Page 39 of Love and Death
I narrow my eyes on the small goddess, studying every angle and line of her face. Despite my best efforts, I cannot tell if she is speaking the truth or not … but if there is even achancethat she is telling the truth. That she can give me more time to find Eros and come up with a plan, then I have no choice but to accept her help.
For now.
“Fine, you can start by taking me to the mortal’s father,” I relent through gritted teeth. “But, if you so much asbreathethe wrong way, I swear to all the gods that you will regret ever having crossed my path.”
Persephone nods, a small smile of relief dancing atthe corners of her eyes. “Of course, I would expect nothing less of a true guardian. Now, come, we must hurry.”
With that, the goddess sets off to lead me back through the twisting streets of the city.
11
HAZEL
It’s been hours since Florence left to search the palace, though she’d insisted on getting me a plate of food first ... making me promise to eat.
I had, in all honesty, tried, but I could not force down more than a few mouthfuls of the roasted squash and honeyed bread she’d served me. They’d turned to ash in my mouth, each bite a painful reminder that I can still hunger even in a world without Death.
If he were here, he would insist that I finish every morsel and yet refuse to partake of any himself, satisfied just to watch me eat my fill.
Unless, of course, I asked.
I squish my finger into the now sodden bread, pressing it flat with a satisfying squelch. A thick drop of honey trails down my finger as I lift it before me, watching as it leaves a trail of gold upon my skin before dripping back onto the plate. I let the stickiness of it wear on me for a moment longer before wiping my finger off on a napkin and pushing myself up onto my feet.
Exhaustion pulls at me, but I cannot bring myself to close my eyes, let alone to sleep, as I anxiously await her return.
I’d insisted she take the keys with her to quicken her search of the palace, but now I find myself locked in a tower room with nothing to do but pace the floor and pray that she returns unharmed … and preferably, before I have to explain the locked door and her absence to Cerberus.
Coming to a standstill before the large bedroom window, I stare out at the strange night sky beyond. Star-like flecks of light twinkle amidst the dark swirl of colors, fighting to shine even as the mists engulf them time and again.
My stomach churns, but I do not look away, and I find myself wishing I could jump out and join them in their eternal dance.
To join Death, wherever that might be.
I absentmindedly trace the outline of the sheathed dagger, now strapped firmly against my thigh, and wonder if perhaps he did not mean for me to use it on Cerberus or any of the gods … but on myself.
Perhaps, this blade was Death’s way of giving me another choice. A means of choosing my own fate, should the time come.
The thought has barely crossed my mind before something stops me from entertaining it a moment longer—some small voice bubbles up within to remind me that even Death would onlyeverwish life upon me.
Dropping my hand from the barely concealed weapon, I begin to pace the room again.
Besides, I cannot make that choice.
I still have too much to lose. I have to try to save Father and, if possible, reclaim Death’s body from Hades before he can do the unthinkable to it.
TheleastDeath deserves now, is honor.
The night grows darker, and my worries with it. The silence stretches on, only the rhythmic pad of my soles and the gentle trickle of water from the other room disturbing it.
What could be taking them so long?
With each passing step, my imagination runs wilder with fear and exhaustion. I try not to look at the bed, its allure growing, even as anxiety floods my veins, as if to mock me.
How can I eventhinkof sleep when I do not even know if Father is alive?
This stops me in my tracks.
Maybe that’s why no one has returned yet.
