Chapter 31
PERSEPHONE
Ipeeled my leaden eyelids open, feeling like they had fused, to find Thanatos sitting beside the bed. I was still in Hades’ bed.
‘Ugh,’ I groaned.
‘My queen,’ Thanatos said with happiness. ‘How are you feeling?’
I sat up slowly. ‘Erm, tired. How long have I been asleep?’ Memories of healing Orpheus invaded my mind. ‘How’s Orpheus?’
‘He’s fine. You collapsed, Highness. You expended a massive amount of healing energy. And… you’ve been unconscious for just shy of two days.’
‘What?’ I all but screeched. I tried to get out of bed but almost collapsed as Thanatos caught me. ‘You need blood, my queen,’ he said softly. ‘It takes a long time for healing abilities to fully develop.’
‘Where’s Hades?’ I whispered.
Thanatos looked uneasy. ‘He’s, erm, in New York. At his nightclub.’
‘Oh,’ I whispered. That ache in my chest blossomed, and tears clogged my throat.
‘You need blood, my queen,’ Thanatos reiterated, biting into his wrist and offering it to me. I recoiled.
‘No, no. I can’t, I…’ I couldn’t climb Thanatos like a tree monkey and try to ravish him, as well.
‘Don’t worry. The reaction to my blood won’t be the same as Hades’ blood,’ he said knowingly, and fire scorched my cheeks. ‘Blood of a bonded has a different effect on the recipient.’
When he said bonded, I squinted at him, but he merely shrugged.
‘You sure… I won’t?’ He nodded, so I closed my lips around the puncture marks on his wrist and sucked.
He tasted smoky and citrussy, like mezcal and lime juice.
He was delicious. I sucked harder until he gently pulled his wrist away from me.
‘Sorry,’ I whispered as he licked his wrist. ‘You taste nice.’
He grinned at my words. ‘How do you feel?’
I tilted my head. ‘Definitely not horny.’
‘Thank the gods,’ he deadpanned, blushing. ‘Hades would castrate me.’
I snorted a laugh. Gods, I adored Thanny. ‘I feel good. Thank you.’
He grinned. ‘Excellent. Because you’re due at Apollo’s court in’—he checked his watch—‘approximately two hours.’
I groaned, and he winked at me.
An hour and a half later, I was ready; my hair was styled in soft waves, with half in an updo featuring a thick, asymmetric braid that seamlessly blended into the loose curls down my back.
The perfume applied to my pulse points enveloped me in a floral and musky scent—like cherry blossom silk embroidered with an almond and musk accord.
I sat on my sofa wearing lace underwear, hoping Hedone would arrive with my outfit before Simmy came. Tee had gone to get ready herself.
The goddess of pleasure appeared holding a lush black velvet jumpsuit, which I grabbed and held against myself in front of the long mirror—a square neckline with a jewelled embellished trim, shoulder pads, and an internal corset boning to the bodice.
I unzipped and stepped into it as Hedone fastened me up.
It fit perfectly, though the cleavage of my ample breasts was glaringly noticeable.
Paired with stiletto-heeled shoes, the jumpsuit beautifully complemented my curves.
‘I love it, but do I really need to flaunt my breasts?’
‘Darling,’ Hedone crooned as she stood behind me, placing her hands on my shoulders and regarding me in the mirror.
‘Women in the Western world have used their cleavage to flirt, attract attention, make political statements, and assert power since at least the fifteenth century. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
’ I wrinkled my nose at her, and she giggled.
Tee appeared in a black leather jumpsuit, draping an arm around Hedone’s shoulders as they scrutinised me.
‘Looking good, Sephy.’ Tee winked. ‘Pretty boy Apollo will be certainly be impressed.’ My face flushed, and I narrowed my eyes while pursing my lips.
‘Maybe I’ll consider marrying Apollo.’ I raised my brow, and her smirk faltered. ‘As Hades seems to have lost interest.’ At my words, Hedone shot Tee a worried glance. ‘Keep your hair on,’ I grunted. ‘I’m not marrying any of them.’ I locked eyes with Tee, and she cocked her head.
‘We shall see,’ she replied, her smirk returning.
I was still mulling over our plan, unsure whether it would work or if I should simply attempt to escape this fuck-upery instead.
I had a chance if I could just return to the mortal world.
Then, that nagging pain in my chest at the thought of leaving Hades made me curse silently.
A knock on the door announced Simmy, and two minutes later, the four of us were at the court of Cyclades.
The area we arrived in was similar to Aphrodite’s courtyard: vast and paved in white marble, the obligatory Grecian pillars flamed with burnished orange fire and were adorned with various varieties of Clematis.
Instead of flowering trees, the expansiveness of the courtyard was punctuated by Grecian statues, while crowds of elegantly dressed people milled about, sipping sparkling wine and nibbling on canapés.
The colonnade allowed the light and sweet-smelling breeze to reach further into the building.
I wandered to the edge of the large dais where we stood and looked up at the shimmering sun, moaning as I felt its rays on my face.
The scenery was breathtaking. In the distance, I spied an expansive mountain range with scenic peaks, lush meadows, forests, and lakes.
‘Whoa… this place is stunning,’ I muttered.
‘Isn’t it?’ Simmy said as he joined me. ‘But you’ll still choose Hades.’ My head snapped around to him. ‘Just a fact.’ He offered a half-shrug. ‘Besides, you can spend time in the mortal world with him.’ My insides quivered at the thought.
‘I’m not interested in marrying any of them,’ I growl-whispered as he flashed me a smug smile.
‘Whatevs.’ The little shit winked at me, and my jaw hardened.
‘Time to mingle, girlfriend,’ Tee whispered in my ear as Simmy wandered off to find us drinks and nibbles. Tee and Hedone descended the dais like runway models, and I followed suit.
I mingled and chatted like the goddess I was, serenely and majestically.
Hedone watched me like a hawk, with Tee by her side.
Simmy appeared with canapés and pink fizz, and I limited myself to two glasses.
This place had increased my alcohol intake by fifty percent, and too much of it kept getting me into trouble.
I strolled over to Tee and kissed Thanatos, Charon, Erebus, Hermes, and Dionysus, who were chatting with Hedone and her. We talked as we ate canapés, and Hermes, as usual, lifted my spirits as I laughed at his tales of years gone by.
‘So, Ares said to me, “Do you ever want to gently place your hands on someone’s cheeks, look into their eyes, and then violently snap their neck?”’ Hermes gave a cheeky grin as we listened. ‘Poor Aphrodite was mortified until I replied, “So, I guess you're still pissed off at me, Ares?”’
I almost spat out my food as I laughed. ‘What had you done?’ I coughed out.
‘Probably pulled one of his infamous pranks,’ Dionysus replied with a shake of his head, while Hermes pointed to himself in an innocent, ‘What, me?’ gesture.
As we chatted, I was acutely aware that the tingling sensation I felt in Hades’ presence was glaringly absent… once again.
‘Erm, is Hades not coming?’ I asked Tee as casually as I could. The four men looked uncomfortable, and I squinted up at them. ‘What?’ I glared at the goddess of magic.
‘He might be coming later, but he can’t stay. He’s swamped at the moment.’ I scrutinised her, aware that she was evading the truth. Was he with Minthe? The thought caused coils of disquiet to gnaw at my gut.
Why, in the world of fucks, was I so bothered? I sighed internally… This bond was a freaking bitch.
‘Sephy, don’t worry. He will be here,’ Tee assured me.
‘I’m not worried,’ I hissed, stomping away as she called my name, with Simmy trotting alongside me.
‘Sephy, my darling.’ That low, sultry voice made me smile. I turned to face Aphrodite, looking as beautiful as ever in a teal silk gown. Her aquamarine eyes were piercing, but they shone with happiness.
‘Aphrodite,’ I murmured, embracing her.
‘Persephone.’ She held me at arm’s length, worry clouding her gaze. ‘Are you alright?’
‘Of course,’ I said, managing a wobbly smile, and she narrowed her eyes.
‘Come.’ She took my hand and led me to a quiet area with a loveseat. ‘Sit with me.’ She grabbed two glasses of pink fizz from a passing server and handed one to me. ‘Spill,’ she whispered as she delicately sipped her drink.
I blew out a long breath. ‘I’m confused.’
Her tinkling laughter was like wind chimes in the summer breeze. ‘Love is confusing, darling.’
‘Oh, no, I—’ She held out a hand, palm facing me, and I swallowed my denial.
‘The complexities of love are so difficult to navigate… Being in love should be clear, not a burden. You are a team that can achieve anything together. You’re overthinking your feelings for Hades, darling.
’ I opened my mouth to argue that I did not love the god of freaking death, but the words shrivelled on my tongue.
‘Love is simple. It’s a force—a bond stronger than death and separation.
Don’t fight it, darling. And remember, it’s essential to seek understanding; open communication can help navigate these complexities. ’ She took my hand.
‘He’s avoiding me,’ I muttered. ‘And I miss him.’
She squeezed my hand. ‘Hecate has warned him to stay away from you, darling.’
‘What?’ I growled, glaring over at Tee, who had the decency to look at least a tad embarrassed… She knew she’d been outed. ‘Why would she do that?’
‘Hades is a complex character, Persephone—arrogant yet just. His love is all-consuming. He does not wish to hold you back by stifling you… He desires you to choose him without lust and attraction clouding your thoughts. Hecate did what she thought was the right thing. Hades is old-school. If he fucks you, he will keep you.’
‘But Minthe?’ I puckered my brow.
‘He does not and has never loved Minthe, darling.’
‘How do you know? Has he—’