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The morning dawned in a kaleidoscope of pinks, blues and purples, filling the bedroom with soft light. Lexi stretched her arm over Hades' back as he lay on his stomach, the cadence of his breathing lulling her like white noise. He looked so content. Was his mind replaying the memory of their reunion and the sexual exploits that occurred after they dined on the decadent feast prepared by the nymphs? Dinner tasted divine but dessert was so much better. He took her in front of the fireplace, on the snow-covered balcony, under the canopy of his four poster bed. She never wanted it to end, and her hunger lingered as she greeted the day.

A bath was definitely on the agenda, followed by breakfast to replace the lost carbs. She also wanted to visit the minotaurs and share the news about the temporary cessation of the hunt. At least they could breathe easy over the winter until she figured out how to convince the council what a bunch of narrow-minded stuffed shirts they were. Okay, maybe she would take a different approach. She still had to figure out what the hell to do about the council's proposal. No way was she spending half the year in Olympus, and she didn't even want to entertain the thought of being Poseidon's consort. Sure, he had tried to redeem himself by begging for her mercy, but she was not some piece of fucking flesh to barter with. How Neanderthal.

Slipping out of bed, Lexi padded to the bathroom, grabbing the bottle of lemon verbena oil from the shelf as she made her way to the tub. She tugged on a chain hanging against the wall and the tub began filling with water, heated instantly by the furnace beneath it. A stack of fluffy towels sat nearby, as well as plush slippers in case her feet got cold, but she never felt cold inside the castle. Maybe it was Hades' presence that kept her warm, or maybe she had her own internal furnace to pull from. That would explain the lightning bolts.

Lexi emptied a few drops of flowery oil into the bath and stepped in, letting the fragrant water cover her. As she slowly submerged, a knock came at the door.

"Enter," she called out.

Sella slipped into the room, her arms balancing a full tray of what looked like breakfast. "I heard the water running and thought you might enjoy having breakfast while you bathed, my lady."

"You are a saint, Sella. I was just thinking about breakfast."

The smell of cinnamon apple oatmeal competed with the lemon verbena as Sella set up a small table next to the tub. She poured a glass of orange juice from a carafe and handed it to Lexi, peeking into the bath with curiosity. Lexi never minded when the nymphs looked at her nude body. She knew they were just admiring her.

"Will Lord Hades be joining you?" Sella asked. "I will bring up a tray for him as well."

"I think he's still asleep, but if that changes I will call from the speaker tube."

"Very good, my lady. Is your bath warm enough? I noticed the fires were not burning as hot while you were gone. I think it had something to do with the mood his lordship was in." Sella bent over the furnace and something pinged against the side of the tub. "Ouch!"

"Sella! What happened?" Lexi lifted out of the water as Sella shook her hand wildly.

"I burnt my hand. Ooh, it really stings."

"Give me your hand quickly." Lexi reached out and Sella laid her hand on Lexi's palm. The burn site was already fiery red. "I'm going to try to heal it. If it doesn't work, we need to put ointment on it straight away."

Sella nodded mutely as Lexi closed her hands over Sella's injured one. If she really did have the power to heal wounds, this would be the time to test it. She felt a buzz as her powers kicked in, but she certainly didn't want to use electricity. Wind probably wouldn't do much good either. The best she could do was imagine Sella's hand healed and send her thoughts of love. Love seemed to be the common thread that connected all her amazing feats. It sounded so cliché - love heals all, but it was the easiest emotion for her to conjure.

As they stood together, hands clasped, Hades walked into the room, naked as the day he was born. He stopped short to take in the scene. "I heard a cry of pain and thought I would come investigate. It seems I have only managed to interrupt prayer time."

"It was a cry of pain. Sella burnt her hand on the furnace," Lexi said, although she spoke to the floor as she concentrated on her task.

"Lady Lexi is trying to heal me with her immense powers," Sella added.

Hades swept his fingers through his unkempt hair as he watched, and Lexi couldn't help spying on him out of the corner of her eye. He reminded her of one of those devil-may-care rogues from an old black and white movie. Just put a cigarette in his hand and dress him in a pinstriped suit. Actually, forget the suit.

"The sting is gone, my lady," Sella said, as she moved her fingers inside Lexi's hand. Lexi released her and they both inspected the burn sight. There was no wound to be seen, and only a pinprick of redness remained.

"You've done it, Lady Lexi. You have the power to heal. What a truly gifted goddess you are." Sella wrapped her arms around Lexi, her gauze dress soaking up the moisture on Lexi's body. When Sella pulled away, her breasts were quite visible through the wet fabric.

"I suppose you won't need that ointment, then." Lexi smiled, feeling extremely content with herself as she imagined the endless ways she could use her gifts. She could travel the world healing people. She just needed to convince the council to let her leave the underworld. Melinoe and Kade used their gifts to torment humans. Why couldn't she use her gifts to help them?

"Shall I bring up that other breakfast tray now that Lord Hades is awake?" Sella bounced on her toes, turning her hand this way and that as if Lexi had given her a brand new one.

Hades appeared to be lost in thought as both Lexi and Sella waited for his reply. "I would love some breakfast, Sella," he said, finally. "Take your time bringing it up. In fact, you can leave it outside the door."

"As you wish." Sella giggled into her hand before bowing herself out of the room.

When the door closed, Lexi became aware that her skin had developed chill bumps, but she didn't feel the least bit cold. She also realized Hades had not left his spot as he stared at her intently. She summoned him with her finger and a smile displaced the serious expression he'd been wearing. What was he thinking, besides having his way with her in the bath? Like a man on a mission, he made his way across the room and stepped into the tub. Lexi reached down and dipped her hand in the water, then she brushed her finger over his bare chest, leaving a wet trail.

"I didn't get a chance to tell you something when I woke up this morning," she said.

"Oh?"

"I didn't get to tell you I love you, just in case you had forgotten." She leaned into his mouth and kissed him, the taste of orange juice on her tongue flavoring the taste of sleep on his. She couldn't imagine ever tiring of his taste, it tempted her and made her dizzy with desire. Even after their night of wild abandon, she wanted him more than ever.

"I will never forget something as important as your love. My fortune is greater than any god, living or dead."

Lexi smiled and pulled him down into the oil-infused water. She slipped her legs over the top of his and took his hand, intertwining their fingers. "I never want us to be apart, Hades, but I don't want us to be trapped here either. Eventually, it will cause resentment, whether we want to admit it or not."

He nodded reluctantly. "I know."

"But I'm willing to let the council members sweat it out for a while, at least until hunting season is over. Hopefully, they won't push me to decide before then."

Hades pursed his lips, looking doubtful. "Hopefully."

"Is there something you want to say? You seem distracted."

"You mean besides the fact that I am distracted by your heavenly body?"

"Is that all it is?"

"No."

She lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed it. "Can you share it with me?"

"If I do, will you try to love me in spite of it?"

Lexi's pulse revved behind her ribs. Where was he going with his questioning? "That sounds like the intro to a loaded question."

"You're right. I should not put parameters on something you haven't heard yet." He swept his wet hand through his hair, slicking it back so only half of it stuck up. "I think you should accept Poseidon's proposal. We can handle being apart four days a month, and it will give us the freedom to travel to the mortal world where you can share your unique gifts with those who need it."

It was clear Hades hated the idea like poison, but Lexi knew why he had suggested it. Despite the underworld's charms, with mysteries and inhabitants she had yet to explore, it wouldn't take long to tire of it, and Hades had already spent... well, he'd been there a very long time. But a consort to Poseidon, the god with an ego as big as the sea he commanded? The thought of sharing herself with him again made her feel wretched. Could she ever get past his lecherous deception and learn to trust him?

"I know it's unfair to take you down with me if I snub the council," she said. "I could never live with that guilt, and I'm glad you told me how you feel, but I'm not ready to make a decision just yet. I don't want things to change between us when they're so good."

She lowered her body into the water and drifted toward him until her breasts rested against his chest. Then she took him into her hands and stroked him to an aroused state. This was exactly where she wanted to be, taking pleasure in the man she loved, and no amount of threats from half-witted gods were going to get in her way.


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