Page 86 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
As I began to turn, Adonis placed a hand on my arm, his eyes sparkling as his gaze locked onto mine. ‘I’m sad you won’t be coming to the Court of Phoenicia,’ he said in a hushed tone. ‘You used to love it there.’
‘So you say.’ I discreetly shrugged his hand off my arm. ‘Perhaps I’ll visit you with my new husband. One day.’ Outwardly, I remained composed, but at his sly smile, my heart started pounding sickeningly fast. I glanced around for Tee, Simmy, or Hedone.
‘There she is. My fair lady.’ Hermes seized my hand and tugged me towards him. ‘Let’s get you seated, Persephone.’ I gave him a relieved smile. ‘Catch you later, Ares. Adonis.’ He tipped his head at the gods, both of whom gave him a withering look.
‘Thanks,’ I breathed. ‘Ares is a knob, but Adonis gives me the creeps. He’s a one-man egotistical asshole parade.’
Hermes guffawed at my words but sobered quickly. ‘Watch yourself with him, Lady P. He’s a viper.’
Goosebumps raced across my flesh at Hermes’ words. ‘I shall do,’ I whisper-croaked.
We met with Tee, Hedone, Aphrodite, and Simmy, who handed me another glass of pink fizz, which I sipped carefully while scowling at Tee.
‘We can chat later,’ she whispered in my ear. I glared at her and chatted with Aphrodite.
Thanatos, Charon, Erebus, and Dionysus joined us as we ascended a broad stone staircase that led into a lavish box of an amphitheatre similar in design to Ares’. The box was central, encircled by tiered seating on each side and in front. Instead of a fighting pit, the arena held an enormous stage adorned with numerous instruments: guitars, basses, pianos, anddrums, alongside an area of seats and a sea of instruments belonging to an orchestra. The hum of excited chatter filled the packed amphitheatre as everybody awaited Apollo and his band.
We all settled into our fancy seats and chatted amiably, yet I was in a nervous funk, preoccupied with thoughts of Hades and his avoidance of me, which both troubled and made me jittery. Did he wantmeor his lost love, the one I knew he yearned for? His hot-and-cold routine was sending me for a loop; Poseidon’s words about Minthe invaded my mind and left me feeling uneasy. I fretted over what Hermes had said regarding Adonis, and my gut clenched at the thought of spending time alone with Apollo. I didn’t want to lead him on any more than I already had; he was a decent man.
‘This is such a treat,’ Simmy whisper-shrieked as his little hooves tapped on the plush carpet.
‘Hm,’ I muttered as I sipped my wine.
‘What’s with the long face, Lady P?’ Simmy murmured.
‘I’m fine, Sim.’ I gave him a bright smile, but he squinted at me with a knowing look on his face. ‘Poseidon mentioned something about Hades and Minthe—’ I shrugged, the words dying on my lips.
Simmy blew out a breath. ‘Poseidon is a total fucking killjoy. Ignore him.’ He rested a hand on my arm, and I turned to him. ‘Hades isn’t with Minthe. As in…’ He made a crude gesture.
A flush invaded my skin, and my stomach tightened at the thought, but I narrowed my eyes at him. ‘How doyouknow?’
He tapped his nose. ‘The only person he’s ever truly loved is you, Lady P.’ I let out a humourless huff at his words, but before I could respond, the crowd began to go wild. Glancing up, I noticed the musicians filing onto the stage.
The acoustics in the amphitheatre were extraordinary, and the orchestra and band, along with Apollo’s performance, enraptured the entire audience. People stood, danced, and sang; the atmosphere was electric. Apollo was a true rockstar, exuding charisma and sex. I sighed. He would be the easier choice if I ultimately had to select a husband and couldn’t escape the obligation. However, I knew the only god I could ever love was the king of death and darkness. I closed my eyes and waited for the knot of messy, raw emotions to climb back down my throat because I knew deep down that Hades didn’t want me… he longed for his original Persephone.
At least an hour passed, and the band was still going strong. The concert helped me forget about Hades, and for that, I was grateful. Watching my friends dance, smile, and radiate happiness filled my heart with a fuzzy, warm glow. We were lost in the atmosphere, grinning like fools, while music folded around us like a gentle summer’s rain.
‘And my final song,’ Apollo shouted, ‘is for a special lady in the audience.’ The crowd erupted, and my heart sank into my pretty shoes. ‘It’s called “Truly Madly Deeply”, originally performed by the fabulous band Savage Garden.
The song was beautiful—one of my favourites. It spoke of being someone’s true love; that person being your everything—every fantasy and every need.
And the lyrics continued while I pondered all of this… with Hades on my mind.
‘Break it to him gently, darling,’ Aphrodite murmured close to my ear. ‘You had always been close friends with Apollo, but he secretly loved you… even back then.’
At her words, things went from crap to double-shitstorms-crap. My life at that point was a mess of epic proportions.
Apollo appeared around half an hour later, freshly showered, wearing jeans, a button-down shirt, and a leather biker jacket. ‘Shall we?’ He extended an arm, and I smiled sweetly as I took his hand.
CHAPTER 32
HADES
Ididn’t give a fuck what Hecate had demanded; I needed to see Persephone. I had to swallow my pride and take a leap of faith; I needed to beg her to become my consort.
Spending over a week without seeing her had been torturous. I missed the tiny, mouthy, infuriating woman. I loved her even more than I did the first time. How that was possible, I wasn’t sure. It was consummate love—intimacy, passion, and commitment—the ultimate, all-consuming kind.
The thought of her being with Apollo was unbearable. My stomach twisted—jealousy, a bitter acid sweeping through my veins. I knew Apollo had loved my Persephone. I knew he still did, and at the thought of her choosing him over me, talons gnawed in my belly and spikes of discord tunnelled into my chest.
