Page 120 of Raising Hell
Zotera released me as Hades reached for my hands. His fingers felt so right against mine. And I wanted to howl, “Why can’t this be real?” like he had so many times when we’d first met.
“As you have said, there is much we don’t yet understand,” he said. “Stay where I can protect you and provide for you.”
I wanted to, more than anything. But I knew what would happen if I stayed. Despite knowing that he didn’t believe I was me, I would give myself to him. But I didn’t want to stay as his stand-in. Knowing that he continued to think of me as Persephone would eventually break my heart.
How long would it take for the bitterness to set in because I resented a dead woman for holding his heart? Or worse, how long before I started acting like her, lashing out at him just to make him suffer, too?
“I can’t.”
His temper flashed, making his eyes glow red.
“I’m not trying to hurt you, Hades. I am who I am and need to go back. I don’t belong here. I’m sorry.”
He took a fortifying breath.
“No apology need fall from your lips. None of this is your doing. It was hers. She accomplished the impossible. Gods are immortal, yet she lies there, still in her death. There is much I don’t understand, but one thing is now clear. She is not yet done tormenting me.”
He reached out and stroked a finger over my cheek.
“If you will not stay, then allow me to send Zotera with you. She will ensure your safety where I cannot.”
I glanced at Zotera. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body, and the creatures in Uttira would eat her up and spit her out.
“I think enough people have suffered because of me. Megan and my friends will keep an eye on me. And my home is warded. I’ll be fine.”
“Please, Mother,” Zotera begged. “I vow neither of us will suffer. I can provide for you in Father’s absence and ensure your safety. You will want for nothing, and I will finally see all the wonders Earth has to offer.”
I felt myself caving under the desperate pleading in her eyes and looked at Hades.
“I’m human. I can’t keep her safe any more than I can keep myself safe.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips to my forehead. I wanted to lean into it, desperate to make the contact last, but he pulled back too quickly.
“She doesn’t need your protection. Only your consideration. Take her with you. Let her out of this prison.”
And with the use of that single word, they won my nod of agreement.
Hades exhaled heavily and released my hands, his gaze sweeping over my face like he was trying to memorize what I looked like. Which was crazy since he’d been with a woman wearing my same face for millennia.
“This isn’t the last time we will see one another, Ashlyn,” he said. “I vow it.”
He turned to Zotera and pulled her in for a tight hug. I could hear the low rumble of his voice but not the words he spoke into her ear.
When he pulled back, she nodded.
“I will protect her with my life, Father.”
He looked at me once more.
“Forgive me for all the suffering you’ve endured and all that you must yet endure.”
He waved his hand, and Hell disappeared before I could ask what he meant.
EPILOGUE
Hades…
I wantedto rage and rip apart the domain I’d fruitlessly tried to make my home. I wanted to destroy it all for the simple joy of watching Mount Olympus fall to its ruin.
