Page 26 of Until Death
She’s stunning, a true beauty with dark, flowing locks, and full curves that make my own body feel inadequate and plain. Looking at her, I can hardly blame him for losing interest in me so quickly.
I watch as she smiles up at him, her full lips spreading into a soft smile as she nods along to whatever it is that he’s saying. He barely even glances at his plate or cup as he continues to dine.
She has captured his entire attention, and I’m suddenly unsure how to have it returned to me.
Sighing, I look down at my food again.
With a room full of women like her, what reason does Hades have to notice me, a mere mortal?
If things were different, I would be grateful that his attention has been diverted, but as much as I may want to let his gaze pass over me, I cannot allow that to happen.
If I am ever going to earn his favor, he has to notice me.
He has to recognize me as the woman from the ball.
A shudder works its way down my spine as I realize that I need even more than that from him …
I need him to fall for me.
9
Hazel
Before I can gather the courage to do something stupid enough to catch his attention, the sound of a chair scraping against the stone draws everyone’s attention toward the head of the table.
Hades rises slowly, his gaze sweeping through the room as silence quickly falls over us.
“I suppose it is time I tell you exactly why you have been made … guests here,” the king says, his words almost seeming to hang in the air.
I frown, glancing about the room as most of the women breathlessly await his every word.
Did he not already tell us why we were here?
If I can just figure out a way to prove myself to him, then the others won’t have to be kept prisoner here any longer.
“One of you, as I have already said, captured my attention last night,” he continues, straightening as he begins to walk slowly around the long table, “and yet, she remains elusive, hidden from my sight once more.”
His gaze lingers on me for a moment, and I feel a flicker of hope ignite in my chest until he turns his attention back to the dark-haired woman from before. My heart sinks as he continues his leisurely circle around the table, his eyes never once returning to me.
“And so, I have decided we will play a little game.”
“A game?” one of the women whispers before quickly pressing a hand to her mouth.
“Yes, instead of trying to force this woman to reveal herself, I will give each of you the chance to prove yourselves to me. Do so wisely, for I intend to make the woman who earns my favor my next wife.”
I blink in utter shock at this. The women around me gasp, many of them looking elated at the prospect, while still others look as horrified as I feel.
Wife? But what about Persephone?
Surely, I must have misheard him, but I know I did not as the others echo whispers of my own confusion.
Hades seems pleased by the reaction as he takes his seat at the head of the table again.
“He is not worth your time, mortal,” a woman sitting across from me whispers.
I glance up at her, taking in her soft green eyes and copper hair. She gives me a small smile that eases the painful knotting of my stomach.
If I cannot draw Hade's attention with my looks, then perhaps I can glean some information from those around me. This woman looks far more pleasant to have a conversation with, compared to the others around me that seem to stare down their noses at me.
