Page 100 of Raising Hell
“Thank me when I’m done by making three rings. One for each fury to atone for all they’ve suffered because of selfish gods and to remind them that you love them.”
He continued to hold me for several minutes, and I hugged him in return, my heart heavy for all the misfortune that Megan’s family had endured since their creation.
When he released me, I gently traced my fingers over the words and watched the gold form into rings. They fell from the air into my hand one by one, and I tucked them into the band binding my chest. There was more gold left over, though, and from that, Hades made a very large circlet of thick interlaced bands. The pretty weave was heavier than the necklace when he settled it on my head like a crown.
“It’s very pretty,” I said diplomatically. “But it feels a little too formal for everyday wear.” I lifted it off my head to look at it then glanced at my throne. “Will anyone take it if I leave it there?” I asked.
“No one would dare,” Hades said.
“I promise to watch over it, Mother,” Zotera added.
“Thank you.”
I set it in the seat and took Hades’ hand.
“I’m sorry the spell didn’t work,” I said.
“I’m not,” he said, surprising me.
“Why?”
“I don’t want anything to take away what we have now.” His thumb smoothed over my fingers. “I want to keep this version of you forever.”
“Memories can’t take me away.”
“Can’t they?”
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that but hugged him regardless because it looked like he could use it.
“Well, we don’t have to worry about it for now,” I assured him. Especially since he refused to try any more potions.
“But we do need to worry about who pushed you,” Zotera said. “I don’t want you to leave like that again.”
“Again?” Hades asked, turning to look at her. “What do you mean again?”
She glanced at me and then at Hades and shook her head.
“I never want Mother to leave me. I’m lonely without her.”
His slightly panicked, angry look turned to one of sympathy.
“I understand, daughter. Would you like to game with us?”
We played games of chance at the table until my stomach growled. Then we ate a simple dinner of stew.
“I miss books,” I said when Hades mentioned playing more games. I liked the games. They were fun. But I missed reading too.
“Books?” he asked.
“Stories. Tales of epic adventures.”
“Ah. Children!”
I jumped at his sudden volume. “You have to give me some warning when you do that.”
“Forgive me.” He brought my hand to his lips, brushing a light kiss across my knuckles before leading me to my chair. It was the first time in a long time that he allowed me to sit on my own, and I grew a little suspicious when he settled the crown on my head.
The first person slipped into the room as Hades took his place beside me. He waited until half the room was full before speaking.
