Page 99 of Flowers Near Me

“What did it cost?” she barely whispered the words. It felt like her body had left her. To know that someone as strong as him was desperate for answers about her was surreal.

He sat up and moved closer to push some of her hair behind her ear. “Nothing that wasn’t worth losing.”

She swallowed. “So what did you bargain?”

With a lopsided smile, he said, “Underworld Unlimited.”

Her hand covered her mouth. There was no way. He owned and ran the empire, so why was he saying he’d bargained with it? “Did you end up not having to pay?”

“Oh, I paid. Legally-speaking, I’m the president but no longer CEO.”

Her throat went dry. “Who’s CEO then?”

He traced his finger down her cheek, trailing along the side of her neck. “You are, Sephy. The papers are awaiting your signature for it to be official, but in all practical terms, Underworld Unlimited is yours.”

Coherent thoughts evaded her. She shook her head. “Why would you bargain that?” She examined his face for any sign of jest but found none. Just his handsome face watching her with the shadow of a grin.

“Ask Charon, she’ll verify everything I’m saying. You’re Underworld Unlimited’s CEO, Sephy. We’re just waiting for when you’re ready to take over.”

“I…” Her voice trailed off. She twisted her hands together, unsure what to say.

“It’s not something you have to doanythingabout today. Especially since you’ve barely recovered from weeks of your power weakening your body.”

His palms held the sides of her arms. She wanted to kiss him, even if it was to keep from continuing the conversation. It was simply too much to process.

“Sephy,” he prompted, and she looked up at him. “You haven’t asked what their answer was.”

Right.Hadn’t she been wanting to talk about what she knew? “What was it?”

“Do you want to know?”

No fear, only excitement. “They said we’d marry.”

He nodded. “Are you disappointed?”

Not even a little.She frowned, worried that he’d assume she would be. “No. Are you?”

“Not at all. If anything, I’m surprised the Fates were this kind to me.”

She fussed with the hem of her shorts. Gods rarely gave compliments without a clear motive, but she believed he adored her andthatmade her melt. Still, she wasn’t sure what to say.

A mischievous grin crept over his face. “You said you wanted to change outfits. Should I stay and help? In case things go awry? One can never be too careful.”

The welcome change of conversation kept her from gushing her insecurities that had bloomed along with her growing affection for him.

With a snap of her fingers, two pillows flew from the bed and smacked his chest. “You can help me dress another day.” Whether it was the impressed look on his face or the lightness in her chest, she felt unstoppable now that she had control.

Hades flicked his hand, sending the pillows from the floor back to their original spots by the headboard. “I’d ratherundressyou, Sephy.” He winked, then whistled at Cerberus. “If I’m not getting to watch, then neither are you. Come on.” Cerberus bounded towards Hades as he exited the door and blew her a kiss.

Once the door clicked shut, she pictured the dark gray, monochromatic shirt and skirt combination Charon had set out for her weeks ago before her first in-office visit and imagined it appearing in her hands. Silk landed softly in her palms.

Setting the clothes on an upholstered chair, she stripped off her loungewear set, not wanting to ruin two outfits if it didn’t work.Her mom could change clothing, makeup, and even hair at will. Baby steps for now. She picturedthe blouse and skirt wrapped around her and smiled when the clothes disappeared from the chair and reappeared on her body.

She examined how the shirt tucked into the waist, then swiped her hands down the length of the skirt. Holding her head higher, she swept fingers through her hair, creating soft, wavy curls and checked the end results in a floor-length mirror. Pleased with the ensemble, she portaled to the kitchen.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

POPPIES AND POISON

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