Page 96 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
As always, she looked like she’d stepped off a runway—red hair immaculate, makeup perfect, a tailored suit that screamed money. Her jaw tightened as her gaze skimmed over my skin and the bond mark.
‘I’m going to Hades’ New York club with him soon,’ she purred. ‘Just so you know, wearestill fucking. Whether you become his consort or not, I will never let him go. You’re not woman enough for him, little girl.’
Bile rose in my throat as my heart slammed into my chest like a wrecking ball. Dizziness swam at the edges of my vision, while a drowning feeling of desolation engulfed me. Was it possible to die from heart failure due to it beating so quickly? My chest was sore with the strain. Was Minthe telling the truth? If she was, then today would definitely be the day I died. My pounding heartwould shatter into a thousand shards, but I suppose Minthe would be happy.
Words, though, dried on my lips. My snark and my anger were nowhere to be found. Hades had been nothing… But now he waseverythingto me.Was love supposed to besofreaking painful? My mind might have broken if I thought about it too much, so I turned to walk away.
‘Liar!’ Bronte’s shout cut through my turmoil, and I spun.
Minthe stiffened, eyes snapping to the mage. ‘I’m not lying. I thought it right to inform our future queen… though it’s hardlyyourconcern.’ Minthe looked down her nose at Bronte, whose eyes swirled and darkened. ‘I’d leave now if I were you, child.’ Minthe gave me a smug smile. ‘Before you get fooled by him again.’
Child?Fooledby him? My soulmate? My jaw clenched so hard, and my teeth took the brunt, cracking and grinding brutally together as my temper caught quicker than a forest fire in a drought. I yearned to wipe that smile off her flawless face, hoping to break a few teeth in the process.
I pivoted on my lead foot and delivered a brutal roundhouse kick, sending Minthe flying with a sickening crunch of teeth and bones. She howled in pain as she landed. Mission accomplished.
I placed my hands on my hips and smiled grimly at Minthe, whose eyes brimmed with hatred as she cradled her likely broken jaw.
‘Don’t ever tell me my husband is fooling me again,’ I hissed at her, feeling my shadow magic sizzling like a pot of dark roast.
‘Hades will banish you, you fucking psycho,’ Minthe spat, and I laughed—sharp, cold, and without mercy.
Bronte snarled low in her throat as she stepped towards the bloody Minthe. ‘Bronte, it’s fine,’ I muttered. ‘She’s not—’ I was going to say ‘worth it’, but I wasfartoo late. With a savage smile on her lips, Bronte raised a hand towards Minthe,her eyes now a spiralling tumult of gold and black—shimmering pools of darkness—and the air rippled as a burst of magic, like a swirling constellation of stars, flowed from Bronte’s palm. Minthe screamed and began to collapse in on herself, and I shrieked. The nymph vanished, leaving behind a plant in a pot. My eyes were fixed on the spot as my breath grew ragged.
‘A mint plant?’ I gasped as I stared at the herb, and Bronte laughed.
‘Suitable, don’t you think? The mint is a resilient plant, much like her. She would have spread her lies, constantly re-emerging to undermine your foundations.’
‘But… Zeus hates this type of power. It’s something he can’t control. He has no idea of your strength… Bronte—’ I threw my arms around her, choking back a sob.
‘Hey.’ She held me at arm’s length. ‘Tell the king of gods to bring it on. He doesn’t scare me.’ I let out a watery laugh as she took my hands and whispered, ‘She was lying, Sephy. What she said was lies.’
Clapping behind us made us spin around. ‘Charon,’ I breathed.
‘The ferryman?’ Bronte whispered. ‘Oh, he’s delightful.’
Charon’s cheeks flushed as he regarded Bronte. ‘Nice kick, Lady P.’ He winked at me. ‘I must tell you that I, like all of us, never cared for Minthe.’ He smiled coyly, his eyes zeroing in on the Dunamis. ‘Your friend is correct, Persephone. Hades was not banging Minthe. The bitch was lying.’
‘I think I need to see him,’ I said, trying to temper my distrust and nerves. I knew he was right, but I needed to hear Hades say it. ‘Charon, would you take Bronte home?’
‘Bronte.’ Charon rolled her name around his mouth as if sampling a fine wine, and the Dunamis narrowed her eyes as she regarded him.
‘No need. I’ll make my own way home. Keep in touch, Sephy.’ Bronte kissed my cheek and smiled warmly at the obviously disappointed Titan. We hugged, and she turned away, slicing the air with a finger. The air began to shimmer blue, andthen Bronte walked through the gateway, which closed behind her.
‘Whoisthat incredible woman?’ Charon’s voice was gruff, his eyes still fixed on the air that swallowed Bronte.
I patted his arm, then turned to look for Hades, the mint plant in my hands.
Five minutes later, I opened Hades’ office door, and he jumped up with a smile; the smile slipped when he felt my emotions and scrutinised my face.
‘Persephone?’ He squinted at me.
‘It’s Minthe,’ I swallowed thickly. ‘She informed me that the two of you are still in a relationship.’ My gaze rose to his, and his face blanched as he stepped towards me. I held out a hand. ‘Is it true?’ I whispered hoarsely, trying to keep my voice steady.
‘Fates, Persephone. No. It’s not true,’ he said, his voice rough. ‘Please tell me you trust me. You don’t believe I’d ever do that to you. Just a hint of distrust is enough to potentially tarnish a relationship. I know this.’
My breath hitched. I knew he was referring to Adonis and me, and I wondered if the feelings I’d experienced at Minthe’s words were the same as those he had suffered when I’d betrayed him. Gods. I felt like a total bitch.
‘Where is she? I’ll fucking kill her.’ His voice was dangerously low, and his shadows danced around him.
