Page 14 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
‘Safe. Don’t worry. You’ll get it back; I promise,’ she replied, opening the door.
A young, very tall guy in dark jeans and a rock T-shirt stood in the open doorway. He was simply delectable—shaggy black hair, sparkling grey eyes, and a toothy grin that lit up his face.
‘Thanatos!’ Tee squealed, launching herself into his arms and giggling as he swung her around.
‘I’ve come to tell you Hades is off seeing Zeus. He may be a while,’ the man said, his voice deep and unhurried. ‘He wants to see you in his office before lunch.’
At the mention of both gods’ names, my heart rate sped up. As he set Tee back on her feet, his gaze snapped to me.
‘Persephone!’ Before I could react, he swept me up, my feet leaving the floor as his arms locked tight around me. Dark shadows rippled off his skin, curling around us like smoke. My stomach knotted and a pathetic mewling sound escaped before I could stop it. My magic surged beneath my skin, fierce and instinctive. I shoved it down hard, burying it in the dark where it belonged.
‘Put her down, Thanny. You’re manhandling her. And rein in those shadows,’ Tee scolded as he set me back on my feet and grinned sheepishly.
‘Sorry. They always get excited when I’m around you.’ I felt my eyes widen and my lips tremble. He bent down and looked questioningly into my face. ‘Persephone?’
‘I—I don’t remember you,’ I whispered. A wave of unexpected melancholy rolled through me. My chest ached, and a lump rose in my throat. What the hell was wrong with me?
Sadness clouded his eyes, but his smile returned, lighting up his face. ‘Well, we can become friends all over again!’
‘I’m not staying.’ His face dropped, and I added, ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘We have her for three months, Thanatos. Plenty of time to change her mind.’ Tee gave me a wicked smile, and I scowled at her. ‘Now get out of here. She needs to get ready for her busy day.’
My head swung towards Tee, and I squinted at her. A busy day?
‘See you around, Persephone.’ Thanatos gave me a small wave. ‘I’ve missed you.’
At his words, something tugged in my chest, and I smiled, stepping forward to wrap my arms around his waist. ‘Looking forward to reacquainting myself with you,’ I whispered into his ear as he leaned down to me.
He placed a hand over his heart, his lips curling into a playful smile. ‘Me too,’ he said as he turned and sauntered down the long, wide hallway—leaving me with fading shadows, questions, and a tug in my chest I couldn’t explain.
‘Off to the shower. Go on.’ Tee nudged me towards the bathroom. ‘I’ll fetch more coffee.’
‘Tee,’ I whispered, and she paused and turned. ‘AmI in a coma… and you’re sitting by my bedside?’
An amused look crossed her face. ‘No, babe. This is real.’
I curled my lip and stomped into the bathroom, turning on the shower. Stripping off my pyjamas, I stood beneath the cascading hot water and reached for the shower gel. I frowned. It was my favourite—Jo Malone, Pomegranate Noir. Shrugging it off, I lathered myself and relished the water sluicing over mybody, my mind still spinning with the revelations from Tee. I tried hard to switch off; I’d get through this without revealing myself as a witch. Icoulddo it. I’d be home in no time.
Once clean, I wrapped myself in a fluffy white towel, wrung out my wet hair, and then rubbed it dry. I walked into my bedroom and stopped dead. The super-hot, sexy demon was sitting on my sofa, his blue and gold eyes pinning me with a look that made my traitorous lady parts clench with desire.
For the love of sweet fuck, what was wrong with me?
‘Tee!’ I screeched. The look on the demon's face would have been hilarious if I weren’t so freaked out.
‘Persephone, I’ve been waiting for you,’ he said in a low, smoky voice as he stood. His voice was like a shadowy caress—a voice that stoked the same feeling of familiarity. I stepped backwards; I was defenceless without my blade, and I’d have no choice but to attempt using my dark magic if he came any closer. I glanced at the door and inched to the side.
‘Don’t.’
My gaze flew to him, and I took an unsteady breath. ‘Don’t what?’
‘Run from me again.’
‘You can’t stop me.’ He’d regret it if he tried.
‘I won’t try to stop you, but this time, Iwillcatch you.’ I tensed as carnivorous butterflies chomped at my gut. ‘But perhaps you’d like that?’
An unwelcome thrill heated my blood. ‘No, I wouldn’t. At all.’
