Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Hecate’s announcement was not a surprise. The new moon does not last long, and she follows its path in the sky to come and go from Olympus or wherever else she may venture to the Underworld. I knew she would come to me when it was time to go back. The crossroads are her home. And those who are lost find her there.
I didn’t expect that she would come to court, and I don’t know why she made her announcement publicly.
I’ll have to ask Hades about the exchange but not until we are back in his rooms. His rage was palpable, although I’ve no idea why. Is there not peace between them?
Hades does not let it show on his face, although it is very clear to me. It radiates off him, and I do not know how to ease that feeling except through my touch.
Finally, Hades takes an audible breath and straightens. For hours, he sat tall and proud before me, so I did not think he could be taller or more commanding, but somehow he is. Relaxing my posture, I pause once the guard states the reason for judgment needed and I remain quiet.
Hades turns his hand in mine so his palm is up and I can lace our fingers together. Then, as he passes judgment on the next new soul, he squeezes my hand as if to say you did well.
I glow with that feeling through the rest of the session at court. I spend most of it watching the gathered souls. They spend their time watching me or watching Hades. This is yet another sign of how difficult things were when I was gone. Every soul who meets my eyes seems to crave reassurance that the worst is over. Fear lingers still.
I hope the worst has passed. And yet, I know not what has occurred in Olympus. I also do not know what Hecate will reveal to them. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Beatrice. But surely they know I lawfully took my leave after my displeasure with my father. Now that leaves me only with acquiring Hades’s blessing to leave with Hecate as I need to so I may continue my work on Olympus as well.
Court goes by quickly and slowly at the same time. I’m torn. The pieces of me that have missed my place here wish to return to Hades’s rooms, or even out into the gardens, where we can wrap ourselves in each other and let the hours go by in pleasure.
I also wish to show the realms that their queen has not abandoned them, even if I must take my leave from the Underworld at times.
I must, I realize. I must be gone from time to time. I cannot abandon the mortals, either. I cannot abandon my mother. At the thought of her, my gaze drops and my heart pains. My mother’s grief spreads and causes too much pain to others as well. That is the nature of grief, isn’t it?
There must be a way to make sure everyone has what they need. There must be a way to bring lasting balance to the realms. I will find it.
Relief leaves with a heavy breath of mine when Hades dismisses the court and the doors at last close. There are no more souls to judge today. We have made it through the first session after the realm nearly collapsed.
He keeps his hand on the small of my back as we go to his rooms, guiding me with soft pressure to keep up the pace. It appears my king is just as anxious to be alone as I am.
I find myself needing his touch. His approval. His kisses and desire. As his hand slips lower, to the small of my ass, a measured moan of pleasure leaves my lips, and his heated gaze meets mine. Guards be damned, they witness the interaction.
The second the door shuts behind us, he pushes me up against the wall, takes my face in his hands, and kisses me with as much passion as I give him. I’m needy for his love and approval. Our desires force moans into the warm air between us. Hades slides his thigh between mine and runs his hands down my body. He rocks himself against my clit, relentlessly. The pleasure is everything and all I need. He doesn’t stop; kissing, sucking, and rubbing against my clit until I cry out and come on his thigh, both of us still fully clothed.
Flushed and breathless, I stare into his dark eyes filled with nothing but lust. Before he can kiss me again, I drop to my knees and tear at his clothes until I’ve freed his thick cock, then run my tongue through the slit at his tip making him hiss. Smiling to myself with utter satisfaction, I close my lips around his shaft and take him into my mouth until I gag. The head of his cock presses against the back of my throat and I love it. The depravity and the deep need settle in the heat between my thighs.