Free That Fatal Kiss by Mina Lobo

Erebus. May as well get my acquaintance with it out of the way.”
    They took their horses past the pomegranate grove to the path that led west and began their tour of the Underworld at a leisurely pace. Persephone eyed the Witch curiously. “So tell me; why are you here, Hecate?”
    “Ah, well, Erebus is my home, after a fashion,” Hecate replied easily. “I cannot abide remaining in the same place for too long, however, and make my way to the Upperworld when the mood strikes me.”
    “But why come down here at all, if you do not have to?”
    Hecate took a moment to consider her response before saying, “I like the dark. It is a peculiar thing, I know, but when I grow weary of all the intrigues of Olympus, I go to one of my caves. Of course, the mortals then besiege me endlessly for assistance in their magical crafts and, to avoid their pleas, I retreat into the Underworld.”
    “Hmmm. Then you are often in Hades’ company?”
    The bright-haired goddess surprised Persephone by tossing back her head and laughing heartily. “Oh, my dear, do I have to fear your jealousy so soon upon our reunion?”
    “Certainly not,” Persephone denied crisply, avoiding her friend’s lively eyes. “I merely wish to better understand how you came to be my escort here today. Hades lets you come and go as you please, then.”
    “He does indeed,” Hecate acknowledged. “And as beings who inhabit the same realm and come across one another on a regular basis, we have established a mutually beneficial relationship.”
    Persephone’s eyes flashed over to Hecate’s. “Oh?” she said, straining to appear unconcerned. Although why she should fret over the nature of the Witch’s relationship with Hades was beyond her.
    Hecate chuckled again, leaning over to jostle Persephone. “How is it that you have not yet bedded your husband when you so desperately wish to claim him?”
    Persephone offered Hecate a stinging slap on her arm, though she laughed as she did so. “Shameless wretch, how dare you suggest such a thing? I was snatched, unwittingly wed to Hades! The union was not one I wished for, as you may imagine.”
    “Humph. You may not have wished for it, but now that it has come to be, I think you are not so averse to him.”
    “I’ve often admired your fertile imagination, Hecate, though it does exhibit an unfortunate leaning toward the outrageous.”
    “Oh, of course!” Hecate said with a grin. “And so I must be imagining the look that crosses your face every time Hades’ name is spoken.”
    “What look might that be?” Persephone asked tautly, irritated with Hecate for so accurately reading her.
    “The look of desire. Yearning. Lust—”
    “Cease your chatter, Hecate. You’re giving me a headache,” Persephone said, beginning to feel that this was her own punishment for having teased Artemis so often in the past herself.
    “Ah, now, Persephone, do not be wroth with me. I so rarely enjoy company in Erebus that I forget how to behave myself. Let me make amends by speaking plainly. The truth is that Hades has never shown any interest in mating with me whatsoever. And indeed, we are ill suited to one another. I revel in the shadows; he retreats to the dark to hide from others, though he deplores the lack of illumination. I prefer the solitude found in my underground dwelling while he craves companionship as much as he fears rejection. And so, though we are both creatures of the gloom, he seeks a flame to light his. Which is why he chose you, out of all the others.”
    “I am flattered beyond belief.”
    Hecate ignored her. “Now, when I am here, he comes to me as any neighbor might to ask for my assistance or advice. He does not ask often, so I am eager to lend my support, as he himself has come to my aid when necessary.”
    “How gracious of you both,” Persephone observed, casting a sidelong glance at the other goddess before giving a genuine smile. “Forgive me for being cross. Though I dislike to admit it,