Page 84 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
‘Lady Persephone.’ Apollo bowed as I stood, then he kissed my hand. When his eyes met mine, a fire burned in his gaze, causing my skin to flush. Shit. I’d kissed him out of sheer anger, and that thought made my insides twist. I was a complete train wreck. Oblivious to my internal chaos, Simmy clasped his hands in front of himself as he gazed lovingly at the god.
‘Apollo.’ I smiled brightly at the god of the sun. ‘This is my friend, Simos.’ I gestured to the Satyr, who, in turn, fangirled like a complete fruit loop, making Apollo laugh kindly.
‘You look as though you’re about to head to a rock concert,’ I remarked, checking out his T-shirt, jeans, and denim jacket.
‘Oh, I am.’ He winked at me. ‘My band will be performing soon. Just for you, Persephone.’
‘Oh.’ I narrowed my eyes. ‘You have a band? I guess it makes sense, considering you’re also the god of music and dance.’
His brow furrowed. ‘Have you never heard of us? We sell out venues all over the mortal world.’
‘Erm, no, sorry. I’m not really into music. I’m more into books.’ Before coming here, I’d steadfastly refused to take an interest in any of the gods or their ventures. I knew Apollo had opened music venues, but I had zero idea he had a famous band. ‘What’s the name of your band?’
‘Thirty Seconds to Olympus.’
I snorted a laugh. ‘Like Thirty Seconds to Mars?’
‘Yes.’ He grinned. ‘But we’re far better.’ He pointed to the graphic on his T-shirt, which clung to his muscled chest: a design of a dreamy sun and multicoloured clouds, with the band’s name emblazoned above. ‘I need to go and prepare; sound check and the like. But I have a treat for you afterwards. Would you agree to spend some time alone with me?’
I hesitated, and his brows knit together. ‘Of course,’ I breathed, making his eyes shine with happiness.
‘I’ll see you later,’ he said in a low, sultry voice. He kissed my hand again, wearing his Cheshire cat grin as he strolled away.
Oh, crap on a cracker.
‘Oh, Fates. You lucky girl,’ Simmy whispered. ‘Here.’ He handed me another glass of pink fizz, which he had taken from a passing server. ‘I know you’ll choose Hades, though. And I’m loyal to the god of death, so it’s all good.’
‘Why, thanks, Dad.’ I shook my head at him as he smirked. Did Hades want me to choose him? Or was it the original Persephone he coveted? He was most certainly avoiding me, but at least I now understood why. The thought of best-friend-icide swam through my mind again; I wondered how I might get away with throttling Tee.
‘But you have to tell me if you get up close and personal with Apollo and if it’s true that he’s got a huge?—’
‘Stop!’ I pointed at his face.
‘Spoilsport,’ he grumbled as he pouted his lips.
‘Persephone.’ That familiar voice from behind made me groan internally, and Simmy did one—the little twerp.
I turned around slowly. ‘Poseidon,’ I muttered through clenched teeth, attempting to smile. He cocked his head at me, then took my hand and kissed my palm. I was seriously about to crack a molar.
‘You seem uptight, Persephone?’ He scrutinised me with those captivating eyes, holding on to my hand—gods, what I wouldn’t give to have my divine blade in my fist.
‘Do I?’ I pursed my lips and pulled my hand free.
‘You do. I hope your husband is well. Where is he?’ Poseidon’s eyes never left my face.
‘He’s busy.’
‘Hm. Is he?’
‘Yes,’ I bit out. ‘Anyway, he’snotmy husband.’ I inhaled sharply. ‘And I thought he was in Genesion with you.’
Damn my freaking temper and big mouth.
‘You’re missing him.’ Poseidon chuckled darkly, ignoring my icy glare. ‘I’m surprised he hasn’t just claimed you.’ His eyes bore into me, and before I knew what I was doing, my hand slipped to the faded bite mark between my shoulder and neck. I snatched my hand away, but Poseidon narrowed his eyes.
‘Hades is a stickler for rules and an arrogant son-of-a-bitch on occasion, but he’s a good man, Persephone. Why he hasn’t just fucked you and kept you, I’ll never understand.’ Those eyes seemed to drill into my soul, but I kept an impassive expression.
‘Maybe he’s not a prick like you. People aren’t possessions, Poseidon.’ His eyes clouded with swirling storm clouds as a muscle ticked in his jaw. ‘Have you ever heard of love? That’s why people in my world get married,’ I hissed through clenched teeth.
