Two weeks later, Lexa was released from the hospital. Their apartment felt smaller with six people inside, all fawning over Lexa. Eliska and Adam bought groceries and stocked their pantry to overflowing, Jaison had moved more of his things into Lexa’s bedroom and took immediate responsibility for her medicines. Sybil, Persephone, and Zofie hung back, watching everything unfold, unsure of what to do.
Persephone wasn’t sure what the worst part was—the fact that that Lexa seemed to be completely detached from the situation or that her parents and Jaison were ignoring how different she was. She spent long stretches of time sleeping and when she wasn’t asleep, she stared at the wall. When asked direct questions, she just gaped at the person speaking until they repeated themselves, and sometimes, even then she didn’t answer.
“She’s not the same,” Persephone had said one night after she’d asked Lexa if she wanted to join them in the living room to watch Titans After Dark. It wasn’t Persephone’s favorite, but she remembered how her best friend would light up when discussing the gritty details of the Primordial drama.
She hadn’t looked at Persephone when she’d answered with a quiet, “No.”
When she’d spoken in the kitchen, she’d mostly been talking to herself. It was her own attempt to process grief. Lexa might not have died, but they’d lost her either way.
“She was hit by a freaking car,” Jaison snapped. “She’s not going to bounce back.”
Persephone blinked, shocked by his anger.
“I know. I didn’t mean—”
“Maybe if you weren’t so wrapped up in your own problems, you’d see that.”
He stomped back to Lexa’s room without another word.
“He’s just upset,” Sybil said. “He knows she isn’t the same.”
“This mortal has distressed you,” Zofie said. “Do you want me to kill him?”
“What? No, Zofie. You can’t just kill people who upset you.”
The Aegis shrugged. “You can where I’m from.”
“Remind me to hide all your weapons,” Persephone said.
The tension remained throughout the next week. Persephone was glad to have an escape in the Underworld but made sure to check in with Lexa everyday—it became a new routine, a new normal. Wake up, check on Lexa, work, check on Lexa, Underworld.
She went on like that for weeks until one morning after returning from the Underworld, Persephone wandered into the kitchen and halted in her tracks.
Lexa was making coffee.
She stood in her pajamas, hair in a messy bun, and when she looked up at Persephone, she smiled. She looked…normal.
“Good morning,” she chimed.
“G-good morning,” Persephone said, a little suspicious.
“I thought you might like some coffee.”
“Yes,” Persephone said, and gave a breathy laugh. “I love coffee.”
Lexa laughed, filling a mug and pushing it toward her. “I know.”
Persephone cupped the drink between her hands. For a moment, she couldn’t move. She just stood there, staring awkwardly at Lexa.
She cleared her throat. “I…better get ready for work,” she said, reluctant to leave, afraid that if she did, she’d realize this was all just a dream.
Lexa offered a small smile again. “Lucky,” she said. “I would like to work again.”
“You will soon.”
Persephone made her way back to her room. As she did, she sipped the coffee Lexa had made and promptly spit it back into the cup. It was strong and bitter and thick.
Not like the coffee Lexa had made before the accident.
She’s trying, Persephone thought. That’s all that matters.
She’d drink a million cups of this coffee if it meant Lexa was healing.
Persephone got ready for work. She hated how her perception of her job had changed. She used to look forward to days spent at New Athens News, now they filled her with dread, and it had nothing to do with the crowd that hung out to see her every day—it was her boss. Demetri had continuously given her busy work, keeping her from working on stories. She decided if he did it again today, she would challenge him.
“Hi, Persephone!” Helen said as she exited the elevator.
“Hello, Helen,” Persephone said, smiling at the young woman. She was about the only thing she enjoyed about her job anymore.
She crossed the workroom floor and before she made it to her desk, Demetri popped out of his office, handing her a stack of papers.
“Obituaries,” he said.
When Persephone didn’t take them, he dropped them on her desk.
“You have to be kidding me, Demetri. I’m an investigative journalist.”
“And today you are editing obituaries,” he said.
He turned and went back into his office. She followed.
“You’ve given me menial tasks since Kal called off the exclusive.” Since I found out about your fucked-up love potion, she wanted to say. “Was this the trade off?”
“You wrote an article that resulted in negative publicity for this company and hurt your reputation. What do you expect?”
“It’s called journalism, Demetri, and I expect that you’ll stand up for me.”
“Look, Persephone, no offense, but when it comes down to saving my own ass or saving yours, I’m choosing myself.”
Persephone nodded. “You’ll regret this, Demetri.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No,” she said. “I’m offering you a peek into the future.”
“Do us a favor, Persephone. Stop sending your god after your problems.”
“You think Hades will be the one to dismantle you?” Persephone asked, taking deliberate steps toward the mortal. Demetri tensed, unnerved by whatever he saw in her expression.
She shook her head and continued, “No. Your fate is mine to unravel.”
With the prophecy spoken, Persephone turned on her heels and left Demetri’s office.
***
Lexa was in the kitchen the next morning with another pot of coffee. The same thick, burnt sludge she had made the day before, but Persephone didn’t care. She accepted the drink, sitting at the bar.
“Are you alright?” Lexa asked. Persephone was so surprised by the question, she burned her lips trying to sip on her coffee.
“I’m sorry, what?” Persephone asked.
“Are you alright?”
Persephone sat her mug down. “I should be asking you that question,” she said and sighed. “I guess I’m just not looking forward to work.”
She explained what had happened the day before.
“When I started there, I was so…ecstatic. I was ready to find the truth, to give a platform to the voiceless. Instead, I’m made to make copies, edit obituaries, and make up predictions.”
“I think it’s time to start your own paper,” said Lexa.
Persephone shook her head. “How?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but how hard could it be? Just do what you already do—give a voice to the oppressed.”
Persephone tapped her nails against the countertop, considering Lexa’s proposal. It was something she’d joked about before, but this didn’t seem funny. It felt like a real possibility. She thought of all the reasons journalism had appealed to her—she’d wanted to find the truth, serve justice, speak for the voiceless—all things she could do on her own with no Demetri and no Kal.
“Thanks, Lex. You’re amazing. I hope you know that.”
Lexa smiled, and she focused on the counter for a moment before suggesting, “Maybe…we could go sometime. Like…before. It’ll take your mind off everything.”
Persephone’s smiled.
“I’d like that.”
For the first time in a long time, Persephone felt like she might be able to heal the guilt she felt over this whole ordeal.
“I’m sorry, Lex,” Persephone said. She’d never actually apologized to her for what she’d done—for the deal she’d struck with Apollo.
“I know,” Lexa said. “But I forgive you.”
***
When Persephone arrived home from work, she found Sybil getting ready in her room. Her hair was curled, her makeup done, and she wore a pretty, floral dress.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Sybil said. “I needed a place to get ready and Lexa’s in the shower.”
“No, of course not,” Persephone said. “I just came home to check on her. How’s she doing?”
Sybil nodded. “Better.”
“Are you…going out?”
The oracle blushed. “I have a date.”
Persephone grinned, excited for her. “With who?”
“Aro,” she said quietly.
Before Sybil became an official oracle, the three had been inseparable. Persephone was glad they had reunited.
“When did this start?”
She shrugged. “We’ve always been friends and after Apollo fired me…we started talking again.”
Persephone smiled. “Oh, girl. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, Seph.”
Persephone felt bad for not saying goodbye to Lexa, but she sent a text to let her know she’d be back in the morning, then teleported to the Underworld, appearing in the library. She’d had the intention of curling up by the fireplace and reading, instead, she found Hades waiting.
“What are you wearing?” Persephone giggled.
He had on a black shirt, pants, and what looked like black rain boots. She had only seen him this casual once, and that was when he came to her house to bake cookies.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Those pants are definitely a surprise.”
He smirked. “Come.”
He held out his hand, and she took it, fingers tangling with his as he led her outside. At the front of the palace, two large, black horses waited. They were majestic, their coat glistened, their manes braided.
“Oh!” Persephone clasped a hand to her mouth. “They’re beautiful.”
The horses snorted and pawed the ground. Hades chuckled. “They say thank you. Would you like to ride?”
“Yes,” she answered immediately. “But…I’ve never…”
“I’ll teach you,” he said.
Hades guided her toward the horse.
“This is Alastor,” he said.
“Alastor,” she whispered his name, caressing his muzzle. “You are magnificent.”
The other horse neighed.
“Careful, Aethon will be jealous.”
Persephone laughed “Oh, you are both magnificent.”
“Careful,” Hades said. “I might get jealous.”
Hades handed Persephone the reins and instructed her to put her foot in the stirrup and sit on the saddle as gently as possible. He gave more direction—sink your weight, lean back, firm up your legs.
“My steeds will listen if you speak—tell them to stop, they will stop. Tell them to slow down, they will slow down.”
“You taught them?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said while mounting Aethon. “Don’t worry, Alastor knows what he carries. He will take care of you.”
They started at a snail’s pace, but Persephone didn’t mind. They’d often gone on walks, but those were isolated to the gardens and her grove, and there was something refreshing about seeing the Underworld this way. Alastor and Aethon trotted side-by-side, and Hades took her into new territory—through fields of purple and pink lupin, rimmed by dark mountains.
“How often do you…change the Underworld?” she asked.
One corner of Hades’ mouth rose. “I wondered when you’d ask me that question.”
“Well?”
“Whenever I feel like it,” he said.
She laughed.
“Perhaps when my magic isn’t so terrifying, I will try.”
“Darling, there is nothing I’d like more.”
They came to the end of the lupin field and continued down a narrow path between the mountains. On the other side, an emerald forest bloomed. Hades kept close to the rocky wall of the mountain. The sound of running water perked Persephone’s interest. That was when Hades stopped and dismounted.
He approached her and helped her down, his hands lingered on her waist.
“You look beautiful today,” he said. “Have I told you?”
She grinned. “Not yet. Tell me again.”
He smiled and kissed her. “You’re beautiful, my darling.”
He took her hand and led her through a line of trees. On the other side was a waterfall that poured off the mountainous rocks into a shimmering lake. It was a million shades of blue, and clear as crystal.
“Hades,” she whispered. “How gorgeous.”
When she looked at him, his gaze singed, aroused and intense. Awareness shuddered through her and she turned into him.
They didn’t speak, just came together beneath the trees.
Hades was unhurried in his exploration, and Persephone soaked up each second. Everything was slow—the kisses languid, the caresses dreamy. When he entered her, he paused and brought his lips to hers. There was something extremely raw about this kiss, though it was light and lingering. When she opened her eyes, she found him staring at her, still and swollen inside her.
She reached up and touched his face.
“Marry me,” he said.
She smiled. “Yes.”
Then he moved inside her, the friction built as slowly as he moved and despite the pace he set, her breath came faster. She gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his skin, lost in the sensations he elicited all over her body.
She loved it, loved him.
She came hard, but quietly.
“My darling,” Hades whispered. He kissed her face, brushing away tears. “Why are you crying?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
She just felt everything so keenly—every emotion was like a spear inside her. Her love for Hades was almost unbearable. Her happiness near-painful.
Hades lifted her and carried her into the lake where they showered beneath the waterfall.
After, they returned to the palace.
On the inside, Persephone was still struggling with her feelings. They were so powerful, so heightened. She was so deeply in love, it hurt.
It was a new level of love—one she had entered as his fiancée, as his soon-to-be-wife and queen.
The thought made her chest feel warm—a sensation that didn’t last when she saw Thanatos waiting for their arrival. She glanced at Hades, his face had turned stony, lips tight, eyes hard.
Something’s wrong.
She tried to keep from jumping to conclusions, but it was difficult given the last few weeks.
Hades dismounted and helped Persephone down.
“Thanatos,” Hades said.
“My lord,” he nodded, and his blue eyes met Persephone’s. “My lady.”
The God of Death opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He tried again.
“I don’t know how to tell you this.”
Persephone swore her heartbeat slowed, and it suddenly felt really hard to breathe. Unlike before, Thanatos didn’t even try to calm her with his magic.
“It’s Lexa,” he said.
Persephone was already crying. Hades arms tightened around her as if preparing for her collapse.
“She’s gone.”
