15. Chapter 15
Moonlight pooled into the bed chambers. Its ethereal rays spilled across the tousled silk sheets like molten mercury, while flickering candles bathed the room in a magical glow. At the heart of this moonlit reverie, Zoe nestled into the warmth of Shadow’s chest, slumbering peacefully as his fingertips softly brushed her hair. She relished every blissful moment, and every precious touch. Because as the clock tolled once more, she knew that their time grew short.
Shadow stirred at the chimes of the clocks, as if drawn by some unseen magic. With a sigh, he reluctantly raised himself from the silk sheets, before he offered Zoe his hand.
“Come with me.”
Together, they retraced their steps through the motel, collecting their strewn clothing from where they’d been flung in the throes of their passion. Zoe repressed a giggle as Shadow unhooked a pair of silk boxer shorts from a bust of one of his ancestors, before they journeyed to the center of the maze, where hundreds of will-ó-wisps fluttered through the air. With a smile, Shadow led her to the dancefloor, before she turned to him questioningly.
“But there’s no music…”
Shadow pointed to the tapestry of light provided by the will-ó-wisps above. “Listen.”
Zoe followed his gaze, before she drew a breath in surprise. Each beat of the will-ó-wisp’s wings reverberated through the air like the plucking of harp strings, weaving together to create a rich tapestry of sound. Zoe’s heart stirred at the beautiful melody, until she took to the dancefloor with Shadow. As they danced by the roots of the pomegranate tree, she gazed in wonder at the enchanting sights that surrounded her, knowing it was the perfect way to end the most magical evening of her life. And yet, as she watched the moon descend towards the horizon, she couldn’t help but feel her heart sink along with it.
“How long do you have left?”
“Until the first rays of sunrise touch my skin.” Shadow smiled sadly, and brushed a stray lock of hair from Zoe’s face. “Such magic can only last for so long. It’s why we must make every second count.”
With a smile, Shadow gently tilted her chin, and pressed his lips to hers. As the will-ó-wisps bathed her in their magical melody and light, Zoe lost herself in the magic of the kiss, until she drew Shadow closer. She wrapped her arms around his body, holding him close, as if that alone could defy the magic that bound these lands. But as their lips parted, she realized a greater challenge lay ahead of them than just magic. She might have gained Shadow’s trust, but she had come to the Underworld under false pretenses. And it was time to put things right.
“Shadow, I need to tell you something...”
A pit of unease opened in Zoe’s stomach as Shadow looked at her warily. A cold breeze swept through the clearing, while the darkness in his eyes bloomed once more, as if protecting him from harm.
“Is something the matter?” Shadow searched her eyes uncertainly. “If you regret what happened...”
“No, I don’t regret anything about tonight. But...”
Zoe blinked back tears as she placed a hand to Shadow’s face. Dealing with magic was one thing, but admitting her treachery was altogether different. But despite her unease, she knew she had to come clean. Shadow had been betrayed once before, and she had no intention of hurting him again. She just hoped that her honesty wouldn’t cost her everything.
“I...” Zoe drew a breath, her mind racing as she tried to find the right words to say. “I have a confession to make...”
Shadow folded his arms suspiciously. “A confession?”
“When I first arrived here, I learned there was something special about the Underworld. That it held a secret treasure, with a power like no other. And I... I...” Zoe cursed as her words tumbled out of her. “I should have been honest with you right from the start. But everything was such a blur, what with Spooks getting the wrong idea, and Swindleton stealing my work from beneath me. And now I worry it’s too late...”
Zoe drew a startled breath as Shadow placed a finger to her lips. Despite her tears, he smiled reassuringly.
“Do you know what makes the Underworld so magical?”
Zoe blinked back her tears. “I guess it’s not Spooks’ desire to have jelly parties with the Titans?”
Shadow chuckled softly, and shook his head.
“The Underworld Motel opens its doors to any lost soul in need. We’ve hosted beggars and billionaires, pirates and priests, scoundrels and saints, and treated them all the same. Because that’s the true power of our magic. To give people a chance to make up for their past mistakes. To ease any regrets they may have. To wipe the slate clean, and help them move on.” A gentle breeze swept through the clearing, as Shadow wiped Zoe’s tears from her cheeks. “And it’s why you don’t need to explain yourself to me, Zoe.”
Zoe looked at him in surprise. “I don’t?”
“We’ve both kept our secrets from one another.” Zoe looked at Shadow uncertainly as his eyes darkened. “But Persephone’s magic teaches us the importance of moving on. Of making our peace with the past, and focusing on the present. Because it doesn’t matter who you were before you came here. What matters is the here and now.”
Zoe held Shadow’s gaze. In the darkness of his eyes, the reflection of the moon sank lower on the horizon, counting down what little time they had left together. At seeing her uncertainty, Shadow drew her closer once more.
“Life is short, Zoe. For some of us, more than others.” He looked at his hand pointedly, where the mortality of his flesh waned. “All we have is this moment. A moment with no barriers, no secrets. A moment with nothing, but ourselves.”
A shiver ran down Zoe’s spine as Shadow held her closer, and his breath caressed her skin. She gazed at this man, this god, in the ethereal light of the moon, knowing he’d given her the greatest gift of all. Forgiveness. And yet, despite the flicker of hope that ignited in her heart, she looked at him uncertainly once more.
“But then what?” She gazed at his hand worriedly, as his fingertips returned to their shadow-form. “What happens after Persephone’s magic fades?”
Shadow drew a long breath, while hesitation lingered in his eyes.
“Zoe, you’ve helped me rediscover the magic in the Underworld. And tonight has been one of the most magical nights of my life…”
Zoe raised her eyebrow in suspicion. “Why do I get the feeling there’s a but coming?”
Shadow smiled sadly, and gazed at the snow-covered landscape as it sparkled in the moonlight.
“I promised to help every lost soul in the Underworld rediscover what it means to live again. To help them experience life’s rich tapestry of magic, so that they can move on with no regrets.” Shadow turned to Zoe, regret shining in his eyes. “And it’s why I can’t let you stay here. We’re from two different worlds, Zoe. Worlds that can never be truly united.”
Zoe followed Shadow’s gaze, until she studied his hands. Darkness rippled along his skin as the power of Persephone’s magic waned, until his fingertips passed through hers. But despite his warning, Zoe fixed him with a defiant look.
“And don’t I get a say in the matter? It’s my life, Shadow, which means it’s my choice, too.” Zoe studied the buds on the pomegranate tree, each of them gleaming in the fading starlight. “Besides, with Persephone’s magic, we can be together again.”
“That would have been the case, once before. But since Charon’s betrayal, Persephone’s Tree now blooms just once a year.” Shadow’s eyes hardened as he gazed at the buds, forever frozen in time. “Think about it, Zoe. Is that really the life you want? To spend all year waiting for just one night for us to be together?”
“But there must be a way.”
“There’s only one way. The Underworld Motel must save a lost soul. That’s the only way magic will return to these lands, and we can truly be together.” Shadow conjured the motel guest book, and gazed mournfully at the empty pages. “But without Charon, it could take years, decades even, for a lost soul to find us. And I can’t let you stay here in this ghost town, waiting for a day that might never come. It would be no life for you.”
Silence fell between the pair, broken only by the soft harmonies of the will-ó-wisps above. Zoe’s mind swam as she remained torn with her indecision. All her life, she’d followed the path set out for her. She’d run along the treadmill of her corporate career, mindlessly chasing her next promotion, letting nothing get in her way. But deep down, she knew that this magical night had changed everything. And she wasn’t ready to let it go.
“Well, then. I guess I have some work to do.”
Shadow looked at her in surprise. “What do you mean?”
Zoe felt an idea form in her mind as she studied the blank pages of the motel guest book. For so many years, she’d been told that listening to her heart got in the way of business. That seeing the beauty in the world was her greatest weakness. But as her heart stirred, giving her the guidance she needed, she realized perhaps it was her greatest strength.
“Without a ferryman of the Underworld, lost souls will never find their way here. So maybe I can help…”
“I can’t expect you to shoulder the Underworld’s burdens, Zoe.” Shadow’s eyes darkened, and he shook his head. “I’m the King of the Underworld. Its protector. And it’s my responsibility to save these lands.”
“Perhaps that’s your problem. You’ve always been so solitary, so guarded. But you can’t go through your whole life being alone.” Zoe laced her fingers between Shadow’s, and held his gaze. “Sooner or later, you need to let someone else in.”
“Zoe, I...”
Zoe gazed into Shadow’s eyes. Deep within the darkness, she could see his inner light, yearning to be free. And she knew all it would take was for her to speak from the heart. For the first time, she drew on the strength that welled deep inside her, and spoke once more.
“You’ve spent your life saving others. But you don’t need to do this alone anymore.” Zoe smiled as the golden light of the will-ó-wisps bathed them in a magical aura. “Let me stay, Shadow. Together, we can save the Underworld. Together, we can save each other.”
Light bloomed in Shadow’s eyes, burning through the darkness of his doubts like a glorious sunrise. With a smile, he drew himself closer to Zoe, and pressed his lips to hers. It was a kiss that promised they would no longer be alone. A kiss fueled by the magic in their hearts.
They danced once more beneath the boughs of Persephone’s Tree, serenaded by the song of the will-ó-wisps. As the moon made its graceful descent below the horizon, and the first rays of sunlight slipped over the landscape, Zoe felt the power of Persephone’s magic wane. She drew a startled breath as their feet left the solid ground, until they danced gently in the air, like blossom petals caught in a soft breeze.
“Until next time, Zoe.”
Shadow pressed his lips to hers, savoring every second of their time together. Zoe held him closer, trying to fight the bonds that would take him from her. She committed every sensation to her memory. The power of his muscular frame as they held each other close. The sensation of his stubble against her skin. The feeling of his lips on hers, as they sealed their promise to one another.
The last slivers of moonlight faded from view, until a glorious sunlight broke across the landscape. Despite the warmth of the sun’s rays, Zoe shivered as Shadow’s touch grew cold, and she felt him slip away into the darkness. The song of the will-ó-wisps faded as they returned to their boughs, while her feet returned to the ground with a soft thud.
Zoe blinked back her tears as all grew still in the clearing. But as a playful buzz filled her ears, she turned to the lone will-ó-wisp that fluttered beside her.
“Well, it looks like you and I have some work to do, little guy.” Zoe smiled softly as the will-ó-wisp buzzed in agreement. “Now, let’s save the Underworld.”