Page 63 of Hades and Persephone: Threads of Fate

Leuce gives him a wry look. “They’re not easy to wrangle when they’re home.”

“I know.”

“Hecate mentioned Persephone, and they pranced right through the port—door—like good little puppies.” Noc looses another low growl. Leuce chuckles, but her eyes turn serious on Hades. “She’s healing, too. Slowly.”

My mind is still swimming at the reality that these people know someone with the name Hecate. I mean, the odds aren’t in favor of such an impossibility.

My gaze slides to Minthe, and she winks at me. My eyes narrow.

Are they messing with me?

Are these names nicknames? Are they character fanatics, only instead of an obsession with some fantasy book about Fae, are they obsessing over mythological players in ancient Greek history? So overcome with the obsession that they’ve allowed it to overtake their lives. Their identity?

Hades’ voice is rough, his frown deep. “She has not healed completely?”

“She cannot.” Leuce cocks her head to the side as her eyes slide to me. Ice slows the blood that rushes in my veins. Silence pulses between my ears. Leuce asks, “How can she when the power she pulls is from a land whose heart has stopped beating?”

Hades’ eyes shutter, and he vows. “We are close.”

Leuce’s voice is cold. “We are not close enough.”

Minthe slides from the bar, sauntering between the two who stand as though ready to battle. “Go. Take today, Hades. And,” her eyes flick to mine and back to Hades, “take the time to see Herman. Sooner than later.”

Every inch of Hades’ body tenses at the mention of Herman. He points a long, thick finger at her. “We will be discussing your disobedience, Minthe.”

Minthe doesn’t look scared, even as fear flashes in Leuce’s faded gray-green eyes. “Sure. After you see Herman.”

Sensing that this bizarre conversation is close to turning dangerous, I move quickly to slide my hand into the one by Hades’ side. His body jolts, as though remembering my presence. He drops the finger he holds up at Minthe, and murmurs to me, “We leave now.”

With a shy smile of parting to Leuce and Minthe, I follow Hades outside with the pups in tow.

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

Persephone

“Jump.”

I’ve never swam in open water. The idea is terrifying as it is thrilling. And this isopenwater. Hades drove the yacht farther this time than he did the first time he brought me out here. Nearly everything I can see is blue. Land is a very, very distant thing. Still, the water is calm and Hades doesn’t seem even remotely worried about the creatures that lurk in the depths below him.

“Jump for me, little goddess,” he encourages, his pitch dropping to a seductive notethat I just can’t resist.

With a shriek, and a moment of regret that comes seconds too late, I’ve jumped. I hit the cool water with a splash, sinking below the surface as my feet connect withnothing.

Before I can panic, I feel Hades’ strong arms pulling me up and close. My spluttering turns to a thrilled laugh. My heart quickens in my chest and I wrap my legs around his waist, somehow knowing that he can tread water like this with me clinging to him.

With the setting sun painting the sky a brilliant canvas of tangerine and lilac, I can’t help but think he looks like an angel. I must say it out loud, because Hades says darkly, “I’m no angel, little goddess.”

Leaning back in his arms, I stare into his dark eyes. “Why do you call me that?”

“It’s what you are to me.”

I can’t help it, I blush. The man is so charming. Devilishly so. Mama would hate him; I just know it. Daddy wouldn’t like him much more. “Why are you single?”

He peers into my eyes. “I was waiting for you.”

See, charming.“I’m serious.”

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