Page 53 of Flowers Near Me

She assumed Hades would grow bored with her slower pace and would speed off on his own. When he didn’t do that for ten minutes, she felt bad. In a strained voice, she said, “Don’t hold back on my account. My legs are shorter than yours.”

Hades turned towards her, his breathing steady and slow. “Nonsense. I asked to join you. This is perfect.”

She huffed in between breaths. “I doubt it but alright.”

Picking up her pace, her muscles eased into the movement and steps became lighter despite the effort.

“What’ll happen to Hermes now that he’s working for your brother?”

Hades kept his face forward. “He’ll be paid more, I’m sure. And he’ll be much busier than he was as your assistant.”

“I figured as much.” Would Hermes prefer Zeus to her as a boss? A small pinch of worry hit her gut.

He gave her an inquisitive look. “He’ll be well taken care of if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Trying to stifle her heavy breathing, she nodded. “Glad to hear that. He’s a good person.”

Hades slowed to a walk and Persephone stopped a few steps ahead and turned back to face him. “Everything alright?”

He approached her and gestured for her to continue walking with him. “Was it hard to see your mom?”

They’d spoken little of her mom since she’d lived with him even though the goddess remained on Persephone’s mind. Would confessing her frustrations add to the betrayal her mom may have felt? Did it matter given that there were still four more months of contractual obligations, and the next events were public ones where Demeter would see her daughter flirting with her enemy? Perhaps one god could give insight on another’s way of thinking.

She kept her eyes forward and rolled her shoulders. “It’s the first time I’ve seen her since… well…” She waved her hands between them. “All of this.”

His voice lowered. “I know.”

Of course he did.Persephone was in his domain. The god probably knew whenever she sneezed and how much of his air she took with each breath.

“Do you wish to change the contract?” he asked.

Her steps faltered but she righted herself without stumbling.Why would he ask that?

“If you were me, what would you change?” she asked.

He turned to look at her, still keeping in step as they walked. “I’m too biased to give a fair answer.”

She huffed. “Humor me. What would you change?” She kept her tone light despite the dryness in her throat.

“I’d remove the end date and have you join the executive team.” A smile snaked its way up his stubbled face, making his eyes sharper. “Would you like to bargain for different terms?”

How could one construct a counter bargain so clever that even the God of the Underworld couldn’t entrap you further? It wasn’t possible for her to get out of her contract without breaking it.

“What kind of bargain?” She sounded so confident, but his self-satisfied expression made her heart stop.

One brow quirked, Hades replied, “One that would guarantee an elevated position within the elite in Olympus.”

She shivered as the air grew colder and her sweat clung to her skin like ice. “Why? I liked my job at DB. I’m worried I won’t be able to get it back after working for you.” Could she ever become Demeter Bounty’s president now?

He sneered but remained handsomely sharp. “Why would you want to go back to your old job?”

Because it was mine.

Sure, her mom had gotten her the first interview but every advancement after was hers and hers alone. Most of her coworkers had all but forgotten Demeter had recommended her all those years ago, until her mom announced Persephone as her daughter. Still, it was Persephone who oversaw the most recent grocery delivery launch with the logistical, technical, and promotional departments she hired and directed. For the most part, her mom was hands off with day-to-day operations.

Persephone swept her gaze around the pine rafters high above them in the gym. “Hades.” His face flushed at the mention of his name from her lips. “Imagine losing all of this in one day.”

As his eyes softened, he tilted his head and stared back, still in step with her. “Sephy, what did you trulyownback in Demeter’s Bounty? Because from what I’ve seen, you worked and your mom enjoyed the spoils of your labor.”

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