Page 75 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
‘Be proud of your assets, Persephone,’ Hedone replied as she fussed over me, dotting my pulse points with a perfume that smelled of a floral bouquet—May Rose and jasmine—featuring bright citrus top notes and vanilla.
‘I don’t want to give Ares the wrong impression,’ I grumbled, and she scoffed at my words.
‘He will try his best with you, no matter what you wear. He’s always lusted after you.’
My head shot around to her, and I groaned. ‘Eww.’ She simply laughed again.
‘Ready?’ Tee appeared, wearing a figure-hugging, black silk, off-the-shoulder cocktail dress, and I nodded hesitantly. ‘Then let’s go.’
We flashed to a vast open-air room, surrounded by enormous, spaced-out Grecian pillars draped in climbing ivy. Between the pillars, I glimpsed a forest, but not much else. The trees looked like Hyperion, a coast redwood. Glancing up at the blazing sun, I took a deep breath and smiled. ‘Oh, how I’ve missed you,’ I murmured, my gaze fixed on the ball of orange fire. The room buzzed with smartly dressed people, all sippingfancy drinks and nibbling on canapés. Tee grabbed a couple of glasses of the pink fizz, and I took a gulp. ‘I adore this fizz,’ I said, staring lovingly at the glass.
‘It’s champagne and nectar,’ Tee answered, and I raised an eyebrow.
I scanned the room but didn’t spot Hades. I didn’t feel the tingling at the nape of my neck when his eyes were on me. ‘Where’s Hades?’ I enquired casually.
‘He’s not coming, Sephy. It’s killing him to watch the other gods fawning over you.’
I winced, but then I thought about him treating me differently—colder—after everything we’d done, and my temper prickled. ‘Good,’ I bit out, ‘because Lord Deadly and Grumpy from Planet Infuriating is a twatwaffle.’
‘Do you know what, girl? Sometimes you’re kind, and sometimes you’re kind of a bitch,’ Tee growled softly before she twirled around and stomped off.
My mouth fell open. Was I? Didn’t he deserve it? Yet, uncertainty plagued me.
‘Persephone.’ That familiar baritone voice drew my gaze to the right. Poseidon. I groaned internally but dutifully smiled and held out my hand, which he kissed. ‘I hope you’re not leading my brother on a merry dance,’ he murmured. ‘I vowed to flood your city if you broke his heart, and I meant it.’ His lips were nothing more than a thin line. He cared for Hades, and that made me warm to him a little. ‘Plus, apparently, he’s excellent at oral sex.’ He chuckled knowingly, and heat coursed through me like a fever. I wanted to disappear into my hands, but I refused. Standing around him, thinking about it, however, was pretty far up the no-thank-you list.
‘You’re… You’re… ugh,’ I seethed as I turned to leave. I was going to gut Hades, the fucking big-mouthed jerk.
He sighed. ‘Pearls before swine.’
I spun around again. ‘Did you just call me a pig?’ He rolled his eyes and walked off, leaving me flustered.
Of course, Zeus found me, and that melodic voice calmed my anger a smidge. We exchanged pleasantries, and as he kissed my hand to leave, he, too, narrowed his eyes at me. ‘Why did you kiss Apollo?’
His question took me aback, and irritation buzzed through my veins. ‘Why not?’ I bark-whispered. ‘And what business is it of yours?’
‘I’ll fucking destroy your city with lightning if you break Hades’ heart,’ he rumbled softly, then strode away.
Gods. London was set to be not only flooded but also annihilated by lightning. Freaking fabulous. I finished my pink fizz, and a hand placed another in front of me.
‘Apollo.’ A grin split my face when our gazes locked.
‘Lady P, may I say you look stunning?’ He bowed and kissed my hand. Zeus and Poseidon stood together, eyeing us both. Feeling increasingly irritated, I placed my hands on Apollo’s broad shoulders, and as he leaned down, I kissed him gently on the cheek. Poseidon looked as if he was about to blow a gasket, his jaw bunched and his cheeks rosy, so I smiled sweetly at the god of the sea.
‘I can’t wait for you to visit my court, Persephone.’ My attention returned to Apollo, whose cheeks were now flushed.
‘Oh, me too. I’m looking forward to it,’ I replied. Apollo glanced over my shoulder, sighed, kissed my hand, and began to mingle.
‘Persephone.’ I heard Ares’ voice and turned. There he was, all broad shoulders and muscles, looking like a mountain ash on steroids.
‘Ares.’ I extended a hand, and he kissed it for so long that I had to tug it back.
‘You look…’ he rasped, his eyes never leaving my breasts. ‘Delicious.’ His gaze finally found my face, and blood poured into my cheeks as my eyes anxiously searched for Tee.
‘Thank you,’ I muttered, finally relaxing as Tee appeared beside me, offering a plate of canapés. I took several and stuffed them into my mouth, chewing self-consciously as Ares’ gaze zeroed in on my moving lips.
‘Gods, you’re ravishing,’ he murmured, gingerly adjusting his crotch. Tee snorted a laugh, and I almost spat the canapés in his face as I spluttered in surprise. ‘Let’s go.’ He offered me his arm, and I placed my hand on his bulging forearm as he led the way. Glancing around, I realised the room had all but emptied.
‘You’re going to love the trials,’ he said excitedly as he led Tee and me to what appeared to be a box like those at the theatre, but much bigger. ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if I won this competition for your hand in marriage? Gods—’ He stared down at my breasts again. ‘I really want you to choose me this time, Persephone.’ He adjusted his crotch with a wince and then turned away to address the crowd.
