Page 27 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
Excellent.
Once back, the boys left me, and I sank into the soft mattress, brooding. Tee appeared in a flash of white light, hands on her hips.
‘What the Fates are you playing at, Sephy?’ she ground out through gritted teeth.
‘Nothing,’ I replied, smoothing my hand over my dress. ‘He can bang Minthe all he likes. I have no doubt he will… He’s that much of an arrogant prick.’ I chewed on my bottom lip as I stared at my clenched fists. ‘Maybe he’ll let me go home. I don’t want to be here, Tee.’ I looked up at her, tears blurring my vision. I wasnotcrying over Hades; I was crying because I was his prisoner.
Ugh. I needed to stop drinking; it was making me act like a scorned housewife.
‘You’re jealous!’ She flashed me a smug smile.
‘Am not!’ I jumped up, then sighed. ‘I’m confused. The attraction I feel for him is making me angry.’ My irritation spiralled. ‘The gods think it’s perfectly fine to screw around, and that’s not who I am, Tee. I refuse to be just a notch on a bedpost.’ She smiled at my words, and I quickly added, ‘Not for Hades or any of them.’
Tee sat on the bed, and I flopped down next to her. ‘He’s not screwing Minthe, Sephy, even though she’s trying her hardest to seduce him.’ At her words, jealousy sucker-punched me again. ‘They were a couple before he met you… the first time. And when you vanished, let’s just say she’s been keen on taking your crown and is trying everything to achieve it.’
That made Minthe number one on my people-I-want-to-kill-slowly list. ‘What a conniving cow!’
‘Mmhm,’ Tee said. ‘Don’t treat him like that, Sephy. You’re killing him.’
‘What? He walked in with her clinging to him like a barnacle. She’s like an alley cat on ecstasy around him. Ugh. But the way he smiled at her…’ I paused.
‘He was being polite. He’s known her for years, and like I said, they were once an item, but that was a long time ago, Sephy. Stop over-analysing things.’
‘I don’t care. He’s like freaking unhappy Gilmore.’ I pouted. Tee rolled her eyes and shook her head. ‘What? I absolutely donotfancy the grumpy god of death!’
I brooded a little longer. Was she right about Hades and Minthe? And why the freaking hell was it affecting me so badly? I was utterly bewildered. WhatdidI want? I didn’t know. The only thing I knew was that something about him transfixed me, and I felt like something connected me to him. I also knew I wanted to blast Minthe with a roundhouse kick.
It’s the alcohol making you think irrationally. You don’t care if Hades is banging Minthe.
‘Let’s get you to bed. Come on.’ Tee helped me to my feet, and I staggered into the bathroom, changing into a pair of pale green silk PJ shorts and a matching cami. I looked at my wild eyes in the mirror and released a heavy sigh. I couldn’t think clearly. I couldn’t function. I needed water, and I needed sleep.
As soon asmy head hit the pillow, I found myself back in my otherworldly garden and everything felt right with the world. A cascade of butterflies flitted among the brightly coloured and fragrant blooms, and I inhaled deeply. I needed the scent of nature and the feeling it gave me; it was like my life force. I walked around, trailing my fingertips over the flowers, until I reached the vast patch of narcissi. I bent down and took in the scent—an opulent sensation, like wet summer lawns—intense, yet cool and floral.
‘Persephone.’ That low, lyrical voice jolted me from my reverie, and I stiffened. That voice—the very one that had haunted my dreams over the past twelve months—I knew who it was, and nausea gripped me. It washisvoice. It was Hades.
I rose and turned slowly. He towered over me, about six feet away, still clad in his black jeans and black shirt—looking like a character from a steamy romance book cover. Had I imagined the mysterious man from my dreams to resemble him? To sound like him? It was a dream, so it was highly probable. It wasmydream, after all. I had control.
‘I want my dagger back.’ I jutted out my chin.
‘Of course, my queen.’
‘Don’t call me that!’ I whisper-hissed, trying not to get lost in his captivating eyes.
His gaze dropped to my chest, and he shifted slightly. I felt my cheeks flush; my nipples were hard against the silk of my cami, and heat poured between my legs. I watched as his eyes ravaged me, and an ache in my core made my breath feel laboured.
‘You think I’m beautiful.’ His mouth quirked into a half-smile as his eyes met mine again. Wait, what? Oh, crap. Ihadtold him so. But it was my dream, so I guess he’d know that.
‘You’re not bad.’ I offered an evil grin.
‘Persephone,’ he said again. His voice was strained. ‘I’ve missed you.’
‘Have you?’ I said, reflecting on Minthe. WhywasI so bothered by Minthe?
‘Yes. May I touch you?’
‘Not until you beg.’ Gods, Ilovedthis dream.
‘I shall never beg.’ At his words, my jaw tightened. He was still an arrogant dick, even in my dream, but before I could utter a response, his eyes sparkled with delight, a sly, relaxed smile spreading across his lips. Shadows leaked from him, swirling between us.
