Page 89 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
But she ignored me. ‘Love is a mysterious creature, Persephone. You cannot change what has happened, but you canchange how it ends.’ She turned and stroked a hand down my cheek.
‘But he’s arrogant. He’s a freaking god! I have this fear, Granny. What if it’s the other Persephone he wants, not me? Maybe this will all crumble, and I’ll lose him too. Besides, he’swaytoo tall for me.’ I brushed a hand under my eyes.
Granny smiled, then sighed. ‘Talk over your concerns, darling. What I do know is that Hades lovesyou, andyoulove him. You are part of the same infinite circle. Don’t fight it; don’t be afraid to admit it.’
I pondered her words as she poured the lemonade.
‘I love you, Granny.’ I hugged her; tears fell, sharp as heartbreak. I c—can’t visit you again. But I miss you so much,’ I sobbed.
She held me at arm’s length. ‘Darling, I’m with you every day… I’m here.’ She placed a hand over my heart and smiled. ‘Apparently, you and Hades used to visit Elysium regularly. Before…’ She raised her gaze to meet mine.
‘We did?’ I swiped my eyes, and she dipped her chin.
‘Yes. When you were his queen. As queen, you will be able to come and go as you please.’ My eyes widened. Did I reallywantto be a queen? Granny continued, ‘Many areas of Elysium are similar to towns and villages. Depending on what people desire in the afterlife—the sea, the mountains, or, like me, a quaint English village—that’s what we have.’ I inhaled a breath and stared at her, then started crying again as she laughed and held me.
After chatting and sipping her homemade lemonade, Hades appeared again.
‘Go and live a good life, beautiful girl. Make me proud. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon, darling.’ I gave her a shaky smile, and with one final squeeze of my hand, Hades shadow-walked me back to the castle. He poured two glasses of nectar andhanded me one, which I accepted gladly. I sipped the fruity drink, and my trembling nerves settled a little.
‘Just let me catch my breath a moment,’ I said as I collapsed onto the sofa.
‘No.’ He moved to stand before me, and I frowned. ‘I want it to remain lost. I want to be the man to catch it.’ I felt a snag in my breath, and my pulse thundered. ‘Please, Persephone,’ he rasped, voice rough with need. ‘Sleep in my bed. I can’t bear the thought of you slipping further away. I want you… need you to want me the way I burn for you. I’d tear the world apart just to keep you here. Please, love me again. I’m begging you—don’t walk away from me.’
The force of his need unnerved me. ‘I thought you didn’t beg?’ I searched his eyes. The intensity of his gaze seeped into my gut, settling over my skin like smoke, and I swallowed tightly.
A muscle in his jaw ticked as he regarded me. Our tension was contagious. ‘I want to prove I’m worthy of you,’ he muttered.
‘What? To prove to me you’re not an arrogant, egocentric asshole?’
‘No. Iamall of those things. I want to prove I’m much more than just that. Iwillbeg, Persephone. If loving you is my ruin… then let me burn in the fires of Tartarus.’
‘Me’—I hesitated—'or the original Persephone?’ I held my breath when his eyes filled with a caged emotion.
After a long beat, he spoke. ‘You, Persephone. You. Only you. I’ll beg. I’ll lay myself bare for you. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove I loveyou,agapi mou.’
‘What doesagapi moumean?’ I breathed.
‘My love.’
‘Oh.’ My breath hitched, and he smiled.
‘I don’t want to be in the dark anymore. I need your light. Your love. You are the sun’s rays that burn through the darkestof nights.’ His voice rumbled through me.‘I hunger for you. I crave you. Even if you never accept it, youaremine. My queen of light.’
My pulse pounded, my head a swirling mess, and my thoughts were muddied with a sensual haze of confusion.
He hesitated, his eyes downcast. ‘Being your friend was all I ever wanted; being your lover was all I ever dreamed. What can I do to make you love me again?’
That pull in my chest was like a riptide dragging me out to sea, threatening to drown me. I didn’t care about anything but him; that realisation took my breath away.
Sweet goddess. I couldn’t fight it—what scorched through me wasn’t just need, it was love, raw and reckless. I craved his body, his mouth, but it was his heart I’d already surrendered to.
I freakinglovedthe King of Death and Shadows.
CHAPTER 34
HADES
The sweet fragrance of roses touched my nostrils, and I gulped. Consummate love. Was my mind playing tricks?
