Page 41 of His in the Dark

"I choose my fate," she states firmly, as if she truly believes such things.

“Take him,” I command the remaining guard and without hesitation, he drags his former companion away. The metal of his armor scrapes on the stone floor.

“My Queen, that is nothing to cause alarm,” I assure her but she stares behind me, watching with terror.

“Why?”

“He spoke when he should not.”

She merely shakes her head, staring at me with disbelief.

“As if you are not privy to such displays in Olympus,” I comment as shame rises with her judgement. “As if you cannot understand why such acts are needed.

“I–” She starts but cannot finish.

“He was one man. One who spoke when he should not have, coveted where he damn well knew he should not.”

“You said–”

“Perhaps it is that you are so beautiful he could not resist.”

She parts her lips in protest.

“He knew … I know he did. You denied him and so he perished. It is just.”

A shiver rolls down her shoulders.

“Let me make it up to you.” I offer a distraction. “Your powers are–”

“My powers do not work here.” She cuts me off. Seemingly more distant than before. “I cannot bring life in the Underworld.”

With the guard far off in the distance and no trace of the abuse that occurred apart from a streak of blood on the floor, I use a cloth from my pocket of black and rid myself of the evidence, still standing between her and the sight behind me.

“There are other powers,” I murmur, knowing what is to come.

“I do notwantothers,” Persephone screams, and as the sound is multiplied by the room, the air grows hotter with her anger. My pulse rises with it. This is but a flick of what I know she’s capable of. “I do not belong here,” she states. Her lips and eyes darker as she stands before me. A vision of her I’ve seen flashes before my eyes.

“Youdobelong here. More than you know.” It’s a promise. This was meant to happen. “Next to me. Reigning beside me. You must learn the ways of the Underworld.”

Her hands ball into fists at her sides. She clenches her jaw, her cheeks bright with her fury. “I will never stand beside you.”

“Consider—” If she means her words to batter me, she has failed. There is nothing that can dissuade me.

“Youdid this to me.” She narrows her eyes, the color dark, almost murderous. “I know who and what you are, and I willneverobey. I regret what I felt for you. I regret it all.”

The thread of my patience snaps. Persephone has been sheltered, yes, but she should not be so bold as to presume she knowswhatI am. She does not know enough to speak to me so, and her anger is both misguided and useless.

Perhaps she is not ready. Perhaps I should not have given her such freedoms. It is my mistake. As I tilt my head, my neck cracks and I do what I can to temper my rage at her thoughtless statements.

Breathing in deeply, I call out for the guards.

The clank of metal is met with the sound of her sharp gasp. “Take her to my chambers.” I cannot look at her as I give the command.

She doesn’t resist. She doesn’t protest and I am thankful for such things. Even if she screams profanities at the men who escort her.

“Do not touch me!” she hisses and that gets my attention.

“You will not harm her,” I emphasize to them although they are far more aware than she that they lay beneath her feet.

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