Page 88 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
And, gods, please tell me my nipples aren’t tingling.
Apollo stared at Hades as if he’d whipped out his cock and started swinging it around but gave a slight nod, bowed to me, and walked out.
‘Persephone.’ Hades rolled my name over his tongue as if he were savouring it, and my legs felt a little unsteady as an intense pulse of desire punched me in the gut. The bond went from a ball of fuzzy warmth in my chest into a raging wildfire.
Our eyes locked, my heart raced, and as I licked my bottom lip, his eyes zeroed in on my mouth. ‘I’ve missed you,’ I whispered.
Like a flash of lightning, he was before me, and my breath snagged as his mouth plundered mine, his large hands cradling my face. There was nothing gentle about his kiss… He kissed me as if his life depended on it. The kiss deepened until we were consumed by each other, tongues entwining in an erotic dance, our breaths mingling together. He pulled away, resting his forehead against mine, and closed his eyes. We remained still for several heartbeats.
‘We need to talk.’ His breath caressed my lips as he spoke.
I met his gaze and nodded. ‘We do.’
Hades shadow-walkedme to his chambers, my mind whirling like a softball in a cyclone.
‘I want to see my granny,’ I said, making him freeze.
He sighed. ‘Fine. But one visit is all you can have, Persephone.’
His shadows enveloped us, and we appeared in a scene reminiscent of a quintessential English village: thatched cottages, beautiful gardens, swaying trees, and songbirds. Everything was simply perfect. I spotted a woman tending to one of the gardens—a garden brimming with roses—and then moved closer, unlatching the garden gate. She looked younger, blooming in her surroundings, and I hesitated.
The lady looked up, her eyes meeting mine. ‘Persephone, my darling. Oh, how I’ve missed you.’
‘Granny.’ I sobbed as I threw myself into her arms, embracing her as I cried. I felt Hades’ presence behind me and, reluctantly, let go, gesturing to him. ‘This is?—’
‘I know who he is, darling,’ Granny said respectfully, bowing her head.
‘Oh,’ I whispered. ‘Are you… happy?’ I held her at arm’s length and studied her. That warm smile and the love shining in her eyes made my heart flip-flop.
‘I am content, my darling. Yes.’ My eyes roamed over her cottage and rose garden. It was like the place she’d always dreamed of.
‘How? This place is exquisite.’
She shrugged and smiled. ‘It’s what I wanted; what I hoped for. Elysium is a beautiful place, Persephone.’ That little pulse in my chest felt like a thousand hummingbirds taking flight.
‘Hey, Hermione.’ A tall, handsome, American Black man waved over the garden fence.
‘George, this is my granddaughter.’
George gave me a slight nod, and Hades made his way towards George.
‘I’ll catch you later, for G&Ts?’ George winked, and Granny blushed, causing me to narrow my eyes.
‘Sure,’ she answered. Then he disappeared inside his house with Hades.
‘Are you and George…’
She giggled at my words. ‘He’s an old flame… He died alone like me. We’re rekindling our friendship.’ I didn’t need to know any more.
‘This place seems?—’
‘It is, darling,’ Granny replied before I could finish. ‘We have all the necessities of life at our disposal. But here, life is easier. I don’t wish to be reincarnated. I’m happy, Persephone.’ Her words made my heart do a happy little wiggle, and the pulse in my chest went berserk. ‘Let’s go and make lemonade.’ She took my hand, leading me into her cottage and to the kitchen, a warm and inviting space with creamy white cabinets, a central island, and—typical of Granny—no clutter to be found. She busied herself squeezing lemons, preparing sugar water, and filling the glasses with ice. Watching her brought back so many wonderful memories, and tears pricked my eyes.
‘I need your advice, Granny.’
‘You don’t, darling.’ My eyes widened, and I frowned. ‘We always knew you were different, Persephone. We protected you, but we loved you more than you could ever imagine. Your destiny awaits you. Queen of the Underworld.’
I gasped. ‘How?’
