But of course, he ignores me as he throws my chair aside and closes the distance between us. A startled cry escapes me, my wrist caught all too easily in his hand. He pulls me roughly to him, bringing my body flush against his.

  I scream out just as the double doors to the room crash open, and I look to see a massive wolf filling the hallway, flames licking up over its entire body as his eyes narrow on Hades and me.

  21

  Hazel

  Cerberus lets out a growl, sending chills cascading down my spine as he ducks to step into the room. Every ounce of his humanity seems to have been lost, burned away in the fire that now encases him. His eyes flash and narrow as another low growl of warning escapes him.

  Towering above me, Hades lets out a curse as his grip on my wrist tightens, taking out his frustration at Cerberus on me. Unable to stop myself, I let out a small whimper of pain as his fingers dig into my skin.

  He glances down at me, surprise momentarily flickering across his face as he realizes that he’s actually hurting me. He releases me, the concern instantly replaced by his usual stony expression.

  I quickly step back, clutching my bruised wrist to my chest and wincing at the pain that gently radiates from it. Hades takes a step back as well, as if suddenly eager to put distance between us.

  “We are finished here,” he says. “Take her back to her room.”

  Cerberus lets out another growl, this time coming to stand between Hades and me. The flames slowly dying out as they flicker and dance around him, casting an eerie glow about the room.

  For a moment, the two stare at each other, but then Cerberus quells the remaining fire with the shake of his fur coat. Turning toward me, he gently nudges me out of the room with his snout. I don’t fight him on this, and find myself strangely comforted by his presence as we leave the private dining room behind.

  It isn’t until we’re well away from Hades that he pauses to shift back into his human form.

  Rage still rolls off of him as he stares at me. For a moment, I wonder if I’ve managed to do something to upset him.

  As I meet his fiery gaze, questions rise up even through my wariness and confusion.

  I thought he was supposed to be loyal to Hades … and yet, he just saved me from the hands of the king.

  His beloved master.

  Surely, that goes against everything he stands for in this place.

  I open my mouth, eager to have answers, but then I close it as he steps closer to me, his hands shaking with barely contained anger.

  “Show me your wrist,” he growls, his eyes ablaze from within.

  I hesitate, only just now realizing I’m still clutching it to my chest, and slowly hold it out to him. He takes it tenderly in the heat of his own hand, turning it over as his jawline hardens.

  “Does it hurt?”

  “Only a little.”

  A low rumble rolls through him at this, and he releases my hand.

  “Come, I must get you back to your room. Quickly.”

  Silence stretches between us as we continue the journey back to my tower. I chew my lip in ever-growing bewilderment as we start up the stairs that lead to my room.

  Unable to help myself, my eyes continue to slip to him, but he refuses to look back or even acknowledge my presence again. I’m starting to get the sense that he wishes he hadn’t interrupted Hades, and yet, I can’t say that I’m upset that he did.

  Questions flood my mind, dancing at the tip of my tongue as they beg to be asked. But I hold them at bay. In his current mood, I doubt I’ll get any answers from him.

  If he even has any answers to give.

  We reach my room and I’m almost relieved to step over the threshold. At least here, I know the rules of the game, with no one but myself to entertain.

  Cerberus’ eyes scan the room before he nods to himself and turns to leave. I watch as his massive form bends to slip beneath the frame, and I suddenly realize that I still need to thank him.

  He did, after all, save me from whatever it is Hades had planned for tonight.

  “Cerberus, wait,” I say, my voice coming out soft. He pauses halfway out the door, his form strangely still for a moment. “Thank you. Truly.”

  I don’t expect him to say anything back, let alone make it clear that he heard me, but then he slowly turns to meet my eyes over his shoulder. The fire in them is still smoldering, casting strange shadows across his face as he gives me a nod.

  “You are welcome, mortal.” Then, without another word, he closes the door and turns the key in the lock.

  Alone again, I let out a sigh as I sink down onto the bed.

  My entire body shudders as I draw in a breath and try to process everything that just happened between me and Hades. Though I’m not entirely sure what this shift in Hades actually means for me.

  And then there’s the question of Cerberus’ loyalty.

  Giving myself a moment to calm down, I stand and shake the confusion that’s begun to cloud my head. I move into the bathroom, suddenly eager to wash away whatever remains of the sensation of his touch on my skin.

  The hot water does little to ease my racing mind and heart, though. Even as I clean my face and change back into a simple nightgown, my thoughts keep returning to the events of the evening.

  Somehow, I seem to have captured Hades’ attention without even trying. Of course, it would be now that he took an interest in me. Now that I no longer want to step foot down that path.

  I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

  Staring at my reflection, I can’t help but wonder, why me?

  What did I do to deserve this special place in hell?

  All I wanted to do was to save my father’s life.

  And yet, somehow, I’ve not only failed at doing so, but I’ve also managed to end up in the Underworld as Hades’ prisoner.

  Too many questions bounce about my head. None of them with answers I can even pretend to grasp.

  Shaking my head at my reflection, I leave the small bathroom and crawl into bed.

  I need to talk to Persephone. The very next chance that I get, I need to tell her everything. I need to make her listen to me.

  I should have done so last night; I realize that now and can only hope my hesitation doesn’t prove to be disastrous for us both.

  Tonight, I will find a way to talk to her. Otherwise, I fear I may not get another chance.

  I just pray that she’s willing to listen to what I have to say.

  Sleep, of course, doesn’t find me. It doesn’t take long for me to give up on it, instead choosing to pace the room as I wait to be summoned to Persephone’s nightly lessons.

  The hours seem to drag on, time having no sympathy for me as I move to stare out of the window.

  Finally, I hear the distant echo of footsteps traveling up the tower toward me.

  The guards are finally coming to collect me.

  I can’t help the relief that washes over me at this. I had just begun to fear that something had happened and that there would be no lessons tonight.

  That my chance to talk to Persephone was gone.

  My relief is short-lived, though, as the footsteps stop well before they ever reach my door. Frowning, I move toward the door, impatience and worry overtaking me as I press an ear to the thick wood.

  I can hear the low resonance of voices in the hall, but can’t quite seem to make out what’s being said. What I can make out though, is the deep rumble of Cerberus’ voice as he argues with the guards come to fetch me.

  It would appear that he didn’t go very far when he left me earlier.

  Dropping to my hands and knees, I hold my breath as I try to listen through the crack in the door.

  “… no,” comes Cerberus' deep voice.

  No?

  Surely, he must be aware of the nightly lessons the women have been attending with Persephone.

  I close my eyes as I try to make out what the other guards say. It’s hard to catch their every word, but it sounds like they are growing irate with him, and I manage to hear something that sounds like orders.

  “She is to remain under my watch at all times. I care little for the orders you claim to have. Regardless of who gave them,” Cerberus growls, his voice rising as it echoes off the walls. “I will not allow her to be swept away in the middle of the night.”

  The guards continue to argue with Cerberus, their voices growing louder and more agitated, but I can already tell they’re wasting their breath.

  Cerberus will not relent. He’s far too set on doing his duty as he stands guard over me. After what I witnessed at dinner, I’m not entirely certain he would even allow Hades to override his own overprotectiveness.

  A cold sweat breaks out across my skin as panic rises within me, and I realize he’s winning the argument. The other guards seem unwilling to go toe to toe with him, and I honestly can’t blame them.

  Even if I desperately need them to win.

  I can’t miss tonight’s lesson; this may be my last chance to talk to Persephone and explain everything to her before it’s too late.

  I have to see her. Tonight.

  As quiet falls in the hallway, I quickly push myself up off the floor and bring my fists to the door.

  Cerberus might be able to intimidate the guards, but I will not allow him to do so to me. He can’t ruin this for me, I simply won’t allow it. Pounding my fists against the door as hard as I can, I wince at the pain that shoots up from my bruised wrist but don’t allow it to hinder me.

  “Guards!” I shout, hoping they can make out my words through the door. “I’m here, take me to Persephone!”

  For one long moment, nothing happens, and fear that the guards can’t hear me or that Cerberus will stop them fills my mind. I need to convince him that he must allow me to leave. I just need him to open the door.

  “Cerberus, open this door,” I demand as I continue to beat my fists against the door. I pause to listen, my breathing heavy before opening my mouth to repeat the command. But before I can say anything, I hear the approach of heavy footsteps.

  I just barely manage to set my face as a key is shoved into the lock and the door swings open.

  Cerberus glowers at me, looking just as displeased as I expected him to be, his massive frame filling the doorway and blocking my exit.

  “I need to go,” I inform him as he cocks his head at me. “Please, step aside.”

  “Out of the question.”

  “Please, Cerberus.”

  “No.”

  “I can’t miss the lesson,” I plead, clasping my hands together. “Please, I need to go.”

  “I said, no.”

  “You will only be putting me in more danger by refusing her.”

  His brow furrows at this. “How so?”

  I fight back the smile that tugs at the corner of my lips as I realize that I may have found a way to convince him to let me go. He genuinely seems to care about keeping me safe, and right now I’m not above exploiting that … not if it’ll get me in front of Persephone.

  “Persephone will suspect something has happened. She may even come after me herself, and then where would that leave us?”

  “I can deal with Persephone.”

  “Or you can simply allow me to go and avoid the danger altogether.”

  “No.”

  “You can accompany me,” I hasten to add. “You can do your duty while still appeasing the Queen’s orders. Now, take me to the queen.”

  It almost seems too simple. A solution that will leave us both feeling as if we’ve won.

  I’d be safe, under his watchful eye, and still have the chance to try to speak with Persephone.

  He stares down at me, his head still cocked to one side as a glimmer of mischief flickers to life in his eyes … and I know that I’ve won. Though he lets out a sigh, and his expression darkens as if preparing to tell me no again, I know he won’t refuse.

  “Very well,” he finally concedes, “but if I see or hear anything that threatens your safety, anything odd or out of place, then I am dragging you right back here. I am not afraid to cause a scene either, if that is what it comes down to. Is that understood?”

  “Yes,” I answer.

  He hesitates for another moment, continuing to block my path even though he’s agreed to my terms.

  I raise an eyebrow at him, unable to stop my nervous impatience at bay as it bubbles through me. We need to get moving if I want to make the lessons on time.

  A few seconds go by, but then he nods and steps aside to let me out of the room. The other guards are still waiting on the stairs and appear more than a little relieved to see me.

  Together, with Cerberus taking up the rear, they lead me through the palace.

  The halls seem even more quiet than usual, and the only sounds to be heard are the echoes of our footsteps on the stone floor. Cerberus remains close behind me, his presence looming over me, like a shadow that refuses to let go …

  I’m more than a little surprised to find guards lining the corridor leading up to Persephone’s jungle room. The two men with us join them as Cerberus takes the lead and pulls open the doors for me.

  Stepping into the room, I’m more than a little relieved to be leaving the growing unease of the echoing hallways behind me, and I give him a small smile of thanks. I don’t know why I expected him to wait in the hall with the others, but of course, he doesn’t.

  Cerberus hovers, following one step behind me as I move to join the other women.

  We’re late. Persephone is already standing in the midst of the room, her expression displeased as her eyes trail over Cerberus.

  But she says nothing as I take my spot to one side. Tonight, I have even less hope of blending into the crowd. Not with Cerberus towering behind me, and the women around us stepping to the side, eager to put space between themselves and us.

  “These lessons are for the women, only, Cerberus,” Persephone finally says, making me cringe inwardly as the others look our way. “You are welcome; however, to wait outside with the other men.”

  “I will be staying.”

  “You—”

  “I am to watch over the mortal, by Hades’ orders,” Cerberus says, cutting her off. “She is to remain within my sight at all times while outside her room.”

  Persephone’s eyes narrow, her gaze flickering between Cerberus and me. I try to keep a neutral expression, not wanting to make the situation any more uncomfortable than it already is.

  “Very well,” she finally says, her expression hardening. “Then I suppose it only makes sense that you play the part of the mortal’s partner.”

  I balk at this, my mouth going dry as I try and fail to get any words out.

  “Fine,” Cerberus snorts as if he’s just been given a challenge he fully intends to win.

  Persephone’s smile doesn’t quite meet her eyes as she nods in return before turning back to the others, ready to start the lesson.

  I close my mouth as I try to swallow past my nerves, realizing that I get no say in any of this. I had hoped to once again find myself as Persephone’s partner, but instead, she summons Lilia forward.

  As I glance from her to Cerberus, I’m suddenly not so sure how I’m going to find the moment alone with Persephone that I so desperately need.

  22

  Hazel

  Persephone’s eyes are cold as she glances about the room.

  Though her gaze seems to easily move through Cerberus, I can’t help but notice the small pause as she turns back to the redhead at her side.

  “Tonight, we will focus on the more … intimate details when it comes to pleasing Hades,” she tells us.

  As she begins the lesson, I wonder if this is some way of her getting back at Cerberus, and in a way Hades for assigning him to me.

  My cheeks redden as I do my best to pay attention to her lesson. Yet, I barely register a word she says as she intimately wraps herself around her new partner and sets about explaining her movements in graphic detail.

  “Now, it is your turn,” she says, her smile finally managing to break the ice in her gaze as she flashes a look at the hellhound.

  Slowly, I turn to face Cerberus. I’m already burning with embarrassment at the mere thought of practicing any of these movements with him. My mind spins as I try to figure out a way to get out of this.

  Perhaps it was a mistake to convince him to bring me here.

  I need to speak with Persephone, but at this point, I’m not sure that will even be possible.

  “Do wish me to start?” Cerberus asks, drawing my attention back to him.

  I nod absentmindedly, and he steps closer.

  “Stay where you are,” Persephone says. “Allow the girl to practice on you, not the other way around.”

  Swallowing hard, I try to focus on the task at hand. I move closer to him, reluctantly reaching out to place my palm against his hard chest. Slowly, I circle him, tracing the lines of his body as I draw nearer with each step. By the time I return to face him, our bodies are barely an inch apart.

  Cerberus looks down at me, his eyes darkening with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. I can feel the heat radiating off his body, and my skin prickles with anticipation. My heart pounds in my ears as I try my best to ignore these sensations and quickly refocus on the lesson at hand.

  “Now, Hazel,” Persephone says, her voice low and sultry. “I want you to show me what you have learned.”

  I take a deep breath to steady myself before moving closer to Cerberus. I can feel his muscles tense beneath my touch, and I have to fight the urge to pull away even as he shifts slightly closer.

  His body brushes against mine, our eyes meet, and I watch the fire in his gaze roar to life, the flames burning bright blue. Then his hands reach for my hips, pulling even closer to him so that I can feel every inch of him pressed against me.

  “Remember what I showed you,” Persephone calls out.

  Blinking, I run my hands up his chest, letting one come to rest there as I rise onto the tips of my toes and run my fingers through his hair.

 

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