Page 69 of Spring's Descent
I blinked.
“Being that you’re still alive and born a powerful earth witch from The Realm of the Living, you’ll never be fully trapped here,” Hecate added.
“That and when your life threads are woven, you’ll become immortal,” Thanatos said, starting in on his own salad. “Although, taking a piece of The Underworld into your being would allow your essence to merge with this realm.”
“Merge?”
“Yes,” Hades confirmed, finally removing his hand from mine. “Goddess of The Underworld.”
My heart skipped as I dropped my gaze, focusing on the juicy pomegranate seed set atop deep green leaves. I was already giving my body, my magic, my entire life-force to Hades, but there had still been a way out. This would take that away. I needed to save Lark… but hadn’t I already decided my future was here?
Looking up, I took in my surroundings. The four of us had an uninterrupted view of the room now that the dance floor had been cleared, making the divide in loyalties obvious. Despite Hades’s reassurances, Hypnos’s influence was concerning—or was it Morpheus who commanded most of the attention?
Either way, The Night Children clustered around the two of them, flanked by a rather large cluster of gorgons. On the otherside of the room, sat spirits adored in battle leathers and military regalia, along with most of the harpies. Members of The Dark Faction were split, but I could practically see the tension in the room as the two groups sized each other up.
This was to be my kingdom. My home. I could save its existence by pledging my magic to this realm and to Hades, but I wanted more than survival. I wanted peace.
With a deep breath, I focused my gaze on the god next to me, staring at the cerulean blue irises surrounding the darkest black. And lifted the fork to my mouth.
Honey and pomegranate filled my senses, the delectable tastes rolling over my tongue. It was better than anything I’d ever eaten, like the freshest drop of dew had been gathered and mixed with joy. Closing my eyes, I moaned, licking the remainder of the dressing from my lips.
“Gods below,” muttered Thanatos as Hecate laughed, but it was Hades’s low murmured promise that had my eyes snapping open.
“If you keep making sounds like that, I’ll have to start on my own meal.”
My cheeks pinked as I swallowed, staring at the open desire swirling in his gaze. “It’s delicious.”
His lips twitched.
“Wait till you try the champagne.”
After my third glass,the party was well underway. Each course of the night had gotten progressively better, from the lemon-and-thyme tarts sprinkled with goat cheese, to roasted lamb seasoned with garlic and rosemary, and finally to thebuttery baklava stacked with honey and nuts. All the while, bottles of champagne and sweet flavored wine flowed freely.
Hypnos had left as soon as dessert was served, taking the gorgons and most of The Night Children with them, all except Morpheus. He was busy flirting with a curvy, dark-haired harpy.
“Don’t let him worry you,” Hecate said, tugging my arm as she led me toward the dance floor. We joined the line in the center of the room where couples paired off, facing one another. “Hypnos has been trying to find a way to usurp Hades for decades. He might have succeeded if you hadn’t been found.”
My eyes widened as I glanced toward Morpheus who was slipping deeper into the shadows with the harpy on his arm.
“But,” Hecate said, gathering her hands in mine as the first notes of the song began to play. “You are here. And you love him.”
A timid smile stretched across my lips as I glanced toward Hades. He was with Thanatos. The God of Death looked like he was relaying something important, but Hades’s burning gaze was fixed on me.
“I do love him,” I whispered. The champagne had my inhibitions down, letting the words flow freely. His pupils dilated as if he’d heard me.
“See? Nothing to worry about.” Hecate spun me around, breaking my eye contact with Hades as we turned with the other laughing couples. “Less than twenty-four hours, you two will be married. A few hours more, and I can bestow my blessing upon you at your awakening, completing the bonding process, and saving both our realms.”
My stomach fluttered as she dipped me to the music.
“With balance reestablished, I’ll lead you to The Realm of the Living where we can free Lark and hold Demeter accountable for all that she’s done.”
The fuzziness from the champagne cleared a little as we continued with the dance, stepping back and then together again with the others. “Everything was going to be okay.”
Hecate nodded, but there was a frown lingering on her lips. “It should be, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is the calm before the storm.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, dropping to a curtsy as the song ended.
“I’m not sure,” she breathed, shaking her head as we moved off the dance floor. “But I’ve learned to rely on my instincts. And right now, they’re telling me to keep my guard up.”