Page 69 of Hades

I can still feel Aradia’s eyes on me, so I turn and give her a wink. There is so much I want to say to her, and I will right after we take care of this little situation.

Regaining her composure, Pestilence’s eyes dart between Aradia and me several times before she gives me an annoyed smile. “I was just about to tell your lovely… whatever she is, that her mother is planning another soiree, and I think this one will be grander than the last. You should come. I’m sure it will be a blast.”

“Cut the shit, Pestilence. Why are you really here?” I snap, because I don’t have time for this shit.

“She said she needs my help,” Aradia answers. “Something about an unpaid debt. But I’m not sure how I’d be any help at all.”

Leaning back in her seat, Pestilence waves over one of the waiters. “Vodka martini, extra dirty with three olives,” she demands as soon as he’s in earshot.

My patience is waning, and the more time Pestilence stalls, the angrier I get. “Pestilence,” I growl, letting my eyes change to the swirling river of fire. “My patience with you is wearing thin. I suggest you explain why you’re here and what you needed Aradia for, because I’m not buying your fucking party.”

She lets out a long, agitated sigh. “Fine. You know, you used to be a lot of fun. Now you just an old stick in the mud, pining over some… human… god wannabe or whatever she is.”

“Watch your tongue before I rip it out,” I hiss.

“I need to find the last of the old Fates. I have her two sisters, but she seems to be giving me the slip.” Pestilence says very matter-of-factly. “And you know how collections are—they never work right unless you have the entire set.”

“But I don’t…” I grab Aradia’s hand and squeeze it. She immediately stops talking.

“I suggest you look elsewhere. Why would you think she knows where to find this third Fate? As you’ve so eloquently put it, she’s barely more than human.”

Over the years, I have had very few run-ins with Pestilence, or Pesta, depending on her mood. But she’s well known to be as devious and self-serving as they come. Even in the Underworld, she’s seen as a scheming individual who will stop at nothing to get what she needs. I doubt she intended to leave here without Aradia, which worries me.

The malicious look she gives me has every warning bell I possess going off.

“Well, I have it under very good authority that you’ve already met her,” she says to Aradia, who hasn’t yet let go of my hand, and as much as I hate to admit it, I’m hopeful, she never will.

“That’s ridiculous.” Aradia laughs, and the sound isn’t her usual playful laugh, this is something darker. “I have barely been out of my apartment, let alone consorting with some sister of Fate,” she snaps but then gives my hand a light squeeze. My girl knows something she isn’t saying, and I can’t help the swell of pride knowing she’s aware of Pestilence’s game.

It’s easy to see that she doesn’t believe Aradia, but she’s smart enough to know that I will relentlessly hunt her down if she endangers my girl.

“Well.” She smirks. “I guess my little visit was for nothing. I’ll have to inform my contact that they were mistaken in the information they gave me.” Her wide smile is anything but endearing, more like the smile a henchman gives just before taking your life.

Leaning forward without letting go of Aradia’s hand, I lower my voice so only Pestilence can hear me. “If I ever see you anywhere near Aradia, or if I even hear that her name has passed your lips, I will destroy you. Do I make myself clear?” I growl out.

She glances over at Aradia, and I have to stop myself from lunging forward and making good on my promise. Everything in me wants to rip her limb from limb so she can’t continue with her plan. Looking around for a moment, I asses the possibility of human casualties. We may be in a public place, but when protecting Aradia, I don’t care about anyone but her.

Pestilence is a lot of things, however stupid isn’t one of them. Before I can deliver another warning or worse, she’s gone.

“Did she just…” the waiter says from next to me, holding Pestilence’s martini in a shaking hand.

“Nope,” Aradia and I answer in unison as he places the drink down in front of where she was sitting. He doesn’t bother to question the sudden disappearance of one of his patrons before he scurries away, leaving the two of us alone.

“I’ve missed you so much,” I confess once again, bringing her hand to my lips. “The moment I heard you were in danger—” I stop mid-sentence. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t called Kat, and something happened to you,” I confess, my voice shakier than anticipated. But knowing that Pestilence could have harmed her so easily has every protective bone in my body on high alert. “Kat told you not to go until she called back,” I scold her.

“You’ve missed me,” Aradia whispers, and I can see her emerald eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “I’ve missed you so much.” Her voice squeaks as a single fat tear rolls down her cheek. “I thought…I thought you never wanted to see me again,” she cries.

I don’t care that we’re sitting in a restaurant filled with people, I pull her into my lap and wrap my arms around her as she cries against my shoulder.

“Shhh, my sweet girl. I’ve waited lifetimes for you, but the past six months have been the most painful,” I admit. “And do you know why?” I whisper.

“No.” She shakes her head, and when she sits up, I wipe away her tears.

“Because you’re the Aradia I’ve been waiting for all these centuries,” I profess. “I could never want any of the others because they aren’t you.” Cupping her tear-soaked face in my hands, I brush my thumb over her still quivering lower lip. “I have never loved any version of you more than I love you,” I whisper before pressing my lips to hers.

Our kiss starts soft and tender but quickly heats as I pull her against my chest, my tongue teasing hers. It takes me a moment to remember that we are sitting in a restaurant in Boston, not in the Underworld, where anything goes.

“We should probably get out of here before they call the police, because I’m about to get us arrested for indecent exposure,” I tease, gripping her hair and pulling her head back to pepper her skin with kisses.

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