Chapter 19
PERSEPHONE
The room was opulent, with a layout similar to Hades’, though not as vast.
An enormous fireplace, a plush cream sofa, and chairs arranged around a coffee table filled the space, alongside a small dining table with four chairs.
One door led to an extravagant bedroom featuring a large en-suite bathroom with a massive clawfoot tub, while another opened into a walk-in wardrobe brimming with my clothes and shoes.
Like Hades’ rooms, fancy French doors opened onto the expansive patio area, where we had dined the night he arrived with Minthe.
Jealousy reared its ugly head once more at the thought of her touching him, so I resolved not to think about freaking Minthe.
Yet, memories of that night intruded upon my mind; it was the night I’d dreamed of him.
My resistance was faltering. I desired him, and the feeling was foreign to me.
I took a calming breath as I gazed towards the meadows and the life I had created.
I hurriedly dressed in leather trousers, a soft, long-sleeved top, and boots. I left my hair loose, applied a touch of coral lip colour to my lips, and was good to go.
When I walked back through the doors, he was waiting—the king of death and shadows, the king for whom I was falling.
He lounged on the sofa in an almost arrogant sprawl.
Dressed in leather pants and a black Henley top, his hair half pulled back in a top-knot, those liquid blue pools of flashing fire captured my gaze.
I gritted my teeth and took in a deep breath. ‘I’m ready. Let’s go and create some life in this dismal place.’
A half-smile adorned that beautiful face, and it took all of my strength not to react and jump him again like a spider monkey on crack.
He was Mr Grumpy and Deadly. What in the world was going on with my duplicitous body?
I was fighting the inevitable. I knew it, but my inner stubborn bitch held fast.
We walked down numerous hallways until we reached the door I’d previously exited.
Strolling through the blooms and long grass while watching the trees sway in the gentle breeze, elevated my soul.
A sense of calm enveloped me, and I almost grabbed Hades’ hand.
I fisted my fingers into my shirt and gulped, glancing down at the path as I walked.
We strolled in amiable silence for a time, then I asked, ‘How did you find me? In Tartarus, I mean.’
‘I felt you using your shadow magic. Once you used it, I knew where you were.’
‘Really? Are we connected or something?’
‘Something like that,’ he replied without looking at me.
‘Are we going to talk about—’ Before I could finish, he whipped around, an angry expression on his face, and I took a step away, but when his eyes met mine, he released a weary sigh.
‘Let’s sit,’ he commanded quietly. Planting my butt in the grass, I waited for him to join me.
He settled opposite, absently tugging at grass stems as he spoke.
He explained the mage’s curse, losing the love of his life because of it, and how Zeus had decided to retake control of the mortal realm, declaring war on witchcraft.
When our soul bond reignited in his chest, a kernel of hope blossomed within him, leading him to search for me.
‘I’m sorry I kidnapped you,’ he muttered, his eyes still downcast.
‘I’m sorry too, especially about Persephone… me,’ I whispered, unsure of what else to say to him. He didn’t lift his head; instead, he continued plucking at the blades of grass. ‘Where is she now? The old crone?’
‘Buried deep in Tartarus.’ At his words, an icy shiver tiptoed down my spine.
‘Savage,’ I muttered. After a few heartbeats, I continued. ‘How do you keep the evil souls in Tartarus? Can they escape?’
Hades shook his head, his gaze flicking to mine briefly. ‘No. The gates of Tartarus are made from Adamantine—’
‘Adamantine?’
‘Yes. Your divine blade is made of the same material. The word is derived from the Greek word “adamas”, which means “indestructible”. The gods often use it to forge their weapons.’
‘But my blade…’ Can kill gods—the words dissolved in my throat.
‘Specific inherent magical powers imbue your blade, distinct from those infused into the gates of Tartarus. Many blades went missing at one time or another. Aeons ago, Hephaestus forged every Adamantine item from meteorites that impacted the Earth… Meteorites saturated with magic.’
‘So, how did they destroy the confiscated blades?’
‘Hephaestus melded down the confiscated blades.’ A loose strand of hair glanced off his cheek, and his eyes looked into mine.
‘It is very difficult to kill me, even with your divine blade. I recommend a strike to the heart, then decapitating me with it. See if that works—if that is your ultimate aim.’
I gulped and stared at him, all words escaping me. At one time, I would have revelled in that information. Now, I couldn’t begin to dream of really killing him—perhaps strangling him occasionally, maybe.
‘The prisoners in Tartarus are also guarded by the hundred-handed giants,’ Hades continued as if he were talking about the weather.
‘They sound vicious,’ I muttered.
‘Oh, they are.’ He smirked. ‘And one of the Furies, Tisiphone, is the guardian of the gates, as well as other things.’
‘Other things?’
‘The Furies torture wicked souls.’ I grimaced at his words. ‘They are deserving of such punishment,’ he said without a hint of emotion.
After a long moment, I spoke again. ‘You know, regarding the banishment of magic. It’s really not fair to blame every witch for the actions of one old crone. There’s evil in every race: mortals, witches, and gods alike. You can’t paint them all with the same brush.’
‘I know.’ His chest rose with a stilted breath as he scrubbed a hand across his jaw.
‘Zeus does not take kindly to threats, and witches became a threat.’ He paused, still looking at the ground.
‘But eradicating beings with magic wasn’t fair; it was a rash solution, and I apologise for the outcome.
’ The look of pain on his face made my heart crumple.
I reached over and covered his hand with mine.
He stared down at our hands for a few heartbeats, unmoving.
‘Maybe—’ I started. ‘Maybe we could persuade Zeus to overturn the law. Allow covens and witches to coexist, as they once did. Enable the Council of Magic to flourish in peace, as they used to. Rather than being hidden away like a dirty little secret.’
He shifted his gaze to mine and squinted. ‘We?’ Blood rushed to my cheeks, but a smile tugged at his lips. ‘Perhaps we could consult Hecate about that…’ My heart skittered a beat, and I beamed.
Then my grin faded; his brows slammed together as he asked, ‘Are you worried?’
The nightmare swirled around in my mind.
The one I’d learned to suppress and block out, much like my shadow magic—they were locked in their very own Pandora’s box.
‘Tee told me about… your loss of control when Per… I disappeared,’ I whispered.
He closed his eyes, tension bracketing his mouth.
‘I understand.’ His eyes sprang open. ‘I—I lost control once.’ He didn’t speak; he just studied me with those captivating eyes.
‘My grandma’s sister was murdered…’ I swallowed.
‘I was there, but I was terrified, and I hid.’ Tears stung my eyes and throat.
The memories of that day settled around me like a noxious, choking cloud, stealing my breath.
His eyebrows pulled down tight. ‘How old were you?’
‘I—I was thirteen… I can’t remember what happened, but I was overcome with rage.
I killed the men. There was nothing left of them; they just shrank and shrivelled into themselves,’ I whispered.
‘Grandma and I had to move because of it. It was the shadow magic, wasn’t it?
’ He nodded, wiping a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
The touch sent a hot, tight shiver pulsing through my core.
‘Your darkness is immense, Persephone. It’s making you stronger. It’s a part of who you are—a facet of yourself that you need not fear. Your wrath has always made people tremble.’
My eyes widened. ‘My… wrath?’
He tilted his head, one side of his mouth twitching upwards. ‘Yes. It is, and always has been, formidable.’
Unease slid through me like slow-moving venom as shivers of apprehension worked up my spine. ‘Tee said my name means Bringer of Death, but she assured me I wasn’t evil. I wasn’t cruel… was I?’ I needed his reassurance.
His heart-throbbingly beautiful face sobered and his stormy gaze instantly found mine.
‘Persephone, your magic embodies everything, both light and dark: death and rebirth, healing and killing. Despite the potential for misuse, your goodness consistently triumphs over the darkness. You relish defending the living and the spirit… Your goodness outweighs all that is dark. You need your shadows as much as you need your life-giving light. Without light, there can be no shadow; it’s a balance within you.
’ I licked my too-dry lips and processed his words.
‘Tee told me you are struggling to summon it—your shadow magic. It is buried deep.’
I wrapped my arms around myself. ‘Extreme emotions, mainly anger and sometimes fright, are the only times I feel it.’
‘Which means it is still not contained. Still dangerous.’ He paused. ‘I shall assist you in controlling your shadow magic. We can practice.’
I took a shaky breath. ‘You will?’ He nodded, and the flicker of a smile made my next breath catch.
He helped me to my feet. ‘Come on, Lady Persephone. Let’s go and fill this world with more life.’