Page 58 of Tempted By Hades

And he couldn’t blame her for leaving. No, he could only blame himself.

His first instinct was to chase her down, but perhaps she needed some space. Or maybe he was too much of a coward to face her. He couldn’t tell her why he stopped without revealing the true reason he sought her out in the first place. But if he did not make amends with her, he wouldn’t ever get his revenge against Zeus.

Not sure what to do, he transported himself to the middle of the street party, hoping to get lost in the hustle and bustle of it all. A fierce pride hit his chest at what Persephone had accomplished. She truly could do anything if she put her mind to it. This had all started out as an idea, and now it was all here.

“Hello, Hades,” came a familiar voice.

Turning around, he came face to face with the unexpected guest. “Hestia?”

Hestia’s presence radiated an innate joy, creating a pocket of serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of the street fair. Clad in a flowing, ethereal gown that shimmered with hues of gold and soft pastels, she embodied the festive spirit of the occasion.

Hestia’s eyes sparkled with mirth, and her laughter danced through the air like a melody. She moved with a lightness that echoed the joyful energy of the gathering, leaving a trail of happiness in her wake.

“It’s been a while. Thank you for the invitation.” Hestia’s aura, akin to a beacon of happiness within the Underworld’s shadows enveloped Hades in a sense of joy amid the festivities.

“You’re welcome.”

“I was surprised to receive it.”

He couldn’t tell her, of course, that he had been just as surprised to give it, but when Persephone had asked him if he had any friends he could invite to the street party, he panicked because he truly couldn’t name anyone he considered as such. So, he named the two gods he had any kind of social contact with in the last ten thousand years that he didn’t outright detest.

Apollo, of course, was a given because he knew even if he didn’t invite him, the sun god would have come anyway. And Hestia…well, in the instances he’d seen her in the last few hundred years or so, she’d been friendly and cordial, so he immediately thought of her.

“I’m glad you came anyway,” he said, because that seemed like the polite thing to say. “Have you enjoyed the street party so far?”

“Oh yes, I have. It’s all so lively and festive, not at all what I expected when I think of the Underworld.” Her eyes sparkled. “But then again, I heard who was in charge of putting this all together, and it made sense.”

So, she had heard that Persephone was here. Not surprising because if Apollo had heard it, surely everyone in Olympus would have by now. “She’s very capable.”

“I can see that. What else is she?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, I think you know what I mean.” The mysterious twinkle in her eyes had been replaced by sharp intelligence. “Anything you care to tell me, Hades?”

“No,” he replied smoothly. “Not if you don’t have anything to ask me.”

Her lips pursed. “It’s not my place to question who you invite into your realm.”

“I’m glad we see eye to eye on that.” He paused. “However, I sense a ‘but’ coming along…”

“But,” Hestia continued, “you seem different today.”

“Different? From what?”

“I don’t know.” Her gaze narrowed at him. “You’re normally so reserved and aloof. In the very few events you’ve attended in the last centuries, you’re always so hard to read, and you’ve had this air about you…like you couldn’t be bothered or give a care for anything.”

“And now?”

She chuckled. “Those worry lines on your forehead are a first. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you anxious about anything. Is it because of her?”

Hades was about to protest, but a realization hit him at that moment, one that stunned him. He was, indeed, worried.

Worried that Persephone would never look at him again, never speak to him again.

That she would leave and he’d never see her again.

“Is there some trouble between you two?” Hestia asked.

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