Page 76 of The Queen & the King

“Why is everything so hard all the time?” I sigh. “It feels like fate bound us together and then threw every obstacle at us. We didn’t even get a proper wedding.”

Hades shifts, lying down again. “We will.”

Suddenly, I feel overwhelmed with emotion, probably from exhaustion and seeing him but not being able to touch him. My eyes fill with tears, and the longing for him becomes almost too much.

“I miss you,” I whimper.

“I miss you too, my spring,” Hades whispers.

The tears fall down my cheeks, and I sob softly.

“Persephone?” Hades’ voice pulls me from my despair. “Would you like a big wedding?” he asks.

“I don’t care. I just want to come home.” I sob again. “I’m sorry I just—” sob, “I love you, and I need you, and it just all feels too fucking much.”

Hades’ voice breaks a little. “And you will. You’ll come home to me.”

The throb on the top of my head grabs my attention, and my sobs become louder and harder. “She took my horns.”

Hades wipes a tear from his cheek. “I know.”

“I’m sorry about everything. I’m sorry that I’m–”

Hades growls, interrupting me. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to center myself. “I’m here because she was going to kill you. You are alive. You are safe. Berry is safe. Mellie and Helios are safe.” It is my mantra to maintain my sanity.

“You’re physically there because she’s an evil bitch,” Hades growls. “But you’re mentally there because you are strong.”

I look at him, and I can see the devastation I am feeling mirrored in his eyes.

“You went out and captured ten Titans because you are strong.” Hades holds my gaze. “She thinks you are porcelain, Persephone. You are steel.”

Another tear falls, but I’m not feeling as sad anymore. I feel strong and empowered again because my husband is not afraid of my strength. He encourages it.

“Once I am home, you and I are going to get married. I want a small ceremony, just us, Berry, Mellie, and Helios. And then we are going to go on a honeymoon, okay?” I look at him, my stomach fluttering.

“Whatever you want. We’ll go away, and no one can contact us for weeks. Just you and I,” Hades agrees, his eyes sparkling.

“The Underworld will be okay?”

Hades smirks and shrugs. “Let it burn.”

“I would burn Olympus in a second if it meant I could return to you.”

Hades’ smirk deepens. “It would look so much better on fire.”

I laugh softly. “Except I’d want to save the flowers.”

“Which flowers, my spring? I will fill the garden with them.”

“I have a really lovely patch of sunflowers here.”

“Show them to me?” Hades asks.

I immediately climb out of bed and hurry to the window. I flip the camera and show him the small patch below, the bright yellow petals beginning to open as the sun rises.

“They’re stunning, Persephone. But nothing compares to your beauty,” he says.

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