Page 13 of Winning Back Persephone

"I don't want to make moving on painful for you," I said quietly.

Persephone let out a surprisingly sharp laugh. "It's difficult no matter how you look at it," she responded. "You were my husband for over two millennia, Hades." Her voice cracked, making me want to reach out and pull her into my arms.

If I listened to that voice, then I'd start telling her that none of what had passed mattered. That we could be together again and forget the past two years. But I resisted. I knew that wasn't what she wanted.

"I'm sorry, I'm just stressed. This launch has been a hard one," she said.

"For your bags."

She nodded. "Do you want to see?"

"Yes."

She picked up her bag and held it out to me. I took it, turning it over in my hands. The dark leather was perfectly crafted, and I could see little touches that were entirely Persephone on it, including the catch being a flower.

"You should open it," she said.

I did as she instructed, opening it up to see the brightly coloured interior, full of bright flowers and spring greens. I recognised several of the flowers as those that would bloom in spring. "It's perfectly you."

"The flowers, right?"

"All of it, Sephie," I said softly. "Anyone who thinks you're just flowers is a fool who can't see what's right in front of them."

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you for saying that. It's very sweet."

"I mean it, Sephie. You're so much more than that. I know you're starting to date, but don't take anything less than you deserve. Please?"

For a moment, I thought she was going to cry, but she managed to turn it into a smile. "The same goes for you, Hades. Don't settle for anything less than the best."

"I might have to, I've already met the best person for me." The words escaped before I could think about whether she would want to hear them.

She stiffened. "I should go before either of us says something we'll regret."

I nodded, but there were no words for what I was feeling. I wanted to hear what she was thinking that she thought she'd regret, even though I could probably guess what it was.

Because my words were true. I'd met the best person for me, and she was standing right in front of me.

"Enjoy your evening, Hades."

"You too, Persephone."

She gave me a strange look as I said her full name, but didn't comment on it, turning and walking away. I knew it was for the best, but there was no denying that it still stung. Would it ever not hurt to watch the goddess I loved walking away from me? I wasn't entirely sure about that. All I knew was that it hurtnowand I wished I could just go back two years and ask her not to go.

It wouldn't have helped, but at least then she'd have known how much I wanted her to stay.

Chapter 8

PERSEPHONE

The hotel was surprisingly ornate looking. Then again, I shouldn't have expected anything different from a hotel that Aine was planning to buy to use for Jinx events. I guessed the thing that surprised me most was that they were already starting to hold them here.

I entered the building and followed the signs to the lock and key party, trying not to feel out of place. I wasn't even sure why I'd decided to come to this. It was supposedly only for those at the top level of Jinx's membership, but I had no idea what that meant, and just like I'd told Nyx, I didn't want to date mortals. Even younger immortals and gods weren't on the list. I knew some gods didn't have a problem with that, but to me it felt strange to have had a relationship that was older than the new person I wanted to date.

But I had to try. Hades was moving on, and it was better for me if I tried to do that too. I had to at least try to honour our break-up, even if there was a part of me that didn't really want to.

I pushed the thoughts aside as I stepped into the room, finding a lot of well-dressed people milling around and talking to one another.

I swallowed any nerves and headed towards the table at the entrance, where a beautiful woman with long dark hair and a striking black dress was waiting.

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