Page 184 of A Touch of Chaos

Except he was already failing, as was evident by Apollo’s death.

“You are far too happy to be dead, Apollo!” Artemis said, but everyone knew what she really meant—you are far too happy to leave me.

His features softened. “Do not mourn for me, dear sister. I have wanted this for a long time.”

“But why? Why would you want this?” she asked, stretching out her arms.

Apollo’s gaze followed, shifting over the landscape of Hades’s realm before he met her gaze again. “Because it is the only way to have peace.”

Hades could feel Artemis’s confusion. She did not understand the burdens on Apollo’s soul. His regrets went deep. Hers did not.

When Apollo moved on to Persephone, she threw her arms around his neck and held him tight. Hades could feel her pain and longed to comfort her. But Apollo would not release her, seeming to convey all that their friendship had meant to him in a simple embrace. When she pulled away, he smiled.

“Don’t cry, Seph,” he said. “Nothing has to change. Not even our bargain.”

And with that teasing statement, the energy around them lightened.

“Oh, fucking Fates,” Hades grumbled. “How has that notended?”

“Jealous, Hades? I was thinking that when things calm down, Seph and I could go on a picnic.”

“Good luck,” said Hades. “You have no magic to summon her.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to do it the mortal way and knock on your door.”

“I will throw you in Tartarus,” Hades shot back with a smirk, grateful for Apollo’s levity and the relief it seemed to be bringing Persephone.

“That is a steep punishment for a knock. You should just be glad I offered. I tend to prefer just appearing where I’m not wanted.”

“A picnic sounds nice, Apollo,” Persephone said, wiping the tears from her face and beaming at the god.

He grinned. “Did you hear that, Hades? It’s a date!”

Hades glared as Apollo moved on to greet Hermes, ruffing up his golden hair.

“Remind me to show Apollo a few spots for his upcoming picnic,” said Hades as Persephone returned to his side.

“You will not send him into the Forest of Despair,” she said sharply.

“What?” he asked. “It would be funny.”

She leaned close, letting her hands slide up his chest. “You know what else is funny? Blue balls.”

“No,” he said. “That is cruel.”

“And so is the forest.”

He sighed. “Fine.”

“I knew you’d see it my way,” Persephone said.

She rose on the tips of her toes, and Hades bent tokiss her when cheers suddenly erupted. They looked to see Apollo and Hyacinth surrounded by souls, locked in each other’s arms, mouths pressed together in a passionate kiss.

Persephone took a breath. She pressed both hands to her heart.

“I did not think any good would come of this,” she said.

Hades shifted uncomfortably, torn between telling her the truth and letting her believe a lie—except she didn’t give him a choice between the two. She looked up at him, already suspicious of his silence.

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