Page 32 of Winning Back Persephone

"Persephone," he said firmly, pulling my attention firmly to him. "I forgive you."

A lump formed in my throat, and the tears kept coming. "Maybe you shouldn't."

"Says who? Your mother? I wouldn't listen to her."

I laughed and wiped away some of the tears. "Believe it or not, I don't often go to my mother for dating advice."

"I wonder why," he muttered.

"Many reasons."

"Come home," he said. "To our house, to Cebby, to me. Please, Persephone, just come home."

I nodded. "Yes. I want to."

"Then nothing else matters," he promised. "We can figure out anything. Don't let guilt stand in the way of us."

"I know."

"I love you, Persephone," he said softly. "I always have, and I always will."

"I love you too," I responded without even thinking. "Still. More even. I think being apart has just made it clear how much better my life is with you in it. I've missed you more than I ever thought possible."

"Then that's all we need," he promised. "We can deal with anything else."

"Yes, we can."

He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine in a tender kiss that made my heart soar. I was sure we'd still have some things to sort out and talk about, but admitting that I wanted ourrelationship still was the thing I needed. It felt as if a weight had lifted off my shoulders, and I could think clearly for the first time since I'd run into Hades at the Jinx party. Maybe even longer.

"Let's get home," Hades said. "Tomorrow we can sort out you moving back in."

I laughed. "You're ready for me back that quickly?"

"We can live separately for a bit if you want." From his voice, I could tell what he thought about that, but he didn't say anything out loud.

"I'm tired of living alone," I responded. "Two years is enough for me. I want you and Cebby around."

"Then that's what we'll do." He took my hand in his, and we made our way down the street and towards the portal that would take us home.

Chapter 17

PERSEPHONE

A satisfied feeling spread over me as sleep slipped away, and I remembered where I was. I stretched out, hoping to find Hades beside me, but his side of the bed was empty.

But still warm.

I sighed and threw off the covers, grabbing my robe from where I'd left it the other morning. He hadn't even put it back in the wardrobe. Either he'd been convinced that I'd be back, or he'd become a slob in the two years we'd been apart. I doubted it was the latter.

I padded through to the kitchen, finding the man in question sitting at the breakfast bar with a bowl of cereal and a pair of glasses on while he looked at his tablet.

"Morning."

His whole face lit up when he saw me. "Morning," he said. "There are berries in the fridge."

I frowned. "How did you know I'd end up back here?"

He shrugged. "I hoped."

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