Page 70 of Spring's Descent
A large shadow fell over the two of us. Pricks of electricity danced across my skin as the scent of frost and shadows swirled in the air around me.
“May I cut in?”
I turned to find Hades with his hand outstretched, palm waiting for my answer. With a smile, I placed my hand in his, turning to find Hecate had already left.
“I’ve missed you, little witch.” Hades pulled me close, my body flushed with his as he inhaled the scent of me.
“It’s been one dance,” I laughed, but I leaned into him, loving the way our hearts synced.
“Then it has been one dance too long.” he said, guiding me to the center of the floor as we waited for the music to start. “Stay with me tonight. Not in the queen’s rooms, but in mine. Inours.”
My breathing quickened as his hand dropped to the low of my back, the other cupping my cheek.
“Yes,” I answered with too much enthusiasm. Pink tinted my cheeks, the pad of his thumb dragging across the color as his lips tilted into a wicked smirk.
“So eager,” he said, his voice dipping low. “We’ll have fun tonight, my Persephone. I promise you that, but first, we dance.”
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HADES
Fucking perfect.That’s what Persephone was. Dazzling, radiant—a fucking goddess among mortals. She was the candle amid endless darkness. A diamond gleaming among lumps of coal. No one was worthy of her, not even to gaze upon her beauty. Not even me.
I was nothing but a shadow, having grown hollow and depleted like the wretched wraiths wandering the cursed kingdom of Cocytus. I’d thought it was death magic leeching life from me… but I’d been fading for far longer than I cared to admit.
As the ruler of The Underworld, there was always something I needed to do. A personification I needed to embody for my siblings or my people. Punishing, harsh, benevolent. It had been centuries since there had been anything other than duty and obligation.
Until Persephone.
She bathed my reality in light. In life. But it was so much more than her magic. It washer. Her goodness. Her hope. I had been existing in a bland sheet of gray, but Persephone saw the world in vivid shades of color.
I glanced down at her, marveling at how bright her smile was as I spun her through another turn, her freckled cheeks rosy from the champagne and the dancing of the night. She’d left her red curls down after she’d tasted me on the throne, but the golden pins remained in place.
They were real diamonds, a gift for my future bride, not that Persephone knew that. She wasn’t one to be swayed by the jewels of The Underworld, but I planned on giving her the finest of everything, proving to the realm that she was so much more than the savior of our realm. She waseverything. The source of each and every facet of brilliance in The Underworld.
“That was so much fun. You didn’t tell me you were such a good dancer,” Persephone panted, her green eyes flashing to Hecate as they darted around the boisterous ballroom. “I hadn’t realized how lively The Underworld was.”
Thanatos had followed Hypnos the moment he left, but most of The Underworld had yet to tire. It had been a while since the spirits of my realm had much to celebrate. The promise of balance restored, death magic controlled, and a royal wedding were each things that warranted a proper party. Together… I’d be surprised if the spirits quieted in the next month.
My lips twitched as Hecate appeared next to Persephone. “It’s easy to lose yourself when you’re surrounded by wonderful energy. Alas, I must call it a night. I need rest before the big day tomorrow. After all, each witch’s awakening is a blessing from my lifeline.”
Persephone’s brows furrowed as the three of us moved to the edge of the room. “Meaning an ember of your magic is gifted to each of us?”
“When midnight strikes,” Hecate smiled, catching the frown tugging on Persephone’s lips. “He magic gifted is nothing that weakens me, though I am more aware of the recently awakened witch for a few days.”
“Aware how?” Persephone asked, her eyes darting to me as her cheeks pinked.
“Nothing that intimate,” Hecate laughed. “It’s more of a presence. Sometimes I can even sense where witches are, depending on the person.”
“And when a witch doesn’t survive?” Persephone asked, her voice growing soft. “When Demeter decides a witch isn’t strong enough to live, what happens?”
Hecate’s smile dropped, a vast hollowness opening within her gaze. “I feel each and every death that comes to my line, newly awakened witches, even more so.”
“We will avenge them,” Persephone vowed, the fire burning in her gaze eager for a fight. “Soon, I’ll have the power to defeat Demeter and set things right.”
“Soon,” Hecate agreed. “Enjoy tonight, Lady Persephone. In less than twenty-four hours, you will be fully awakened. The next day, we go to war.”
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