Chapter 31
Persephone
Itook a deep breath as I stared at my reflection in the grand mirror. Happiness so intense it made me want to scream washed through me. I was wearing an actual wedding dress.
I twirled, letting the white lace spin around the satin slip beneath. The dress had been made for the occasion, and the top was a classic white corset, but the bottom...
The bottom was miles upon miles of white lace that I had designed myself. An intricate pattern of roses and skulls. Earth and nature, dark and light, life and death.
It had been a month since Cronos had almost killed me and I'd used his power to turn the surface of Virgo into a nature-filled haven for the two of us. Hades used his power to build us a modest hut, to see if we really could live above the ground.
He had been nervous at first that the longer he was above the surface of Virgo, the less control he would have over his realm and the dangerous demons he was linked to. Mostly, he feared losing his grip on Tartarus.
But it was a full two weeks before he felt any difference in his power, and so for the following two weeks, we returned to his rooms in the palace, below the surface. His control strengthened again immediately.
I saw no reason we couldn't live like that for eternity, spending half our time in the light, and half in the dark. Especially since I had some pretty epic plans for the house in the glade.
I looked down at the ring on my finger, a thrill of anticipation whipping through my body. Married.
I was actually getting married.
It hadn't taken much to convince Hades to do the 'human' down-on-one-knee proposal. In fact, I'd just asked Hecate to tell him that was what he was supposed to do. And he went one step further.
The culture in Olympus was to have one ring, for both the engagement and wedding, but because he knew that there were usually two rings in my world, he'd made a special ring for me.
It was a silver band, tiny swirling vines engraved on it, and it had a section cut out all the way through, where a second tiny gold ring fitted, the ends meeting in little Greek spirals.
It was the most precious thing I'd ever owned.
“Are you ready?”
I grinned as I turned, and Hecate beamed back at me. She was wearing a blue dress, and it was the first time I'd ever seen her wear something floor length. Like me, she had white roses weaved into her hair.
“As I'll ever be.”
“Here,” she said, and passed me a saucer of fizzy wine. “A toast. To the new Queen of the Underworld.” A stupid smile stretched my cheeks as I clinked my glass with hers and sipped. The freaking Queen of the Underworld.
“I'm really, really not happy about this,” came Skop's voice, and he waddled into the room, Sam striding beside him.
“You look great,” I told him, and he scowled at me from under his beard.
“I'd rather be a dog than wear clothes. This is the most unnatural thing I've ever done,” he answered, pulling at the ill-fitting pants he had on. I laughed.
“You can be a dog if you like, but it'll make drinking and dancing a little hard. And before you ask for the millionth time, no, you can't be naked at my wedding.”
He gave a big, over-the-top sigh.
“If it was anyone else, I'd refuse,” he grumbled, rolling his eyes.
“Thank you Skop. You're the best,” I beamed at him.
“Don't you forget it. Best personal guard ever. Saved your damned life and you won't even let me be naked,” he muttered.
“You look amazing,” said my brother, leaning forward to kiss my cheek and saving me from having to respond to the kobaloi.
“Thank you. It's a shame mom and dad can't be here,” I said.
“Definitely for the best that they're not,” he grinned at me. “And anyway, now you're all immortal and powerful and stuff, you can visit them next week.”
“Yes. I want Hades to meet them. But I'm not sure who or what to tell them he is. Maybe a lawyer?” Sam snorted.
“Right. A terrifying, football-playing, body-building lawyer.”
“We've got to go, Persy,” said Hecate, cutting across our conversation. “This is not something you want to be late for.” More excited nerves rippled through me and she smiled as she reached for my hand.
I linked my arm through my brother's as the doors to the breakfast room opened, and the harps began to play.
The blossom tree was in full bloom, and light streamed through the huge arched windows, gold frames sparkling and lush green beyond. But my eyes were locked in place on the reason I was there.
Standing next to our tree, at the end of the aisle, was Hades. He was wearing a black toga lined with silver and the sight of him took my breath away.
His eyes found mine as I stepped into the room, and as I saw delight wash over his beautiful face, his voice sounded in my head.
“You look... unbelievable.”
“So do you.”
“I can't believe you're marrying me. Again. I'm the luckiest man in the world.”
I beamed at him as I walked down the aisle toward him. He was my everything. “I love you.”
“And I love you, my Queen.”
THE END