Read Online Darklight by Jill Myles - Free Book Online Page A

out before him.
    On a white, silk-draped couch, Persephone reclined, completely nude. Her tanned skin
    glowed with health, golden brown all over. Her long, curling hair had been artfully arranged with tumbled leaves, splashes of green in her sunset mane. Her small, high breasts thrust into the air, her nipples hard, as if anticipating the sight of him.
    She was a goddess in every sense of the word. Beautiful, strong, and sure of herself.
    In front of her lay a silver tray and a knife. A pomegranate had been split, dozens of juicy red seeds spilling out on the tray in front of her.
    “Hermes,” Persephone said in an even, steady voice. “How nice to see you.”
    And she popped a pomegranate seed into her mouth.
    Joy rushed through him as her green eyes flicked to him and her mouth curved in a smile stained with pomegranate juice. With that small gesture, she’d proven her choice.
    Not just to him, but to the gods themselves.
    Hermes’s lip curled as Hades glanced back at the messenger. “Zeus is not going to be
    pleased.”
    “He cannot take my bride from me,” Hades said, a triumphant note in his voice. “You know the laws of the underworld.”
    The messenger god gave a haughty sniff. “I’ll share this news with Lord Zeus.” And he zipped out of the room, faster than light.
    It was only Hades and Persephone in the bedchamber, now. He approached his goddess, his heart swelling with love for her. Even as he approached, she lightly popped another seed into her mouth.
    “You have chosen, my love?” he asked.
    She leaned forward, running a hand along the curve of her breast in a sensual gesture. “I choose you. I want a lifetime of pleasure at your side. I want to rule the underworld with you. I won’t settle for being just your assistant. I want so much more.”
    “You shall have everything,” he said in a husky voice, pushing aside the tray and sitting on the couch next to her lovely reclining body. “Everything.”
    “I know,” she said, and a reddish-tinged smile curved her lips. “That is why I think we’ll be good together. You want me to be happy.”
    His fingers brushed over her silky cheek. “You have made me very happy, my queen.”
    She nuzzled against his touch, smiling.
    There was another pop of the atmosphere. “Zeus is angry,” Hermes announced, returning with a whoosh of a breeze that startled Persephone. “And Demeter is furious. She says you are holding her daughter captive.”
    “I’m not a captive,” Persephone said in a firm voice. “I’m the queen of the underworld.”
    Hermes sighed and zipped away again.
    “They will fight us on this,” Hades observed, warning her.
    “Of course they will,” she said in a soft voice. “The goddess of spring doesn’t belong in such a dark place. I have chosen to be at your side. Now, kiss me and show me that I’ve made the right choice.”
    He did, leaning down over the couch to brush his lips over hers. It was not a kiss of possession, but one of intense tenderness, and she smiled up at him.
    “Will Hermes be back?” She asked.
    He paused for a minute. “No,” he decided. “They will be expecting us to return to Olympus tomorrow, with our tails tucked between our legs. And I will not let them have you back.” “My thoughts exactly.” She seemed almost sad.
    Hades stood up from the couch and picked her up in his arms. “Then, we move to the bed.”
    He carried her slim figure across the room, pleased at how her arms twined around his neck. He laid her gently in the bed as if he carried the greatest of treasures.
    She smiled up at him, looking quite pleased with herself.
    He got up and quickly crossed the room, shutting the double doors and locking them. If Hermes did return, he’d get the hint to stay out of their bedroom. With that done, he returned to Persephone’s side, stripping out of his own clothing.
    She rolled over onto her side, watching him undress with avid, fascinated eyes. Her gaze was appreciative as she