted of cucumber, but it was as bitter and peppery as arugula left out in the sun. The liquid gathered on my tongue, feeling as heavy as congealed oatmeal.

  “Please continue, Your Majesty,” said the healer. “It’s not pleasant, but it’s your best chance of reversing the poison’s damage.”

  After swallowing a mouthful of the bitter fluid, I took another longer sip, this time holding my breath and squeezing my eyes shut. The second taste wasn’t so unpleasant, and I gulped down mouthful after mouthful until there was no more.

  With a long sigh, I slumped back down on the pillow. “What about Hades?”

  He wrapped an arm around me and chuckled. “I’ve already had mine.”

  I cracked open an eye. “You drank it without a fuss?”

  “It’s far more pleasant than demon brew,” he said with a broad grin. “How are you feeling?”

  Tilting my head to the side, I took stock of my body. The fuzziness I had felt earlier had now receded into normal, and my blurred vision had turned sharp. “Much better.”

  “Very good, Your Majesty,” said the healer. “Would you like to step out of bed, so I can test your motor functions?”

  “I’ll be the judge of those,” Hades drawled.

  The healer dipped into a low curtsey and disappeared behind the bed curtains. I glowered into the side of Hades’ olive face and hissed, “Why did you dismiss her?”

  “Because I’ve been desperate to do this to you for hours.” He flipped me onto my back, eliciting a squeak.

  Hades hovered over me with his weight balanced on his knees and forearms, effectively locking me into the cage of his body.

  My mouth dropped open, and I stared into his glowing green irises, my heart fluttering. “Are you sure you’re well enough?”

  “I’m so hard for you it hurts.”

  Without meaning to, I reached between his legs and cupped his balls. He clenched his teeth. “Higher.”

  I slipped my hand further up, and my fingers brushed against his hard shaft. Hades squeezed his eyes shut and shuddered. “Fuck, this curse has made me so sensitive. If you keep touching me like that, I’ll cum over your breasts before I get a chance to suck your nipples.”

  “Sorry.” I pulled my hand away.

  He grabbed my wrist. “I didn’t say you should loosen your grip.”

  A thrill of excitement settled between my legs. “I don’t want to take advantage of your brush with death.”

  “Kora,” he said with a laugh. “I always want to have sex with you, even when we’re in the middle of a fire, chasing the psychotic shell of your former body. Now, are you going to let me plunder your gorgeous pussy, or will I have to beg?”

  Smiling, I shook my head. “You never need to ask.”

  He grinned, revealing a dazzling smile of teeth that appeared even whiter with his darker skin. “Good, because I intend to make love to you like my life depends on it.”

  Butterflies fluttered in my belly as he lowered himself onto me, pressing down on my torso with the weight of his larger body. His full lips brushed against the column of my neck, sending sparks of excitement across my sensitive skin.

  My lips parted to let out several panting breaths. Being kissed by Hades was like being pinned down, pleasured, plundered, and pushed into a deep state of pleasure.

  As he lavished my throat with open-mouthed kisses, his finger travelled down to the hem of my nightgown, which had risen up to my thighs. Instead of pulling up the fabric and exposing my bare legs, he stroked his fingertips over my skin, sending tiny shocks up to my core.

  “You are absolutely ravishing,” h
e murmured as he sucked on my collarbone.

  I threaded my fingers into his silky green hair. “So are you.”

  His chuckle was dark and deep and made my nipples tingle. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do to you right now.”

  It took a moment to realize he was talking about ravishing me.

  His fingers continued to stroke little circles on my thighs, spreading the most pleasant sensation up to my clit. It swelled and pounded to the beat of my rapid pulse, and my breath quickened into shallow pants.

  “Please,” I said.

  Hades raised his brows. “Hmm?”

  “Please take off my nightgown.”

  He met my gaze with amused eyes. “Do you insist?”

  I growled. “Stop drawing this out and ravish me.”

  His smile was utterly devilish. “So eager.” He gathered the fabric in both hands and sent a ripple of power across the nightgown that turned it into dust. “There.”

  My jaw dropped. “Don’t waste your magic.”

  He shook his head. “Anything pertaining to your pleasure is never a waste. Ever. I would pay any cost to keep you at my side, as long as there’s a chance you will return my feelings.”

  I gulped mouthfuls of air. He felt so intensely for me, yet all I felt for him was affection and lust. Would this ever be enough for Hades? I blinked away the beginnings of tears. Mother would never have attacked him so fiercely if he hadn’t insisted on getting me back. Yet all I’d ever done was give him a hard time.

  “Just kiss me,” I murmured.

  “It would be my deepest pleasure.”

  He lowered his lips to mine in a kiss so searing that I thought he’d powered it with hellfire. My lips parted with a gasp, and he slipped his tongue into my mouth and whirled it around mine.

  I lay back, clinging onto his broad shoulders, letting him lavish me with hot, wet caresses that made my toes curl. I arched into him, so we lay chest to chest, our hearts connecting, my body aching for more.

  “You are mine,” he growled into the kiss.

  “Yours,” I murmured back.

  He lapped at me with deep caresses that made my blood boil. Pleasure spread down to my chest, across my nipples, filling my belly and heating my core. Clinging tighter to his muscular shoulders, I squeezed my thighs together and moaned. Hades wasn’t the only one who had become more sensitive, although I was sure it was his passion driving me to ecstasy instead of any effects of the plants.