Page 16 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
‘Oh, my God,’ I grunted.
‘Gods, Sephy. Gods.’ Tee smirked, and I curled my lip at her.
‘What was that? Can’t we just walk?’
‘It’s teleporting. Travelling through the aether. You’ll get used to it; don’t worry. I thought you might need a drink after I kicked your ass but good.’ Tee extended the word ‘good’ and winked at me. I gave her my best resting bitch face, which she ignored as she walked over to a cupboard full of bottles, pulling out a golden-coloured one along with two glasses. She poured the amber liquid and handed one to me.
‘Have I got wine in my room?’ I asked, taking the glass.
‘Yup.’
‘Great, I might just end up intoxicated for the next three months.’ I lifted the glass to my lips. The scent was sweet, and a mildly floral, fruity flavour filled my mouth. Warmth and strength flowed through me as I sipped the drink. My ribs and butt stopped hurting, and I felt rejuvenated. ‘Whatisthis?’ I asked Tee as my gaze met hers, and I swallowed another gulp.
‘Nectar is in the gold bottles. One glass a day is enough, so don’t overindulge.’
‘Mm, I like it!’
‘Let’s chat… We have a lot to discuss.’ Tee motioned for me to follow her to the sofa, and I sank beside her with a sigh. ‘I need to tell you my real name,’ Tee began, eyes dropping to the glass in her hand. ‘I’m actually called Hecate.’
I shot to my feet, nearly spilling the drink, and glared down at her. ‘You’re the goddess of magic and witchcraft?’ My lip curled, teeth bared.
‘Among other things, yes.’ Her gaze darted to mine, lines of tension bracketing her mouth.
‘And you allowed the gods to kill your brethren? My brethren!’ The pitch of my voice rose, along with the blood pumping in my temples. ‘I—I can’t process this.’ I covered my eyes with my hand.
‘It’s not as straightforward as you think. There was nothing I could do. I tried, believe me. I had no involvement in the war, but right or wrong, the gods had their reasons.’
I dropped my hand and glowered at her. ‘Reasons?’ A wild laugh escaped me, high and brittle, and Tee’s shoulders stiffened. ‘Why couldn’t you stop them? You’re a goddess!’
Her eyes hardened, voice low and cutting. ‘I am a goddess. But more than that… I’m a Titan.’
The word landed like thunder, silencing the room. I froze, staring. Titans were whispered about in myths—ancient, dangerous,extinct. My stomach dropped as if the floor had vanished beneath me.
Tee’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. ‘Many of us stayed out of the ancient war against the gods. That’s the only reason I’m still here. But Zeus loathes Titans even more than witches, Sephy. I may be powerful… but not powerful enough to take on them all.’ She sighed. ‘I’m sorry. Truly.’
The fight left me. This was all too much. ‘How long have you known I’m a witch?’ I asked as I slumped back down beside her.
Tee hesitated. ‘I’ve known you’ve hunted demons since day one.’
‘Andisour friendship real, Tee?’ I asked in a small voice.
‘Sephy, babe, I’ve always loved you, andstilldo. That’s never changed. You gotta believe me. When we found you again’—Tee swiped her hand across her eyes—‘I was so happy.’
I clasped her hand in mine. ‘I’m glad I found you,’ I whispered as we hugged, cried, and laughed like two adolescents sharing a bonding moment.
Tee pulled away and ran a hand down my face. ‘Zeus is a dick. Don’t tell anyone I said that.’ I giggled weakly. ‘He fears me. Fears Hades. He knows we are both as powerful, if not more so than he is. That’s why he bound Hades, Thanatos, me, and the rest of Hades’ allies to the Underworld.’
‘But how can you go up top if you’re bound here?’
‘Because Hades refused to fight with the gods unless Zeus broke the bindings that tied us all here.’ Hecate showed me a tattoo of four different runes encircling her calf. ‘These were the bindings that tethered me to the Underworld. When Zeus deceived us, we could go nowhere but here or Zeus’s kingdom. Not that any of us wished to go to Zeus’s kingdom. It’s full of ass-wipes.’
‘Zeus sounds like a manipulative asshole,’ I mused.
‘That he is. Though since Hera vanished, he’s mellowed a little. He can still be an ass, though. And Sephy, when Hades lost you, well, let’s just say your return has cheered up the grumpy bastard.’
I snorted a laugh. ‘I find it utterly crazy… mind-numbingly so… that you genuinely believe I’m really the goddess who was married to him. Whatever happened to the real Persephone, Tee?’
Tee studied me for a beat. ‘I’ve told you. That’s Hades’ story. Don’t be too hard on him about the war until you hear what he has to say. Understand the reasons behind the events. Alright?’
