Page 50 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
Her eyes rounded, and those rosy cheeks blanched. ‘How?’
‘Someone, we don’t know who, teleported you there.’
‘One thing the Empousa said—’ She narrowed her eyes as if in thought. ‘She knew who I was becauseshetold her. Who isshe?’
I hesitated, the smoky tendrils of unease coiling in my gut. ‘I will investigate.’ She swiped a shaky hand down her face. ‘Persephone.’ Her gaze returned to mine. ‘You must no longer go outside without Tee, Thanatos, Charon, or me.’
Her spine stiffened, and then she exhaled a jagged breath. ‘Alright. But I need to cross the river. It’s so desolate over there. I think I saw a spirit… of a man.’ My eyebrows raised in surprise. ‘He seemed lost and confused.’
‘Your ability to see and communicate with spirits is normal,’ I assured her. ‘You were able to before…’ I hesitated. ‘The ability has always been within you; being here again has stimulated it. It will develop fully, given time.’
‘Tee told me about that. It’s… weird, but in a nice way.’ Her eyes glistened as if she were about to cry.
Before my arms reached out to touch her, I stood. ‘We could walk and chat if you’d prefer, and we could go now?’
A bright smile illuminated her beautiful face, making the pulse in my chest purr and, unfortunately, my jeans tighten again.
‘I’ll go and get dressed,’ she said, rising to her feet.
‘I have moved you to the adjoining suite.’ I nodded towards the set of double doors.
‘Wait. What?’ Her brow puckered as she eyed me warily.
‘For your safety. All of your belongings are already in there. Come.’ I stood and held out an arm towards the double doors, then swung one open for her. She hesitated momentarily, then strode through the door, closing it behind her.
I grunted and sank back onto the sofa. We had so much to discuss, and I knew it was time to share the entire story about what happened to her all those years ago.
CHAPTER 19
PERSEPHONE
The room was opulent, with a layout similar to Hades’, though not as vast.
An enormous fireplace, a plush cream sofa, and chairs arranged around a coffee table filled the space, alongside a small dining table with four chairs. One door led to an extravagant bedroom featuring a large en-suite bathroom with a massive clawfoot tub, while another opened into a walk-in wardrobe brimming with my clothes and shoes.
Like Hades’ rooms, fancy French doors opened onto the expansive patio area, where we had dined the night he arrived with Minthe. Jealousy reared its ugly head once more at the thought of her touching him, so I resolved not to think about freakingMinthe. Yet, memories of that night intruded upon my mind; it was the night I’d dreamed of him. My resistance was faltering. I desired him, and the feeling was foreign to me. I took a calming breath as I gazed towards the meadows and the life I had created.
I hurriedly dressed in leather trousers, a soft, long-sleeved top, and boots. I left my hair loose, applied a touch of coral lip colour to my lips, and was good to go.
When I walked back through the doors, he was waiting—the king of death and shadows, the king for whom I was falling. He lounged on the sofa in an almost arrogant sprawl. Dressed in leather pants and a black Henley top, his hair half pulled back in a top-knot, those liquid blue pools of flashing fire captured my gaze.
I gritted my teeth and took in a deep breath. ‘I’m ready. Let’s go and create some life in this dismal place.’
A half-smile adorned that beautiful face, and it took all of my strength not to react and jump him again like a spider monkey on crack. He was Mr Grumpy and Deadly. What in the world was going on with my duplicitous body? I was fighting the inevitable. I knew it, but my inner stubborn bitch held fast.
We walked down numerous hallways until we reached the door I’d previously exited. Strolling through the blooms and long grass while watching the trees sway in the gentle breeze, elevated my soul. A sense of calm enveloped me, and I almost grabbed Hades’ hand. I fisted my fingers into my shirt and gulped, glancing down at the path as I walked.
We strolled in amiable silence for a time, then I asked, ‘How did you find me? In Tartarus, I mean.’
‘I felt you using your shadow magic. Once you used it, I knew where you were.’
‘Really? Are we connected or something?’
‘Something like that,’ he replied without looking at me.
‘Are we going to talk about—’ Before I could finish, he whipped around, an angry expression on his face, and I took a step away, but when his eyes met mine, he released a weary sigh.
‘Let’s sit,’ he commanded quietly. Planting my butt in the grass, I waited for him to join me. He settled opposite, absentlytugging at grass stems as he spoke. He explained the mage’s curse, losing the love of his life because of it, and how Zeus had decided to retake control of the mortal realm, declaring war on witchcraft. When our soul bond reignited in his chest, a kernel of hope blossomed within him, leading him to search for me.
