Page 40 of Queen of Tempests and Sin

Hades and I sat in my office, sharing a bottle of brandy. I’d left Cordelia sharpening her collection of vicious-looking knives, her red braid swaying like a war banner. Hades wore that suspicious slant to his mouth—his version of a smile.

‘What?’ I snapped at him.

‘You have claimed the woman who put a blade through your heart.’ He gave me a flat stare.

I lifted a shoulder but said nothing. She had tried to kill me, and revenge would have been the obvious reaction—expected, even, but logic didn’t seem to apply where Cordelia was concerned. She short-circuited every instinct I had.

‘I think I understand why.’ He twisted his mouth to the side in thought, and after a few beats, he continued. ‘She really does remind me of Persephone.’ A crooked smile ghosted over his lips.

I barked a short laugh and shook my head. Persephone is an irritating ball-buster.

Then I paused. Much like Cordelia.

Damn.

‘She once held a knife to my throat.’ He smiled warmly at the memory. My brother was a strange one—death incarnate, soft only for his goddess. ‘It took her a while, but eventually, Persephone realised that invisible bonds are the hardest to explain… That our bond was created by fate.’

He paused to take a drink, then locked eyes with me. ‘I think you are obsessed with the little assassin… Or is it more than obsession, Brother?’

I looked away.

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ My voice was flat and cold. ‘I’ll fuck her, and that’ll be the end of it.’ A lie. To him. To myself.

That knowing smile stretched as Hades laughed. ‘Persephone’s and my soul-bond is invisible but nontheless invulnerable. Remember that feeling I told you about? The one that flared back to life when she was reborn. The one you took the piss out of mercilessly?’ He placed a hand over his heart, and I gave him a flat look. ‘You feel it too, don’t you?’

I downed my drink, refilling my glass as I clenched my teeth so hard I’m surprised I didn’t break my jaw. He continued unbidden.

‘If you feel it, then you’re bonded to her. She’s yours. Your one true mate. Invisible bonds are the hardest to explain and also the hardest to break. She will be the only one you’ll ever need. The only one you’ll ever want to fuck. Resist it all you want, Brother. You’ll lose.

‘It might be indigestion,’ I muttered, making him chuckle darkly.

‘Get used to it. You’re well and truly whipped.’ And then he roared with laughter as I snarled at him.

‘Gods, you’re a pussy-whipped bastard. Not all of us are ruled by our dicks,’ I snarled, furious because I knew he was right. He slammed down his glass, still laughing, and left me stewing in silence for long minutes.

‘We’re back, Majesty.’ Ajax’s voice called as he passed. Sighing, I stood and went to find Hades.

‘I’m coming with you,’ Cordelia’s voice was low and angry. I strolled into the room to find her squared off against my brother, weapons strapped across her body like a divine war goddess, eyes blazing. My cock thickened at the sight.

‘You’re human, assassin. You’ll be in the way,’ Hades responded in a bored voice.

‘She’s coming.’ I gave my brother a smug smile, and he rolled his eyes.

‘Whatever. Let’s go.’ He disappeared in a burst of black shadows.

‘Come on, Little Red. Let’s get your sister.’ I encircled her in my arms, and the mist and sea spray flashed us through the aether.

I couldn’t escape the extremely possessive personality traits my brothers and I are known for… but come hell or high water, I would have this woman.

CHAPTER 16

CORDELIA

There was a loud pop as I was blinded by bright, white light. My stomach dropped off the deep end—as if I were in a free-falling elevator, and nausea gripped me.

‘Oh, god,’ I groaned, barely steadying myself as my feet hit solid ground.

‘Gods, Cordelia. Gods.’ Si smiled smugly, and I resisted the urge to draw a blade and stab him in that huge cock.