Page 56 of Spring's Descent
“Perhaps all of you could show her how we celebrate Ostara in The Underworld?” Kassandra asked. “After all, it falls on Lady Persephone’s birthday.”
Cheers rang around us as excited little hands reached for me and led me through the trees. The edges of Kassandra’s eyes crinkled as she fell into step behind us, leaving me no choice but to follow the cluster of little feet.
“We plant seeds on the eve of Ostara,” Hecate clarified as the children ran ahead, sprinkling seeds as they went. “They represent the potential for growth and planning for the year ahead.”
“It takes a lot to nurture a seed,” Kassandra added, linking her arm through mine. I felt so overdressed with my gown while she wore a simple cotton dress, the hem splattered in mud, but I suppose that was why Hecate had selected it: to presentLadyPersephone. “One must get their hands dirty, cultivate sturdy roots that run deep. Only when the stalk is established can the flowers bloom.”
“Smooth, Kassandra,” Hecate quipped, falling into step on my other side. “But I think Persephone knows what’s worth cultivating.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I said, my temper flaring as I realized who they were speaking of. “Some crops aren’t worth the time or the effort.Someseeds prove to be a drain of resources rather than a fruitful investment.”
Even as I spoke the words, I knew they weren’t true. Hades may be a lying demon—God—but my betrothal wasn’t about him. It was for the sake of our realms.
Hecate and Kassandra shared a worried glance, but I spoke before either got a chance.
“Even so, I understand even the most poisonous plants can provide nourishment to the field. Isn’t that right, Kassandra?”
I glanced up when she didn’t answer. Her face had paled, tension pulling along the edges of her lips.
“What is it?” I asked, following her line of sight to the horizon. Fields that were thriving moments ago were now coated in a swath of black.
“Excuse me, Lady Persephone,” she breathed. Sparing only a panicked glance for Hecate, she rushed forward, moving quicker than should have been possible as she chased after the screaming children. There were flashes of light whenever she reached one, the field around us growing quieter with each one as Hecate and I rushed after her.
“It stopped advancing,” Kassandra called as we pressed through the last of the branches, joining her at the edge of darkness.
“The children?” I asked, finding the field vacant except for the three of us.
“Returned to the temple,” Kassandra breathed, her fierce gaze meeting mine. “I can call on my own magic when needed.”
I nodded, wondering for a split second what it would’ve been like to have been raised by a mother like her, one willing to face off against death magic to save her children without a second thought.
Hecate’s mouth was pressed into a thin line as she surveyed the damage. Frost clung to wilted leaves, the cold burning through trees as it leeched color from everything it touched. Trees and wildflowers were twisted into bitter frost and blackened remains. All the warmth of thriving flora and vegetation had been stripped away, leaving only the shell of a destroyed paradise.
This was death magic.
“It’s never breached Elysian before,” Kassandra muttered. “Especially not in our corner of it. This has always been our refuge, a place of unwavering safety.”
“I’ll inform Hades as soon as I rebuild the wards,” Hecate said, raising her hands as the shadows began to stir. Energy hummed in the air. I could feel more than see the microscopic links of light forming around the edges of the deadly shadows.
“Wait,” I called, stepping to her side. The buzz of energy dimmed but didn’t slow as she continued to work. “What are you doing?”
“I’m walling off part of Elysium to keep the women and children safe.” Hecate kept her eyes forward, molding a pulsating wall around the contours of blackened ground. “Death magic has weakened the ground here. Without wards, it could expand.”
The slight tremble of her voice had my pulse racing. Hecate, goddess of witches, feared death magic. She sought to contain it just as witches of the earth coven had. But we weren’t the ones responsible for this.
“Where’s Hades?” I demanded. “Shouldn’t he be here, cleaning up his mess?”
Kassandra’s eyes widened, snapping to mine as if seeing me for the first time. “Lord Hades has done all he can to protect us, My Lady.”
My brows furrowed, a frown tugging on my lips as I glanced between her and a focused Hecate. “But… he’s the God of The Underworld. He wields death magic. He has for centuries. I’ve seen him murdering innocents in my realm, using power just like this.”
With her penetrating gaze locked on mine, Kassandra slowly shook her head. “No, Lady Persephone. I’m not sure what you saw, but Lord Hades would never jeopardize innocent souls. He is the only god powerful enough toconsumedeath magic. He’s sacrificed pieces of his soul to keep the devastation from claiming our people, toprotectsouls in The Realm of the Living. Lord Hades has done everything in his power to maintain balance.”
My stomach clenched as a wave of nausea rose. Because Kassandra had no reason to lie, and if she was telling the truth.
“Gods above, “I breathed.
“There are more than enough gods below,” Hecate said, her palms taking on a soft glow as the power of her magic built. “But even gods have limits. Care to help?”