That Fatal Kiss by Mina Lobo Read Free Book Online Page A

blazed with a ferocity that made the goddess feel her first twinge of fear since her capture.
    As his tongue whipped hers, Persephone felt his free hand grasping her dress and tearing it. That she would soon stand naked before him if she didn’t act quickly galvanized the goddess into action.
    Using every bit of divinity within her, Persephone pushed. As Hades staggered back, his face registered momentary surprise. Then it twisted into a severe mask of determination and he reached for her, but she ducked under his arms.
    The god spun about and Persephone held up a placating hand. “Let it end now, Hades, before one of us gets hurt.”
    Hades gave an angry laugh as he circled her. “You think yourself capable of hurting me ?”
    The goddess maintained a defensive stance as she turned in place, taking in his every move. “It appears I already have.”
    At that, Hades lunged for her, but she caught his arm, twisted it behind him, and pushed him face forward into the ebony portal. “I warned you that I’d resort to violence, if necessary,” she said against his back, throwing all her weight into keeping him still. “But you underestimated my might, didn’t you?”
    “And you overestimate my temperance,” Hades said, before jabbing an elbow back and successfully knocking the goddess to the floor.
    The stabbing sensation in her chest meant cracked ribs, but she knew it would take her only a few seconds to heal them. Except, Hades wasn’t giving her time to recover, and Persephone struggled to breathe as he hauled her up from the floor. As his hand went for the bodice of her slipping gown, the goddess pushed past the pain to block it. Her other hand fisted and she struck a blow to his temple. When the god swayed backward, Persephone landed another punch to his face, then his throat. While he struggled to regain his senses, she ran a shaking hand over her chest and soon breathed more easily, though the throbbing ache remained.
    Panting, the goddess saw Hades advance upon her and brought up her fists. “Haven’t you had enough?”
    But the god didn’t reach for her again. Instead, he stared at the already fading bruises above the now ragged neckline of her gown. “What were you just doing to yourself?”
    “Healing my ribs,” Persephone said, prepared to strike at the merest hint of aggression. “You cracked them.”
    “I....” Hades raised his eyes to hers, his face drawn. “But you healed them? You’ll be all right?”
    Feeling the worst was over but unwilling to let down her guard, the goddess said, “That depends on you.”
    A loud knocking sounded at the bedchamber door. Hades willed the portal open to reveal a very tall, handsomely attired elderly man. His face showed his concern as he said, “Ione told me to come quickly, that unusual sounds were coming from your bedchamber…” The mortal’s speech slowed as he took in Persephone’s disheveled appearance and Hades’ nudity. Deliberately turning his eyes away from both, he asked, “Is aught amiss?”
    “Tell Ione not to worry,” Hades said. “She won’t be hearing them again.” The god snatched up his clothes and made to exit the chamber.
    “But wait, what of your…injuries, my Lord?” the man asked delicately.
    Hades cast an eye over himself, took in the scrapes, the cuts, and his own forming bruises. “I will suffer with them,” he said, leaving the other two staring after him as he abruptly quit the room.
    The mortal turned to Persephone and bowed. “My Lady.”
    The goddess lowered her arms gave a nod by way of greeting. “I’m afraid I don’t know your name.”
    “I am Rhadamanthys, I serve as one of the judges of this kingdom and aid my Lord Hades in the running of Tartarus.” He offered her a kind smile. “And I stand ready to be of service to you as well, should you ever choose to call upon me.”
    Persephone managed to return the smile as she eased herself onto the foot of the bed. “Then you know who I