Chapter 9
PERSEPHONE
Igazed at my reflection and was pretty impressed.
I wore a strappy, plunge-neck, fitted emerald-green dress that flowed down to my ankles. The colour accentuated my green eyes, making them pop. The gold silk shift was visible through the sheer chiffon, with a wide gold belt cinching my waist.
Matching gold sandals featuring crisscrossed straps tied up my calves completed the look. My hair remained styled in a halo braid, and my makeup emphasised my eyes, cheekbones, and full lips. I grinned at myself, pleased with my first solo attempt at being a lady.
I was puckering up and adding a touch more dark berry lip colour when Tee appeared. I smiled and gave her a twirl as she raised a brow.
‘You’ll do.’ My smile faded, and she laughed. Naturally, Tee was breathtaking in a black mid-calf leather dress, her intricately braided hair piled high on her head.
‘Gee, thanks a million,’ I bitched. She ignored my request to walk to dinner; instead, she flashed me there. I grunted upon arrival and swallowed thickly as the red wine I’d consumed threatened to make a reappearance.
‘Stop freaking doing that,’ I hissed.
She replied in a sultry murmur, ‘Didn’t want to be late,’ before striding off.
As my eyes followed Tee’s retreating form, I glanced around.
People I didn’t know mingled; a vast obsidian-coloured table was adorned with cutlery and cream crockery, accompanied by potted herbs scattered down the centre.
The table, laden with baskets of fruit and bread, rested on a beautifully landscaped terrace.
My gaze was immediately drawn to the enormous planters, overflowing with narcissi and small cypress trees, before drifting to the view beyond the terrace—my meadow.
It was soul-elevating; the sight, colour, and vitality of the plants, both outside and on the terrace, made my heart swell.
I approached one planter and smiled as I ran my fingers over the tree’s lush green foliage.
‘Persephone!’ A pair of strong hands gripped my waist, and I squealed as I was hoisted off my feet, and swung around to land in front of a man I’d never encountered.
He was tall with wavy, chin-length auburn hair and a neatly trimmed beard.
His topaz eyes sparkled with mirth, and his mouth twitched up at the corners as he tilted his head. Our eyes locked onto one other.
‘Hermes, for gods’ sake,’ Tee snapped at him, slapping his shoulder.
‘I’m sorry,’ I whispered, looking up into his lovely face. ‘I—’
‘Don’t remember me,’ he interrupted with a kind smile.
‘But I remember you, and I’m glad you’re back.
If only to stop your miserable bastard of a husband from being such a dismal fucker.
’ I let out a peal of laughter and decided I really liked Hermes—the mischievous herald of the gods.
‘I see you’re already making your mark again.
’ I squinted at him, and he nodded towards the abundance of blooms and trees outside the terrace.
I smiled coyly. ‘Thanks.’
I grinned at Thanatos as he approached and stood beside Hermes, accompanied by a man I didn’t recognise.
The stranger was like the hero I’d envisioned from one of my romantasy novels.
His Achilles-like golden hair tumbled around his shoulders, and when I lifted my gaze to him, his unfathomable honey-brown eyes flickered with curiosity.
What was with all these beautiful men?
‘Lady Persephone. You look exquisite!’ Thanatos took my hand and kissed my palm, making me squirm internally and blush. ‘This is Charon.’ He pointed at the stranger.
‘Hello again, Lady Persephone. I’m glad you’re home,’ Charon said, then he shifted uncomfortably as I realised my smile had faltered. Was this my home? Absolutely not. I would not live with the shadowy god of death.
Ugh.
But I smiled brightly again and took his hand, whispering thanks.
‘And I’m Dionysus,’ a large man said as he squeezed between them.
Dionysus was dashing, with a roguish smile, dressed in leather pants and a bright Hawaiian shirt that clung to his Corinthian shoulders.
‘Not that you remember me.’ He studied me for a few moments.
‘But we were friends. And man, the fun we all had in the good old days.’ Tee elbowed him in the stomach, making him grunt.
‘Let’s sit,’ Tee instructed. ‘Hades will be here momentarily.’
‘Allow me,’ Hermes said, taking my hand and leading me to the table. He pulled out my chair as I sat down, then plopped beside me. Thanatos sat on my other side, smiling happily, his gaze constantly flicking at me as though he thought I’d disappear again. It warmed my heart even more for him.
Stop it, Sephy. Don’t get too attached. You’re not staying.
I clenched my hands into fists beneath the table, maintaining the smile plastered on my face.
I heard the tinkling of female laughter and swung my head around to investigate.
Striding alongside Hades, with an arm looped through his crooked elbow, was one of the most stunning women I’d ever seen.
Her long red hair shone, like molten lava pouring over her shoulders and down to her waist; her warm beige skin glowed with opalescence, complemented by the layers of gold bangles that dangled from her arms. The woman’s eyes were feline, topaz, and utterly luminous.
Her short, fitted, strapless red silk dress showcased her long sexy legs.
As they chatted, Hades' leaned down to her, and his lips curled into a playful smile.
That smile transformed his face from a vicious beauty to one of jaw-dropping beauty.
Jealousy seeped through my bloodstream like poison, twisting my stomach into knots and causing my breath to catch in my lungs.
Control yourself; he’s not yours. You don’t want him! Ugh, I was about to punch myself in the face.
‘That’s Minthe,’ Hermes whispered to me, and I sensed Thanatos stiffen as he cleared his throat. ‘She’s desperate to become the queen of the Underworld. Watch your back, kiddo.’
‘It’s not my concern. Hades can marry whoever he pleases… even a floozy like that,’ I retorted. Hermes tilted his head and raised a brow as he regarded me, while Thanatos choked on a laugh. I narrowed my eyes at him and gritted my teeth.
‘Still as fierce as ever, I see.’ Hermes chuckled.
‘But you’ve always been a dreadful liar.
’ I shot him a death glare before turning to Thanatos, looping my arm through his and resting my head on his shoulder as I looked up at him and smiled.
Thanatos widened his eyes and gulped. I followed his gaze.
Hades’ eyes shone gold for a fleeting moment; the expression he wore could have frozen the infernos of Tartarus.
His jaw was like concrete. He pulled out a chair for Minthe and sat down beside her.
‘Thank you for coming, everybody. Please enjoy your meal,’ Hades’ silky voice purred.
He avoided making eye contact with me. When he snapped his fingers, bowls of steaming food appeared on the table, along with trays of meats and cheeses, and bottles of wine galore.
I seized a bottle and filled my glass, taking a lengthy gulp of red wine.
I refused to even glance at Hades. He was such a typical god: wanted ‘his’ Persephone back, yet eager to screw anything with a pulse.
Disgust slithered through me like a viper, making me drink my wine more quickly, until Tee leaned across Thanatos and placed a hand on my arm.
‘Slow down, babe. It’s not what it seems,’ she whispered.
I harrumphed at her and finished the wine anyway, with Thanatos refilling my glass.
Hades fixed his gaze on mine and hellfire—the way he looked at me—like a predator sighting its prey.
The wine hit my chest and stomach in a warm rush, and a shivery wave of irritation and heat scorched my skin, igniting my reckless, impulsive side.
I should have kept my lips sealed, but gods, when it came to this man, I had zero control over my mouth.
‘So, I didn’t know you and Dionysus were friends with the kidnapping god of death and shadows?’ I said with vitriol in my voice, loud enough for everyone to hear as I turned to Hermes.
‘Oh, I wish they had popcorn on this menu… I suppose wine will have to do,’ Hermes said, tipping his glass to his lips.
I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow, eliciting a grunt-cough from him.
Thanatos and Charon almost choked on their drinks while I smiled sweetly at Hermes, who then burst into laughter.
My gaze flicked to Hades. His lips thinned, his nostrils flared, but the skin between his brows creased.
A stab of remorse stung like a bitch, and I wanted to smack myself.
Tee swiftly rescued the situation. ‘These two reprobates have been allies for years. They like hanging out with us because the Olympians suck. Or perhaps it’s mostly for the wine?
’ Tee regarded Hermes and Dionysus with narrowed eyes and a slight smile, while both gods grinned mischievously and raised their glasses in a fake toast. I giggled and took another long sip of wine.
‘Eat, Sephy,’ Tee instructed in a low voice.
‘Yes, Mother.’ I smirked at her and selected a variety of meats, cheeses, breads, and fruits.
The remainder of the meal flew by, and I had fun chatting with everyone except Hades and fucking Minthe. I stood up as people left the table to mingle, drink, and chat, when I spied Minthe approaching.
‘Persephone.’ The sultry way she said my name made my hackles rise, and I had to exert every ounce of self-control not to punch her in the nose. I’ll likely need a stepladder to reach her—the tall bitch. ‘I’m Minthe. It’s good to see you back.’
‘Is it?’ I tipped my head and smirked at her.
‘Well, of course it is.’ She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.