Page 97 of Flowers Near Me

Persephone took a slow sip of her tea. “Relieved. Knowing we’re fated to be together makes it feel more like a sure thing, but I’m worried it influenced his initial interest. Mom claims he must’ve been interested if he went to the Fates in the first place, but she’s biased.”

“No, I’m with Mom on this one, but it’s not our place to convince you he’s committed. Leave that to him.”

“Shouldn’t you be cautioning me to guard my heart?” Persephone set down her tea.

“Sephy, you’re not some lust-crazed simpleton. You’ve barely dated. And we knew Hades was good-looking and successful and it turns out, he’s kind and is obsessed with you. I think it makes sense that you’ve developed feelings for him. Plus, Peter, Helena, and I like him and he owns all the best restaurants.”

“So, is it because he’s kind, or because he owns the best restaurants?” Persephone cracked the joke, but her insides felt hollow.

“Why can’t both things be true? Expand your mind, goddess.” Laura winked at Persephone and then brushed her hand lightly down Persephone’s arm. “Want me to help you get ready for bed?”

Persephone nodded with tears filling her eyes because she knew she wouldn’t make it more than two steps before she’d be needing Laura’s help again.

The dayafter her mom’s visit, Persephone woke with the worst migraine she’d ever experienced. Back in Laura’s guest room, groaning into the pillow, Persephone pushed up to a sitting position on the bed. The movement caused the room to wobble, and a sharp spasm tore through her stomach. One hand clutching her waist and the other extended to steady herself, she shuffled towards the bathroom. Exhausted, she sat on the closed toilet seat, resting her head on the nearby sink and needing the chill from the porcelain to cool her.

The bedroom door creaked open, followed by Hecate’s voice. “Sephy, it’s Hecate. Can I come in?”

Clearing a hoarse throat, she called, “Yes.”

The door clicked shut, then Hecate laid a hand on Persephone’s shoulder.

“Laura said you’re feeling worse. May I check you?”

Five days ago, Persephone could stand without trouble and now she struggled to make it the short distance to the bathroom.

Nodding, Persephone tried to sit tall as Hecate placed her hands on Persephone’s neck. She felt pathetic. She couldn’t live like this, needing the constant help of others to do simple things. She wanted to cry but felt too weak to even do that.

“A little pressure.” Hecate pressed lightly under Persephone’s chin for three seconds. With a gentle touch, Hecate traced her thumbs down the column of Persephone’s throat to her heart. “Your magic is starving, so it’s taking energy from you.” Hecate crouched down, resting her forearms on her thighs. “Power functions a lot like our metabolism does. The more you feed it, the hungrier it becomes. I have a few guesses what was feeding it before, but I may need to relocate you to be certain. Are you well enough to portal?”

“Let’s try it.” Anything was worth a shot at clearing the constant pain.

Hecate stood up and pulled out her phone. “Is it okay with you if I take you straight to Hades’ bedroom?”

“Alright.” Hecate could’ve laid Persephone in the middle of the streets of Olympus, and she wouldn’t care. Every atom of her being waged war against her.

“Fates, you poor thing. I never should’ve let you leave his place.” Hecate wrapped her arms around her, and the familiar whoosh of a portal swept over them both. Engulfed in the purple smoke and sweet sandalwood scent of Hecate’s magic, a large bed appeared in a suite decorated with velvet furniture and an open door to a spacious walk-in closet filled with suits.

Cerberus perked his head up from the intricate wool rug he laid curled up on. He then hopped up to nudge Persephone’s leg.

The dark oak bedside tables shone in the low light of the room, and flanked the pressed pillows lined so precisely, they looked like tiles in a palace wall. The fresh, masculine scent was unmistakably Hades.

“Hecate, it’s too clean to have me stay in here. Put me in my old guest room.” The thought of sweating on the silk sheets made bile rise in her throat.Poor Laura. Her guest room must smell like an open grave now.

Scoffing, Hecate pulled back the covers just as Hades appeared beside Persephone.

“Come here.” Hades scooped her up and cradled her to his chest. Her muscles relaxed and her eyes drifted shut as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Hades lowered her to the bed, between the sheets. Shedding his jacket, Hades scooted next to her and pulled her partway onto his lap. The dizziness and nausea from seconds before faded, leaving a pleasant calmness in her bones.

On the other side of the bed, Hecate stroked Persephone’s hair. “When you’re feeling up to it, try conjuring the poppies.”

Persephone nodded.

Before leaving, Hecate glared at Hades, narrowing her eyes in a challenge, then portaled away. Odd given the fact that Hecate had brought her here.

A welcome coolness washed over her, bringing with it a light evergreen scent. “Little goddess, I am so sorry I let you leave.”

The reminder stirred an emptiness in her gut. Was he relieved she was back? Or burdened again by his future Fates-ordained wife?Why did you send me away?Even thinking about the question churned humiliation to the surface.

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