by RM Virtues
“This is a look,” she purrs. “But now you have no excuses, do you?”
“None at all.” Running his hands over her arms, he licks his lips. “How do you feel about - a few drinks in Elysium after? Maybe even a dance.”
Her eyes glitter with amused excitement as she laughs. “Are you telling me that Hades, the man, the myth, the legend, dances in clubs? The slow dancing I believed just fine, but that?”
He scoffs. “Hey now, I was born with the rhythm, same as you. I have a move or two. I just have little use for them.”
“Now that’s a lie.”
“And surely to a professional, they aren’t all that impressive.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Though, she pauses, toning down her expression. “So... you were serious then, last night. You wanna be seen with me. In public.”
He nods. “That’s right.”
“Everyone will see us.”
“Yes.”
“Everyone will know.”
“Mhm.”
His patience is a thing to behold. It persists through the length of her silence. She knows what she’d said the night before, and she’d meant it, but that doesn’t negate the apprehension that accompanies such a commitment. He lets his hands fall from her shoulders as if not wanting to pollute her thought process, and she appreciates it, but the moment his touch is gone, the panic becomes more tangible. She’s only just making a name for herself in this city, namely with the people who frequent Elysium. How quickly will she become no one other than Hades’ woman? She’s spent so long being no one other than Demeter’s daughter that the thought terrifies her. She trusts Hades. She cannot imagine he would ever ask her to live in his shadow, but perhaps that’s because he’s become so comfortable living in that of others. Either way, it isn’t him that she’s worried about. It’s everyone else.
But as she looks up at him, she realizes that it’s not everyone else that matters. She knows that regardless of when they decide to make it public, the gossip will still be waiting for them. And if she’s being honest with herself, she will never be more ready than she is right now.
Cupping his cheek, she nods and pecks his jaw. “Okay. You can take me dancing.”
His grin lights up his entire face. She has never seen anything like it. All of this is worth it if she gets to see more of that grin. He kisses her with that vibrant fervor she is quickly growing accustomed to, or addicted to, and she melts into his arms. No matter how high up above the stage she flies, she has never felt higher than when she is with him. Part of her thinks he’s simply too perfect. The rest of her is just glad that he’s hers.
“Mm, now I have to go get ready,” she hums, pulling away from him reluctantly. “And you’re going to behave and not join me in the shower this time. I do not have enough stamina to go another round with you before showtime.”
“I suppose I’ll save it for after then,” he smirks, holding her hand loosely until she slips out of reach.
“Oh, you better.”
She knows it in her heart. Tonight is going to be special.
By that night, all of her worries have faded into the background. To start, it has to be her best performance to date. She feels lighter than she ever has, gliding above the stage, suspended from her silks and swinging from ring to ring. The excitement in the air is electric, spiriting towards a magnificent crescendo. She can feel Hades in his usual seat far below, staring up at her in awe. She can also feel Zeus in the back of the theatre, eyes boring deep into her form, but when she’s up here, it isn’t about them or anyone else. It’s about her. It’s about freedom. To fly or to fall.
By the time her feet touch the ground again, her heart is pounding and her skin is slick with sweat, but you couldn’t wipe the grin off of her face with a sandpaper towel. The resounding applause only increases in volume as the cast regroups at center stage, taking their bows and waving their thanks. Once the curtains close, she retreats to the dressing rooms, but she still feels like she’s floating, the rest of the night spanning out before her beneath the bright stars bursting behind her eyes. There, fatigue is kept at bay by a giddy excitement that she’s meeting for the first time.
She’s just about to undress and don her robe when Calliope appears, taking her in a hug.
“You absolutely killed it! Again!” she shrieks, jumping up and down so that Persephone has no choice but to do the same amidst her own laughter. “You did that! It was amazing!”
The taller woman’s dark curls tickle Persephone’s neck as they pull away, both of them grinning from ear to ear. She’s never seen Calliope this wound up after a show, and she feeds off of that energy eagerly.
“Big news,” Calliope hisses. “Terpsichore is out there with two very big talent scouts, Thalia and Clio. No one that’s planning to take you away from me of course, but they recruit dancers for temporary projects like music videos and things like that.”
Persephone’s eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, girl, and they want to talk to you! T told them all about you, and they had to come out, and they absolutely ate up the show. I promised I’d bring you out as soon as you were ready. Sound good?”
Persephone tries to gather her bearings before she flings herself at the woman, squeezing her. Calliope hoots with laughter, jumping up and down again.
“I’m assuming that’s a yes!” she shouts before they disengage.
“Absolutely, are you kidding me?” Persephone breathes, wiping tears from her eyes. “Uh, can I meet you out there in a minute?”
“Yeah, for sure. We’ll be right out in front of the stage, okay? They’re going to love you, I just know it!”
Persephone smiles as the other woman flits away, offering praise to the rest of her performers as she goes. Once she’s gone, Persephone goes out in search of Hades in the side hall where they’d first met, near the door leading into the service corridor. She finds him there waiting, and she runs into his arms.
“What’s wrong?” he immediately questions, his voice one of concern. “Why are you crying? Did something happen?”
She chuckles, patting his chest as she pulls back.
“Something amazing,” she assures him, meeting his eyes. “Terpsichore brought talent scouts tonight. They want to meet me.”
He cracks that damn grin again, and her knees grow weak, as does the rest of her. She is greedy for it. It’s nothing more than impulse when she grabs his tie and tugs him down so that she can smother his lips with her own. He picks her up off the ground just enough to make it comfortable, only releasing her when she pulls back. His gaze is hooded, and he looks absolutely delicious. She has to force herself to focus on not shoving him into the service hall and fucking him senseless. It’s easier said than done.
“What I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted was that this doesn’t surprise me in the slightest,” he sighs, brushing a hand over her cheek. “You were absolutely - otherworldly out there. I told you. It’s like you have no business on the ground at all.”
A soft laugh escapes her. “You, sir, have a way with hyperboles.”
“I mess with nothing of the sort.” He presses his lips to her forehead. “You were amazing, and you deserve everything that is coming your way.”
She gives him a grateful smile, but soon, her face falls. “Zeus is here.”
“I saw him. And he saw me, so I’d like to think he’s smart enough to take his leave, but if not, I’ll deal with it. You don’t have to worry about him as long as you’re here, Persephone.”
She nods. “I know.” She chews a lip for a moment. “Will you tell him?”
“About us?” She nods again. “Do you want me to?”
“I think that’s up to you. I have no problem telling him.”
“Yes, but I imagine we both know how nasty he can be, and I would rather spare you any further stress.”
“I don’t need saving.”
“I know, but do you want me to save you?”
She rolls her eyes. “Do you want me to save you?”
He smiles. “I can’t be saved.”
She lets her forehead fall against his chest, and he wraps his arms around her for as long as she keeps it there.
“Are you ready to go?” he questions after a few moments.
She looks up. “Oh, no, they’re waiting to meet me right now, the scouts. Calliope is out front with them.”
“Ah, do you want me to wait here?”
“I can meet you upstairs. Calliope will probably walk up with me.” She sighs. “Although I really wanted to run home for a quick shower.”
He’s quiet for a moment before he reaches into his jacket pocket, extracting his key card. He slides it into her hand.
“Once you’re done here, you can go upstairs and shower,” he suggests. “I’ll have Daeira, a member of security, stay down here with you. She can escort you up through the service corridors.”
“I only have the dress I came in,” she groans. “No makeup, no -” She leans closer, wiggling her eyebrows. “No panties.”
His lips quirk. “Well, I’ve taken care of the latter. The dresser in my bedroom, second drawer from the left. I got you a few things, for if you decided to - stay over more often.”
She’s nearly stunned into silence, struggling to suppress a smile. “I cannot believe you.”
“I like to be prepared.”
“You’re lucky you’re cute.”
“Am I?”
“Does that mean you acquired makeup as well?”
“Unfortunately not. Picking panties for me to take off of you is one thing. I wouldn’t insult you by trying to pick your makeup. But if you need me to, I will ask Hecate to bring some makeup to the suite.”
Her heart flutters as she stares up at him, shaking her head with a smile. There’s some tinge of magic to everything at the moment, the fear of bringing their relationship out into the open morphing into a fervent anticipation. She’s ready to run through that wall and be done with it so that she can continue to enjoy this, enjoy him.
She bites her lip. “Okay… Maybe just a little bit of eyeliner. And some gloss. Thank you.”
He chuckles. “It shall be done. Now go make things happen. I’ll make sure my brother is gone, and then I’ll be waiting in Elysium for my dance.”
She winks up at him. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“You better not... But just in case.” Removing his watch from his wrist once more, he places it upon hers. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
16
Hades
Hades finds Zeus lingering just outside the main theatre doors in the hall leading back to the casino. Zeus looks relatively annoyed and impatient, and Hades feels the same emotions ticking beneath his skin. He refuses to let them flicker across his face in any capacity.
“Ah, brother,” he greets, and Zeus visibly cringes, his back to Hades. “Long time, no see. What brings you down here to my casino unannounced?”
Zeus turns around, his pale skin reddening. His soiled expression is a stark contrast to Hades’ cool composure, and while he’s never said it aloud, Hades is glad for the severe lack of resemblance to his stepbrother.
“I didn’t think you ever left the floor while you were here,” Zeus says through gritted teeth, not quite looking at Hades. “What are you doing here?”
“I don’t think you’re around enough to know what I do within the walls of my casino, Zeus, so I’ll ask again. What brings you here? Did you finally think it important to fill me in on your - rogue escapades?”
From one breath to the next, Zeus’s cold expression returns. “I simply wanted to see the show, brother. I’ve heard so much about it.”
“Yes, I figured that was the reason the first time you showed up here even if you didn’t have the decency to let me know, so I’m wondering what could possibly compel you to come again? Not to imply it’s not an amazing show because it certainly is. I can understand the need for an encore.”
Zeus seems to realize that Hades knows more than he’s letting on. There is a single second of panic that flashes through his eyes before that characteristic smug smile uncurls across his face in the laziest way possible.
“Well, I have to say, I’m really intrigued by the star of the show Calliope’s dragged out of whatever hole she found her in,” Zeus goes on.
“Oh, no hole,” Hades counters, his voice still as warm as ever. “Persephone attended Terpsichore’s school actually. Or, I suppose in a sense, your school since you refused to let Terpsichore build it in Olympus without marking it as yours too. I remember the deal rather vividly in fact.”
“Is that right?” Zeus hardly gives anything away, and as well as Hades knows him, he has no clue where this conversation is going. “That’s impressive. Have you been talking with her too, brother? You seem to know a lot about her.”
“She’s given the casino another avenue of vast wealth. It would be disgraceful for me not to talk with her..”
“Of course. Always so personable, Hades, it’s a wonder people don’t speak more highly of you.”
“They would have to get to know me before they could speak of me at all. That doesn’t stop them of course, but people fill in the blanks however they see fit, right? You should know. Your children do that all of the time.”
It’s only when Zeus’s vein becomes prominent upon his temple that Hades realizes how hard he’s clenching his fist behind his back. He doesn’t often throw things like that in Zeus’s face. In fact, he never does. If Zeus were more like Hades, he could use this simple loss of filter against the elder, but he isn’t. Hades has to be grateful for that. Still, he exhales slowly and reclaims the reins of his control, unwilling to give Zeus the benefit.
“Well, it’s getting late, brother, I don’t want to keep you,” Hades goes on. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh, no need,” Zeus quickly counters. “I’m not ready to go just yet.”
“Oh? Coming up to gamble? We know how well that usually goes for you though, don’t we?”
Zeus gives a hollow laugh. “Actually, I wanted to meet the star, so I’ll just-”
“I don’t think that’s going to be possible.”
It’s more stern than intended, but Zeus seems to latch onto it immediately. Suddenly, it doesn’t matter who reveals their intentions first, and Hades feels ashamed either way. While Persephone hadn’t outright told him not to tell Zeus, he would rather forego it if possible. She doesn’t owe Zeus anything, and he doesn’t either. More so, he hates to speak of her when she isn’t present, especially under the circumstances.
“Why is that?” Zeus inquires, and while his voice is calm, the look in his eyes is anything but. It’s ravenous. “I don’t mind waiting.”
“She’s busy with Calliope, and then I believe she’ll probably want to retire for the evening.”
“Again, you seem to know a whole lot about her.”
“And like I said, I spoke with her. We-”
“Oh.” That spark in his eyes seems to catch flame, and Hades tries to suppress his unease. “Please don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for her, brother. That’s - no, that can’t be it.”
“I’m only-”
“She’s not your type. I can tell you that right now.”
Hades raises a brow. And takes the bait. “What does that mean exactly?”
“She’s a circus performer for one. That’s nowhere near the uniform, calculated order you endorse, is it?”
“I own a casino, Zeus. Chaos sort of comes with the territory.”
“So you’re saying you do?” He booms a laugh, and Hades has to remind himself that it’s all a smokescreen for Zeus’s own growing indignation. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“I’m beginning to sense that you have a bit of an issue with the woman, Zeus.”
Zeus’s features slowly fall into a sneer, and seemingly fed up with the back and forth, he moves to shove
past Hades. “Run along back upstairs, brother. This might be your little playground, but don’t forget who runs the school, as you said earlier. Just like you, what business I have with Persephone is—”
The words die in the air. Zeus’ eyes widen as his back hits the wall, his airway constricted by the concrete press of Hades’ forearm against his throat. Although it isn’t written all over the elder brother’s face, Hades is just as surprised as he is. They stare at one another for what feels like centuries before Hades speaks, his voice as calm as ever.
“You have no business with her, Zeus, not anymore. As long as Persephone is under my roof… No. From here on out, no matter where she is, you will not harass her. You will not call her. You will not text her. You will not show up to her apartment.” Zeus’s eyes widen. “You will not bully her, you will not tail her, and you will certainly not insult her. You will not do any of the pathetic things that men like you resort to doing when someone tells you no. It’s time you learn the meaning of that word.”
Zeus opens his mouth to talk, and Hades presses harder against his neck as he reaches for his radio with his free hand, clicking a button on the side. He’s never really put hands on his brother, and arguably, it’s means for concern, but he doesn’t care about that right now. Whatever change has overtaken him is for the better. He’s never been able to stand up to Zeus, to put his foot down, to say no. However, he could not live with himself if he failed to do so now.
“She doesn’t want to see you, Zeus,” he goes on. “You already know that. And she didn’t ask me to get involved. In fact, she had hoped I wouldn’t have to, but I have let you make these foolish decisions for far too long. It will not happen here, and it will not happen with her. Regardless of my relationship with her, she does not deserve to put up with the likes of you.” Two security guards round the corner as Hades eases his grip. “Now, whatever debt you think you have to settle will be settled with me or not at all. As for now, you are going to leave my casino, and the next time you want to visit, you’ll call.”