Page 60 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
Charon, Erebus, and Thanatos gathered around him as Tee whispered in his ear. I gave him a small smile, and my heart sank when he looked away to greet someone approaching them—Minthe. He began chatting with the laughing Minthe, who wore a low-cut, scarlet, sequined gown, and a sour taste filled the back of my throat. I was two seconds away from running, jumping on his back like a monkey, and strangling him. Instead, I exhaled a frustrated sigh and downed more wine.
‘How’d it go with Ares?’ Simmy gave me the side-eye.
‘He’s an absolute dick.’
Simmy hooted with laughter and nearly spat out his drink. ‘Yeah. He’s not very popular. But apparently, he’s also got a big?—’
‘Shut up, you moron.’
Simmy snickered, then cleared his throat. ‘See you in a bit. I’ll keep an eye on you. Enjoy.’ He shot me a wary look.
‘What? Where?—’
‘Persephone.’ An icy shiver trickled down my back like a waterfall of spiders. I recognised that voice. I turned around slowly and looked up to meet the violet and silver eyes of the tall, muscular hottie from Kew Gardens. His shoulder-length, dark-blond hair now hung loosely around his jaw-dropping face, and dressed in a tux, shirt open at the collar, he was particularly drool-worthy. ‘I’m Zeus. Pleased to meet you… again.’ He gave me a small wink, a razor-sharp smile cutting across his lips.
‘Zee,’ I whispered.Shit. Zee is Zeus.
Fuck. My. Life.
A kernel of panic took root, and I worried my bottom lip. The last time I’d met him, I hadbeen rude. But, to be fair, hehadbeena complete creepy jackass. I couldn’t run. I couldn’t hide anywhere. I needed to pull on my big girl panties and face my colossal fuckup like a woman. I inhaled deeply and held his gaze.
‘Zeus. How nice to see you again. You look rather suave this evening.’ I extended my hand to him.
His large, warm hand enveloped mine, and as his lips brushed against my skin, a hot, delicious shiver ran from my spine to my toes. I tried not to shudder as I withdrew my hand. Power emanated from him, and as he met my eyes again, I tried to remember to breathe.
‘You and I, maybe, got off on the wrong foot, Persephone.’
‘What, when you stalked me?’ I bit out before my brain engaged. Those beautiful eyes swirled with silver again, and then he smiled. A smile that made my heart trip up. His mouth twitched, and I silently cursed. He could sense my attraction.
‘I’m not the only one who has been stalking you.’
‘What do you mean?’ I squinted up at him.
‘Well, Hades, of course.’
I fell silent. I tried to swallow, but the lump in my throat made it difficult.
‘I’d never seen Hades before I came to the Underworld.’ For obvious reasons, I didn’t mention the night I fought the Lamia.
‘Before he kidnapped you, you mean?’ Sugary amusement dripped from his words. His voice the whole time was soothing and melodic, and those eyes—gods, they were spellbinding. ‘He has been visiting you in your dreams for quite some time.’
My brows furrowed. ‘What?’ Then I realised. Oh, my gods. My garden. And I felt my face heat as I recalledthatdream—the dream when his shadows… Gods. My embarrassment could have probably powered every solar panel in London. I couldn’t react, but I was going to stab Hades in the cock, never mind Ares. I schooled my face into a neutral expression. ‘Why are you telling me this?’
Zeus smirked. ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ He raised his shoulders.
‘Are you trying to woo me, Zeus?’
His smile turned malevolent. ‘Of course, I am.’
‘Then stop with the backstabbing and bitching. It’s rather off-putting… A little like stalking.’ My inclination was to throat-punch him, but that would be a colossal mistake. Instead, I took a long, deep breath through my nose, raised my chin, and arched an eyebrow as I held his gaze.
Zeus smiled; it was a hide-your-kids-and-loved-ones sort of smile, but then he rumbled a laugh. ‘Oh, maleficent Persephone. You’re quite endearing. It’s no wonder my brother is so infatuated with you.’ He took my hand, and I flinched at the contact. ‘He loves you, Persephone. Don’t fuck it up. And donotfucking break the bastard’s heart.’ Then he kissed my hand again and walked away, leaving me utterly bemused.
CHAPTER 22
HADES
The metallic, bitter taste of anger filled my mouth with every breath as I watched the other gods touchmywife.
