Page 221 of A Touch of Chaos

She sat down, though it took her some time to face herself in the mirror. When she finally lifted her head and met her gaze, she did not see what she had expected.

She’d thought she would see a stranger, a shell of the person she had been in her previous life.

Instead, she saw strength.

She saw pride.

She saw a woman who wasqueen.

She let her gaze rise to Hecate, who watched her in the reflection.

“Now you see yourself clearly,” the goddess said.

The lampades worked, smoothing her hair into perfect waves, which complimented the simple but glamorous makeup they had chosen—winged eyeliner and a bold red lip. The look made even more sense once Hecate dressed her. The goddess had chosen a black gown with a narrow waist, a flared skirt, and a high slit.

Hades will like that, Persephone thought.

The bodice was almost a corset, and while the fabric over her ribs was sheer, the fabric over her breasts was velvet and embellished with shimmering black beads.

It was just simple enough, and Persephone loved it.

“It is beautiful, Hecate,” she said, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “But what’s the occasion?”

The goddess smiled. “You will know soon enough.”

“You can’t blame me for trying,” Persephone said.

There was a pause, and once again, in that quiet, darkness seeped in, and Persephone spoke.

“I saw you die,” she said. “I will never forget it. Cronosbrokeyou.” She could not look at Hecate, but she could feel her gaze. “I love Hades. I will not live without him,” she said. “But I cannot live without you either, Hecate.”

“Oh, my dear,” she said, her voice thick with tears. “You will never have to.”

When Persephone looked up, she saw that Hecate’s eyes were watering, but the tears never fell. Instead, she drew Persephone into a hug, and when she pulled away, she touched her chin.

“I do not have children of my own,” Hecate said. “But you, I consider a daughter.”

This time, Persephone burst into tears, and suddenly, the lampades were fluttering around her, fanning herface and touching up her makeup. Before they could risk any more heart-to-hearts, there was a knock at the door.

“It looks like it’s time,” Hecate said.

As soon as Persephone stepped outside the room, she was met with cheers. She halted, startled by the sudden sound but also the appearance of so many souls. They lined both sides of the hallway, creating a path for her to follow.

“Oh, Hecate,” Persephone whispered. Her hand came to rest over her racing heart.

“This is only the start,” said the goddess, and she offered her arm.

Persephone took it, and together they walked down the path of souls as it curved into the foyer, past the library and dining room. The journey took a while because she paused to hold hands and pull others in for hugs. Everyone was here, crammed into the palace—even the children, who raced to her and wrapped their arms around her legs.

It wasn’t until she saw Yuri that she really began to cry, and she wondered why she had bothered with makeup at all. The young soul approached and threw her arms around Persephone’s neck, and while they hugged, she caught sight of Lexa and then Apollo. With each friend, each embrace, she felt like her heart was going to burst from happiness.

“Apollo,” she whispered, holding him tight, her head resting against his hard chest. He had no heartbeat, but he was warm.

“You look beautiful, Seph,” he said.

“I miss you,” she said.

He chuckled. “You won’t for long.”

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