Page 69 of His in the Dark

“The bonding ritual is done?” he questions and my heart beats heavy in my chest.

This time, heisasking, with a note of hope in his voice. Hehopesthere has been no bonding ritual. He hopes he still has a fucking chance.

I will crush that hope beneath my heel.

“It is done,” I lie smoothly. I pray he cannot hear my racing heart.

Another long silence descends on the room. I do not look at the windows to see if the mists of time have arranged themselves into another form. I do not look at the walls.

I watch Zeus.

He watches me.

“Simply leave us be.”

“I cannot.”

“I cannot let her go,” I answer and I hear the warning yet again: what you resist persists. The hissing of the Fates clouds my judgement and for a moment, I think Zeus may have heard something as well.

Make your choice,I will him, swallowing thickly. I have made the choice that matters most in all my years. There is no backing away from it. There is no returning to how things used to be.

Unless…

I brush away the warning of that voice in the back of my mind. Unlessnothing. There is nothing in all the realms of existence that could turn back time, or erase my feelings for Persephone. If Zeus is waiting for some sign of that, then he will be waiting for the rest of eternity.

Finally, Zeus answers, “You leave me no choice, Hades.”

“There are plenty of choices, Zeus. She is a daughter you were willing to lose. Don’t forget that.”

“You do not understand the anger of Demeter.”

I narrow my eyes at him. Does hemeanthis? Does he mean for me to cower because of the anger ofDemeter? Such a giving and kind Goddess. One who bestows blessings to those who do not even ask it of her? He can bend to her whims all he wants. It does not mean anyone else has to follow his lead.

And it is not as if hers would be the first anger I faced. The first wrath I suffered. Far from it.

“The Goddess of Abundance? Of Harvest and fruitfulness?” I scoff. “The Goddess of?—”

“You have stolen her daughter.” His voice is deadly low.

“You knew I would have her.”

“It is not as we discussed,” argues Zeus. “I cannot tell Demeter what transpired.”

Well. If Zeus wanted it to be another way, perhaps he should have fucking planned for that in advance. It is no worry of mine.

“Demeter will find peace when she hears her daughter is well and loved.”

“Hades.”Nowhe is trying to convince me. Appeal to some better nature he believes I have. “You do not know the angerof a mother torn from her child. She cannot come here. But Persphone can return.”

“No. I do not know the anger you speak of.”

His lips part again, hesitant for a moment.

“Nor is it my concern,” I continue. “You will fix this.”

“I cannot?—”

“Need I remind you, Zeus,youare the one who started this.” My blood turns to fire as I remember his words.

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