Page 99 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
I basked in the sunlight, tilting my head to the sky, where beautiful, swirling purple and pink clouds rolled by, glittering with flecks of silver dust. ‘I like Naxos,’ I murmured to Hades. His lips smacked together in a thin, hard line, and a muscle ticked in his jaw at my words. ‘But the Underworld is just as beautiful, and that’s where my heart lies.’ I took his hand, and the tension in his shoulders eased.
‘Hades. Persephone. Welcome to Naxos.’ Zeus’s voice boomed as he approached us, Poseidon by his side, and the crowd fell silent, turning to regard us. Holding hands, we descended from the dais to meet the two brothers. Hades was as prickly as ever, so I smiled widely enough for the both of us.
As we exchanged pleasantries with Zeus, a server offered us my favourite drink, the pink fizz, which I accepted happily. ‘We have a problem,’ Zeus muttered to Hades, who exhaled softly.
‘Ixion?’ he rasped quietly.
‘Nope,’ Poseidon replied. ‘Demeter.’
I almost sucked wine up my nose, and my stomach hollowed. Hades stiffened, his jaw working overtime, and a perplexed pinch marked his brow. ‘How did she find out?’ His voice was low, the tension palpable.
‘Not me, Brother. We haven’t seen her for many years, but you know how gossip travels in Olympus.’ Zeus rolled his eyes. ‘She’s making an appearance today. She wished to reunite with your future consort.’
‘Fuck,’ Hades mumbled as he squeezed my hand. ‘You may need to eat more pomegranate seeds, so she allows you to staywith me.’ He swallowed thickly, and I lowered my brow in confusion.
‘Allows me?’ I huffed a laugh with a slow shake of my head. ‘No way, just leave her to me, Hades. No one will ever tear us apart again, not even Demeter. I refuse to split my time between you and her… I’m not that Persephone anymore.’ Hades’ eyes locked onto mine, and a shadow of a smile flickered on his lips.
‘Good luck with that, Persephone.’ Poseidon gave me a wry smile, and I scowled at him.
‘Stop being a freaking killjoy, King of the Sea,’ I snapped, making Poseidon raise a pissy and arrogant eyebrow while Zeus choked on a cough-laugh.
‘What’s happening?’ Tee and Hermes sidled up to us. We relayed the information about Demeter, and Tee groaned softly, sighing so heavily, I’m surprised she didn’t blow us away.
Hermes’ topaz eyes twinkled with mischief. ‘You’re a feisty pocket rocket, Lady P. Demeter can’t control you any longer.’
‘Oh, don’t you worry, Hermes. No one is taking Hades away from me. Not ever.’ Hades’ lips curled in an almost smile as he looked at me.
‘Ugh, I’m about to puke again,’ Poseidon griped, and I cast him a withering look.
‘Let’s mingle,’ Zeus instructed. ‘Everyone is delighted about your forthcoming coronation, Persephone.’
We mingled and greeted people for at least an hour, and I left Hades with his Underworld family before setting off to find Aphrodite.
‘Darling girl,’ Aphrodite crooned, ‘I’m thrilled you’ve finally embraced your love for our dark king.’ She kissed my cheeks. ‘You’ve accepted your bond. You’re positively glowing!’ She clapped her hands and giggled. ‘Come, let’s sit.’ I followed her to a private loveseat nestled beneath a trellis full of clematis apple blossom. ‘Is the sex still as good?’ she asked as she sat.
I almost choked on my wine as colour bloomed over my cheeks, but I smiled sheepishly and nodded. ‘So freaking good… Sparklers and fireworks aplenty,’ I whispered, and she giggled again. ‘Can you tell me about Adonis and Eros?’ I blurted, causing the smile to slip from her face. She took a sip of her wine, then tilted her head at me slowly. ‘I just need to know I didn’t willingly break Hades’ heart,’ I breathed, tears pricking at my eyes. I chewed on my lower lip as she took my hand.
‘Oh, darling, you were not complicit. Not at all, I promise.’ She paused as if carefully choosing her words. ‘I was enraged when I learned that Eros had temporarily beguiled you into loving Adonis. Stories of my jealousy towards Psyche are utterly untrue. I took her away from Eros to complete trials, risking her loss to teach him a lesson about meddling with hearts. He was distraught, and rightly so. They now reside in the court of Hemera and are quite happy, though rather reclusive.’
‘Who convinced Eros to do it?’
Her face held an icy calm. ‘I have my suspicions, but I don’t know for certain, darling.’
‘But Hades knows it wasn’t my choice?’ I asked for reassurance.
‘He does, darling.’
I exhaled and nodded, sipping my wine as I contemplated her words. Hades joined us, and we chatted for a little longer until we had to circulate again.
‘Cory, my flower!’ a crisp, almost musical voice called from behind me, causing Hades to stiffen and an uneasy feeling to trickle down my spine. I slowly turned around to see a beautiful woman with hair and eyes the same colour as mine. She was taller than me, but the resemblance was astounding.
Demeter had arrived.
‘Demeter.’ I smiled warmly.
‘Please call me Mother, flower. Oh, how I’ve missed you.’ She pulled me into her embrace, stroking her hand through my hair. Well, this was a thousand times awkward.
I gently detangled myself from her arms and took her hand instead. ‘You know I don’t remember you, Mother?’
