Page 93 of Flowers Near Me

“Hecate… what if I’ve gotten her all wrong? What if she’s been holding it together and now her body’s given up?” He paced and his stomach dropped. The scent of Hecate’s magic filled the air, and he slowly drew in air.

“Don’t send her away. We’ll figure this out. Dr. Asclepius will help too.”

The chime of the door drew their attention to Charon hurrying into the room, phone in a white-knuckled grip.

“Is she stable?” A few strands of dark hair clung to Charon’s forehead.

“Hades is trying to throw her out,” Hecate said.

“That’s—” Hades started, but Charon cut him off.

Charon’s lip curled. “Why?”

“She’s getting worse?—”

Hecate cut in, “No. That’s not what Dr. Asclepius said. He told you to monitor her but let things run their course. Healing takes time.”

Hades shook his head. “What if she needs something differentnow?”

“Help me out here, Charon. Talk some sense into him,” begged Hecate.

Charon’s strained expression silenced them both. “Hades might be right.” Hecate went to speak, but Charon held up her hands. “Look, I hate this too, but she’s been sick for over two weeks now and it isn’t like her. We should give every option a try to see what works.”

“Thank you.”Finally, someone sees reason.“Staying here could be a death sentence for the young goddess, and there’d be no recovery for any of us ifthathappened.” Bitterness filled his mouth.

“You call Laura, and I’ll gather her things,” said Charon, before she headed off towards Sephy’s room.

Hecate glared back. “You’re a fool.”

Hades shook his head. “Ihatethis, Hecate, but we must try something different. She’s getting worse.”

“Her power responds to yours, you idiot. It didn’t manifest until you were together. It doesn’t take much to put two and two together. How do you not see it?”

His heart ached. “I want what you’re saying to be true, so badly that I would risk her life to find out. But that’s not fair. It’s selfish, and I’ve already upended her life, forcing her to spend time with me.”

“What about the contract?”

“Dissolved. She’s done more than enough. The app is ready and we have all the content she recorded months ago. Now she can recuperate in a place that’s familiar.”

Hecate’s voice was cold as she said, “Is that what she wanted? Did you ask her or simply tell her she’s leaving?”

Hades reared back his head. “Why are you fighting me on this?”

All the lights in the main living space flickered in response to Hecate’s rising fury. “Because she will not get better if she’s away from you… you fuck-wit.” Plumes of purple smoke obscured everything but the goddess of witchcraft. “You’re backing off now that she’s reciprocating feelings? What in the Fates has gotten into you?”

Her cloying scent of sandalwood burned his eyes, but he rose taller. The icy chill of his power snaked up his body and the water pipes in the wall moaned against the strain of ice threatening to burst them to pieces.

Stabbing a pointed finger, he replied, “How are you so sure she won’t get better as soon as she leaves?”

The swirls of Hecate’s magic faded to the floor, spinning near her feet. “Titans fuck me. You’re impossible sometimes, you realize that? Aren’t you the one who tricked her into a contract so you could try to date her all under the pretense of promoting an app?Withthe intention of trying to marry her. Yet with all your wisdom, can’t see how she blushes when you compliment her? The woman can’t do anything but smile when your name is mentioned. Her power responds to you and we’re both old enough to recognize what that means. Fuck, Hades. Didn’t the Fates tell you she’s going to be your wife? You absolute?—”

Charon coughed loudly as she approached them, returning to the kitchen after visiting Sephy’s room. His power retreated back into his body and Hecate’s scent no longer battered his lungs. “Persephone’s things are ready. Did you call Laura?”

“Not yet.” He shot Hecate a scowl before dialing Laura’s number.

After a couple of rings, Laura answered, “Hi, Hades. What’s up?”

“Sephy’s gotten worse, and we need to move her in with you until she recovers. Can I bring her over today?” Fortunately, the words came out strong.

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