Page 100 of Flowers Near Me

Time flew once Persephone was feeling well again. Hades and her had completed their promotional tour and all that was left was the gala celebrating theFlowers Near Melaunch. Technically, Hades had released her from the contract, but she was too invested in the app to step away now. She owed it to the Underworld Unlimited team and herself. And she wasn’t ready to leave Hades’ side.

Sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling overlooking the botanical garden’s conservatory. What a sight it’d be once all the decorations for the gala adorned the space.

Persephone and Hermes stood off to the side as Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon argued over the seating arrangement chart. A quiet Charon stared at her tablet while another psychopomp nearby intently watched her. Poseidon had introduced his assistant, Vanth, when they’d arrived. Dressed in dark suit that matched his dark features, Vanth had mastered the same untouchable, signature look that Charon wore, but he’d failed to hide the glances he shot Charon’s way.

“So…” Persephone bumped Hermes’ shoulder with hers. “How do you like working for Zeus?” Although they’d spoken over the phone, she hadn’t seen him in person since she’d snuck him into the Underworld offices.

Hermes gave her a grin. “Good. He’s not as nice as you, but things are going well. I was worried we might never cross paths again after… you know.”

Keeping her voice low, she leaned in. “Me too, but I think Hades has moved on. I heard he interrogated you afterwards.”

Hermes glanced at Hades, who was now pinching the bridge of his nose as Poseidon moved names around on the board. “He wasn’t happy. I told him everything. That I had begged for your help.”

“Oh, I heard. You didn’t have to do that. I was ready to keep your secret for eternity.” She gave him a half smile.

“It’s fine. I think he was more concerned that you had double crossed him by tampering with the app.”

“Right. I’d almost forgotten. How did you hear about that? Did he accuse you of being involved?”

Across the garden patio, Zeus picked the seating chart off of its stand and held it away from Poseidon. The God of the Sea swatted at his brother’s shoulders.

Hermes spun his head and gaped at Persephone. His curls bounced. “You know it was your mom that messed with the app, right? She sent some kind of virus called a ‘snake bite’ and Hades found out. She was livid when I delivered his message to her.”

It was Mom?“How long ago was this?”

Hermes shrugged. “A few months.”

Fates. Mom tried to take down the app. Why didn’t Hades tell me?And Hermes’ nonchalant delivery of the news made it seem like it wasn’t a big deal whatsoever. Demeter had tried to sabotageFlowers Near Meand Persephone was the last one to find out?

“So…” Hermes pulled her from her spiraling thoughts. “Hades said you have powers. What are you the goddess of?”

She looked up to see Hades staring back at her. She clamped her mouth, and Hades cocked his head to the side. Beside him, Vanth restrained Poseidon who was still trying to swing at Zeus.

Keeping her eyes locked with Hades from across the solarium, she replied to Hermes, “I don’t know. My only unique power is creating poisonous poppies. I’ll tell you if I figure out more.”

“I want to know.” Hermes gaze moved towards Charon and Vanth standing near the three brothers and he made a low groan. “Poor Vanth. Can you imagine working for Poseidon?”

Now Poseidon pouted, arms crossed, scowling at Zeus. Vanth dusted his suit jacket, smirking and shaking his head.

“No, but I’d bet Charon could whip him into shape in a week,” said Persephone.

“I don’t know. Managing his liaisons would take up so much time.”

Persephone huffed a laugh. “Fates. Think of all the rides you’d have to call after his one-night stands.”

Hermes rolled his eyes. “You mean all the calls to the clinic for STD testing?”

Persephone turned and pretended to gag. It felt great to joke with Hermes and not be worried about fainting or trying to fight through the painful fog of a headache.

Off to the side, Vanth moved closer to Charon as Zeus placed the seating chart back on its stand. Hades and Poseidon circled around the chart. “What do you know about Vanth?”

Hermes shrugged. “Not much. He’s a psychopomp like Charon, so naturally everyone is saying they should hook up. He seems nice.”

“I haven’t heard anything about him.”

Charon scrolled through her tablet as Vanth regarded Charon’s ensemble. It should’ve been creepy but only admiration shone in his eyes.

“Think he has a chance with her?” asked Hermes.

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