Free Descent into Desire by Marie Medina

Tartarus a few decades while a murderer or child abuser stayed much longer. She wondered if such things were unchanging, if Hades would listen to her opinions on them. The idea of deciding people’s fate and changing policies excited her. She’d never been treated like an adult, even though she had lived thousands of years. If Hades still respected her the way she had once believed he did, he might be perfect for her after all.
    She picked up the casserole dish and took it out to the table. She set it down, and then looked in the mirror again.
    “You look beautiful.”
    She turned to see Hades standing in the doorway. She hadn’t heard his voice for several days, and she had to admit it sent a little thrill through her. He wore black pants and a black button up shirt. Upon closer inspection, she could also see a black tie. She wondered if he even had a closet, or if he simply conjured the appropriate black garments for every occasion.
    “Thank you. You look nice too.” She walked over to him and stood in front of him. He remained perfectly still as she stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m glad you came.”
    “I’m yours to command.”
    “Are you?”
    “Yes.”
    She swallowed, and then said, “Then I have a command. Please forgive me for my reaction the other day. It was very cruel. You forgave me for coming on to Hypnos, and then I reacted like a spoiled child when you only wanted us to take it slow. You’ve tried to respect me since you brought me here, and it was wrong for me to act as if you wanted nothing more than my body. I knew it wasn’t true. I just wanted to hurt you.”
    He stared down at her for a long moment. “I forgave you the moment you walked out of the room. You were upset, and I promise I understand. What I did was wrong.”
    “But I know it hurt your feelings. You hide them very well, but I know my words and what I did caused you pain. You panicked when you thought I wouldn’t give you a real chance.”
    He looked down at the floor. “I said I forgive you, and I do. For everything. Please don’t trouble yourself.”
    She shook her head. “You aren’t the same man I talked to every night.”
    He looked back up at her, and she could tell that statement worried him, though he tried to hide it. “Why do you say that?”
    “You seem terrified of me. The man I developed such a crush on was confident and manly. You act scared and nervous.”
    He reached out to touch her, but instead he let his hand fall back by his side. “Perhaps I am.”
    Persephone didn’t know what to say. Hypnos might’ve been right after all.
    “Whatever you’ve made smells wonderful.”
    She started to object, but since she didn’t know what she wanted to say, she let him change the subject. “Squash and zucchini casserole. Asparagus and wild rice. Some of my favorites.”
    “A good choice. I like knowing things like that about you.”
    She smiled and walked to the table. She’d moved two chairs to the end closest to the door. “Let’s eat then.”
    He walked over to the table and pulled her chair out for her.
    She sat down, suddenly feeling very conscious of how close he was. He sat down too and reached for her hand, but he didn’t say anything.
    “Yes?” she asked.
    “Have you forgiven me for trapping you here?”
    “I don’t feel trapped.”
    He squeezed her hand, and then let it go.
    Persephone removed the glass lids from all the dishes, wondering if her stomach would stop flopping around and let her eat something. She certainly had her doubts.
    * * * *
    Hades poured two glasses of wine and carried them out to the terrace. Dinner had been wonderful. He’d liked the food, but it had meant so much more that she’d invited him to dinner and prepared everything so carefully. She’d beamed when he told her how good everything was. She looked breathtaking standing on the terrace looking up at the purple and blue sky.
    “There are no stars, just swirls of color,” she