Page 27 of Taming Winter

I gritted my teeth. There wasn’t time for this. In moments, Apollo would be on me. I bent and freed Thane’s wrists from their now-loose confines. The metal ate away at my skin, but I ignored the fiery pain. I, Hades, goddess of fire, would not fear being burned. I wrapped the end around my fist and turned to my opponent.

Apollo was straightening, a triumphant expression warping his face. "You foolish bitch. I deleted it."

"Good thing it was live." The satisfaction of my next words lessened the pain lancing through my fist.

I swung the chain without giving my words time to settle, and it twisted around his throat. Cries of agony filled the small room and serenaded my actions as I yanked him hand over fist toward me. The pain was cathartic as new boils and burns marred my skin with every tug.

Apollo fought me for every inch, but the iron was weakening him faster than me. The chain had dug an inch into his charred flesh and was restricting his ability to heal or breathe. I slammed my fist into his nose, causing him to crumple under my toxic leash. His knees hit the floor with a dull thud that vibrated through my feet. I untangled the chain from his throat and wrapped his scarred wrists with it. Bits of flesh and ichor, both Apollo’s and my own, clung to my fingers, but I ignored it. The scent of charred meat filled the room as I melted the chains together around his wrists, ensuring there would be no escape.

I kicked Apollo so his weight rested on his chained arms, then finally gave my attention to Thane. The slew of emotions that overcame me at the sight of him nearly caused me to choke. Beneath the relief at his safety and the lingering terror was something deeper, something that had taken root in my heart and festered over our time together. It was an urge to claim him as mine in every way. Chain him to me so he never left my side again. Maybe some would call that feeling love, but it was corrupted in an irreparable way. Unfortunately for him, I didn't care.

Apollo had done a number on him. Sweat glistened off his ghostly complexion in the blue moonlight. His shirt was in shreds, held up only by the strips of fabric stuck to his blood-slicked torso. Black strands of hair stuck to his forehead and nape at odd angles. He was just as brutally handsome as the night I’d met him. Blue eye sockets full of icy fury burrowed into me, and I wanted nothing more than to melt that gaze.

I prowled toward him at a steady pace, refusing to run to him. "Are you alright, handsome?"

He choked out a chuckle and rubbed a hand over his chest, smearing gore with the movement. "Peachy."

"That's good." I came to a stop a pace away from him, keeping his head level with my thighs. "You left me. You failed your mission."

He recoiled. His eyes darted to the floor before returning to me. "I'm sorry. I made an error—a moment of softness that will never happen again."

"Good. I don't want you soft, my darling wolf. I want you vicious and brutal in every possible way. I want to see your darkness spread across this world with mine." My hand brushed over his hair. The strands were wet to the touch, but I didn't mind. A small smile willed its way to my lips. "I'm glad you're safe."

His expression softened, and he slouched into my touch. "And you as well, my fiery goddess."

He glanced at Apollo. "What shall we do with him?"

I dared a look at the god behind me. A soft groan escaped his cracked lips. Already his neck was healing itself. He would wake soon, but chained with Stygian iron and powerless, there wasn't much he could do. "Throw him into the pits of Tartarus and let the furies have at him."

Furies were one of the few monsters allowed to live during our rise to power. They proved to be particularly efficient torturers. Their cruelty had attracted me, and they had a haven within Tartarus. I couldn't wait to see what they would do with Apollo. "Lamia has ensured that his little speech is broadcasting to all of Olympiara. There are sure to be uprisings by morning."

He chuckled. "That should be fun."

With that, he tried to stand. However, I pushed my heel into his chest to pin him down. His eyes widened. "We need to leave, don't we? His guards will catch us soon."

I shook my head. "The city is burning, the marshals have their hands full.” I smirked. “We have time, and you have been a very bad boy, handsome."

CHAPTER 26

THANE

My mind went from confusion to twisted anticipation. Her wretched little gaze wiped away the past few days as though they hadn’t happened. My cock stiffened against my trousers at what was to come. My ready acceptance of being the dog at her heel just for the chance of kissing her skin said something about me. It said something else entirely that I fucking loved it. She was crafted to meet my every shameful desire and devilish urge. She had leashed me, and I was happily following her into the pits of darkness.

Her palm rubbed up my jawline to my temple and back. I softened into the touch, succumbing to her softness and exotic scent. Then she slapped me—hard. I jerked away and resisted the urge to bring my hand to my cheek. Before I could complain, her other hand fisted my hair and tugged my head back.

"Open your mouth," she commanded. I obeyed without question and stuck my tongue out.

Spit coated my face. She swiped across my cheeks to collect her saliva, then shoved her fingers deep into my throat. I groaned at the sensation, at the sharpness of her nails on my tongue, at her taste. My hips jerked desperately, though I knew release wouldn't come soon. "This is what you get for failing a mission. You were weak, and weak boys are punished."

I greedily sucked her fingers without response. She chuckled, the sound feline. "Failure cannot be tolerated. Do you understand?"

I nodded. She smacked my cheek again, the sharp sensation making me more feral—more desperate. I loved her punishments as much as I loved her rewards. Fuck, it was deranged, but I wanted her to use me until she deemed me worthy of her praise.

"Maybe you're only good for one thing. Is that it, Thane? You're only useful as my fuck toy?" She tore her fingers from my mouth and thrust her heel into the cabinet next to my head, baring herself to me. Black lace panties were the only thing between my lips and her decadent pussy. I let out a desperate moan. Her scent washed over me, and I needed to bury my face in her. I wanted her to take away my air and leave me with nothing but her pussy juices for an eternity.

"Eat," she barked. "Show me what you're worth."

Not needing to be told twice, I dove in, only to catch a slight movement out of the corner of my eye. Apollo was wriggling into a sitting position, having regained consciousness. I glanced back at Hades.