Inescapably Hellbound (Spells That Bind Book 5) Read online

  Hades caught my hand and brought it to the front of his jeans. “I brought the wand.”

  “That was terrible,” I accused with a laugh.

  “I know, but you love me anyway,” he replied.

  “I do, you arrogant fallen angel,” I agreed.

  Hades fisted the back of my hair and kissed me. All playful teasing ended as the heat quickly built between us. I could never get tired of his kisses. It wasn’t long until I was panting and desperately clinging to his shoulders as I tried to get even closer to him. My nipples were achingly hard under my robe as they rubbed against Hades’s hard chest.

  Hades tore my robe from my body. A voice in my head warned me this was bad since I’d have nothing to wear home, but I silenced that voice. There were more important matters to consider.

  Pulling back slightly, Hades allowed his gaze to move slowly along my body. I could almost feel his fingers trailing over every inch his gaze touched.

  “I was right,” he murmured, placing both hands on my bare hips. “You are very naughty. I like that in a witch.”

  “Why don’t you show me how much you like it?” I suggested with a teasing smile.

  I squealed in surprise when Hades lifted me off the ground so I was on his shoulders, straddling his face. “If you know a good balancing spell, now would be the time to use it,” he growled against my core.

  “Oh, goddess,” I moaned before quickly mouthing the words to the spell that would help keep me from leaning back and possibly being dropped. I’d seen pictures of this position, but I’d never even considered trying it.

  Hades swirled his tongue around my clit, teasing it with light strokes that made me want to smack him to get him to move faster. When he finally picked up the speed and pressure, I moaned in appreciation. I coiled tighter as I neared my climax. The pressure built and I opened my mouth, prepared to scream with my release, when Hades pulled his tongue away from my clit and thrust it inside of me.

  “No!” I wailed. “I was close. Please.”

  He ignored my pleas, teasing me until I was struggling to rock against his face. My hands, gripping his head for support, tightened in his hair, eliciting a growl of appreciation from him. That growl vibrated along my sensitive flesh, making me whimper.

  When his mouth returned to my clit, he suckled it with just the right pressure to make me feel wild with need. I squirmed as much as the spell would allow while he sucked at my clit and flicked the sensitive tip with his tongue. It took no time at all to make me come so hard, I lost my grip on the spell. Thankfully, Hades’s powerful hands held me in place.

  Chapter 82

  Hades

  As soon as the spasms from Persephone’s orgasm subsided, I lifted her from my shoulders and spun her to face the recliner. Settling her on her knees with her hands gripping the back, I pulled her back until her perfect ass was up in the air.

  Too impatient to undress, I undid my pants and pushed them down to free my erection. I positioned the tip of my dick at her entrance and gripped her ass to spread her for me. I watched as my cock slid into her welcoming pussy. She felt so good, I had to close my eyes and focus on not coming with that first thrust.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “You feel so good inside of me.”

  “I love being inside of you,” I ground out as I focused on keeping my movements slow and controlled.

  Persephone rocked back against me, meeting each thrust. When I fucked her faster, she began to tighten around me. The heat and friction from her pushed me closer to my limit.

  “I’m almost there,” she panted out. “Harder!”

  Her command stripped away the last of my self-control. I thrust hard and fast, bringing us both over the edge.

  It took a while to recover. When I finally pulled out of her, she looked at me over her shoulder with a sated smile. “You’re incredible.”

  “I was thinking the same thing about you,” I murmured as I lifted her in my arms and carried her to my bed.

  Her eyes landed on her shredded robe. “What am I going to wear when we leave here?”

  “We’ll worry about it tomorrow,” I replied with a yawn as I settled her onto the bed and gathered her in my arms.

  With a contented sigh, she snuggled against me. “I suppose I don’t need any clothes until you’re rested up enough to leave. You are an old man.”

  “Are you trying to taunt me into proving I have the stamina to fuck you again?” I asked with a sleepy chuckle.

  “Yes,” she replied with no shame.

  “Give me twenty minutes,” was my reply.

  Chapter 83

  The Strategist

  “Why should I help you?” Psyche asked as she continued to brush her long chestnut hair. Her turquoise eyes were locked on the mirror.

  I’d always hated Psyche, but she was easy to manipulate. Psyche had been born a witch, one of those beautiful witches who didn’t feel she needed more depth. It had actually worked out for her since many failed to realize that intelligence was far more desirable than beauty. In her youth, humans had actually worshipped her. Naturally, Aphrodite had been jealous, so she’d sent Eros to deal with the problem. Eros fell in love with Psyche and bound their magic, making her immortal. She wasn’t one us. Just about everyone on Olympus looked down on her, but Psyche was too self-absorbed to notice.

  “Aren’t you bored being stuck here?” I asked.

  She shrugged and set her hairbrush down. “Not really. I’m doing the same thing I did when all of you were considered gods. Nothing’s changed for me.”

  Not everything was the same for her. “How is Eros?”

  As expected, Psyche frowned. She’d never loved anyone other than herself, but she’d always enjoyed the power she held over men, especially Eros. He’d been willing to forgive her for any sin and give her everything she desired. Eros, like Aphrodite, was getting more feeble-minded as the decades passed. He couldn’t simply go around causing mischief like the old days.

  “If I have to watch one more romantic comedy, I may cut his balls off,” she grumbled. “That’s assuming he still has balls.”

  Biting back my smile, I continued to play on Psyche’s weakness. “That’s too bad. I’ve noticed he no longer brings you tokens of his affection. He’s a shadow of his former self. Women used to envy you for having his devotion. Now, they’re glad he’s your problem. When was the last time he dressed in anything but sweatpants?”

  Psyche bit out each word as she responded. “It’s either that or a bathrobe. Not even a nice bathrobe. Have you seen what’s happened to his face? He’s got hair all over his chin. It makes him look old. And his beautiful hair! He practically shaved it off, just so he won’t have to brush it. I shouldn’t be stuck with someone who doesn’t compliment my beauty.”

  “Then help me,” I coaxed. “If we regain our power, Eros will be his old self. It’s either that or you need to find a new man to pamper you.”

  Psyche shuddered. “None of the men here are handsome enough to deserve me, and I don’t want to live in the other parts of the demon realm. They sound horrid.”

  “You could always live in the human realm,” I suggested, even knowing she’d never take that suggestion.

  “Most witches don’t even recognize me anymore,” she whined. “I was the most beautiful witch in the world. That bitch, Helen, had nothing on me. Nothing! I can’t believe so many of those stupid witches have forgotten about me. It’s not fair.”

  I wanted to laugh at her childish tirade. She was so predictable and easy to manipulate. “All I need are Eros’s lead-tipped arrows.”

  “What good will they do you?” she asked. “Only Eros can use them.

  “Leave that part to me,” I told her. “Get me the arrows, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  “I don’t have to do anything else?” the lazy bitch asked.

  “Of course not,” I lied. When the time came, I’d definitely call on Psyche to fight. With any luck, the twit would get herself killed so I would never
have to deal with her again.

  Chapter 84

  Hades

  “Two weeks?” I asked. “Why do you need two weeks to get everything tied up at your apartment?”

  I didn’t want to be away from my witch for a single night, but we’d agreed that she needed some time to pack and get everything ready for her move. It would also give the renovators time to finish the floors. Persephone didn’t like the stone floors in the main hall. I’d assumed she’d be gone a week at most.

  “I need to interview witches to take over the lease on my apartment and get my move paperwork approved by the Council of Witches. I’m glad Beatrice told me I needed to do that,” she said as she set her suitcase on the floor by the bedroom door. “I didn’t think I’d need to notify them. Apparently, I could get called before the council if I move to the demon realm without their approval.”

  “I suppose two weeks away is worth it if you can avoid going before the council,” I muttered.

  “Thank goddess I can fill out the forms online.”

  “If you can fill them out online, then I have no idea why you can’t fill them out while you’re here,” I complained.

  Persephone rolled her eyes. “I have to go back to take care of my apartment. It won’t take long to get the paperwork approved, from what I’ve been told. Besides, we’ll still see each other during those two weeks.”

  Not enough, but I decided to stop complaining and enjoy my time with Persephone before she left.

  “Would you feel better if I promise to leave my flying broom here?” she asked.

  My expression turned thoughtful as I looked at the broom in question. “Will the spell work for me?” No, I wasn’t going to miss Persephone any less, but she’d still piqued my curiosity.

  “No,” she admitted. “I meant that you can look at it as a reminder that I’ll be back.”

  “I’m not worried about you not returning,” I assured her. “If you don’t come back soon, I’ll kidnap you. I have a lot of experience in that area.”

  She laughed at my response. “What happened to your assurances that you won’t kidnap me?”

  “I made those promises before you agreed to be mine,” I replied.

  She snorted. “Yours? I never agreed to be your property.”

  “Why not?” I asked. “You own my heart. Why are you afraid to let me own yours?”

  “I’m not sure if I should laugh at how sappy you sound or hug you for being so sweet,” she replied.

  “Go with the hug,” I suggested, opening my arms for her.

  She launched herself into my arms. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “Then don’t go,” I told her. “We can hire someone to deal with your apartment, and I’ll be happy to tell the Council of Witches to go fuck themselves for you.”

  She pulled back and swatted my chest. “It won’t be that bad. When I get back, we’ll have our wedding and then we can bind our magic. Two weeks is nothing when you’re a timeless being.”

  She was right, but I still hated that our magic wasn’t bound yet. For some reason, Persephone felt she needed to wait until after our wedding ceremony. If I had to guess, I’d say her nerves were part of the reason she was putting off our bonding. Persephone was still uneasy about becoming immortal. After we were bound together, only a few angelic weapons could end her existence. She still refused to accept that she might already be immortal. I might not understand why it was hard for her to accept, but I was trying to avoid being a dick about it.

  “You’re trying hard to avoid pushing me about the bonding, aren’t you?” she asked with a laugh.

  “You know me so well,” I murmured as I snaked an arm around her lower back to pull her close.

  “Yes, and I love that you try so hard to understand my feelings,” she replied before going up on tiptoes to kiss my chin. “I also love that your beard is growing back. That civilized look wasn’t you at all.”

  “Are you saying I’m uncivilized?” I asked with mock offense.

  “Absolutely,” she replied before wiggling out of my arms. “I need to go. Lucy and Xavier will be waiting for me.”

  “They spend an awful lot of time together,” I remarked thoughtfully.

  “Lucy has a crush on Xavier,” she told me.

  “Since when?” I asked. “Do you think Lucifer knows? Ignore that last question. If Lucifer knew, he’d never let Xavier near Lucy again.”

  “I have no idea how long Lucy’s had a crush on Xavier,” she replied. “This is just my impression. Lucy’s never said anything.”

  “I never would have pictured her with someone like Xavier,” I admitted.

  “Neither would I,” she agreed. “I don’t think Xavier returns her feelings. Poor Lucy.”

  “It’s just as well,” I replied. “Lucy would walk all over Xavier. She needs someone who won’t be intimidated by her or her father.”

  Persephone giggled. “Is there anyone who’s not intimidated by Lucifer?”

  I shrugged. “Her choices are definitely limited.”

  “I really have to go. I’m going to miss you.” She gave me one last kiss before hurrying out my door to meet the guards who’d walk her to meet Lucy and Xavier at the portal.

  With a sigh, I admitted to myself that she was right to insist on going without me. Escorting her to her apartment would give my kidnapping impulses time to fully kick in. I already wanted to chase after her and drag her back to my bedroom.

  “It’s going to be a long two weeks,” I grumbled before deciding I should head to work. Hopefully, there’d be a riot to take my mind off of how much I already missed my witch.

  Chapter 85

  Persephone

  Lucy was standing outside of Lucifer’s home, arguing with a fallen angel. I had no idea where Xavier was.

  “You can leave me here,” I told the guards.

  When they hesitated, I pointed to Lucy. “I’ll be fine. You were told to escort me to Lucy, and she’s right there.” One of the guards nodded, and they left. I didn’t recognize the fallen angel with Lucy, but Lucy was obviously upset.

  The fallen angel was beautiful, with blonde hair piled high on her head, soft blue eyes, and flawless porcelain skin. She wore a long wine-colored dress, cut low to show off her cleavage.

  “How dare you talk to me this way!” the fallen angel sputtered. “I’m your mother.”

  That gave me a name for the fallen angel. From what I’d heard, Aphrodite never visited Lucy.

  Lucy snorted. “You’ve never been any kind of parent to me. I don’t know what your game is, but my dad doesn’t want to see you. He’s found someone much better than you.”

  Aphrodite’s response was a haughty laugh. “Better than me? There is no one better than me.”

  “Hi, Lucy!” I called out. My friend looked like she needed someone to help her get rid of her mom.

  The ex-goddess of love turned to me. Her eyes narrowed. “Who are you?” she demanded.

  “None of your damn business,” Lucy replied for me.

  “I’m Persephone,” I told Aphrodite. “My best friend is bound to Lucifer.”

  Aphrodite ignored what I’d said about Beatrice and focused on my name. “Persephone,” she repeated. “Why does that name sound so familiar.”

  Lucy rolled her eyes. “Remember, the curse you put on Hades?”

  Aphrodite shook her head.

  “The one that could only be broken when he found the woman named Persephone he was destined to love?” Lucy added. “You can’t have forgotten the curse.”

  “Why would I curse Hades?” Aphrodite asked. “I have nothing against him.”

  Her answer made me see red. Hades had suffered for centuries, but Aphrodite didn’t even remember the curse. “You have got to be kidding me,” I grumbled.

  “I can assure you it’s no joke,” Aphrodite replied. “Had I placed a curse on Hades, I’d remember.”

  Lucy snorted again. “This is what you get when dealing with people from Olympus. Not only do they
have shit for memories now, but they still don’t give a damn who they hurt.”

  I stepped closer to Aphrodite. “You made the man I love suffer for centuries, you selfish hag.”

  “Hag?” she screeched. “I am the most beautiful fallen angel of them all.”

  “Not even close,” I bit out. “Beauty has to come from within. You are a horrible person.” After the words left my mouth, I realized how awful they sounded. “I’m so sorry, Lucy. I shouldn’t have said that about your mother.”

  Lucy waved off my apology. “You didn’t say anything I wasn’t thinking. We should go.” Her attention returned briefly to Aphrodite. “My father isn’t going to see you.”

  “You’ll regret treating me this way,” Aphrodite warned before turning to stomp off.

  “Did I make an enemy on Olympus?” I asked Lucy.

  Lucy shook her head. “She’ll probably forget she even met you before she gets back to Olympus. There are only a few there who can tell you what they had for breakfast today. They can tell you what they ate at a feast two-thousand years ago, but not this morning.”

  “I’m glad Hades isn’t stuck in the past,” I mused. “Well, not as much as the others seem to be.”

  “He’s having hardwood floors installed in his great hall,” she reminded me. “I’d call that progress.”

  “Carpets,” I corrected her. “Yesterday, I got him to agree to carpets so it won’t be so cold.”

  “You’re really good for him,” she told me.

  “Yes, I am,” I agreed with a grin.

  Chapter 86

  The Strategist

  “What were you thinking?” I demanded as I stalked toward Aphrodite.

  “I had to see him!” she whined. “Lucifer wants me. How could he not want me? I’m the mother of his child.” She droned on about how much Lucifer desired her.

  Normally, I didn’t care if Aphrodite pranced off to Lucifer’s home in hopes of gaining his favor again. Hearing about Lucifer sending her away was usually entertaining—not so much when I was trying to get Hades to believe there was no longer a threat from anyone on Olympus.