Page 18 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
I didn’t mention my concerns about Persephone. ‘Fucking Zeus,’ I ground out with gritted teeth.
‘What’s the meddlesome old bastard done now?’ she huffed as she flopped into a chair.
I told her what Zeus had planned with a few other gods, her eyes widening by the minute. Then her temper flared. ‘What the actual? Do they think she’s a commodity to be traded to the highest bidder?’
I shrugged and stared down at the papers on my desk. ‘Zeus told me to win her back the right way.’
‘We need to be smart about this, Hades. You love her, unlike the other gods. And I know deep down she still loves you.’
I scoffed a laugh. ‘She might be drawn to me’—I remembered the desire in her eyes as her gaze devoured me—‘but what if it’s not her anymore, Hecate?’ I gave a resigned sigh, and Hecate’s brows furrowed.
‘Bollocks, Hades. It’s still Persephone.’
‘Is it?’
‘Yes. You can’t back down because of Zeus’s meddling.’
‘I can’t endure any more heartbreak, Hecate. Having her here only deepens my longing for her… intensifies my craving. I feel vulnerable.Shemakes me vulnerable, and I don’t like it. I ought to have left her in the mortal realm.’ I felt as if my heart was being squeezed through a juicer… slowly.
‘Oh, for fuck's sake, Hades. Grow a pair of ovaries,’ Hecate vented. I glowered at her impertinence, then her expression softened. ‘Youwillwin her over. You will woo her and show how much you love her. You can do that, can’t you? But first, you need to take the stick from up your ass.’ I blinked at her. ‘And stop being such a miserable git.’
‘You make it sound so simple,’ I replied, rolling my eyes. ‘Queen of the gods, residing in beautiful Olympus, or queen of the dead, existing here with me.’ I slammed my hand down on the desk.
‘You’re not bound here anymore, are you?’ Hecate cocked her head. ‘You have a life up top, as well—now you have equal access to the mortal world. You’re also far sexier than Zeus.’ I chuckled at the goddess and my best friend.
‘There’s one thing, though.’ I regarded her, raising my eyebrows. ‘You need to protect your heart, Hades.’ I concurred with her on that point. ‘And don’t go in all gung-ho, arrogant god with her. She’s a spitfire and doesn’t take kindly to arrogance.’ Hecate reached across the desk and took my hand. ‘But she feels something for you. I know she does.’
‘I’m not so sure.’
Hecate shook her head in frustration. ‘Hades, she believes she’s a witch—your sworn enemy. But she has the link to you. The soul bond. She needs to see the real you, not the arrogant son-of-a-bitch you.’ I tightened my jaw at her disrespect. ‘Oh, and another thing. Sort this crap out, Hades, because she’s a virgin.’
I jumped up, my eyes popping.
‘And put those golden eyes away,’ Hecate snapped. ‘Gods, you’re such a typical man. Get lunch prepped. I’ll have her with you in forty-five minutes.’
Hecate vanished, leaving my mind reeling. If another god laid a hand on Persephone, there’d be a second war, but this time in Olympus.
CHAPTER 7
PERSEPHONE
Iwatched Tee in the mirror as she fiddled with my hair, creating one long Dutch braid, arranging it along my hairline, and pinning it in place. A few wispy strands framed my face. I wore minimal makeup—I didn’t want Hades to think I was interested in him, because I wasn’t. Ugh,notat all.
‘There you go. That’s what’s known as a halo braid. You need to practice doing your hair, Sephy. You look like a bag of shit most of the time.’
I coughed a laugh. ‘Way to go boosting a girl's confidence, bestie.’
Tee sniggered. ‘When you return from lunch, we need a chat.’ Hecate said as she smoothed her hands around my head.
‘What about?’
‘It’ll wait. Come on, let’s go.’
I stood and looked at my reflection. I’d insisted on staying in my leather fighting gear, refusing one of the flowing dresses inmy wardrobe, and I had my divine blade strapped to my thigh. ‘Can we walk, please?’
Tee looked to the sky but took the lead. The wide hallways seemed endless, shimmering with magically imbued daylight. The walls were painted a deep aubergine colour, complemented by a sumptuous grey carpet underfoot.
Tee gestured towards a pair of broad grey doors before disappearing in a flash of white light.Damn her.
