Page 83 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
I almost spat out my food as I laughed. ‘What had you done?’ I coughed out.
‘Probably pulled one of his infamous pranks,’ Dionysus replied with a shake of his head, while Hermes pointed to himself in an innocent, ‘What, me?’ gesture.
As we chatted, I was acutely aware that the tingling sensation I felt in Hades’ presence was glaringly absent… once again.
‘Erm, is Hades not coming?’ I asked Tee as casually as I could. The four men looked uncomfortable, and I squinted up at them. ‘What?’ I glared at the goddess of magic.
‘He might be coming later, but he can’t stay. He’s swamped at the moment.’ I scrutinised her, aware that she was evading the truth. Was he with Minthe? The thought caused coils of disquiet to gnaw at my gut.
Why, in the world of fucks, was I so bothered? I sighed internally… This bond was a freaking bitch.
‘Sephy, don’t worry. He will be here,’ Tee assured me.
‘I’m not worried,’ I hissed, stomping away as she called my name, with Simmy trotting alongside me.
‘Sephy, my darling.’ That low, sultry voice made me smile. I turned to face Aphrodite, looking as beautiful as ever in a tealsilk gown. Her aquamarine eyes were piercing, but they shone with happiness.
‘Aphrodite,’ I murmured, embracing her.
‘Persephone.’ She held me at arm’s length, worry clouding her gaze. ‘Are you alright?’
‘Of course,’ I said, managing a wobbly smile, and she narrowed her eyes.
‘Come.’ She took my hand and led me to a quiet area with a loveseat. ‘Sit with me.’ She grabbed two glasses of pink fizz from a passing server and handed one to me. ‘Spill,’ she whispered as she delicately sipped her drink.
I blew out a long breath. ‘I’m confused.’
Her tinkling laughter was like wind chimes in the summer breeze. ‘Love is confusing, darling.’
‘Oh, no, I—’ She held out a hand, palm facing me, and I swallowed my denial.
‘The complexities of love are so difficult to navigate… Being in love should be clear, not a burden. You are a team that can achieve anything together. You’re overthinking your feelings for Hades, darling.’ I opened my mouth to argue that I didnotlove the god of freaking death, but the words shrivelled on my tongue. ‘Love is simple. It’s a force—a bond stronger than death and separation. Don’t fight it, darling. And remember, it’s essential to seek understanding; open communication can help navigate these complexities.’ She took my hand.
‘He’s avoiding me,’ I muttered. ‘And I miss him.’
She squeezed my hand. ‘Hecate has warned him to stay away from you, darling.’
‘What?’ I growled, glaring over at Tee, who had the decency to look at least a tad embarrassed… She knew she’d been outed. ‘Why would she do that?’
‘Hades is a complex character, Persephone—arrogant yet just. His love is all-consuming. He does not wish to hold youback by stifling you… He desires you to choose him without lust and attraction clouding your thoughts. Hecate did what she thought was the right thing. Hades is old-school. If he fucks you, he will keep you.’
‘But Minthe?’ I puckered my brow.
‘He does not and has never loved Minthe, darling.’
‘How do you know? Has he?—’
‘I’m the goddess of love, sweet girl,’ she said, interrupting me. ‘People don’t need to tell me.’ She chuckled softly. ‘The real complication of love is the relationship, which is simple, really. Friendship, emotional stability, trust, and love—relationships devoid of love are tasteless. Then we have passion and sex, preferably the sparklers and fireworks type.’ She winked at me, and I ducked my head and blushed. ‘So, be brave and tell him. Alright?’
I gave her a slight nod and embraced her again. Was she right? Was it love that I was feeling? Or merely a hormonal haze? Because there was no question: Hades was so, so fuckalicious. Maybe it was a bond haze, if such a thing existed. ‘Thank you,’ I whispered against her hair. ‘And I’d like to spend some time with you soon.’
Her smile was like sun rays lighting up the cloudy sky. ‘Absolutely.’
After we chatted, Aphrodite went off to mingle, and Simmy rejoined me. I settled into the loveseat, sipping my wine and reflecting on Aphrodite’s words. I could only wish I were able to speak to Granny about Hades—the pang in my chest throbbed at the thought of her. She would have offered me advice on the vortex of baffling emotions within me.
Simmy knocked me out of my reverie when he excitedly grabbed my hand.
‘Apollo!’ he almost squealed, gesturing at the approaching god like a raccoon on meth. Apollo was pure male beauty,his golden chin-length hair glittering like star-fire. Built like a linebacker, kind and funny, he was everything many women would desire. Just not this woman. Damn Hades.
