The solstice marked the beginning of the new year and signified the one-month countdown to the Panhellenic Games—something even death couldn’t quell the souls’ excitement for. With such an important celebration at hand, Persephone had asked Hades if they could host a party at the palace, to which he had agreed. She was looking forward to having the souls in the halls again, just as much as they were looking forward to being there.
By the time Persephone returned to the palace, she still felt unsettled. The darkness of her doubt swelled, pressing against her skull, and her magic pulsed beneath her skin, making her feel achy and exhausted. She rang for tea and wandered into the library, hoping that reading would take her mind off her conversation with Yuri.
Curling into one of the large chairs near the fireplace, Persephone leafed through Hecate’s copy of Witchcraft and Mayhem. It was one of several assignments from the Goddess of Magic, who was helping her learn to control her erratic power.
It wasn’t working as fast as she hoped.
Persephone had waited a long time for her powers to manifest, and when they did, it had been during a heated argument with Hades. Since then, she had managed to make flowers bloom but had trouble channeling the appropriate amount of magic. She had also discovered her ability to teleport was glitchy which meant she didn’t always end up where she intended. Hecate said it was just a matter of practice, but it still made her feel like a failure, and it was for these reasons, she’d decided not to use magic in the Upperworld.
Not until she got it under control.
So, in preparation for her first lesson with Hecate, she studied, learning the history of magic, alchemy, and the diverse and terrifying powers of the gods, yearning for the day when she could use her power as easily as she breathed.
Suddenly, warmth spread across her skin, raising the hair on the back of her neck and arms. Despite the heat, she shivered, her breath growing shallow.
Hades was near, and her body knew it.
She wanted to groan as an ache began low in her stomach.
Gods. She was insatiable.
“I thought I would find you here,” Hades’ voice came from above, and she looked up to find him standing behind her. His smokey eyes met hers as he bent to kiss her, his hand cupping her jaw. It was a possessive hold, and a passionate kiss that left her lips raw when he pulled away.
“How was your day, darling?”
His endearment stole her breathe.
“Good.”
The corners of Hades’ mouth lifted and as he spoke, his eyes dropped to her lips.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you. You appeared quite entranced by your book.”
“No.” She said quickly, then cleared her throat. “I mean…it’s just something Hecate assigned.”
“May I?” he asked, releasing her from his grip and holding his hand out for the book.
Wordlessly, she gave it to him and watched as the God of the Dead rounded her chair and leafed through the book. There was something incredibly devilish about the way he looked, a storm of darkness dressed head to toe in black.
“When do you begin training with Hecate?” he asked.
“This week,” she said. “She gave me homework.”
“Hmm.” He was silent, keeping his eyes on the book as he spoke. “I heard you greeted new souls today.”
Persephone straightened, unable to tell if he was irritated with her.
“I was walking with Yuri when I saw them waiting on the bank of the Styx.”
Hades looked up, eyes like firelight.
“You took a soul outside Asphodel?” There was a hint of surprise in his voice.
“It’s Yuri, Hades. Besides, I do not know why you keep them isolated.”
“So they do not cause trouble.”
Persephone giggled, but stopped when she saw the look in Hades’ eyes. He stood between her and the fireplace, ignited like an angel. He really was magnificent with his high cheekbones, well-manicured beard, and full lips. His long hair was pulled into a knot at the back of his head. She liked it that way because she liked taking it down, liked running her fingers through it, liked seizing it when he was inside her.
At that thought, the air became heavier, and she noticed Hades’ chest rose with a sharp inhaled as if he could sense the change in her thoughts. She licked her lips and forced herself to focus on the conversation at hand.
“The souls in Asphodel never cause trouble.”
“You think I am wrong.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement and he didn’t seem at all surprised. Their whole relationship had started because Persephone thought he was wrong.
“I think you do not give yourself enough credit for having changed, and therefore do not give the souls enough credit for recognizing it.”
The god was silent for a long moment. “Why did you greet the souls?”
“Because they were afraid, and I didn’t like it.”
Hades’ mouth twitched. “Some of them should be afraid, Persephone.”
“Those who should, will be, no matter the greeting they have from me.”
Mortals know what led to eternal imprisonment in Tartarus, she thought.
“The Underworld is beautiful, and you care about your people’s existence, Hades. Why should the good fear such a place? Why should they fear you?”
“As it were, they still fear me. You were the one who greeted them.”
“You could greet them with me,” she offered.
Hades smirk remained, and his expression softened. “As much as you find disfavor with the title of queen, you are quick to act as one.”
Persephone froze for a moment, caught between the fear of Hades’ anger and the anxiety of being called queen.
“Does...that displease you?”
“Why would it displease me?”
“I am not queen,” she said, rising from her seat and approaching him, plucking the book from his hands. “I also cannot figure out how you feel about my actions.”
“You will be my queen,” Hades said fiercely, almost like he was trying to convince himself it was true. “The Fates have declared it.”
Persephone bristled, her earlier thoughts returning in a rush. How was she supposed to ask Hades why he wanted her as his queen? Worse, why did she feel like she needed him to answer that question? She turned and disappeared into the stack to hide her reaction.
“Does that displease you?” Hades asked, appearing in front of her, blocking her path like a mountain.
Persephone startled but recovered quickly.
“No,” she replied, pushing past him.
Hades followed close.
As she returned the book to its place on the shelf, she spoke. “Although, I would rather you want me as queen because you love me, not because the Fates have degreed it.”
Hades waited until she faced him to speak. He was frowning. “You doubt my love?”
“No!” Her eyes widened at the conclusion he’d come to, then her shoulders fell. “But...I suppose we cannot avoid what others may perceive about our relationship.”
“And what do others say, exactly?” He stood so close she could smell spice and smoke and a touch of winter air. It was the scent of his magic.
A shoulder rose and fell as she said, “That we are only together because of the Fates. That you have only chosen me because I am a goddess.”