Death Do Us Part: Gods of DC, #4

By Tricia Andersen

MOUNT OLYMPUS MEETS THE PARANORMAL
Hades and Persephone share a love that is known by millions over thousands of years. But even the greatest of love affairs can hit rocky ground. Zeus forces them apart, banishing Hades into the deepest, darkest parts of Tartarus and into the hands of Hades's father, Cronus. If that isn't enough, the king of the Greek gods tears Persephone away from her mother, Demeter, promising to find her a more suitable husband.
The rest of the family races to find a way to bring Hades home and reunite the lovers before a deity ends up dead. But when the mysterious tears in reality show their true purpose, will any of them survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tricia Andersen
• Release date: Jun 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201635855

Tricia Andersen

Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband and her three children.  She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations.   For the past five years, Tricia has been a member of Hard Drive Performance Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an affiliate of Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has experience in kickboxing and currently trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Even though she has never competed in an MMA cage, she’s witnessed and been a part of a fighter’s journey from fight camp to their walk to the cage. She also has competed in jiu jitsu. Learn more about Tricia Andersen and her books at www.triciaandersen.com.

Book preview

To Renee, my amazing editor, the most patient person on earth for dealing with me. With all my love.

Chapter One

The summer sun beamed down on the emerald green hills and valleys. Persephone squeezed Hades’ hand as she held it in hers. This wasn’t the best time for a mini vacation. They both knew that. However, it was hard to tell her husband no when he suggested a get-away to clear their heads.

Why he chose her mother’s farmhouse was beyond her. Her mother had promised that Hades’ cottage would be done by now. She hoped it was true. It was awkward enough to be intimate with Hades under Demeter’s roof. It was going to be beyond uncomfortable if she heard a hint of Demeter in the deep throes of passion with her new, young, hot husband.

She cringed at the thought. She didn’t care if Freddy was a nearly two hundred year old once-leprechaun-now-demigod. He looked like he was barely out of diapers and every time he kissed her mother it made her skin crawl.

My love, are you alright? Hades questioned. She looked at him to find him studying her.

She forced a smile on her face. Of course. Why do you ask?

I felt you shiver.

It’s nothing.

Seph, we’ve been together for thousands of years. It’s the pure definition of a long-term relationship. I know when something is bothering you. Talk to me.

She stopped at the steps that led into the house. It’s hard to explain.

Hades gazed at the door. He’s essentially your step-father now.

Don’t remind me.

Persephone, I know you don’t like Freddy. But Sweetheart, I’ve spent quite a bit of time with him shoring up the foundations of our kingdom and trying to figure out where those fissures are coming from. He’s a hard worker and dedicated to what he does. Most of all, he loves your mom nearly as much as I love you. He is devoted to her. You need to give him a chance.

I’m trying. Let’s just go in and get this over with. Then we can go hide in our cabin and forget they exist.

Until they want to have supper with us.

Please stop complicating it, Hades. She stomped up the steps and threw open the door. Maybe she should have knocked but up until this Spring this had been her home during this time of the year. The cold realization hit her as the door swung wide. The occupants of the house were still in the honeymoon phase. She could very well find Freddy stark naked doing lord-of-the-underworld-knows-what to her mother.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she found no one in the foyer. Her eyes widened at the mess of cardboard, Styrofoam and packing strewn everywhere. She could see used mugs, plates and the occasional sock on the end tables in view. This wasn’t like Demeter. The goddess stressed the importance of keeping a clean and tidy home. A goddess should keep her abode as pristine as Olympus itself.

Persephone turned to her husband. Hades looked as concerned as she felt. He cleared his throat then called out. Dee? Freddy? Either of you home?

The only response they got was giggles. Hades sucked a breath through his teeth as he squeezed her hand. Together they walked into the living room.

The remnants of breakfast sat cold on a shoved aside coffee table. Empty plastic bags - items normally banned in her mother’s house - lay scattered all over. Pieces of carved wood burrowed with pins and screws littered the floors and sofas.

In the eye of the chaos were Demeter and Freddy, lying on their backs side-by-side. They gazed into each other’s eyes while wearing the biggest, goofiest grins Persephone had ever seen.

Mother? Are you okay? Persephone asked with as much caution as she could muster.

I’m perfect, Seph, Demeter almost cooed in response.

Persephone turned back to her husband. They’re not okay. Something is definitely wrong.

Hades caressed her arm as he smiled at her. Seph.

She glanced around the room at the pieces of wood. What is all this? It looks like a tornado, hurricane, and typhoon hit this place all at once.

We tried to put the cribs together. It didn’t go well, Freddy answered with a laugh. We should have recruited Dottie.

He broke the trance they held as he sat up. He pressed a tender kiss to Demeter’s lips as he laid a hand on his wife’s stomach.

It was then that Persephone noticed her mother sported a little round belly. She glanced around at the mess again as her eyes widened. Her voice squeaked, You’re pregnant?

Demeter beamed. Twins.

Congratulations, Hades offered.

Persephone glared at him silently. He just gave her that patient smile he always did when he felt she was overreacting. Which she wasn’t. Was she?

Thanks. Freddy pushed himself to his feet then offered his hand to his bride to help her up.

Hades motioned to the mess. Need any help with this?

Maybe later. I’m just going to straighten it up then help Dee with lunch.

What brings you two here? Demeter asked as she dusted her hands off on her denim capris.

We thought we might catch a mini vacation away from catastrophic fissures and crazed MMA fighters, Hades answered.

Is Hades’ cottage finished? Persephone questioned.

Demeter stared at her daughter. She looked stricken for a moment. She raised her hand and snapped her fingers. It is now.

Persephone huffed. Did you just use your power to finish it?

Maybe. In my defense, I’ve been busy lately. Demeter’s cheeks tinted pink as she glanced at Freddy. New hubbys take a little extra work.

Freddy wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her to him. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. Work? Is that what we’re calling it now?

Demeter pulled him down for a kiss. Persephone rolled her eyes at the display of affection.

She cleared her throat. How do we get there?

Demeter broke from the kiss and sighed. Take the trail past the barn. It’s about a hundred yards down in the clearing. It’s secluded. I thought you might want your privacy.

Thank you. We’ll leave you two alone to... Persephone’s words trailed off. She swept her arm between them.

To clean up and make lunch.

Persephone slowly exhaled. She hated the look of disappointment in her mother’s eyes. She only saw it in the fall when it was her time to return to Hades in the Underworld. Now she witnessed it loud and clear and it wasn’t even close to autumn.

I’m sorry, Persephone began. I’m still getting used to this. This time last year it was just you and me, Mom. In just a few months you’re in love, married, and pregnant. I barely know Freddy. It’s just a lot to take in.

Demeter pulled from Freddy’s embrace to cross the room to her daughter. She hugged Persephone tight. Persephone squeezed her back. It had been so long since she’d received one of these hugs from her mother. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed it.

Go settle in, Demeter instructed. Relax. Enjoy each other. I’ll text you when lunch is ready if you want to join us. If not, we’ll get it to you.

Thanks, Mom.

Hades took Persephone’s hand in his. We’ll see you later.

He led her through the kitchen and mud room then out the back door. He stopped at the bottom step and searched around. Persephone fought back a laugh. Her big, bad lord of death took charge most of the time but he looked adorable when he was out of his element.

Follow me, she instructed as she tugged him towards the barn. They strolled around the building along the fence line to the pasture. Her mother’s horses grazed in the thick grass. She didn’t miss the dark chocolate colored stallion in the middle of the mares. He wasn’t there before. The goddess had no doubt who Demeter bought him for.

The cottage was about a hundred feet down the path from the barn. It was rustic, made of dark stained logs with an evergreen painted roof. Flower boxes full of jewel colored blooms hung beneath the windows. The wood plank door was painted a rusty brown.

This is cozy, Hades commented.

Persephone scoffed. It’s not a million dollar condo or a literal palace.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed the crown of her head. Sometimes I like to get away from all that. Having the weight of all the dead on my shoulders is exhausting. There are moments I wish for something like this with you so I can remember all the reasons I fell in love with you.

Persephone grinned at him then pressed a deep, warm kiss to his lips. She pulled free from his embrace just enough grab the knob of the door and push it open.

The outside was a deceptive facade for the inside. There were no unfinished logs on the inside but instead creme painted walls with simple decor.

Persephone ran a fingertip across a distressed painted white shelf, studying the picture frame, lamp, and pitcher full of lavender stems kept there. She scowled at the shell that was nestled among the rest. She remembered the trinket. Uncle Poseidon had given it to her mother as an absent-minded birthday gift a few decades ago. It was easy to tell that Demeter knew he’d forgotten. It was sitting here instead of in her house. She must have guessed her brother would never know.

Her smile returned when Hades wrapped his hand around her wrist and tugged her back to him. She moaned when he held her tight, his hard body molded into hers.

Have any ideas on how to start our vacation? he murmured into her ear.

She felt his cock hard against her hip. She had been with this man for nearly an eternity. The sensation still made her heart race. It seems you have a few.

I do. It’ll mean we will miss lunch with your mom and Freddy.

We’ll catch them for supper.

His mouth dropped to hers, parting her lips in a kiss that stole her breath away. Her eyes fluttered closed as she wove her fingers through his hair. She wanted to feel him taste her, to touch her in places only he knew she needed.

She fumbled to unknot his tie then tugged it apart. His hands slipped beneath her sweater. She groaned at the feel of his large, powerful hands rough on her skin. She pushed the buttons of his dress shirt through their buttonholes until his bare, inked chest was bared then slid her hands up to his head to draw him back into another kiss.

As they broke apart, he stripped her of her sweater then unclasped her bra. He made quick work of it, letting it drop to the ground. He gripped her wrists then captured them in one of his hands.

What are you doing? she questioned.

His lips roamed the curve of her neck until he reached the curve of her ear. After thousands of years, you should be able to trust me.

Hmmm, was all she could make out.

She felt something soft and silky on her arm before she could register what it could be. She glanced up to find his tie missing. A moment later her wrists were bound tight together.

Hades, she chided, her voice barely a breath.

He chuckled as he nudged her onto the bed behind her. He guided her to lay back on the comforter. She craned her neck up to watch him as he undid her blue jeans then tugged both them and her panties off her legs.

He stood and gazed down at her for several long moments. She stretched out her arms overhead to give him a better show. He loved to look at her. He told her so all the time.

He slid his suit coat from his arms then finished undoing the buttons on his dress shirt. He took his time. The torture was about to kill Persephone. But Hades was a man of exquisite tastes. The longer it took for him to get undressed, the more time he had to savor her. To him, making love to her was like a piece of ambrosia or a great wine. He wanted