Page 58 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
A passing server offered me a tray of tiny canapés, and because I was starving, I took a few and discreetly stuffed them all into my mouth.
Simmy stuck close to me while I chatted and giggled with Dionysus and Hermes, ignoring the tingles at the base of my neck. I knew Hades’ eyes were on me.
People began applauding, and I turned around to see the most stunning woman I’d ever laid eyes on stride elegantly down the steps in our direction, with Hedone by her side. I assumed her to be Aphrodite; with hair a thousand shades of gold married together and pale brown skin, she could have graced the cover of any top magazine.
She was captivating—tall, slender, and ridiculously beautiful. She wore a long, diaphanous dress of pale gold. I could see the darker hue of her nipples and the swell of her full hips, and as my eyes lowered, I choked on a laugh. Well, I could see way too much. Yep, I needed to bleach out my eyeballs. Everybody’s eyes were on us as she approached me.
‘Persephone, my darling.’ Her voice was low and sultry, like honey mixed with gravel. I felt my cheeks warm as I gave her a small curtsy. She laughed, shaking her head. ‘Come here.’ She enveloped me in a warm embrace, squeezing gently. Hesitantly, I mirrored the gesture, and she whispered, ‘I’ve missed you so much.’ Her words caused a lump to form in my throat, and tears pricked at my eyes. I didn’t know her, and the guilt of that dug its gnarly talons into me.
‘I—I’m sorry. I?—’
‘Don’t apologise, darling. I know you don’t remember me. We can reacquaint ourselves and relive all the fun we once had, hopefully.’ Her piercing aquamarine eyes held mine, and I nodded, giving her a wobbly smile.
‘How is Hades?’
‘Fine,’ I replied far too quickly. ‘He’s fine.’
Her smile was as cold and lovely as frost on a windowpane. ‘Zeus is an arrogant egotist. Apparently, he’s been a wanker since birth. Don’t tell him I said that,’ she murmured next to my ear, causing me to giggle. ‘This competition to woo you is ridiculous. We all know you love our dark god.’ She winked at me, and I kept my mouth shut, unsure how to respond. ‘Let’s catch up soon, darling.’
‘Yes. Yes, I’d like that,’ I breathed as she air-kissed me and wandered into the throng of guests.
Aphrodite was beautiful, but her proximity emanated so much more than mere beauty—a potent cocktail of lust and longing. She stirred the feelings I was attempting to bury—the desire I harboured for Hades, the infuriatingly arrogant god. Hermes and Dionysus were deep in conversation with another person, so I swallowed hard and turned to Simmy.
‘Let’s have another drink.’
‘Oh. My. Gods. Apollo,’ Simmy squeaked as we strolled past, nodding towards an attractive man by one of the large pillars.
‘Are you fangirling Apollo? I thought you liked women?’
‘I do, but you’ve gotta appreciate beauty in any form, and apparently, he has a huge?—’
‘Donotfinish that sentence.’
‘What’s wrong with you? He’s hot!’Not as hot as Hades.I wanted to stab that annoying little voice whispering in my ear.
We mingled; I met people, drank wine, and, while socialising, discreetly grabbed and devoured enough canapés to feed a small village. The tingling sensation lingered; I knew Hades’ eyes were on me. I took the dress as a success, because every time my gaze caught his, he wasstaring at me, and a muscle in his jaw feathered lightly each time our eyes locked.
I took another glass of wine as a different god sauntered towards me. I could tell he was a god because he was enormous, beautiful, and a cocky SOB, dressed in a smart,deep blue button-down shirt that strained against his muscled chest and tailored trousers that clung to his massive legs.High cheekbones, a square jaw, and drop-dead gorgeous—in fact, he had the look of Hades. His long, wavy hair was so blond it appeared almost silver, and his eyes were like the ocean on a stormy day—blue-green with tinges of grey and silver. A hum of power radiated from him. I placed my glass on a nearby poseur table and gave him my undivided attention.
‘Persephone.’ He bowed his head, and I smiled my fake smile, extending my hand. He clasped it, sending a hot shiver crawling down my spine. He turned my hand over and kissed my palm. ‘Poseidon.’
‘Oh, erm, pleased to meet you. I hope you enjoy the evening.’
‘Thank you,’ he grunted.
‘So…’ I hesitated. ‘Are you competing in this ridiculous competition to become my husband?’ The idea sent another shiver tiptoeing down my spine.
‘No. I wouldn’t do that to my brother. Unlike some.’ His eyes turned to Zeus, and his mouth slammed into a thin line.
‘Oh…’ I squeaked. Maybe Poseidon wasn’t so bad.
‘Additionally, I found you rather irritating. Not my type.’
I loosed a cough-laugh. ‘What? You don’t like strong women with brains and opinions?’
‘No. I prefer to be in charge.’ He winked.
‘At least Hades is confident enough in his masculinity to want a headstrong woman,’ I growl-snapped.
