Persephone (27 page)

“Had you finished your chores yesterday, you’d have the day off,” her mother called in a sing-song tone.

I suppressed a smile. “Melissa, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

My hands twisted nervously in my lap. “About being a priestess…did you have a choice?”

She shook her head. “I was born into it. But I think I would have chosen it. You’re my best friend. It was hard being away from you this winter. Every time something happened, I wanted to tell you about it, and without you there it wasn’t real.”

We’d been born hours apart. My mom had always made it sound like she’d met Mrs. Minthe in a prenatal yoga class. I remembered my mom telling me the story about how her water broke when she was in the goddess pose.

Of course I got the joke now.

“Was anything real?” I asked, thinking back on the endless play-dates and sleepovers, how we were always in the same clubs, classes, and sports. I’d never thought anything of it before, but now it seemed so manufactured.

“Everything’s real,” Melissa reassured me. “You’re my best friend, Persephone. I mean, you saved my life—”

“You wouldn’t have been in danger if it wasn’t for me.”

She shrugged. “Wasn’t your fault.”

I sank into the plush leather couch, relieved she still called me her friend. There were vegan cookies and cocoa sitting on the worn cedar coffee table. I snatched a cookie while I searched for my righteous indignation.

“I can’t believe you knew about me this whole time.”

“I wanted to tell you.” She sat beside me. “You have to believe me, Persephone. I wanted to tell you but I couldn’t. Your mother wouldn’t let me. She bound me to secrecy when I was born.”

I considered that for a moment. “So do you have to listen to her? To me? Is that part of being a priestess?”

“You’re gods. You can bind anyone to anything if you wanted to. It has nothing to do with me being a priestess. That’s just an antiquated title. I’m not going to perform any ceremonies, or pray to you, or anything weird. I just believe in you. You choose how you want your followers to show their devotion.”

“What do Mom’s priestesses do?”

“My mom and the others honor her by working with the earth and growing things. They also give her a bit of everything they grow, but I think that’s more about friendship than tithing.”

I thought back on the jars of jam, fresh baked breads, and fruits and vegetables my mother’s friends were always bringing over and had to agree. They would come bearing gifts, and the women would retreat to the back porch and gossip for hours. That didn’t seem like worship to me.

“They’re all her followers, aren’t they?” I realized. “All of her friends.”

Melissa nodded.

I shook my head. This was too much to process, and I had more important things to worry about. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll drop by again when I get back from the Underworld. We should do something normal. Like go to a movie.”

“The new Dusk movie is out.”

I grinned. How had I forgotten about that? I left Melissa and headed back to Memorial Park. I parked my car and ventured into the clearing. It looked so different today! The clearing was drenched with life. The grass was a vibrant green, and wildflowers had burst into bloom. The tree was gone, but several saplings had already sprung up in its place. The sun was starting to sink in the sky when I ducked into the Underworld. My feet barely touched down in Tartarus before I teleported to my bedroom in the palace.

I walked across the hall and knocked on Cassandra’s door. She opened the door and then she drew away from me apprehensively. I looked behind her and saw Helen on the couch.

“What are you doing here?” Cassandra asked coldly.

“Persephone!” Helen exclaimed. She ran to me and gave me a hug. “Thank the gods you’re okay!”

I smiled at her. “Cassandra, I’m so sorry.”

She waved her hand, distrust still in her eyes. “It worked out.”

“You’re not going to the Equinox celebration in
that
, are you?” Helen asked.

I looked down at my floral patterned skirt and pink top and shook my head. “I was kind of hoping you’d help me with that.”

Cassandra sighed. “Come on in.”

Chapter XXVI

The party was in full swing by the time Helen released me. I gripped their hands tightly as we walked to the ballroom. What if my mom was right? I hadn’t really meant to surprise Hades like this. I just needed to see him, to talk to him, and hear that everything was going to be okay.

Helen had outdone herself on my dress. It was a beautiful full-length strapless yellow taffeta gown. The material gathered around my stomach, enhanced by clusters of diamonds forming daisies. Corset strings tied the dress in the back, starting just beneath my shoulder blades. My hair was down, and the same diamond daisies sprinkled throughout, forming a loose crown. I wore a matching bracelet.

“Hades can take care of the ring,” Helen joked.

The door to the ballroom opened and Thanatos stumbled out, laughing at something Charon had said. They both stopped when they saw me.

“Whoa,” Charon said, giving me a once-over before pulling me into a quick side-hug. “It’s good to see you’re okay.”

“Thank you.” I looked at Thanatos. “I’m so—”

“I was honored to help you.” He clasped my hands. “You were incredible out there.”

“Are you still…?”

“No,” he assured me. He glanced at Helen, Cassandra, and Charon. “Could I talk to you in private for a moment?”

The blood drained from my face. “Melissa?”

“Is beyond my reach. I just needed to ask you something about Boreas. His…unusual death has made his soul difficult to classify, and I’d like to get this sorted out before I go.”

“Can’t it wait?” Cassandra asked.

“It will only be a moment,” Thanatos promised.

“You guys go ahead,” I said with a smile at Helen and Cassandra. “It’s probably best we don’t all show up together. Hades may not be too thrilled with me after what I did.”

My heart sank when they didn’t argue. Charon nodded and walked toward the throne room. Charon couldn’t lie, but I would have welcomed false platitudes from Cassandra or Helen.

“Are you going somewhere?” I asked Thanatos.

“Vacationing on the surface for a bit. You won’t be needing me for guard duty down here, will you?”

“No. I’m going to be spending most of my time on the surface from now on.”

Thanatos nodded. “Boreas died human, somehow. He didn’t have an ounce of divinity left. Do you know what he did with his powers before he died?”

“No, but I bet it had something to do with Zeus. Have you told Hades what Boreas said about him?”

Thanatos shook his head. “He needed to know you were okay before he could handle news like that. He’s not happy you snuck off, but he really does worry about you.”

I smiled. “Well, I hope you enjoy your vacation. I hope telling Hades about Zeus doesn’t mess it up for you.”

“I’m not really all that useful to Hades.” Thanatos looked down at the marble floors, scuffing his black shoes back and forth. “Have you told…anyone that you charmed me?”

I frowned, thinking back. I’d told my mother and Melissa about the fight with Boreas, but between witnessing and then committing a murder, charming Thanatos wasn’t all that memorable. I studied Thanatos. It was memorable for him. His face was flushed, his hands were gripped tightly together, and he wouldn’t meet my eyes.

He’s embarrassed.
I remembered him saying I outranked him, and as far as bloodlines went, I did, but knowing that and having his will overpowered by a goddess who hadn’t even come into her powers couldn’t feel very good.

“I haven’t told anyone.”

“Is there any way… I hate asking you this, but could you promise not to tell anyone anything about me? It’s just that I’d never live it down if anyone ever found out I’d been charmed.”

I smiled at him. “I promise. I can’t promise Hades won’t figure it out, but he won’t have any help from me.”

A grin broke out across his face. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do. I’m really sorry I used you like that. It wasn’t right.”

Thanatos shook his head. “Just don’t do it again, okay?”

I opened my mouth to agree, but the door opened, smacking me in the elbow. “Ouch,” I muttered, rubbing it. I got out of the way as a group of souls left the ballroom, laughing among themselves.

I glanced through the open door and saw Hades in the center of the room. His eyes met mine.

“I’ll be going now,” Thanatos said. “Bye, Persephone.”

I nodded, my mouth going dry, and walked through the door. The ballroom had been redecorated for the Equinox. Flowers covered every corner. Halfway into the ballroom the floor gave way to grass, and the ceiling changed to open sky, with randomly placed stars decorating the sky. Souls smiled at me, but I only had eyes for Hades.

My pulse hammered in my throat. “Can I have this dance?”

He pulled me close to him, putting his hands stiffly at my shoulder and waist. “I wasn’t expecting to see you again.”

“I’m not going to apologize to you. I would do it all again if I had to.”

“That’s a terrifying thought. How
did
you manage to kill Boreas?”

“I’m not sorry,” I said quickly. “He deserved it. He deserved worse! He killed Melissa and who knows how many other people during that blizzard. Not to mention what he had planned for me. I’m not sorry.”

“You don’t have to be.” Hades’ voice was soft. “You don’t have to explain that to me.”

I looked up at him. “I’m not sorry.” My voice shook. “I’m not. That doesn’t make me a monster. I know you’re disappointed or whatever, but if I had—”

“What?” He titled my chin up so he could study my face. “What are you talking about?”

“You wanted me to be different…”

Hades shook his head. “You defended yourself. I don’t think any less of you for that.” The song changed and we swayed with the music. “I just want to know how you did it.”

“I told him to die.” I swallowed hard. “And he crumbled.”

“He was charmed, I presume?”

I nodded.

“That shouldn’t be possible.” He looked at me warily. “Don’t ever try to charm me.”

I glared at him. “Did you know Zeus was still alive?”

He stumbled, stepping squarely on my foot.

“I guess not,” I muttered.

“What are you talking about?”

“Boreas told me when I charmed him. He said he was working for Zeus.” I shrugged. “He wants me for something. But Zeus is dead, isn’t he?”

Hades’ face hardened. “I’ll get to the bottom of this. But at least this explains how you were able to charm and kill Boreas. He’d sworn fealty to Zeus.”

“What does that mean?”

Hades glanced around the ballroom, then took my hand and led me outside. “A god can swear fealty to another god, and it transfers all their worship and power to that god. In return they can be given more strength than usual, but they aren’t themselves anymore. They’re bound to that god. They have to follow their will.” He gave me a level stare. “It’s practically signing away your divinity. When you asked him to die, he probably willed the rest of his power to Zeus.”

“Why would Boreas do that?”

Hades shrugged. “Who knows what Zeus promised him? In any case, Boreas would only be vulnerable to Zeus or his offspring.”

“He did all that,” I grumbled. “And now he’s living the high life on Olympus.”

“Actually, his soul’s in Tartarus. He died without divinity. He was judged as a human would be.” Hades gave me a smile so dark it sent chills up my spine. “After I had a long talk with him.”

“And he didn’t tell you about Zeus?” I didn’t agree with torture, but I’d figured if Hades did…whatever he had done in that talk, it would yield results.

“I didn’t think to ask if a god had somehow managed to come back to life.” Hades sounded defensive. “We’ll have to have another conversation. But in any case, he’s in Tartarus, so be careful coming and going from the Underworld.”

“I’m glad he was judged as human.” I looked Hades straight in the eye. “Gods shouldn’t get special treatment when they’re judged.”

Hades gave me a bitter smile. “Then we’d all go to hell. So your mother doesn’t mind you coming here?”

I shrugged, not appreciating his implication with that particular change of topic. “It’s not her favorite thing, but she’ll get over it. I
am
queen here, aren’t I?” He gave me a look I couldn’t decipher, and I exhaled impatiently. “You didn’t think I knew this was forever?”

His eyes darted to the floor. “I was going to tell you, but I was looking for a way to reverse—”

“I don’t want you to.”

He looked up.

“I love it here. I feel like I belong here.”

“Then why didn’t you just stay?” His voice was gruff. “If you love it so much, why run to danger?”