Chapter 69 The Game
Chapter 69 The Game
Aria POV
The kiss does not end the way it should. Instead of me to retreat after the gasp, something feral and reckless takes a hold of me.
I kiss him again, I hear someone squeal but I can barely keep up with what everyone is saying. My hands slide into his robes, fingers curling at his chest. Hades responds instantly to my touch, his body stiffens before his arms wrap around me, pulling me flush against him without any hesitation.
The table presses into the back of my thigh as he lifts me slightly, settling me there with a movement so smooth, it feels practiced. His hands slip though the slit in my dress, fingers brushing my bare skin and traveling up my thighs with gusto.
The contact sends heat shooting through me. His thumb presses into my skin in a cloaking and intimate way, but unmistakably real. The murmurs around us grow louder, edged with disbelief that the shy human girl can even go this far in public.
My tongue tangles with his, this doesn’t seem like a performance anymore. This is proof to everyone and Persephone.
Aphrodite laughter cuts through the tension bright and delighted. “Oh, I adore the scent of your love,” she says gleefully, “It’s rich and untamed.”
Hades finally pulls back, breathing hard as he looks down at me. His eyes search my face, dark and stunned, like he’s seeing me for the very first time.
“You kissed me,” he whispers
Heat rushes to my cheeks, I can barely meet his gaze.
I hear Persephone inhale sharply over the noise. When I glance sideways, I catch her expression twisted with fury and humiliation. She turns sharply and storms away, her departure anything but graceful.
Hades lifts a hand and brushes his thumb gently against my cheek, the soft gesture steals my breath away.
“That was lovely,” he murmurs.
My heart tumbles.
Aphrodite claps her hands together, “Which means it’s settled then. You’ll open the dance.”
I stiffen, turning to her. The party is back in full swing but nobody seems to grace the dance floor. “The dance?” I lift a brow
“Yes,” she says brightly, “The couples dance. Every summer solstice, one pair opens the floor. The youngest couple are tradition.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I say quickly, scanning the room, there’s too many eyes and too much attention. Especially from gods and goddesses.
Hades leans down, his lips near my ear, “If we are to stand beside each other, here and on earth, we must grow comfortable doing so.”
His hand slips into mine, warm and steady, “Trust me,” he adds softly.
Against my better judgement, I follow him.
The music shifts as we step into the center of the floor. All their conversations fade, my attention solely on Hades.
“Follow my lead,” he murmurs.
His hand settles at my waist, firm but respectful, while the other guides my fingers into place. We move slowly at first, our bodies adjusting to the rhythm, to each other.
Our closeness is almost overwhelming.
His breath brushes my temple as we turn, “You surprised me,” he says lightly.
I glance up, already knowing what he’s talking about, “How?” I ask anyway.
“You initiated that kiss for the first time.” He lifts a brow at me, a smirk on his lips
My face burns, “Don’t talk about it.”
A soft laugh escapes him, “Why not? It pleased me.”
I scowl, but my body betrays me, responding to the subtle pull of his hand, he draws me closer with every step.
“You do realize Persephone was not entirely wrong,” he continues, voice low, “A marriage unconsummated is easily questioned.”
My steps falter slightly, “Don’t push your luck Hades.”
“Am I?” He asks, eyes sharp, “Or are you simply unsettled by the truth?”
I lift my chin, “I only kissed you to silence her. Nothing more.”
“And yet.” He murmurs, “You didn’t hesitate.”
I glare at him, “You admitted you had a soft spot for her.”
His brows lifts, “Are you jealous?”
I open my mouth to answer but the music ends sans applause erupts.
Zeus steps forward, let the Solstice games begin.”
Servants emerge and quickly start to arrange some chairs at the left of the room in a circle. Some guests dance to music and drink happily but Aphrodite beans at me.
“Riddle for a touch,” she explains, “You’ve never played have you?”
“I won’t be participating,” I say immediately.
“That’s how your husband used to behave but I know you’re different Aria.” She presses a chalice into my hands, “Drink for liquid courage first.”
The liquid is dark and glossy. I take a sip, then another. It tastes sweet, almost floral. It’s not exactly alcohol and I don’t get any buzz. Probably just a Chapman or mocktail.
The gods and goddesses settle into the seats and I take a seat next to Aphrodite, Hades on my other side.
Ares is already in the middle, swaying and grinning from ear to ear.
He leans forward, eyes locking on me. “You will go first.” He smirks
I swallow, it’s just a riddle, how hard can it be?
“Okay.” He starts, “I am warm when shared. I burn when denied. And I die if ignored. What am I?”
Laughter erupts from the circle and I freeze.
I glance at Hades and Ares covers my vision, “Don’t look at him, answer.” He urges
My mind blanks. “Fire?”
Roars of laughter fill the room. “Wrong,” Ares declares, “Now you have to do anything I say as a punishment.” He laughs
He grins wickedly, “You will drink four glasses of Aphrodite nectar and you will have.” He pauses “what do you humans call it?” He narrows his eyes, not seeming to remember but he shrugs, “You have to spend Ten minutes alone in a room with your husband.”
Like ten minutes in Heaven? I frown, that doesn’t seem so bad. I can handle a bit of alcohol.
Aphrodite hands me the chalice again. I drink once. Twice. Three times.
I don’t feel any buzz. And it still tastes sweet to me. They escort us down the hall to a secluded room. The door closes behind us with a bang.
The air shifts as soon as we enter and something inside me tightens. A slow burn ignited beneath my skin, goosebumps covers my entire body out of nowhere and my pulse quickens. My body starts to warm up. In fact I feel hyper sensitive.
Everywhere.
I turn to Hades still, headstrong on getting out of here in 10 minutes but even that resolve is breaking. “What was the answer?” I ask him confused
I hear the door click locked behind us and I frown as my body starts to heat up more.
He steps closer to me, his eyes dropping to my body, “The answer to the riddle Aria… is Desire.”
The word hits me and immediately it feels like I’ve been lit up. Heat floods my body instantly, fierce and uncontrollable. My breath stutters, my hands shaking.
His eyes darken and he swallows.
I feel a wetness pool between my legs and my vision blurs. Before I can think or stop myself, I summon my power and slap him back against the door and kiss him for the second time today.
Hard.