I watch as Persephone falls silent once more, tears streaming down her face, and I hate that I have played any part in this pain.
Not knowing what else to say or do, I move toward her. She watches me as I settle down next to her and then tentatively wrap an arm around her shoulder.
The queen stiffens for a moment before turning to bury her face into my shoulder. Her entire body shakes with her sobs as I hold her. I hold Persephone close to me, feeling her pain and despair in every shuddering breath she takes.
For a moment, I forget why I'm here as we sit in silence, the only sounds in the room are her ragged breaths and the occasional sniffle. But then, a sudden realization hits me. This is my chance to help her, to free her from this loveless marriage.
Persephone suddenly pulls back, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand. She takes a deep breath, her eyes locking onto mine. My words catch on my tongue, and for a moment, I fear that she can see straight through me.
That she’s realized I’m the one that’s caused her husband’s eye to stray yet again, though I never intended it to go this far.
“Thank you for being a true friend to me, Hazel,” she says softly. “I am so sorry that you have been caught up in this mess. At least I know that I can trust you … unlike the others who are all too eager for their chance to steal him away from me.”
I cringe inwardly at this, guilt twisting its way into me like a dagger to the gut. Silence fills my ears to the point of ringing as I try to find the courage to explain to her what I’ve done.
What I was willing to do to save first my own life, and then my father’s.
“Persephone—”
“Knowing you do not wish to seduce him is—”
“Persephone,” I interrupt, as she turns to stare wide-eyed at me. “I need to tell you—”
Of course, the doors to the room slam open before another word can slip past my lips, and we both turn to see Deimos stride into the room.
“What is the meaning of this?” he snarls, several of Hades’ guards filing into the room behind him along with a grinning, sharp-eyed woman.
Persephone leaps up, her fingers twitching with fury as little offshoots of vines burst from them in an endless cycle of life and death.
“Eris,” the spring goddess says, quickly rising to her feet, “you are early.”
“And a good thing too,” Eris says, her gaze shifting to me. “You know none of these women are to be trusted. You cannot be left alone with them. Deimos, have the girl taken back to her room.”
Deimos scowls at her order, but then signals for two of his men to grab me before I have a chance to protest. Persephone’s jaw tightens, but she makes no move to stop them even as they drag me roughly away.
Yet again, I have failed.
17
Cerberus
“Iwill do it.”
Eros and Death both glance up at me.
Their stunned silence brings a slight smile to my lips as I move to join them in the courtyard. Death’s shadows curl up around him as Eros continues to stare in my direction, his gaze not quite meeting my own.
“Really?” Eros asks
“What exactly are you agreeing to?” Death says, his voice quiet in its intensity.
It does not surprise me that he wants specifics. After all, he is the one whose life is comprised of deals.
Yet, I cannot help the annoyance that flares through me at the way he speaks to me, as if I am nothing more than another mortal come to throw my soul at him.
“I will help you reunite with the mortal girl.”
“Hazel,” Death corrects. “Does this also mean you will help us leave the Underworld?”
