She was surprised by that question. “I…don’t know. I suppose what I have done must make up for it. I told you I wouldn’t write about Apollo—I promised you—and broke that promise.”

Hades shook his head. “We do not make up for hurt with hurt, Persephone. That is a god’s game—we are lovers.”

“Then how do we make up for hurt?” she asked.

“With time,” he answered. “If we can be comfortable being angry with one another for a little while.”

Persephone frowned, and the tears she thought had all dried up came again as she whispered, “I don’t want to be angry with you.”

“Neither do I,” he said, reaching to brush the tears away. “But it doesn’t change feelings and it doesn’t mean we can’t care for each other while we heal.”

Persephone stared at Hades and started to shake her head. “How is it that I was meant for you?”

Hades brows drew together. “We’ve discussed this.”

He didn’t sound angry, but she also knew this discussion had come up before and it hadn’t gone all that well, so she explained.

“I just feel so…inexperienced. I am young and rash and how could you want me?”

She choked on the words and covered her mouth to smother the emotion.

“Persephone,” Hades said gently, he covered her hand with his. “First, I will always want you. Always. I failed you here, too. I was angry, I didn’t take care of you, I didn’t include you. Don’t put me on a pedestal because you feel guilty for your decisions. Just…forgive yourself so you can forgive me. Please.”

She took a breath and bit her lip. Hades’ eyes fell to her mouth. Everything inside her was suddenly fire.

He was right. He hadn’t taken care of her and that’s what she’d craved. Despite their shared anger, she’d wanted him—his heat, his violence, his love.

She closed the distance between them, straddling him as they sat on the ground beneath the silver trees. Hades’ hands settled on her hips.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Her gaze was level with his, and his dark eyes reached deep. She knew he could see clear to her soul. “I love you. You can trust me, my word. I—”

“Shh, my darling,” he said, his mouth was inches from hers, his hands trailed up her thighs, and beneath her dress. Her stomach tightening with anticipation.

“I will forever regret my anger. How could I ever question your love? Your trust? Your word? When you have my heart.”

She kissed him, her tongue demanded entrance, and Hades gave it. Persephone’s hands tangled into his hair, pulling hard, she climbing up his body, kissing harder and deeper, bruising him as she bit his lips and sucked his tongue.

She was ruthless, but so was Hades.

“Where are you burning?” he asked.