A Touch of Malice
by Scarett St. Clair
Self-Published
Book 3 in the Hades & Persephone series
Persephone and Hades are engaged.
In retaliation, Demeter summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard unless her daughter calls off her engagement.
When the Olympians intervene, Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided. Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter or prohibit their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead?
Nothing is certain but the promise of war.
Age Recommendation:
18+
Genre:
Romance
Erotica
Mythology
A Touch of Malice by Scarlett St. Clair is the third book in her Hades and Persephone series, and is written from the POV of Persephone. After a whirlwind romance, Persephone accepts Hades proposal, and they are finally engaged. Demeter is enraged, and she buries New Greece in a never ending blizzard, and will not end it until her daughter leaves Hades. When the Olympians get involved, and the fate of Persephone and Hades marriage is in their hands, they are divided. Will the Olympians take care of Demeter, and bless Hades and Persephone's union, or will they side with her mother, and tear them apart? One thing is for certain - no matter what is decided, war is coming.
Woah. Where did this come from? I spent the last two books complaining that I felt like I was reading the same plot to many romance books, and a story arc that was chaotic, to this - a nice, clean story line, that was paced well, and felt like it's own book. Whereas the last two books had a lot of new love angst, Hades and Persephone are an established couple now. They are FINALLY understanding the importance of communication, and because of this, understand one another. I didn't feel overwhelmed with too much plot, yet the pacing was good, and I was never bored with the book. In fact, towards the end, I couldn't put it down. Do you hear that? I COULDN'T put it down! And that cliffhanger? What the fuck, Scarlett?
I know, I know. I bitched about the last two books. And it still has it's issues. One instance being that in the last book, it started snowing and it was August, but in this book, it's July. But I am glad I stuck with the series. #booktok recommendations are ... well, iffy for me. And after the last two books, I was wondering why people love these books so much. But after A Touch of Malice ... I get it. This one is good. Now to wait for the next book ...
Persephone giving Hades a time limit for sex so they wouldn't be later to Sybil's party
Never Have I Ever
Hades and Persephone playing with the children
Hades and Persephone fucking in her mothers temple
Hades and Persephone playing cards
Persephone giving Hades the blowjob under his desk in his office
The wedding
Apollo and Hermes siding with Persephone, and Persephone kicking ass against Hera
Persephone standing up to her mother
Persephone: "I want control."
Hades: "I will help you claim it."
Hades: "Don't make me stop."
Persephone: "You have thirty minutes."
Hades paused, looking up at her from the ground.
Hades: "Only thirty?"
Persephone: "Do you need more?"
He offered a wicked grin.
Hades: "Darling, we both know I could make you come in five, but what if I'd like to take my time?"
Persephone: "Later. We have a party to attend, and I still need to make cupcakes."
Hades frowned
Hades: "Is it not a mortal custom to be fashionably late?"
Persephone: "Did Hermes tell you that?"
Hades: "Is he wrong?"
Persephone: "I will not be later to Sybil's party, Hades. If you wish to please me then you'll make me come and on time."
Hades smirked.
Hades: "As you wish, my darling."
Hades: "What?"
Persephone: "You promised to behave."
Hades: "It is not in my nature to appease mortals."
Persephone: "But it is in your nature to appease me."
Hades: "Alas. You are my greatest weakness."
Ben: "Neat? Real whiskey drinkers at least add water."
Hades: "I add the blood of mortals."
Zofie: "My lord!"
she exclaimed and bowed quickly.
Persephone: "You don't have to do that here, Zofie."
Zofie: "But ... he is the Lord of the Underworld."
Hermes: "We're all aware. Look at him - he's the only goth in the room."
Hades glared.
Hermes: "Since everyone's here, let's play a game!"
Helen: "What's the game? Poker?"
Everyone: "No!"
Everyone said in unison, eyes shifting to Hades, who glared as if he wished to incinerate them.
Helen: "Never have I ever faked an orgasm."
Persephone wasn't sure what came over her - but at that statement, she tipped her drink back and swallowed a gulp of wine. As she sat the glass down, Hades raised a brow and his eyes darkened. She could feel his energy against her own, demanding. He was eager to have her speak - to taste her skin and confirm she had lied.
She didn't expect Hades to challenge her in front of everyone.
Hades: "If that is true, I will happily rectify the situation."
Hermes: "Oh. Someone's getting fucked tonight."
Persephone: "Shut up, Hermes."
Hermes: "What? You're just lucky he didn't carry you away to the Underworld the moment you lifted that glass."
Once, she'd asked Hades why he preferred whiskey as his drink of choice.
Hades: "It's healthy."
She'd snorted.
Hades: "It is. It helps me relax."
Persephone: 'But you drink it constantly."
Hades: "I like to feel relaxed constantly."
Hades: "Before you, I only knew loneliness, even in a room full of people - it was an ache, sharp and cold and constant and I was desperate to fill it."
Hades: "I never thought I'd thank the Fates for anything they gave me, but you - you were worth all of it."
Persephone: "All of what?"
Hades: "The suffering."
Apollo: "I'd like you to attend the first of the games with me. It's a chariot race."
Persephone: "Are you asking or telling?"
Apollo: "Asking. Unless you say no."
Persephone: "And here I thought you were changing."
Apollo: "Baby steps, sugar tits."
Persephone: "If Hades manifests to kill you, I'm not intervening."
Apollo: "What? It's not like I know what they taste like from experience!"
Persephone: "The simple fact that we are having this conversation is enough to send Hades into a rage."
Apollo: "Maybe you should tell him toxic masculinity isn't attractive."
Hermes: "If I was marrying Hades, I'd want a televised wedding so everyone knew that piece of ass was mine."
Persephone: "Hades ... why are at my mother's temple?"
Hades: "Visiting."
Persephone: "I do not wish to visit."
Hades: "Your mother wants to fuck with us. Then we shall fuck with her."
Persephone: "Do you intend to burn her temple to the ground?"
Hades: "Oh, darling. I am far too depraved for that."
Persephone: "Always."
He shuddered and closed his eyes.
Hades: "That word."
Persephone: "What's wrong with that word?"
Hades: "Nothing. It's ... perfect."
What he drew was a ten of spades.
Lightning-fast, Hades' hand came down upon the deck with a loud bang.
Persephone flinched and stared at him in surprise. She hadn't expected him to move so fast - or to remember the rules so well.
Hades: "What? You said to slap."
Persephone: "That wasn't a slap, that was more like a collision."
Persephone: "Careful. Ivy will scold you for smudging the glass."
Hades: "Do you think she will have an opinion if I fuck you against it?"
Hades: "I cannot promise we will not have war a thousand times over during our lifetime. But I will promise that I will never leave you willingly."
Hermes: "You think Hades is going to let you go to a sex club?"
Persephone: "I'll make him come."
Hermes: "I'm sure you will, Sephy, but not there."
Hermes: "Grief means we loved fiercely ... and if that is all anyone ever has to say about wither one of us in the end, I think we lived our best life."
Artemis: "You have an insufferable mouth, goddess."
Persephone: "I think that is the only thing you and Hades would agree on."
Artemis rolled her eyes and stalked away.
Hermes: "Ignore her. She has a stick up her vagina."
Persephone: "It's ass, Hermes. Stick up her ass."
He shrugged
Hermes: "They're close."
Thanatos: "She will reincarnate one day."
Persephone: "And?"
Thanatos: "She will not remember me."
Persephone: "I do not understand what you are trying to say."
Thanatos: "I am saying that she and I - we cannot be."
Persephone: "You would deprive yourself of a moment of happiness?"
Thanatos: "To escape a lifetime of pain? Yes."
Apollo: "If you make war against them, you make war against me."
Hermes: "And me."
Zeus: "You would commit treason?"
Apollo: "It wouldn't be the first time."
Zeus: "You are as dogged as your mother."
Persephone: "I believe the word you are looking for is strong willed."