Page 63 of Spring's Descent
“Thank you,” I breathed as hope flooded my veins. If there was any witch powerful enough to save Lark, it would be Hecate. A weight settled in the pit of my stomach as she offered me a kind smile. “I’m sorry I ever believed you would murder witches.”
Her smile faltered as she turned away.
“I hate that Demeter has been so convincing. She’s taken my teachings and twisted them for her own gain. With the balance between life and death magic being off, I’ve been confined to The Underworld. Only recently have I been able to reach The Crystal City coven, and even that communication is strained.”
I pulled in a sharp gasp, hardly daring to breathe. “There’re still witches in The Crystal City?”
“Only those clever enough to hide from Demeter’s initial split from the coven. She killed everyone else. Demeter is nothing if not thorough, as you know. She went far enough to change your name and destroy all grimoires that opposed her views. I plan to restore the covens to their former harmony once things are asthey should be, and my magic returned to full power. I only hope it’s not too late.”
39
HADES
What the fuckwas happening to me? Persephone saved Elysium, defeated a wild burst of death magic that would have destroyed the section of The Underworld meant to be a sanctuary for women and children… and I felt only rage.
No, not rage. Fear.
Gods below, it felt like a dagger had sliced through my chest and embedded itself in my heart only for it to be twisted, ripped out, and plunged in again.
Nothing could get the image of her being dragged through ash out of my head. Persephone had been surrounded by clouds of impenetrable death magic. I’d flown as fast as I could, sent my own death magic and shadows to clash with the ones consuming her. I’d tried to pull the magic inside of my soul—Still, it hadn’t been enough.
But then the blackness had faded. And Persephone had crumpled to the forest floor. She lay there on a bed of dandelions, the light slowly fading from her skin, and the only thought racing through my mind was that I’d give anything to save her. The Realm of the Living, The Underworld, my immortal life—all of it. Just to see her live.
“She’s ready for you,” Hecate called.
I glanced up from the obsidian floors toward the grand staircase where Hecate waited. The ornate banister was adorned with blacks and golds, the precious minerals shimmering in the light of the candles around the room. This was my private sitting room, one where Persephone was to join me before we greeted our guests.
Hecate eyed my outfit, her shrewd gaze tracking the subtle accents of deep greens and golden filigree I had added to my otherwise black tunic. I looked up through dark lashes, the twisting in my stomach settling as she gave a small nod of approval.
“I’ll see to our guests as you two… catch up.” With that Hecate swept from the room
My pulse picked up as the soft patter of heels echoed along the obsidian floor, the faint traces of Persephone’s heartbeat reaching me right before she stepped into the light.
Gods below, she was stunning.
The tips of her pointed heels peeked out from beneath golden silk, the slit extending high along her thigh. Forest green thread woven into vines trailed along a neck line that dipped to her navel, the vines swirling and looping across the bodice, hugging every perfect edge of her body.
Her chest rose with a deep breath, drawing my eyes back up to the flush along her skin. To the darkening blush along her cheeks. Hecate had used golden pins set with diamonds to arrange half her hair up, creating the illusion of a crown. Tomorrow, a real crown would grace her head. And she would be mine forever.
I’d resisted taking her that night in the springs, but gods did I want to drop to my knees and worship her. To lick every delicious inch of her body until she was making those sweet noises, trembling with pleasure as she moaned my name.
It wasn’t until I met her eyes that I remembered she hated me.
“Good evening, little witch.” Her breathing hitched as sweet vanilla scented the air. Despite everything, Persephone still wanted me, at least in some way. “Or should I start calling you my queen?”
“We’re not wed yet, Hades.” Her heels echoed as she descended the steps, and I swore she added an extra sway to her hips just to taunt me.
Persephone had been brave enough to place her life on the line to protect my kingdom. She was powerful, and good, and saw the world in a way that I couldn’t quite understand: with hope.
I had only ever thought to secure our threads. I’d planned on tricking her into it if needed, but Persephone made me think finding a true Queen of The Underworld was possible.
“Soon, my queen,” I promised, catching her hand as she stepped from the last of the stairs. Magic flared at our contact, pulsing through our bodies as if it too were seeking to weave our threads. It felt like the purest energy. Like the magic of every living thing coursed through her veins and into mine.
A small gasp fell from her lips as the heat shifted into something warmer. Something far more captivating. Her pupils dilated as she dragged her bottom lip between her teeth. My gaze dipped to the movement. How I wanted to taste those lips, to nip and lick until they were swollen. To see them bruised and battered from being wrapped around me.
Persephone snatched her hand away, baring her teeth as tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t need your help. We’ll marry and bond, I’ll even let you fuck me, and then all of this can be over.”
I stiffened as something painful in my chest squeezed. “What if I don’t want it to be over?”