Chapter 31 #2
‘I’m the goddess of love, sweet girl,’ she said, interrupting me.
‘People don’t need to tell me.’ She chuckled softly.
‘The real complication of love is the relationship, which is simple, really. Friendship, emotional stability, trust, and love—relationships devoid of love are tasteless. Then we have passion and sex, preferably the sparklers and fireworks type.’ She winked at me, and I ducked my head and blushed. ‘So, be brave and tell him. Alright?’
I gave her a slight nod and embraced her again.
Was she right? Was it love that I was feeling?
Or merely a hormonal haze? Because there was no question: Hades was so, so fuckalicious.
Maybe it was a bond haze, if such a thing existed.
‘Thank you,’ I whispered against her hair.
‘And I’d like to spend some time with you soon. ’
Her smile was like sun rays lighting up the cloudy sky. ‘Absolutely.’
After we chatted, Aphrodite went off to mingle, and Simmy rejoined me.
I settled into the loveseat, sipping my wine and reflecting on Aphrodite’s words.
I could only wish I were able to speak to Granny about Hades—the pang in my chest throbbed at the thought of her.
She would have offered me advice on the vortex of baffling emotions within me.
Simmy knocked me out of my reverie when he excitedly grabbed my hand.
‘Apollo!’ he almost squealed, gesturing at the approaching god like a raccoon on meth. Apollo was pure male beauty, his golden chin-length hair glittering like star-fire. Built like a linebacker, kind and funny, he was everything many women would desire. Just not this woman. Damn Hades.
‘Lady Persephone.’ Apollo bowed as I stood, then he kissed my hand.
When his eyes met mine, a fire burned in his gaze, causing my skin to flush.
Shit. I’d kissed him out of sheer anger, and that thought made my insides twist. I was a complete train wreck.
Oblivious to my internal chaos, Simmy clasped his hands in front of himself as he gazed lovingly at the god.
‘Apollo.’ I smiled brightly at the god of the sun. ‘This is my friend, Simos.’ I gestured to the Satyr, who, in turn, fangirled like a complete fruit loop, making Apollo laugh kindly.
‘You look as though you’re about to head to a rock concert,’ I remarked, checking out his T-shirt, jeans, and denim jacket.
‘Oh, I am.’ He winked at me. ‘My band will be performing soon. Just for you, Persephone.’
‘Oh.’ I narrowed my eyes. ‘You have a band? I guess it makes sense, considering you’re also the god of music and dance.’
His brow furrowed. ‘Have you never heard of us? We sell out venues all over the mortal world.’
‘Erm, no, sorry. I’m not really into music. I’m more into books.’ Before coming here, I’d steadfastly refused to take an interest in any of the gods or their ventures. I knew Apollo had opened music venues, but I had zero idea he had a famous band. ‘What’s the name of your band?’
‘Thirty Seconds to Olympus.’
I snorted a laugh. ‘Like Thirty Seconds to Mars?’
‘Yes.’ He grinned. ‘But we’re far better.
’ He pointed to the graphic on his T-shirt, which clung to his muscled chest: a design of a dreamy sun and multicoloured clouds, with the band’s name emblazoned above.
‘I need to go and prepare; sound check and the like. But I have a treat for you afterwards. Would you agree to spend some time alone with me?’
I hesitated, and his brows knit together. ‘Of course,’ I breathed, making his eyes shine with happiness.
‘I’ll see you later,’ he said in a low, sultry voice. He kissed my hand again, wearing his Cheshire cat grin as he strolled away.
Oh, crap on a cracker.
‘Oh, Fates. You lucky girl,’ Simmy whispered. ‘Here.’ He handed me another glass of pink fizz, which he had taken from a passing server. ‘I know you’ll choose Hades, though. And I’m loyal to the god of death, so it’s all good.’
‘Why, thanks, Dad.’ I shook my head at him as he smirked.
Did Hades want me to choose him? Or was it the original Persephone he coveted?
He was most certainly avoiding me, but at least I now understood why.
The thought of best-friend-icide swam through my mind again; I wondered how I might get away with throttling Tee.
‘But you have to tell me if you get up close and personal with Apollo and if it’s true that he’s got a huge—’
‘Stop!’ I pointed at his face.
‘Spoilsport,’ he grumbled as he pouted his lips.
‘Persephone.’ That familiar voice from behind made me groan internally, and Simmy did one—the little twerp.
I turned around slowly. ‘Poseidon,’ I muttered through clenched teeth, attempting to smile. He cocked his head at me, then took my hand and kissed my palm. I was seriously about to crack a molar.
‘You seem uptight, Persephone?’ He scrutinised me with those captivating eyes, holding on to my hand—gods, what I wouldn’t give to have my divine blade in my fist.
‘Do I?’ I pursed my lips and pulled my hand free.
‘You do. I hope your husband is well. Where is he?’ Poseidon’s eyes never left my face.
‘He’s busy.’
‘Hm. Is he?’
‘Yes,’ I bit out. ‘Anyway, he’s not my husband.’ I inhaled sharply. ‘And I thought he was in Genesion with you.’
Damn my freaking temper and big mouth.
‘You’re missing him.’ Poseidon chuckled darkly, ignoring my icy glare. ‘I’m surprised he hasn’t just claimed you.’ His eyes bore into me, and before I knew what I was doing, my hand slipped to the faded bite mark between my shoulder and neck. I snatched my hand away, but Poseidon narrowed his eyes.
‘Hades is a stickler for rules and an arrogant son-of-a-bitch on occasion, but he’s a good man, Persephone. Why he hasn’t just fucked you and kept you, I’ll never understand.’ Those eyes seemed to drill into my soul, but I kept an impassive expression.
‘Maybe he’s not a prick like you. People aren’t possessions, Poseidon.’ His eyes clouded with swirling storm clouds as a muscle ticked in his jaw. ‘Have you ever heard of love? That’s why people in my world get married,’ I hissed through clenched teeth.
‘Love is overrated.’
‘Is it? I can’t wait for the day you find someone you love—a love that consumes you to the core. If that cold heart is capable, of course.’
He coughed a laugh. ‘No woman will ever do that to me; I’m not a sap.’
‘Let’s have a bet.’
He frowned at my words. ‘You always did think with your heart, Persephone,’ he replied, rolling his eyes so hard they almost popped out of his ears. ‘What are the conditions?’
‘If you find love, I want to ride a hippocampus.’ I knew Poseidon was particularly possessive towards his favourite sea creatures.
‘You’ll drown,’ he answered drolly.
‘Not if I ride it on the surface.’ I gave a half-shrug.
He shot me a narrow-eyed look, but a soft grin played at the corners of his mouth.
‘Fine. You’ll lose because, as you said, my cold heart is incapable of the love Hades holds for you.
’ At his words, my heart stuttered a beat.
‘My condition is that you make my brother happy… again.’ Again.
That word made the melodramatic bond thrum in my chest and steal the breath from my lungs.
My silence thickened the air around us like dense fog.
‘Agreed,’ I finally managed to whisper as we shook hands. Then, of course, the cockwomble god had to ruin the moment.
Poseidon gave me a shrewd smile. ‘I’ve heard the gossip that Minthe still covets Hades. What if he decided she would make a better consort than you? How would you feel? She does love him, after all.’ Ice coated my skin, his words draining the oxygen from the room, and my temper sizzled again.
‘I don’t know. How would you feel with my fist in your face?’ I snarl-whispered as I curled my hand; I could feel my shadow magic pulsing, but I controlled it quickly. A smile twitched on Poseidon’s full lips as he cocked his head, and then we both audibly groaned at the sound of Zeus’s voice.
‘Persephone.’ I turned to face the king of the gods, my fake smile plastered across my face and extended my hand for him to kiss.
‘Zeus. How lovely to see you again.’
‘I hope my brother isn’t being bothersome?’ he said, a ghost of a smile tugging on his lips.
‘No more than usual,’ I replied as I side-eyed Poseidon, lifting my chin to meet Zeus’s gaze.
‘Very good. Well, I feel Apollo has pulled out all the stops to give you a night to remember. Just ensure repayment does not come in the form of sexual favours. Hades would be most put out. As would we.’
My jaw dropped open, and I blinked about a dozen times—the audacity.
‘We’re not all hoe-bags, Zeus. Some of us have morals.
’ Poseidon roared with laughter, but Zeus’s eyes crackled with silver lightning, his jaw working for several seconds until he regained his composure.
‘There’s one thing I’d like to say.’ I flared my nostrils as my irritation ratcheted up another several degrees.
‘Yes?’ Zeus said slowly.
‘You two’—I pointed between the gods, giving them each a death glare—‘are both absolute and utter colossal fuck-wits. And a massive pain in the ass.’
I growled softly as I stomped away from their rumbling laughter.
‘Fucking pricks,’ I muttered to myself. Simmy appeared with a glass of pink fizz, and I took a big gulp.
The fizzle of champagne and nectar on my tongue eased my mood, much like ripe berries and sunshine.
That lasted for about ten minutes, until I spied Ares approaching.
My irritation returned, spinning like a high-speed cyclone, but when I saw Hedone eyeing me, I schooled my features.
I sighed a moan of frustration, then almost screamed when I saw Adonis walking towards me with Ares.
Fuck. My. Life.
‘Dammit,’ I whispered to Simmy, who glanced in the direction I was staring. ‘Here comes Captain Charisma, who’s got nothing but biceps and a degree in lechery.’
Simmy snorted. ‘A fitting description for Ares,’ he muttered, edging away.