Free For the Love of Hades (The Loves of Olympus) by Sasha Summers

alert and ready. Was this a trap, then? Had she played a part in it?
    Hermes stood at a distance, his arms held up in submission.
    Did he dare feel relief that it was Hermes who’d come upon him? If it had been Ares or Apollo or Poseidon who had found them so… Self-loathing found him, raging within him. No, he would spare her that.
    Hades ran a hand over his face, releasing his pent-up frustration with a low growl.
    “Surely that was not the fair Persephone, pressing kisses on your dour face?” Hermes joined him. “It is said that the night can fool the eyes. I’ve laughed at such a claim many times. But now I wonder, is there truth in it?”
    Hades cast a sidelong look at Hermes. To be discovered in such a state of admiration was disconcerting. To be discovered in such a state by the Gods’ messenger, a devoted gossip, was another matter altogether. He would try. “If I said there was truth in it, would this night be forgotten?”
    Hermes shook his head. “I fear I could not forget such a tableau, my friend.” His words were a mix of humor and sympathy. “I am overcome.”
    Hades’ words were a hard whisper. “ You are overcome?”
    Hermes laughed. “Less than you, of course.”
    Hades shook his head. Would Hermes goad him? Tease him? Reveal this… this interlude to Olympus?
    “You care for her?” Hermes asked, no longer teasing.
    Hades laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. He had no heart, it had been crushed so long ago he scarce remembered it. “How can I?”
    Hermes countered, “She would be easy to love.”
    “If one was given to such emotions, perhaps.”
    Hermes chuckled. “Ah, I see. You want her, then?”
    Hades glared at Hermes, but said nothing.
    Did he want her? The memory of her pressed against him made him burn. Even now his hands ached to cup and stoke her. It was answer enough. He could hardly deny Hermes’ query, but neither would he answer it outright.
    “She would have you,” Hermes continued. “It was plain upon her face. She would welcome you, I doubt it not.”
    Hades shook his head, ignoring the yearning Hermes’ words stirred. “Have you followed me out of curiosity, Hermes? Or were you sent to me on some errand?”
    Hermes regarded him, sighing deeply as he spoke. “Zeus bid me give you this. You left too swiftly. Now I see why.”
    Hades took the scroll Hermes offered. He opened it, reading the missive with growing amazement.
    “He thought it would please you, as reward or payment. You acted wisely, releasing one of Athens’ finest to fight anew. All of Olympus agrees.”
    “ This is how he chooses to repay me?” Hades asked, astonished. “To slake my pleasures with a maid of my choosing? In Aphrodite’s pleasure chamber? I was satisfied with their thanks. I need no more. And I want none of this.”
    Hermes’ gaze did not waver, though he took on a thoughtful expression. “How long has it been?”
    He turned his most forbidding scowl upon the young messenger. “It will never be that long.”
    Hermes spoke haltingly. “You may be the Underworld’s lord, but you’ve a man’s passions…”
    Hades rolled the scroll back up and handed it back to Hermes. “You may return this with my thanks. I have no appetites for such companionship. He would be wise to bestow such a gift on one more appreciative.”
    “Some are worried, Hades. It’s unnatural, this isolation you insist upon.”
    “This is worrisome ? That I am ruled by discipline, not lust?”
    “What of companionship?”
    He felt loneliness, but it was tolerable. “I have enough.”
    Hermes regarded him with wide-eyed wonder. “You could petition Demeter and Zeus. You might have her yet, Hades… Persephone, I mean.”
    “She cannot want that.” He shook his head, wishing he’d not spoken at all. He bit off the rest, furious for his slip. “No. I will not have her. Ever.”
    “Why? You are a loyal mate. I know of none on Olympus as faithful to his wife as you…”
    Hades moved swiftly, grabbing the