Page 67 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
Zeus’s face paled at my words. ‘Fuck,’ he barked. ‘Then this stays between the three of us for now. I shall let Poseidon know.’
I nodded in agreement. ‘I will close off the secret entrance immediately,’ I replied. Besides, no one had used it in aeons.
Zeus gave a nod, and I went to leave but turned around. ‘The Council of Magic would form an unlikely yet powerful alliance. I think you should call off the war on magic. Meet with Hecate. She will liaise with the high priestesses on your behalf. With conditions, of course.’
‘I shall ponder it.’ His eyes narrowed as if in thought. ‘And Hades.’ I paused again, my eyes meeting his. Zeus hesitated before he spoke. ‘I’m not wooing Persephone. Ask her what I said to her.’
‘Then why all this circus?’ My voice was low, laced with anger.
He sighed heavily. ‘Entertainment.’ He offered a half-shrug, and I shadow-walked back to the Underworld before I stuck his head up his ass.
I returned to a scowling Hecate and groaned. ‘She told you.’
‘Of course she fucking told me. What the fuck are you playing at? You fucking asshole.’
So many fucks; she was livid. I sighed.
‘She kissed Apollo. In front ofeveryone,’ she seethed, and anger slammed into me like a wrecking ball.
‘I’ll fucking kill the little?—’
‘No, you won’t.’ She cut me off, eyes hard as flint. I set my jaw, but stayed silent ‘She was furious at you. And honestly, she had every right to be. It’s your fault, you jackass. Tell her the truth, for fuck’s sake. Explain why you left before Apollo lays claim on her.’ And she flashed from the room, leaving me feeling like a total bastard.
CHAPTER 25
PERSEPHONE
My wine-induced headache felt like a psychotic drummer had taken up residence in my brain, and I groaned as I peeled my eyes open. Damn, I’d slept for hours.
I couldn’t think about Hades. Of course, my brain switched straight to Hades and, oh, my gods, what we’d done. I groaned in embarrassment and pulled the covers over my head. The image of him—his head nestled between my thighs—took up residency in my mind. It would live in my head rent-free, probably for the rest of my godsdamned life. But the way he’d made me feel. ‘Oh, shit.’ I placed my palms over my face.
I was so frustrated with myself. Why had I let him do that? I didn’t even like it—well, before him. Bah. I couldn’t blame him, though; I’d been like a freaking lovesick teenager. Fucking hormones. Fucking Hades and his stupid face. His ridiculous body. Stop! Just thinking about him caused my blood to heat and my lady parts to tingle. Dammit, I needed an anti-sex pillor something for when he was near me. I smacked my forehead with my palm. I felt like a horny, moody adolescent.
I climbed inelegantly from the bed, grunting. That annoying, warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest pulsated. He was in his chambers. I stared at the doors between our suites—the last time I used them, on the day he told me about my disappearance, they had been unlocked… I wondered if they still were. I cursed and stomped my feet. Maybe I’d pop over to Apollo’s court. At the thought, that feeling in my chest buzzed like a swarm of pissed-off fireflies. Crap. This bond shit was unbelievable.
Did I love Hades? I had no idea what romantic love felt like. I was undoubtedly attracted to him. But I couldn’t love him. I’d sworn off that ridiculous emotion. Irritatingly, that warm buzzing sensation in my chest still hummed. When would this overdramatic bond bullshit ever end?
I cursed under my breath and trudged into the bathroom. One glance in the mirror—whoa. Red, swollen eyes, courtesy of hours crying into my nectar while venting with Tee. My stomach tumbled, and I blew out a long breath. Argh. I looked like shit. I took a cold shower; but even as the icy water sluiced down my body, thoughts of Hades made my skin burn. Damn him.
I knew he’d avoid me now, and the idea left me both furious and… weirdly hollow. My emotions were a complete fucking conundrum.
I stepped out of the shower and shivered. ‘A bath. I want a hot bath.’ I turned the taps, letting the tub fill with steaming water and enough foam to flood a small village. While it rose, I cleansed, toned, and moisturised, pressing a pair of under-eye masks into place to battle the puffiness. I towel-dried my hair and scraped it into a messy topknot.
When I caught my reflection again, I nodded. ‘Better,’ I whispered. Sliding into the bath, I sank beneath the heat, a sighslipping free as tension drained from my body. I closed my eyes, and for a blissful moment, I drifted.
My eyes flew open as the door slammed against the wall. Hades stormed in, brow furrowed and lips a hard line. ‘I’ve been waiting ages for you,’ he said, then froze when his gaze landed on me.
I growled and hurled my wet sponge at him. Of course, he caught it with one hand, his eyes narrowing; I grabbed the bottle of bath foam next and hurled it with all the force I had—it should’ve at least left him with a bruise. He caught that too, cool as ever, and I snarled.
His voice knocked me from my temper. ‘What’s on your face?’ My gaze rose to his; his head tilted quizzically as he scrutinised me. Ugh. Thatbeautifulface. My temper sparked again.
‘What?’ I hissed as I remembered the patches beneath my eyes. I deflated. ‘Oh, skincare things,’ I muttered, peeling them off.
‘We need to talk.’
‘Right at this very moment?’
‘What’s wrong with right now?’
