Page 41 of Love and Death
It dawns on me that I haven’t seen it since the arena.
I don’t even remember dropping it.
My heart sinks over the loss of the drawing, not to mention everything that note had meant. It had been a parting gift from Death, a declaration of truth, and yet … it had been written in Cyprian’s own hand.
Which could only mean—my heart pounds in my chest— that he’s dead.
12
HADES
Fates be damned! I bled Death for you, and you would weave me like a common thread to come before you?!
I let out a roar into the dark canopy above me as yet another thorned branch swings back to strike me. Gritting my teeth, I force my way forward through the seemingly ever-thickening foliage.
If I did not know better, I might blame the Moirai for my current torment. Regardless of who is to blame, I will not forget this slight. That I should be made to traverse this gods-forsaken land to come before them … when it is they who now owe me their very existence.
After all that I have done, they who should be the ones groveling before me! After I alone accomplished what no one else could do. Am I not the one who brought Death to his knees and dealt the final blow?
Mark my words. Once everything is said and done, they shall pay for making me,their king—their godcome before them to finalize the deal.
My lip curls up at the thought, disgust roiling withinme at the thought of having to cater to these women a moment longer than necessary. Once I have Death’s power, once I am certain that the deal is complete, not even the Fates will stand to defy me.
A grin tugs at the corner of my mouth, urging me forward even as the ground continues to rise up against me with each step I take.
“Enough,” I finally snap, reaching up to grab a thick, thorned vine as it snags my left sleeve. “You choose to bend for shadows and yet rise against your king?!”
Instantly, brilliant blue flames burst to life in my hand and lick their way up the twisted bark. I watch in satisfaction as the vine is slowly, agonizingly, turned to ash amidst the forest’s wild screams of protest.
“Silence!” I demand, brushing the ash from my sleeve. “Now, I suggest that you submit to your king and let me pass unhindered, or I shall have no qualms turning the lot of you into little more than dirt beneath my boots. Not even Persephone will be able to save you then.”
The trees shudder and groan around me, a rush of wind hurrying to carry a message across the forest through the rustle of leaves. Within a few minutes, the woods begins to draw back.
Persephone.
Of course, I should have known that traitorous spring witch of a woman was behind this.
Still playing queen when all you bloom for me is rot?
No matter.
I have long since grown bored of her, and I will be more than happy to give her all hell to pay upon myreturn. Or perhaps, I will exact my revenge upon her in a slower, more painful way.
I will bury her beneath my throne, where she will rule over nothing but bitterness and waste.
But all that will have to wait.
For the time being, I must focus on the task at hand. With the forest now shifting to make way, I can almost feel the immense power of my new dawn, my newreign,drawing nearer with each step.
Soon, the entirety of this realm and the next will have no choice but to kneel before me.
Yes, soon, all will tremble before Hades, their once and final king.
No.
A grin spreads slowly across my face …
Their once and finalgod.
