“Where are the others?” she asked him.
His eyes narrowed as he searched. “Close. Rarely do they part company.”
She nodded. “And the hounds?”
“Guard the entrance to the Underworld. A rest after so long at Thanatos’ command.”
“Thanatos?” She shivered. She had yet to see the specter of death.
Hades moved on, his voice flat. “He hunts only those for Tartarus. You’ll not find him here.”
She nodded, relieved, and stepped forward, with Orphnaeus at her heels. She whispered to the horse, delighted by her new companion. “Shall I find you a treat?”
“There are orchards.” Hades pointed.
She glanced at him, surprised. “Truly? Did you hear that, Orphnaeus? Shall we find you an apple?”
The horse whinnied, ears pricking forth.
She laughed. “I think he agrees?” she asked Hades a bit breathlessly.
Hades moved quickly, gripping her about the waist and setting her atop the horse before she could react. But her skin tingled from the slight contact, making her heart pick up and her lungs empty. He surprised her further when he swung up behind her, his arms enfolding her and pulling her against his chest.
Hades hissed, his knees pressing against the horse’s sides. The horse responded instantly, tearing forward with such force that Persephone feared she’d slip off. But Hades’ arms anchored her, one hand pressed against her belly. She drew in an unsteady breath, the heat of his fingers branding her.
The horse slowed almost as soon as they had started, easing from a rolling gallop to an easy trot. Hades’ knees guided the animal, the flex of each muscle having the most alarming effect on her.
“Apples,” he offered, easing Orphnaeus beneath the drooping limbs of the fruit tree.
She knew better than to speak; her heart was surely lodged within her throat. So she reached up, hoping the tremor of her arm was lost upon him.
Her fingers grasped the satin red skin of the apple, twisting the stem until the tree released its fruit. She stared at the fruit, while her body seemed to hum – attuned only to him. H
is hand moved slightly, his thumb pressing in against the skin beneath her breast. Then he slipped from the horse and reached for her.
She blinked. His deep blue eyes waited beneath the furrow of his brow.
“Persephone?” he asked.
She nodded, placing her hand upon his shoulder and allowing him to lift her. Her feet reached the ground, but she did not want to release him. His hands remained, steadying her.
It would take no effort to kiss him. He held her already. All she need do was raise up on her tiptoe–
Orphnaeus’ head descended between them, his nose butting against Hades’ chest to reach the apple pressed between them. His teeth plucked the red apple from her hand, piercing its skin and crushing it in seconds. Juice spattered her hand and arm, making her burst into laughter.
Hades laughed too, his fingers brushing the fruit pulp from her arm and cheek.
“He is a brute after all,” she said, shaking the bits of apple from her fingers.
Hades smoothed a curl from her shoulder, his face growing remote once more. He lifted his hand and she drew in breath. She knew he would kiss her. He would draw her close, he wanted too. She could see it in his eyes, in the rigid set of his jaw–
Orphnaeus butted her between the shoulders, snorting.
“One is not enough.” Hades stepped back, reaching for another apple and plucking it with ease. She offered it to the horse, who gobbled it down and snorted indignantly into her empty hand.
Hades picked more, and the two fed the horse in companionable silence. Yet all the while, Persephone savored the memory of Hades’ thighs pressed against hers, the strength of his chest against her back… And quivered with some nameless sensation.
He offered her another apple, but Orphnaeus seemed content.