“That’s not an apology.”

“Are you telling me those words mean nothing to you?”

She glared. “Actions, Hades. You weren’t going to tell me about Leuce.”

“If we are going to speak of actions, then let us speak of yours.”

Despite the heat of the water, Persephone suddenly felt chilled.

“Did you not promise me you wouldn’t write about Apollo?”

There was more to her actions—they’d been fueled by Sybil and Leuce and wine—but she couldn’t say that because the results were the same. She had broken her promise.

“I had to do it—”

“Had to?” He interrupted. “Were you offered an ultimatum?”

Yes, I was offered an ultimatum, you idiot!

She didn’t respond and averted her eyes, glaring at the water. If she looked at Hades for too long, she would burst into tears. There was too much emotion building inside her.

“Where you threatened?”

Again, she was silent.

“Did any of it have anything to do with you?”

She hated the way his voice grated against her ears. She stood from her bath, water sloshing everywhere and snatched a towel from the bar, holding it to her chest.

“Sybil is my friend and her life was ruined by Apollo. His behavior had to be exposed.”

Hades tilted his head to the side, his eyes flashing. He uncrossed his arms and stepped toward her. Persephone’s heart raced as he leaned close.

“Do you know what I think?” He whispered furiously. She wanted to take a step away—she didn’t want to face what she’d done. How she’d retaliated against him. “I think this is all a game to you. I pissed you off so you wanted to piss me off, is that it? One for one—now we’re even.”

“Not everything’s about you, Hades.”

His hands clasped her waist, drawing her close. “You promised me you wouldn’t write about Apollo.”

Persephone cringed.

“Is your word worth nothing?”

Those words stung. She swallowed something thick in her throat and glared at him through watery eyes. “Fuck you.”

Hades was ruthless. The bastard smiled.

“I’d rather fuck you, darling, but if I did right now, you wouldn’t walk for a week.”

He snapped his fingers and the world around her shifted. He’d teleported to the Underworld. They were in the suite she used to get ready for the Ascension Ball—it was the suite Hades had built for his future queen. The fact that he’d brought her here and not to his own bedroom spoke volumes.

She pushed away from him. Her towel was the only thing between them.

“Did you just abduct me?”

“Yes,” he answered, already turning his back on her. “Apollo will come after you, and the only way he will have an audience with you, is if I am present.”

“I can take care of this, Hades.”