𝐻𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑋 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒

He sat at the helm, one hand loose on the reins, the other resting on the arm of his seat with casual ownership. His grey hair caught the dying light. Those dark eyes found Adonis immediately—locked on with the precision of a predator spotting prey.

He was devastatingly handsome in the way a knife is beautiful. Sharp. Cold. Purposeful.

His lips curved.

There you are.

The horses surged forward. He leaned down from the chariot, arm extended, that smile widening—presumptuous, delighted, like he'd been waiting for this exact moment for a very long time.

Come now. Don't keep me waiting, little flower. I've been so patient.

His fingers beckoned, and the shadows behind him writhed.