“I said please.” Her voice was venom. She would torture him and she would take immense pleasure from the act.

“You are a goddess. A goddess masquerading as a mortal!” Apollo ignored her plea, his eyes glittered with excitement. “No one knows, do they?”

That wasn’t exactly true but instead of answering, the vines that held Apollo grew thorns. A sharp splinter exploded near his face and cock, silencing him.

“I believe we were having a conversation,” she said. “That involved you saving my friend.”

Apollo narrowed his gaze, then attempted to snap the vines holding him. After a few tries, he gave up, panting. “What are these made of?”

Persephone blinked—she didn’t know. But she was surprised that Apollo hadn’t been able to break her magic. Maybe her anger and hatred for the god had something to do with their strength.

He met her gaze, eyes inquisitive. “You are a powerful little creature.”

“I am not a creature.”

“Yes, you are. You are a leech, sucking the fun out of my evening.”

“You’re the one who made this difficult.”

“I hardly thought you were capable of...” he looked down at himself, narrowly missing having his face impaled by the massive thorn.

“Defeating you?” Persephone supplied.

“Restraining me,” he corrected, and that mischievous glint entered his eyes again. “Am I correct in guessing this is one of Hades’ favorite parts?”

“I’m not here to talk about Hades.”

“Of course. Because if you were, we’d have to address the elephant in the room. He doesn’t know you are here, does he?”

“Why does everyone keep asking that?” She complained. “I don’t have to ask for permission to be here.”

Apollo’s lips curled. “Perhaps not, but I am certain he will feel utterly betrayed when he discovers you came to me for aid. After all, he offered up a favor of his own to save you from me last time.”

Persephone ignored the guilt. “That was Hades’ choice. I have also made a choice. I propose a bargain, Apollo. You heal my friend and I’ll—I’ll—”

Well, she wasn’t exactly sure what she would do.

“You’ll do whatever I want.”

She hated how interested Apollo appeared at the prospect of an open request.

“Not whatever you want,” Persephone said. “I won’t do anything that will hurt Hades.”

“Oh, but you already are, little goddess,” he paused. “Fine. I’ll bargain with you, but only because this will entertain me.”

She waited. She wanted the terms of their agreement.

“I can’t think with this thorn in my face.”

She considered telling him to deal with it but decided she should be a little accommodating. She was at his mercy when it came to this bargain.

She dismissed her magic and Apollo stretched, still naked.

“Is it too much to ask for you to get dressed?” she asked.