Fury settled into Mia’s blood. Just who the hell did he think he was? Oh, right. The god of the Underworld, well la-de-fucking-da!
“You! You, egotistical bastard! What makes you think all women will drop at your feet and become subservient?”
He grinned. “Because they always do.”
She balled her fists. “Gah!” She wanted to punch the smirk off his handsome face.
He straight out laughed. Laughed until she swore tears were going to roll down his cheeks and her anger grew. Why had she thought to invite him here? Oh wait, she wanted his help. Now the thought of asking him for anything sank like a shipwreck at sea. She did have her pride if nothing else.
“I cannot remember when I had so much fun. There are few who ever dare to be themselves with me. I like you, Mia. You are a breath of fresh air.”
She slowed her breathing and tried to regain control of her emotions. Words he had uttered earlier about his home being its own prison came back to her. Could a god actually suffer? It might explain why he was the way he was. Certainly, the demons bowed to him. Did he expect her to do the same?
“Mia?”
That silky, sinful voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she stared into his deep brown eyes. For the first time she saw a spark of pain hidden in their depths. What had this man before her seen in his lifetime?
“What did you call me here for?” His tone now gentle.
“I thought since you were a god, you might be able to break my curse.”
His gaze narrowed on her and bore into her until she felt completely naked beneath his stare. Moments ticked by before he finally spoke again.
“I hadn’t seen it before, but it is there buried deep. Who did this to you?”
“An ex’s girlfriend.” Suddenly she didn’t want to reveal the story. Had no desire to bare her soul and the pain that still resided there.
He leaned back into his seat. “Tell me.” It was a command and she wondered if she shouldn’t simply tell him to leave. This was a bad idea.
She looked away from him and suddenly felt tiny in his presence. “I caught my boyfriend cheating, and when I confronted them, that was when she placed the curse on me.”
“The woman is a powerful witch,” he commented.
“I guess.” She shrugged, her inadequacy never more evident. Her family hadn’t loved her enough to stick around and neither had her boyfriend. Mia often wondered if she might ever find happiness. Would ever have a man who was devoted to her and the family she craved. Perhaps she was meant to forever be alone.
He leaned forward again, his lids hooded. There was no way to stop the shudder that crept up her spine. Desire swirled in his eyes like a storm ready to unleash its fury on the world. No man had ever looked at her like this. She swallowed. “I…” She had no idea what to say.
“As far as your family? Your brother couldn’t deal with your father abandoning him. Your mother lost her faith, but they loved you. Even your father did, which is why he left. The boyfriend however, he was a complete idiot and not deserving of a woman such as yourself.”
Her lungs seized as she flicked her gaze back up to him. “How––?”
He held his hand up. “I am a god. I see everything.”
“But if you knew then why ask me what happened?” Her anger grew again. Was he playing with her?
“I didn’t know until I looked into your soul and saw it for myself. Saw your pain, your desires.”
Mia might as well be naked for Hades had stripped her bare. Had seen things about her she never wanted any human to see. Vulnerable didn’t even begin to describe how she felt right now. Crawling out of the room actually crossed her mind. Instead, she shifted in her seat under his heated stare. “Can you remove the curse or not?” No sense in beating around the bush.
“I can, but it comes with a price.”
“I’m not giving you my soul.” She wasn’t even sure she still had one, but if she did, she would not be offering it to the devil.
He scowled. “I told you, I am Hades!”
“You can––”
“Hear your thoughts? Clearly.”
She dug her nails into her palms until the pain was almost unbearable. “That’s wrong.”
“Perhaps, but I don’t do it intentionally.”
She jumped from her rocker, unable to take his eyes boring into her any longer. It was unsettling.
“I don’t want your soul, Mia. And yes, you still have one.”
She paced her tiny apartment. “I’m not sleeping with you either.” This time she whirled and stared him down. Pulling on her inner strength, she tried not to notice how sexy he was. How seductive his smile, or the way the light played across his darkened jaw. No, she refused to notice the desire sparking in his eyes. Would never admit that his desire sparked something deep inside her. Something that wanted to welcome her naughty side. Even encourage it to come out and play.
“While that does disappoint me greatly, that is not what I require from you.”
“What then?” What else did she have to offer?
“You will come reside in my home for thirty days.”
She stepped back. “If I am not to sleep with you then what? Become your servant?”
He rose, and his height had her stepping back farther. “No. You will be a guest and treated as such.”
Now she was totally confused. “Why would you want me to stay with you?”
“Only for the company.”
“Oh.” How lonely was he?
“What about my job? I can’t simply leave for a month.” Seriously, did he not think of these things?
He waved her off. “Time between our realms is different. You won’t even be missed.”
No. She supposed there was no one left to miss her. “Really?”
“Yes. You will only be gone hours according to your world,” he assured.
“Okay then.” If she had to be Hades’ guest in order to release her from this curse, then so be it. It would be a small price to pay.
Hades had indeed intended to ask Mia for more in order to remove her curse. It was his nature to make such demands of sex, blood, and one’s soul. However, when it came time to name his price, he found while he desired Mia as a woman, he wanted her to desire him as well. She did. This he knew with certainty, but he wanted her to come to him of her own free will.
Holy hell. Was he going soft? He had no idea what came over him, but he had named his terms therefore he would not change them. Hades was nothing if not a man of his word.
“How can I trust you?” she asked.
“A contract will be drawn and signed by both of us, and blood will bind it.” Her eyes widened at the word blood and he held up his hand. “Only a drop on the contract from each of us, though I will admit to wondering what you taste like, Mia.”
She swallowed. “I will get to review this contract before I’m expected to sign?”
“Yes. I will have it drawn up and dropped off by courier. Now, I have duties to attend to, but you know how to reach me should you have questions.” He faded away, keeping her in his sight until he was carried away by his power. Next stop was to pay a visit to a certain dragon shifter. Moments later, he located said shifter perched high up in the Carpathian Mountains. She immediately sensed his presence and jumped to her feet then tilted her head when her deep blue gazed landed on him.
“Hades.” She offered a slight bow. “I heard rumor you were in our realm.”
“It’s freezing up here.” Snow whipped around his legs and he decided he had no use for the white, fluffy stuff. Much preferring the tropical clime.
She stared into the distance, something was definitely bothering her. “I come here when I need to think.”
He scoffed. “I’m not sure how one could think of anything with their balls freezing. Course, you wouldn’t have that problem.”
She laughed. Something he understood she did little of. “I suppose it is quite the difference from what you’re used to.”
“We need to talk, Leria. Perhaps we can move to a more suitable location?” He held out his hand. She hesitated only briefly before slipping her hand into his. When he curled his fingers around hers, he flashed them to his favorite place. Waves crashed on the shore and Hades sighed. “This is much more preferable.”
“Why do you seek me out?” she asked as he started to walk.
“Leria, my dear, I will get straight to the point. You are already aware your chosen mate is the vampire king, Aidyn?”
“Yes.” Disgust punctuated her reply.
“He committed the most grievous crime against the gods and must pay the price.”
“I thought he had already paid his price. I saw the scars on his body, and he told me they were from his punishment.”
“Yes, but he has yet to pay me.” Hades stopped and faced her. Time to make his request.
“What does any of this have to do with me?”
“You will do my bidding, Leria. You will make sure the vampire serves his sentence.”
A frown creased her forehead. “What is his punishment?”
“Death.”
She stepped back, her face drawn into panic. “True death of an immortal?” she whispered.
“Yes. I will procure the dagger of Embara for you and you will shove it into his heart. Once the deed is completed, you will return the blade to me as it must remain in hiding until my brother the Phoenix god rises again.”
“What did he do that would bring his death?”
“That is only for the gods to know.”
She shook her head. “I cannot do this. I don’t even understand why you would ask this of me.”
“Yet not long ago you threatened him yourself. He took away the one thing you loved most. Your father. Even refused to allow you to say goodbye to the man before he took your father’s life.” When Leria had been a child, her father Odage had been corrupted by Lowan and had killed the queen, the vampire king’s mother. When the dragon shifter had finally been captured, the king sentenced the dragon to death for his crimes.
Anger and pain flashed in the female’s eyes. “This is true, but why don’t you simply take him yourself?”
Hades stared into Leria’s soul. Conflict resided there. Yes, she wanted revenge for her father, who had been under the influence of a powerful demigod. But the girl also felt the pull of her mate.
“You are what he desires most in this world. What more fitting end than seeing you terminate his life?” He narrowed his gaze. “It will be your only chance to avenge your father. If Aidyn dies by another hand, you will lose that chance forever.”
“Why? Why did the gods decide to make Aidyn my mate?” Her bottom lip trembled.
Hades shrugged. “It was Zarek’s call. Who knows what goes through my brother’s twisted mind.”
“If I refuse?”
Hades waved his arm and forced Leria to view the scene in front of her. “Watch what the king did to your father.” Her eyes grew wider as she witnessed her father, chained and begging to be spared as the vampire king himself wielded the sword that sliced the shifter’s head off.
“Stop!” Leria cried, the tears finally spilling down her cheeks.
Hades shut down the image and straightened to his full height. “You are commanded to do the will of the gods, Leria. Kill your mate.”
This time fire flashed in her eyes, the deep blue shifting to the green of the dragon. “Bring me the dagger and I will do your bidding.”
“It will be done.” Hades grinned.
When the doorbell rang, Mia froze in her spot. She wasn’t expecting company so figured it must be the courier. She managed to unstick herself from her seat and answer the door. An attractive, young man stood on the other side with a large envelope in his hand.
“Ms. Brown?”
“Y-yes.”
He inclined his head. “I have a packet for you. When you have looked it over and signed the documents, they will arrive to the owner on their own.”
“I don’t understand,” she said accepting the large, brown envelope.
“Simply, once you sign, the documents will vanish and arrive on Hades’ desk.”
“Oh.” Well, how convenient. “Thank you. Is there anything else?”
“No, ma’am. Enjoy your holiday.” He vanished into thin air, causing Mia to jump. You’d think she would be used to it by now. After closing the door, she dropped the envelope on the counter, her shoulders slumping forward. She had forgotten it was Christmas Eve and hated the reminder. Wandering to the sliding door, she pulled aside the curtain and stared into the darkness. Her gaze followed the colorful lights that danced along the street. Opening the door, she stepped onto the small balcony where carolers’ songs filled the night air. Before she realized, she was caught up in the music, humming along to familiar songs from her childhood. Her heart filled with sadness and loneliness sank deep, chilling her to the bone. She turned and went back inside, closing the door behind her and leaving all the holiday cheer on the other side. Through unshed tears, she stared at the envelope. It almost appeared to glow, and she thought for a moment she had lost her mind. Of course it would glow, with Hades anything was possible.
Taking a breath to calm herself, she reached for the envelope and noticed a wax seal. Bringing it closer, she ran her fingers over the serpent that adorned the red wax. Before she could change her mind, she opened it and pulled out the papers. At first glance they appeared like any contract, but she understood who she was dealing with and didn’t trust him. For a moment she wondered if legal counsel would be wise, but then what would she say?
“Oh hey, can you look at my contract with the devil? Oops, I mean Hades?”
She’d be laughed right out of the office. Even with the current events, many people were still in denial of demons and angels. With a sigh, she brought her attention back to the papers in her hand, curled up on the couch, and began to read. An hour later she had gone over every detail twice. From everything she read, the list of requirements appeared reasonable. She glanced at them again.
- Reside in Hades’ palace in Hell for thirty (30) days.
- Dine with Hades at his table every evening.
- Wear clothing and jewelry selected by Hades while in his presence.
- May not venture outside the palace gates without an escort approved by Hades.
That third one concerned her a bit. She chewed her lip, grabbed a pen, and added her demands.
- Wear clothing and jewelry selected by the Hades while in his presence. (Clothing will fully cover breasts, buttocks, and genitalia.) MB
In return, he promised the following:
- A private suite.
- All clothing and jewelry provided may be kept at the end of this contract.
- Full protection while in Hades’ palace as well as outside the gates.
- Hades, or anyone else residing in Hell, will not make demands for sexual favors. Any such activity will be at the discretion of Mia Brown only.
- At the termination of this contract, Hades will remove the curse placed on Mia Brown.
The rest seemed good enough and she didn’t see any hidden meanings, so she signed where indicated. As soon as that was done, a small circle appeared on the paper next to her signature. Instructions indicated this was where her drop of blood was supposed to go. A finger pricker rolled out of the envelope and stopped in front of her.
“Well, what do you know.” She shook her head, picked up the instrument, and jabbed her middle finger, allowing a drop of blood to hit the paper. The second her body fluid saturated the parchment, the contract vanished from the coffee table.
“Damn, he wasn’t kidding.” Seconds later, the papers arrived back on the table with a note attached.
Dearest Mia,
I was sorry to see you wish to remain so modest, but I agree to your terms. I have signed and returned your copy. Be ready to leave at midnight on Christmas Day. You will not require luggage as everything will be provided for you.
Sincerely,
Hades
She sighed, unable to believe she had just agreed to reside in Hell for thirty days.