Page 87 of Summer's Seduction

Morpheus

Lucius was the first to drop to a knee as my little monster rose. She joined my side, her left hand holding the amethyst-stone dagger of Melinoe while her right was clasped in mine. I held The Cornucopia in my other hand, the ruby poppies glinting under the light of the full moon as we greeted our people.

“All hail the king and queen of the north!” Lucius shouted loud enough for those in the back of the hall to hear.

Furies, gorgons, dark ones, and even some lingering spirits echoed the cheer, bowing to pledge their allegiance.

I looked to Larkspur, unable to hide my smirk. Just a few months ago, we’d been strangers, ones who had thought there was no future for us, at least nothing worthwhile. But now we were here. Crowned and anointed by the fates.

Dipping my head for her to proceed, I watched Larkspur’s smile grow to reveal her fangs peeking out beneath her red lips.

“Rise,” she said, her wings fluttering as all followed her command.

“My queen,” Lucius said as the crowd dispersed into pairs.

The music started, and the dancing began. Lucius never attended parties, but I wondered if he would make an exception for Psyche. She’d insisted on staying in The Underworld until Larkspur’s castle was restored and her title secure. I couldn’t see how anything could threaten us now that Hypnos was defeated and Aphrodite taken back to The Above once more by her husband, but I’d long since learned that despite being blind by normal standards, Psyche saw far more than most.

“It’s beautiful,” Larkspur said as we took a moment to appreciate the joy surrounding us.

“It is.” Glancing around the ballroom, I couldn’t help but agree. The cold, cruel space from my childhood had been completely transformed. Hecate and Persephone helped decorate, brightening up haunted corners and clearing it ofpast horrors, but it was Larkspur’s presence that allowed The Slumber Palace to become a home.

She’d seen every part of my battered, ugly soul and had somehow found a way to love me. Larkspur saved me from a pointless existence, showing me that I could be broken and still beautiful, have darkness within and still enjoy the warmth of the light. My little monster wasn’t just a powerful goddess who could whisper in the minds of her enemies and speak to wild beasts; she was capable of changing the entire fucking world.

“Stop looking at me like that, or we won’t make it another hour here,” Larkspur breathed, her pupils dilated.

My lips twitched as I led her down the dais toward where dark shadows swirled. Hades had given his blessing for Larkspur and I to be crowned and granted leadership of The Darklands. He was still Lord of The Underworld, but by allowing us to tend to the needs of the North, he was granted more time to care for the souls of his realm.

Persephone was at his side, a ray of life among the shadows. Green vines were woven into her gown, her fiery red hair was left down, and she was beaming with pride.

“Lord Hades,” I said, echoed by Larkspur as we inclined our heads. “Thank you for attending.”

Hades opened his mouth to speak, but Persephone was there. “We wouldn’t have missed it. The amount of work you two have done to stabilize the north and restore balance is commendable.”

“Thank you,” Larkspur said, a blush rising to her cheeks. My lips quirked at the rosy color. She still wasn’t used to compliments or praise, but she would be. “How are the souls?”

Persephone’s brightness dimmed. “Hecate had restored all that she could. The rest have been cleaned with the waters of The Lethe, some passing on to the great void to be crafted anew.”

“The spirits from Cocytus who heeded Ares’s call have been chained to the shores of its icy lake,” Hades added, anger flashing behind his blue eyes.

“Have you heard any more from him or Aphrodite?” Larkspur asked.

Persephone shook her head. “Thanatos has had his hands full reaping souls, but Hecate had visited The Realm of The Living to check on the covens and saw no signs of either.”

“Not surprising, given that my brother is the epitome of a coward,” Hades said. “Aphrodite shouldn’t be an issue for some time either, not with Hephaestus keeping her.”

“He won’t… hurt her?” Larkspur asked, shifting uncomfortably.

Hades raised a brow. “I would’ve thought you wanted her dead after her part in the war.”

“Death is one thing,” Larkspur said, her eyes darting between the three of us, asking us to understand. “But being kept by an angry husband—one who literally bound her and dragged her back to The Above… it doesn’t sit well with me.”

Hades tilted his head as if seeing Larkspur in a new light, reforming his opinion of her. “Hephaestus and Aphrodite have a complicated relationship, but I promise he isn’t hurting her, at least not in the way you think. They poke at each other, and every few centuries, one of them breaks, mostly Aphrodite.”

Larkspur didn’t look convinced.

“Artemis confirmed as much,” Persephone added. “She and the huntresses have gone now, off on their next quest, but she basically said the two of them needed to work their shit out once and for all.”

“Sounds like her,” Hades grinned.

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