Page 16 of The Queen & the King

She pauses, still not pulling away. “So I’ll come back tonight?”

I nod and pull back, dropping my arms from around her. “Thank you.”

She steps back, looking over my face before leaving my office.1

1 The Nightmare & The Daydream Chapters 6, 7 & 8

Twelve

Persephone

AFLASH OF BRIGHT LIGHT TEMPORARILY BLINDS ME,and I work to keep the smile painted on my face. Another follows almost immediately after, and the second it disappears, dark spots mask my vision for long moments.

“Tilt your head a little more to the left, Lady Persephone?” the photographer asks, shifting his position to capture me at yet another angle. My mother looks on from behind him, making her oppressive presence known. She is in control. She may allow me out into society, and she may allow Olympus Today to write an op-ed about me, but she sure is letting them know she will be breathing down their necks about it. Nothing will go forward without her meticulously combing through every photo, every opinion, and every word.

I lift my chin slightly, allowing myself to enjoy my hair being down. Mother said it should be down for the photographs, and I’m eternally grateful for the break from the tight bun or braid.

The outfit she insisted I wear took me by surprise. It is not the sort of thing she usually allows me to wear. The dress is pale pink with a boned corset, the material flaring at the hips andflowing to the floor. Dainty embroidered petals on the skirt give the effect that they’re falling. The straps of the dress are thin, leaving my shoulders and arms uncovered. She even allowed Margaritte to apply some makeup to my face!

A man materializes in the room behind the photographer. The newcomer is tall and broad, wearing an immaculate suit, his dark hair styled perfectly away from his face. My brows furrow as I try to place this man. He is so familiar, yet not familiar at all. I am sure I have never seen him before.

My mind travels back to my dream from a few nights ago and to the handsome intruder who kissed me and took my breath away. Is this… him? No, it can’t be. The man from my dream had the bluest of eyes, blue like sapphires, but this man’s eyes are green.

My mother’s whole body goes tense when she feels his presence. Her face contorts in rage, and she whirls around to face him. “Kronos,” she hisses, her voice low. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

He smirks. “Now, now, Demeter. You might have all of Olympus trembling at your feet…” He moves in closer, his movements graceful. He leans into her, and I strain to hear his words. His voice is too low for me to hear what he says, but the blood seems to drain from my mother’s face.

Kronos’s gaze meets mine, and his smirk deepens. My mother glances at me and then ushers Kronos to the other room. I lift my chin, trying to follow them with my gaze, but it’s futile.

“Lady Persephone? Would you be able to angle your chin down a little and look at the camera?” the photographer asks, a little more relaxed now that Mother’s intimidating presence is absent from the room.

I do as he asks, and we’re finishing the photo shoot when my mother reenters the living room, looking flustered and pale.

“Are we ready to conduct the interview?” the reporter asks.

My mother nods once and gestures for the maids to start setting up the seating area. I sit on the couch, my mother beside me, and the reporter across from us in the armchair.

“Hello, Persephone. My name is Eduardo. I will conduct the interview today. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

I smile at him, nodding.

“And as you know, Eduardo, everything is off the record until I review the transcripts,” my mother says, clasping her hands together and setting them on her lap.

Eduardo glances at my mother, and I swear I can see fear shimmer behind his glasses. “O-of course, Lady Demeter.”

My mother nudges me slightly, prompting me to straighten my posture, and I can feel her disappointed gaze on me.

“So, Persephone. Tell me about yourself,” Eduardo starts, nervously crossing one leg over the other.

I lift my chin slightly. “Well, I’m an avid gardener. I love to read. I love anything pink. My mother has said she will teach me how to bake this summer, which I am very excited about.”

“I saw your gardening on my way into the manor. It’s stunning,” Eduardo adds.

I smile. “Well, most of that is thanks to my mother. She is wonderful at landscaping. I only have a couple of patches within the garden.”

Eduardo nods, jotting down some notes while my mother scrutinizes him. “Well, Lady Demeter, you are extremely skilled.”

“How one designs their garden tells you a lot about them,” my mother replies, something about her tone vaguely threatening.

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