Chapter 37
PERSEPHONE
Inodded and grinned as Bronte raised a hand to her mouth.
‘What are you doing here? With them.’ Her head inclined towards the gods, her jaw tense.
‘It’s a long story—’
But Hades cut me off. ‘She is to be my consort.’ Hades’ face was pinched with a serious expression as he moved closer, almost standing on top of me.
Bronte’s eyes raked over my exposed flesh. ‘He has claimed you… Is this of your volition, Sephy?’ Her fingers twitched, and her golden-brown eyes became worryingly dark as her gaze shifted to Hades.
I rushed forward, placing a hand on each of her shoulders. ‘Yes. Yes. I’m absolutely willing.’ I stared into those swirling eyes. ‘Bronte, I love him.’
‘Love… him?’ she spat as her scrutiny flicked back to Hades, her brows knitting together.
‘Bronte.’ Hecate stepped towards us both. ‘Persephone is truly Hades’ consort in love. They share a soul bond.’
Bronte’s breath faltered. ‘Hades?’ Her gaze locked with his, and a muscle ticked in his jaw.
‘I’m a goddess, not a witch, Bronte,’ I whispered.
‘Your dark magic,’ she breathed, and I inclined my head.
‘It’s shadow magic. I’ve been reunited with him.’ Bronte tilted her head, giving me a confused nod. ‘We’ll catch up soon. Okay? Hades’—I turned to my lover—‘please meet Bronte. She is my friend and a Dunamis.’ Hades politely bowed his head but didn’t move.
‘A Dunamis?’ Zeus’s voice sounded wary.
‘The most powerful of mages, and Bronte is a Supreme Dunamis,’ Hecate answered. ‘Only a handful still exist.’
‘I see.’ Zeus studied Bronte, who lifted her chin defiantly to meet his gaze. ‘Bronte…’ He seemed to roll her name around his tongue. ‘Are they all as beautiful as you?’
‘Fates,’ Poseidon groaned softly while Hades rolled his eyes so hard that I was sure he saw his brain. I cleared my throat in an attempt to suppress a laugh, but Hecate shot Zeus a death glare.
Bronte’s smile was as cold as frost on a winter’s morning. ‘You want an alliance. Yes?’ Zeus gave her a slight nod. ‘That’s why we’re here. We have one condition before we even begin discussions. We will convey the remaining details during the meeting.’
‘And what would that one condition be?’ Zeus narrowed those violet eyes.
‘That the gods behave appropriately. They rule and, as such, should set a positive example for the mortal world: composed, dignified, respectful… and monogamous.’
‘We’re fucked with Zeus,’ Poseidon muttered, earning a slashing look from his brother. I glanced at Hades, whose mouth was twitching.
‘Remember,’ Bronte continued, ‘I am the advisor to the twelve most influential priests and priestesses, who collectively govern the Council of Magic, King of the Gods. So, I suggest you keep your cock in your pants and don’t insult me.’
This time, I couldn’t hold back my snort-laugh. Poseidon nearly choked on his laughter, and even Hades’ lips curved up at one side. Hecate, however, whispered a ‘Fates’, glancing nervously between Bronte and the purple-faced Zeus.
Zeus’s eyes crackled with lightning, if only for a split second, his gaze never leaving the Dunamis. ‘Apologies,’ he muttered, their eyes still locked. Poseidon’s, Hades’, and Hecate’s jaws dropped in unison.
My gaze switched to Bronte. She was the most badass woman I’d ever met in my life, and my respect for her went through the roof. I was so fucking proud of her.
‘Then’—Zeus regained control—‘let’s talk.
’ His eyes remained fixed on Bronte as her nostrils flared, but her demeanour settled, and we all took our seats at the conference table.
Servers offered wine and nibbles, which both we and the witches accepted.
The meeting extended for at least two hours, and Zeus acceded to most of their demands, with Hecate acting as a mediator between Zeus and Bronte.
Hecate, Zeus, and Bronte, three of the most powerful beings on Earth.
I chatted with my old high priestess from the London High Coven for a few minutes, then slipped away striding towards Bronte.
‘Let me explain everything to you. Come to the Underworld with me, even for an hour, Bronte.’ I clasped her hand between mine, but her dark eyes startled wide. Hades stood back, giving me space, his blue and golden eyes assessing us both.
‘The Underworld? No, no, and absolutely no way.’ Her nervous gaze flickered towards Hades, who smirked, and I scowled at him.
‘Please,’ I whined. ‘I’ve seen Granny.’ Bronte’s eyes shot back to mine, her smile fragile.
‘Hermione?’ she whispered, and I nodded.
Bronte had been a student of my grandmother when Granny was high priestess of the New York High Coven, and their bond had been strong.
Back then, Bronte’s magical ability, even at just sixteen, was inconceivable.
‘She’s happy, Bronte. Really happy.’ My breath caught, and Bronte’s arms wrapped around me.
‘I miss her too,’ she breathed next to my ear. ‘Witches can live for hundreds of years, but we are still susceptible to rare magical viruses.’ She sighed. ‘I’m glad she’s happy. I will come, but only for one hour.’ I bounced on my toes and turned to Hades.
‘Hades will shadow-walk us there. Take his hand,’ I said. Bronte hesitated as Hades approached us, and with a gulp, she placed her hand on his. ‘Take us to my garden.’ I smiled up at the god of shadows, and he bowed his head.
We appeared in the soft grassy area beside the lily pond, and Hades left us.
‘Wow,’ Bronte whispered as she walked towards the jasmine and roses clinging to the trellis.
‘This place is the Underworld?’ Her gaze moved in a full circle before landing on the fortress behind, which glimmered like star-fire beneath the ethereal amethyst and silver sky. ‘This place is… beautiful.’
‘This is my garden, but the whole of the Underworld blossoms, Bronte. It’s a wonderful place. Well, it is again.’
‘Again?’
‘Let’s sit,’ I said with a smile as we sank onto the soft grass.
I told her everything—Hades’ curse, my rebirth, the cause of the war, how he found and kidnapped me, hoping I’d fall in love with him again.
How, somehow, I had. How we wanted a life together, not just here, but in the mortal realm too, now that his bindings were broken.
Bronte listened in silence, her expression unreadable until I finished. ‘So, it was all because of a mage’s curse that you were reborn…’ she murmured, and I nodded. ‘Bronagh,’ she bit out.
‘Who?’
‘A solitary Dunamis, low-level, but vicious. Your grandmother mentioned her once. She vanished around the same time you did. Power-hungry, cruel… dangerous.’
‘Well, she’s in Tartarus now,’ I said, making Bronte shiver.
‘Where she belongs.’ Bronte stood and walked away towards the lily pond and fountain. I let her go, knowing she needed time to process and reflect. Bronte was an anomaly, but she had been like a sister to my younger self.
‘Persephone.’ That tinkling voice made me jump up. ‘I hear congratulations are in order.’
‘Minthe.’ I gave her a tight smile. ‘Thanks.’
As always, she looked like she’d stepped off a runway—red hair immaculate, makeup perfect, a tailored suit that screamed money. Her jaw tightened as her gaze skimmed over my skin and the bond mark.
‘I’m going to Hades’ New York club with him soon,’ she purred. ‘Just so you know, we are still fucking. Whether you become his consort or not, I will never let him go. You’re not woman enough for him, little girl.’
Bile rose in my throat as my heart slammed into my chest like a wrecking ball.
Dizziness swam at the edges of my vision, while a drowning feeling of desolation engulfed me.
Was it possible to die from heart failure due to it beating so quickly?
My chest was sore with the strain. Was Minthe telling the truth?
If she was, then today would definitely be the day I died.
My pounding heart would shatter into a thousand shards, but I suppose Minthe would be happy.
Words, though, dried on my lips. My snark and my anger were nowhere to be found. Hades had been nothing… But now he was everything to me. Was love supposed to be so freaking painful? My mind might have broken if I thought about it too much, so I turned to walk away.
‘Liar!’ Bronte’s shout cut through my turmoil, and I spun.
Minthe stiffened, eyes snapping to the mage.
‘I’m not lying. I thought it right to inform our future queen…
though it’s hardly your concern.’ Minthe looked down her nose at Bronte, whose eyes swirled and darkened.
‘I’d leave now if I were you, child.’ Minthe gave me a smug smile. ‘Before you get fooled by him again.’
Child? Fooled by him? My soulmate? My jaw clenched so hard, and my teeth took the brunt, cracking and grinding brutally together as my temper caught quicker than a forest fire in a drought. I yearned to wipe that smile off her flawless face, hoping to break a few teeth in the process.
I pivoted on my lead foot and delivered a brutal roundhouse kick, sending Minthe flying with a sickening crunch of teeth and bones. She howled in pain as she landed. Mission accomplished.
I placed my hands on my hips and smiled grimly at Minthe, whose eyes brimmed with hatred as she cradled her likely broken jaw.
‘Don’t ever tell me my husband is fooling me again,’ I hissed at her, feeling my shadow magic sizzling like a pot of dark roast.
‘Hades will banish you, you fucking psycho,’ Minthe spat, and I laughed—sharp, cold, and without mercy.
Bronte snarled low in her throat as she stepped towards the bloody Minthe.
‘Bronte, it’s fine,’ I muttered. ‘She’s not—’ I was going to say ‘worth it’, but I was far too late.
With a savage smile on her lips, Bronte raised a hand towards Minthe, her eyes now a spiralling tumult of gold and black—shimmering pools of darkness—and the air rippled as a burst of magic, like a swirling constellation of stars, flowed from Bronte’s palm.
Minthe screamed and began to collapse in on herself, and I shrieked.
The nymph vanished, leaving behind a plant in a pot.
My eyes were fixed on the spot as my breath grew ragged.
‘A mint plant?’ I gasped as I stared at the herb, and Bronte laughed.
‘Suitable, don’t you think? The mint is a resilient plant, much like her. She would have spread her lies, constantly re-emerging to undermine your foundations.’
‘But… Zeus hates this type of power. It’s something he can’t control. He has no idea of your strength… Bronte—’ I threw my arms around her, choking back a sob.
‘Hey.’ She held me at arm’s length. ‘Tell the king of gods to bring it on. He doesn’t scare me.’ I let out a watery laugh as she took my hands and whispered, ‘She was lying, Sephy. What she said was lies.’
Clapping behind us made us spin around. ‘Charon,’ I breathed.
‘The ferryman?’ Bronte whispered. ‘Oh, he’s delightful.’
Charon’s cheeks flushed as he regarded Bronte. ‘Nice kick, Lady P.’ He winked at me. ‘I must tell you that I, like all of us, never cared for Minthe.’ He smiled coyly, his eyes zeroing in on the Dunamis. ‘Your friend is correct, Persephone. Hades was not banging Minthe. The bitch was lying.’
‘I think I need to see him,’ I said, trying to temper my distrust and nerves. I knew he was right, but I needed to hear Hades say it. ‘Charon, would you take Bronte home?’
‘Bronte.’ Charon rolled her name around his mouth as if sampling a fine wine, and the Dunamis narrowed her eyes as she regarded him.
‘No need. I’ll make my own way home. Keep in touch, Sephy.
’ Bronte kissed my cheek and smiled warmly at the obviously disappointed Titan.
We hugged, and she turned away, slicing the air with a finger.
The air began to shimmer blue, and then Bronte walked through the gateway, which closed behind her.
‘Who is that incredible woman?’ Charon’s voice was gruff, his eyes still fixed on the air that swallowed Bronte.
I patted his arm, then turned to look for Hades, the mint plant in my hands.
Five minutes later, I opened Hades’ office door, and he jumped up with a smile; the smile slipped when he felt my emotions and scrutinised my face.
‘Persephone?’ He squinted at me.
‘It’s Minthe,’ I swallowed thickly. ‘She informed me that the two of you are still in a relationship.’ My gaze rose to his, and his face blanched as he stepped towards me. I held out a hand. ‘Is it true?’ I whispered hoarsely, trying to keep my voice steady.
‘Fates, Persephone. No. It’s not true,’ he said, his voice rough. ‘Please tell me you trust me. You don’t believe I’d ever do that to you. Just a hint of distrust is enough to potentially tarnish a relationship. I know this.’
My breath hitched. I knew he was referring to Adonis and me, and I wondered if the feelings I’d experienced at Minthe’s words were the same as those he had suffered when I’d betrayed him. Gods. I felt like a total bitch.
‘Where is she? I’ll fucking kill her.’ His voice was dangerously low, and his shadows danced around him.
I placed the plant on his desk. ‘No need. Bronte turned her into a mint plant.’
His reaction shocked me. He erupted into the kind of laughter I’d never heard from him before, and that dimple appeared, making my heart clench. ‘I’m growing fonder of your friend Bronte by the minute.’ When he sobered, his gaze locked onto mine.
‘Tell me, again, it’s not true,’ I whispered.
Hades’ tormented eyes caused my fragile heart to fracture a little more.
‘Persephone. When I lost you—’ He paused and swallowed hard.
‘I lost my reason to carry on. My raison d'être. But I knew one day you would return to me. Every winter has its spring, and that’s what you are to me and the Underworld. You—your touch, your scent, your smile—are my reason for living. Only you. Always you.’
I was breathless as I stumbled towards Hades, the horny bitch bond in my chest throwing a tantrum, demanding that I touch him. I knew every word from his mouth was true. Hades’ strong arms enveloped me, holding me as close as possible.
‘The only pussy I ever want to fuck is yours. Please, let me show you, Persephone,’ he breathed into my ear; his voice was low, like the darkest temptation.