Chapter 39 #2
‘Allows me?’ I huffed a laugh with a slow shake of my head.
‘No way, just leave her to me, Hades. No one will ever tear us apart again, not even Demeter. I refuse to split my time between you and her… I’m not that Persephone anymore.
’ Hades’ eyes locked onto mine, and a shadow of a smile flickered on his lips.
‘Good luck with that, Persephone.’ Poseidon gave me a wry smile, and I scowled at him.
‘Stop being a freaking killjoy, King of the Sea,’ I snapped, making Poseidon raise a pissy and arrogant eyebrow while Zeus choked on a cough-laugh.
‘What’s happening?’ Tee and Hermes sidled up to us. We relayed the information about Demeter, and Tee groaned softly, sighing so heavily, I’m surprised she didn’t blow us away.
Hermes’ topaz eyes twinkled with mischief. ‘You’re a feisty pocket rocket, Lady P. Demeter can’t control you any longer.’
‘Oh, don’t you worry, Hermes. No one is taking Hades away from me. Not ever.’ Hades’ lips curled in an almost smile as he looked at me.
‘Ugh, I’m about to puke again,’ Poseidon griped, and I cast him a withering look.
‘Let’s mingle,’ Zeus instructed. ‘Everyone is delighted about your forthcoming coronation, Persephone.’
We mingled and greeted people for at least an hour, and I left Hades with his Underworld family before setting off to find Aphrodite.
‘Darling girl,’ Aphrodite crooned, ‘I’m thrilled you’ve finally embraced your love for our dark king.
’ She kissed my cheeks. ‘You’ve accepted your bond.
You’re positively glowing!’ She clapped her hands and giggled.
‘Come, let’s sit.’ I followed her to a private loveseat nestled beneath a trellis full of clematis apple blossom.
‘Is the sex still as good?’ she asked as she sat.
I almost choked on my wine as colour bloomed over my cheeks, but I smiled sheepishly and nodded.
‘So freaking good… Sparklers and fireworks aplenty,’ I whispered, and she giggled again.
‘Can you tell me about Adonis and Eros?’ I blurted, causing the smile to slip from her face.
She took a sip of her wine, then tilted her head at me slowly.
‘I just need to know I didn’t willingly break Hades’ heart,’ I breathed, tears pricking at my eyes.
I chewed on my lower lip as she took my hand.
‘Oh, darling, you were not complicit. Not at all, I promise.’ She paused as if carefully choosing her words.
‘I was enraged when I learned that Eros had temporarily beguiled you into loving Adonis. Stories of my jealousy towards Psyche are utterly untrue. I took her away from Eros to complete trials, risking her loss to teach him a lesson about meddling with hearts. He was distraught, and rightly so. They now reside in the court of Hemera and are quite happy, though rather reclusive.’
‘Who convinced Eros to do it?’
Her face held an icy calm. ‘I have my suspicions, but I don’t know for certain, darling.’
‘But Hades knows it wasn’t my choice?’ I asked for reassurance.
‘He does, darling.’
I exhaled and nodded, sipping my wine as I contemplated her words. Hades joined us, and we chatted for a little longer until we had to circulate again.
‘Cory, my flower!’ a crisp, almost musical voice called from behind me, causing Hades to stiffen and an uneasy feeling to trickle down my spine. I slowly turned around to see a beautiful woman with hair and eyes the same colour as mine. She was taller than me, but the resemblance was astounding.
Demeter had arrived.
‘Demeter.’ I smiled warmly.
‘Please call me Mother, flower. Oh, how I’ve missed you.’ She pulled me into her embrace, stroking her hand through my hair. Well, this was a thousand times awkward.
I gently detangled myself from her arms and took her hand instead. ‘You know I don’t remember you, Mother?’
‘Yes, my flower, but it doesn’t matter; we have plenty of time to catch up. The Court of Delos is stunning. You will adore it there.’ Her eyes sparkled as she cupped my cheek. ‘I’m so happy to have you back, flower.’
‘Demeter.’ Hades gave the goddess a slight bow as he took my other hand.
Demeter’s gaze turned to him, her look as cold as an icy winter morning. ‘Hades,’ she hissed in a tone so chilling that I snapped to attention and drew in a sharp breath.
Frustration marked Hades’ face. ‘Persephone is her own woman, and as such, she will decide her fate. And her fate is to be my consort again.’ His tone was deadly cold, anger tightening his lips as he spoke.
‘You cannot keep her this time. I forbid it! I forbid this… this mark!’ She gestured emphatically in front of me. ‘And I forbid this union.’ A small smile of contempt twitched on her lips. Naturally, the entire place was silent, all eyes on us.
‘Whoa… Hold up there!’ I dropped both their hands, taking a step back.
‘I am not a commodity to be bargained over… by either of you.’ Demeter’s eyes widened, a hand pressed against her heart, and Hades’ smile was as sharp as a blade.
The honeyed rasp of his chuckle caused the icy trickling in my gut thaw a little.
‘Mother.’ My gaze met Demeter’s again. ‘Hades will be my husband. I love him more than I ever thought possible. I have chosen him again and accepted our soul bond. He patiently waited for me to recognise our connection, never forcing anything upon me.’
I lifted my chin, gazing into her eyes. ‘I chose him the first time too; he didn’t keep me against my will then either.
’ Demeter began to speak, but I silenced her with a raised hand.
‘He rescued me. I asked him to take me to the Underworld to escape your control. So, if you want me in your life, you must make an effort with him. We will both visit you in Delos occasionally, and, of course, you can visit us in the Underworld and the mortal realm, too.’ The courtyard echoed with murmurs as Demeter, at a loss for words, stared blankly at me.
‘Demeter.’ Hades’ voice shattered Demeter’s spell as her gaze turned to meet his. ‘I am over my head, drowning in love for your daughter. I have always been.’
We heard lots of oohs and aahs while Zeus and Poseidon blinked owlishly at his bold declaration. Hades, however, seemed as if he wanted to vanish into the aether, struggling beneath the weight of the guests’ attention.
‘Stars cannot shine without darkness. We complete each other, Demeter.’ His voice was steady, his face devoid of emotion, and I smiled at him as my heart did a little trippy dance. I felt dizzy with a rising tide of emotions.
He stepped towards me, lifting his hand and cupping my cheek. He kissed me—a deep, languid, bruising kiss. Every person in the courtyard whooped and clapped, and Demeter regarded us with a fragile smile.
I turned back to the woman, who was once my mother, and took her hand again.
‘Please come to my coronation, Mother.’ Her eyes shimmered with tears at my words.
‘And once I’ve settled into the Underworld as queen, I will come to Delos alone and spend a week with you.
Okay?’ She nodded and embraced me again.
Hades arched a brow at me, but I gave him a no-nonsense look, causing him to huff and clench his jaw.
As I hugged her, I smiled sweetly at him over Demeter’s shoulder, and he narrowed his eyes at me—a promise of payback.
I couldn’t wait—maybe he’d spank me again.
Getting horny with my ‘mother’ in my arms felt wrong, but I gave him a sultry smirk, causing his nostrils to flare.
No one is going to control me in this life.
Not even the man I love.