Read That Fatal Kiss for Free Online

bringing an arm up over her eyes, as if she could blind herself to the truth. She forced herself to put such matters out of her mind and focus, instead, on what had eluded her thus far: a plan of action.
    If her mother were able to free her, all would return to normal. If not, Persephone would have to resign herself to her fate and find some way to get along with the Lord of the Underworld.
    If she must be his queen, Persephone vowed to herself that she would not submit to Hades without first establishing some measure of equality. The god must not think that his true conquest of her would transpire as easily as his capture of her had.
    But what to do in the meantime? He’d succinctly expressed his expectations. He wanted to mate with her, that very night, if the goddess remembered correctly. Once again, Persephone felt herself go hot and cold. But, despite her incredible attraction to him, she was not prepared to become intimate with someone she could only consider a stranger.
    What if Hades pressed her? What if he tried to rape her? She abruptly sat up on the bed. Would he? The goddess thought over what little she’d experienced of him. He’d taken her but had not harmed her. He’d been gentle with her, provided for her. And there was something in the way he’d kissed her…Persephone believed he must care for her, to some extent, else he’d have already forced himself upon her. She prayed to the Fates that he cared enough not to attempt any further harm, for both their sakes.

V.

    Zeus’ Palace, Mount Olympus
     
    “YOU HELPED HIM do this thing, did you not?” asked Athena of her father. She mentioned nothing of her suspicions to Artemis or the others, fearing to spark another battle amongst the gods. But she had to know if her assumption was correct, for only then could she hope to save her sister.
    Zeus appeared to bear his daughter’s scrutiny with equanimity. “Helped who, do what thing?”
    The goddess’ eyes narrowed. “Remember that I sprang from your head at my birth and I know exactly how your mind works.”
    “Am I to take it that you are accusing me of something, my most beloved daughter?”
    “You have allowed, nay; you have aided Hades in Persephone’s abduction.”
    Zeus smiled, as if pleased by her cleverness.
    Then Athena added, “I’m going to get her back.”
    Now the King of the Gods scowled dreadfully, saying, “You will not get her back, nor will you tell Demeter, nor anyone what has happened! Persephone could ask for no better husband, and at any rate, it’s too late now. You may not interfere in this matter, I forbid it!” His voice rang so loudly that the Heavens began to shake. Lowering it, he continued, “If the Fates choose to give Persephone back to us, it will happen soon enough. For now we must let events transpire as they may. Do I have your oath that you will obey me in this?”
    Athena drew closer to her father and knelt before him. “Why did you let him take her, Father?”
    “My dear, as much as I love you, I cannot allow you to challenge me.”
    “I understand,” Athena said. “But you love Persephone and Demeter, as well. Hades must have delivered some awful threat for you to agree to his scheme.”
    “Be that as it may,” Zeus said, reaching for his daughter’s chin. “It has been accomplished in accordance with my will and may not now be undone.”
    “Did he threaten a battle for supremacy?” she persisted.
    “In a manner of speaking.”
    “But Father,” Athena said, “you know that only a male born of my mother may ever wrest power away from you. Now that she is no longer a threat, I cannot fathom what you have to fear from Hades.”
    Zeus smiled again. “You are so wise, my dearest. This is why I treasure you above my other children. Now you must continue to honor me by allowing Hades’ drama to play itself out to its conclusion. Swear by the Styx that you will not tell anyone the truth behind Persephone’s disappearance, or where she can be