Page 69 of Flowers Near Me

Like a grander version of the bedroom he was staying in downstairs, this room had a high ceiling, lush furniture in rich gem tones, and dark oak touches. Not a speck of dust to be seen. A few well-placed art pieces decorated the walls, and there were books stacked next to a bedside table lamp. Giddiness fluttered in her chest as she imagined herself waking up in the soft sheets, stepping over the woven rugs, and running a hot bath in the large porcelain tub.

She ran her fingers along the back of a velvet settee. “Did you move downstairs to keep an eye on your captive? Worried I’d sneak off in the night?”

Facing her, he said, “I wanted to be close to you. And sorry to disappoint, but my hidden vaults aren’t connected to this room.”

Laughing, she headed towards the door. “I’ve seen enough. Let’s get to that workout.”

“I’ll portal us.” He held out his hand, then transported them to a bench near the indoor track. Surprised by the ease of the portal, she’d expected her stomach to revolt as it typically did. Instead, she smiled at the looseness in her shoulders.

“I’ll get us water and towels. Start without me.” Hades gave her a nod then jogged towards the locker room.

Skipping a warm-up stretch, Persephone jogged along the clay track. The cool, piney air hit her lungs as she found her pace. A prickly sensation needled her skin, but she fought those first uncomfortable moments that running ignited. She pushed through, her feet pounding on the path and the woody scent of the rafters fading into a powdery, floral smell. She carried on, but her vision faltered, and she stumbled early into her jog. This type of strain wasn’t normal.

Confused, she shook out her limbs. Once her vision returned to normal and her head wasn’t spinning, she walked.

In the distance, the flare of something red trailed around the track. Scattered along the path she’d run were thousands of bright red poppies.

“Titans,” she breathed out.

Hades’ approaching footsteps sounded. “Sephy, are you alright?”

While she gaped at the flowers crowning the track, Hades held her shoulders and checked her face. “Persephone, are you okay?”

Her attention snapped to him. “Yes, I…” she replied. Her skin tingled but her breathing resumed its normal rhythm. Her arms relaxed at the point of his contact. “I’m fine. I got lightheaded, then I noticed this.” She gestured at the poppies.

He kept his eyes on hers and then searched her face before he turned to see the flowers. “Wow,” he said. “Everywhere you ran, they’ve sprung up.”

She nodded. “Why?”

“I think it’s your power, love. It appears you can grow flowers… well, poppies to be more specific. They’re quite beautiful.”

“Not sure how poppies help anything…” If she was going to have a power, couldn’t it have been something better than creating flowers from her footsteps? A stab of disappointment hit her gut. Her mom could grow fields upon fields of produce. Why couldn’t she do something incredible like Demeter? Or Hecate, with her mastery of magic?

“I think it’s only the start of what you can do.”

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

FORMER ALLEGIANCE

PERSEPHONE

Clicking her pen, Persephone half-listened to the Marketing Director.

“Upbeat, happy, convenient,” he droned. “Producers may test your confidence with rumors about tech issues, so speak decisively…”

Persephone tuned out, already knowing the script: assert the importance of testing. Across the table, Hades caught her eye and winked. She smirked.

Charon appeared at the frosted glass door. “Lunch is here.”

Persephone’s stomach growled as she shut her notebook, following the group out. Hades held the door, leaning in as she passed. “Bored already, little goddess?” he whispered, his voice dangerously low.

She arched a brow. “You’re not?”

He chuckled, but his eyes held a hint of something darker as he turned to Charon, who handed him a folder.

“Here’s the report you requested. Hecate is ready to meet in five minutes,” Charon said. “Persephone, Hermes is here to see you in the lobby.”

Hades and Persephone parted ways and she headed off to meet her former assistant in the ground-floor lobby. Rumblings from her empty stomach demanded that she grab her meal first, but she hadn’t seen Hermes since the meeting in Zeus’ office. Hermes was always speedy. It’d be quick, she was sure.

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