Page 92 of Flowers Near Me

Charon bent closer. “Truly? Because you keep clenching your jaw.”

“Truly. Let’s listen to Eurydice.” Fates, why did everyone have to treat her like she would break at any moment. On top of feeling useless, she felt pitied by those around her, too. Her thoughts turned dark as she wondered if she was ever going to be able to be on her own without fear of crippling migraines or dizzy spells.

“Persephone, please sit down.” Charon set the items in her hands on the floor and urged a folding chair behind her knees.

“It’s okay, Charon. It’s been a while since I’ve been upright this long. I just look tired.”

“Sit down or I’m calling Hades.” Charon stared. Unblinking. Stone still.

Bending to sit, instead of meeting the chair’s padding, Persephone fell into a never-ending pit of black.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

THE PRICE OF LETTING GO

HADES

With sluggish effort, Persephone reached for the glass of water at her bedside table, but Hades scooped it up and handed it to her before her back lifted off the pillow. The once well-fitted silk pajamas hung loosely on her bony shoulders.

“Thanks,” Persephone muttered. His heart cracked at the sound of her raspy voice, stuck in the back of her throat.

At the sight of her, dull-eyed and pale, he struggled to form words. The color in her face waswrongand her half-lidded eyes hadn’t met his when she’d offered a weakgood morning. She’d perk up for a little if he sent his power into her, but it hadn’t been enough to sustain her for more than a few minutes at a time.

“Dr. Asclepius said you need constant monitoring,” said Hades. “It’s not good for you to be down here with me. You need sunlight and your family.”

Half-truths cut him. Asclepius never said she needed to be moved from the apartment, but what if moving her to Laura’s home made the difference in her recovery? She ought to be with her sister. If she became more sick, he couldn’t bear it. And what if she thought he’d made her ill? He had no clue what was causing it, but if he was hurting her, then she needed to get away.

Better she’s healing than wasting away with me.

“Okay.” Defeat coated her reply.

“Obviously, anything related to the contract is void. You need proper rest without this project looming over you.” Hades offered a tender smile.

She nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“Hecate’s coming over to help collect some of your things and take you to Laura’s.”

Persephone nodded again and looked at her bedside table.

Standing up, Hades said, “I’ll be back,” and headed to the kitchen.

Hip cocked and leaning on the counter, Hecate pinned Hades with her stare as he grabbed a drink from the fridge.

“You’re sending her away? Now?” Hecate’s words burned a hole in his chest.

“Good to hear you understand the plan,” he bit back, scanning the living room, looking anywhere but at Hecate’s face.

“This is silly, Hades. She’s getting care now, and I heard Dr. Asclepius and Laura when they said they didn’t mind making regular visits here.”

He gritted his teeth. “I can’t keep her here when she’s this ill. What if there’s a part of her body that’s failing because she’s not with her family?”

Hecate rolled her eyes. “What a sack of shit. You know she’s immortal, so that’s no excuse. Look at how all these plants are flourishing down here. Her illness is unrelated to living here. I mean… think about how long she’s lived with you without issue. Wouldn’t it have come up sooner?”

“Maybe it took time to set in?”

“Maybeshe’s been cursed, and this is the best place for her?” Hecate spat back.

Rubbing his face, Hades rolled his shoulders.

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