Page 138

Eve

I glanced at a blindfolded Hades for what was probably the tenth time as I tiptoed toward the first red flag. Sweat dripped from my brow, and I froze, afraid he would hear it.

He tilted his head slightly, and my heart flipped.

But he didn’t turn toward me.

Relief threatened to spill out in a breath, but I swallowed it down. Not yet.

I moved again, each step light against the padded floor. The flag dangled just ahead, swaying faintly as if mocking me.

I can do this.

I reached up, fingers brushing the edge of the cloth—

"Impatient," Hades’ voice cut through the silence. Smooth. Unbothered.

I snatched my hand back like the flag had burned me.

His head remained turned slightly away, blindfold covering his eyes, but somehow he still felt me.

"Slow down, Red," he drawled, arms crossed over his chest. "Or have you forgotten how this ends?"

I swallowed hard, fists clenching. He’s bluffing.

I reached for the flag again, this time slower. My fingertips skimmed the fabric, and I carefully slipped it off the hook.

One down.

I pivoted, eyes flicking to the next flag across the room. Three minutes felt shorter than I thought.

Moving toward the second, I measured each step, keeping light on my feet. The room felt suffocating in its silence, like the walls were listening.

Halfway there.

Hades shifted, and I halted mid-step.

He faced me now, though his eyes were still obscured. His head tilted like he could hear my hesitation.

"Panic’s already setting in," he murmured. "You have time, but you’re rushing."

I grit my teeth and pressed forward. The second flag hung lower, an easy grab if I stayed calm. I crouched and gently pulled it free.

Two down.

I took a step back—

"Still too loud," Hades said softly, turning his head just slightly in my direction.

I froze again, gripping the flag in my hand tighter. I didn’t make a sound.

My pulse hammered so loud it felt like even that was betraying me.

Seconds ticked by. I waited for him to move, to give me an opening.

But he didn’t.

He just stood there, calm as ever, as if daring me to continue.

One minute left.

I exhaled silently and made for the third flag, faster this time. If I keep waiting, I’ll lose.

The flag hung near the ropes. I reached out—

Before my fingers even touched it, Hades shifted again.

I yanked my hand back, but it was too late.

His hand shot out, brushing lightly against my wrist. "Got you."

I sucked in a sharp breath as he gently tugged the flag from my hand.

"Try again," he said, stepping back into the center. His blindfold remained in place, but somehow, his stare felt heavy, like he could see through it.

I bit the inside of my cheek, hating the flicker of satisfaction I caught on his face.

Thirty seconds.

I darted to the fourth flag, forcing myself to move quicker.

The moment I grabbed it, Hades spoke again. "Desperation’s louder than footsteps, Red."

I jerked around—

He was already there.

His hand caught the edge of the flag, tugging it loose with ease.

I stared at him, breathless. "You’re blindfolded."

"I don’t need to see to know where you are," he replied, voice calm and infuriating.

I stepped back, empty-handed.

Fifteen seconds left.

One flag left.

I darted toward the final flag near the exit, shoving down the rising frustration.

I nearly had it when I felt him behind me.

His hand grazed my shoulder before I could react, effortlessly slipping the last flag from my grip.

The timer buzzed.

Hades removed the blindfold with deliberate ease, silver eyes locking onto mine. His smirk was slow, smug.

"Three minutes," he said, twirling the flag between his fingers. "And not a single one left to show for it."

I glared at him, breathing hard. Goddess, I hated losing.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough to make the words crawl over my skin. "You rush when you get nervous. I can hear it. Feel it." His gaze swept over me, lingering. "Control that, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll stand a chance next time."

He turned to walk away, tossing the flag back to me without looking.

"Or," he added, "you’ll just keep handing me victories."

I knew what was coming next and I steeled myself. "You won and I lost."

He turned me, a smirk on his lips. "Look at you..." He eyes grazed my body, his voice teasing. "Stating that obvious."

I brushed off his tone. "What is my punishment?"

His smirk grew, one dimple dipping and for a second I wondered how long it took that goddess to sculpt his face because I doubted, she left the task to her help. I could hang sworn that he only took one step before he swallowed the space between us in an heartbeat. "Let’s go out," he whispered.

I blinked. "Go out? Go out where?"

He frowned slightly and if he was offended I did not get his very clever joke. "Red, I am asking you out on a proper date."

I blinked again, staring at him like he’d just grown a second head. "You’re joking."

Hades arched a brow. "Do I look like I’m joking?"

"Yes," I said flatly. "You always look like you’re joking."

The corner of his mouth twitched. "That’s fair. But not this time." He stepped closer, voice dropping to that dangerous, quiet tone that made the air between us feel too heavy. "Come on, Red. Let me take you out."

I crossed my arms, leaning back slightly as if the distance would help me think clearer. It didn’t. "I thought these challenges were supposed to make me stronger, not… turn into date night."

"They are." His silver gaze dragged over me, slower this time. "But there’s more to training than just fights, you know."

I narrowed my eyes. "And a date qualifies as training how?"

His smirk returned. "If I say so."

I crossed my arms. "You didn’t need to ask me. You took me to the art gallery without my knowing."

He raised a brow.

"I loved it but that is not the point,"

"I want this to be real date. With all the traditional things. And you will have to wear my little gift."

"Little gift?"

And just like that, as if from thin air, he brought a little black box to my face. "Here. You will wear this for our date." He offered it to me and I tentatively took it from him.

"Open it, Red," his voice was a sultry command.

My eyes flickered from him to his little gift. It was probably a piece of jewelry. I lifted the over of the box and the world tilted beneath me, my eyes widening.

But when my eyes shifted to Hades again, he was still smirking.

Maybe I was seeing things, so I looked down at the item nestled in the velvet. It was small, pink, round, and smooth with a string attached.

I snapped the box shut so fast I nearly pinched my fingers.

"What the hell, Hades?" My voice shot up an octave, the heat crawling up my neck spreading to my ears.

His smirk didn’t budge. If anything, it deepened, one brow lifting in mock innocence. "Something wrong with your gift?"

"Gift?" I hissed, holding the box like it might explode. "This isn’t a gift. It’s—" I stopped myself, cheeks burning hotter. I wasn’t about to say it out loud.

Hades stepped closer, the space between us dissolving like it always did when he got that look—predatory and too amused for my sanity.

"I thought you’d like something that would keep you on edge," he murmured, voice low enough to send a shiver down my spine. "Consider it part of your training, Red. Control, remember?"

I couldn’t decide if I wanted to slap him or sink into the floor. Probably both.

"You are so perverse," I gritted out, trying to shove the box back into his hand.

Hades didn’t take it. Instead, his fingers lightly curled around mine, keeping the box pressed against my palm. His touch lingered, firm but gentle, as his thumb brushed over the back of my hand.

"I mean it," he said, quieter now. "Wear it tonight."

I searched his face, half-expecting the smug grin to crack and reveal the joke beneath it. But there was nothing—just silver eyes watching me carefully, waiting.

I swallowed, pulse hammering annoyingly loud in my ears. He’s not kidding.

I pulled my hand away, tucking the box into my pocket before I could second-guess myself. "Fine. But if this is some elaborate trick to humiliate me, I swear I’ll—"

"You’ll what?" His grin returned, sharp and teasing. "Throw your drink in my face? I’d like to see that."

I glared at him, lips twitching. "Don’t tempt me."

He chuckled, stepping back with that slow, deliberate grace that made it impossible not to watch him leave. "Seven o’clock, Red. Be ready."

I stood there long after he was gone, fingers still brushing against the outline of the little black box.

I was going to wear a vibrator on a date. What the hell was I going to do?