Hades turned to Persephone, and with a wave of his hand, her bonds were broken. She fell into Hades as he approached, and he gathered her into his arms and turned to the Furies.
“Alecto, Megaera, Tisiphone, see to Pirithous.”
They bowed their heads.
The Furies vanished, and Hades teleported to the Underworld. It was in his bedchamber, that she fell apart. Hades sat with her cradled against him, soothing her with whispered words until her tears were dry, until she no longer felt like she was imploding on the inside. Finally, she pulled away.
“Bath,” she said. “I need to scrub him from my skin.”
Hades mouth hardened, and Persephone felt as though she could see his mind working, deciding on the torture he would inflict upon Pirithous. Despite this, his voice was calm when he spoke.
“Of course.”
Hades walked her to the bathes, and she shed her clothes and entered the hot water. Steam curled around her, and she inhaled the scent of vanilla and lavender. She scrubbed her skin until it was red and raw. When she was finished, she left the water, wrapping herself in a fluffy, white robe.
Hades hadn’t joined her. He sat some distance from the pool, watching her. She went to him and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She needed his comfort, his closeness.
“Tell me what happened?” He said, and there was an edge to his voice that told her he wasn’t ready, that if she spoke of her abduction, she would release the violence within him.
“I will tell you if you will promise me one thing,” she said.
He raised a brow, waiting, and her eyes fell to his lips.
“When you torture him, I get to join you.”
“That is a promise I can keep.”
CHAPTER XXVIII - A TOUCH OF RUIN
Thanatos accompanied Persephone on her first visit to Elysium.
“You won’t be able to talk to her today,” he said. “She must become comfortable with Elysium or she will become overwhelmed.”
Persephone had a feeling she knew what that meant—Lexa would have to drink from the Lethe again. That was the last thing she wanted.
“When will she be ready?” Persephone asked.
Thanatos shrugged. “It is hard to say.”
She knew what Thanatos didn’t say. It depends on how much she must heal.
The thought pained her, but she pushed that away. She couldn’t think of what she should have done, all she could do was learn from her mistakes.
They stopped at the top of a hill in Elysium. Here, Hades’ sky was so bright, it was almost blinding. Beside her, Thanatos pointed to a figure in the distance. A woman whose black hair ignited like a torch against her white dress.
It was Lexa.
Tears pricked her eyes as she watched her best friend traversed the field, holding her hand aloft, touching blades of tall grass, and while Persephone couldn’t see her face, she knew Lexa felt peace here.
Weeks went by and Persephone visited Elysium every day, watching Lexa from afar until one day, Thanatos approached and said, “It’s time.”
Persephone thought she’d be ready, that she would jump at the chance to be reunited with Lexa, but when Thanatos gave his permission, she suddenly felt nervous and more uncertain than ever
“What if she doesn’t like me?” she asked.
“Lexa is the same soul you found in the Upperworld. She is caring and loving and kind. She is ready for a friend.”
Persephone nodded, and took a breath. Preparing to approach was like preparing for a public speech. Anxiety whirled within her, making her stomach feel unsettled and tightening her chest.
She marched toward Lexa who sat beneath a tree that was so full of pomegranates, it looked like it was on fire. Lexa wore a white dress and her long, black hair spilled over her shoulders. Her head rested on the trunk, and her eyes were closed, as if she were sleeping.
She looked beautiful and rested and Persephone was almost afraid to disturb her, afraid that when she opened her eyes, she might not recognize the person behind them.
She took a breath. “Hi.”
Persephone didn’t use Lexa’s name—Thanatos said she wouldn’t remember it, anyway.
Lexa opened her familiar, blinding blue eyes and met Persephone’s gaze. She thought her chest might explode when she smiled at her.
“Hi.”
“Can I sit with you for a little while?” Persephone asked.
“Yes.” Lexa moved over a little, so that Persephone could be seated and use the trunk to lean against.
“You’re not dead,” Lexa said.
The observation surprised Persephone, and she took her head. “No, I am not.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I am Hades’ fiancée,” she said. “I visit Elysium often.”
Lexa giggled. “I’ve noticed.”
That also surprised her. “Have you?”
“I always notice Thanatos,” she said, blushing.
Suddenly Persephone wondered if souls could have crushes.
“If you are Lord Hades’ fiancée, then you will be queen.”
“I suppose I will.”
“Then you will have a crown and a throne,” she said. Persephone laughed. It was such a Lexa thing to say.
“I already have two crowns.”
Lexa’s eyes widened a little. “You must bring them,” she said. “I have always wanted to wear a crown.”
Persephone’s brows knitted together. “Since when?”
She shrugged. “Since...I came here. Will there be a wedding?”
Persephone sighed. “Yes, but I must admit, I haven’t thought much about planning.”
Between Lexa’s death and her abduction, things had been a little hectic.
“You will be a beautiful bride,” Lexa said. “A beautiful queen.”
Persephone blushed. “Thank you.”
Their conversation continued well into the afternoon. She probably would have stayed longer, but Hecate appeared and summoned her away.
“I must go,” Persephone said, rising to her feet. “I have to get ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“There is a gala tonight,” she said, and then grinned. “You would love it. There will be gods and goddesses, pretty dresses, and dancing.”
She would love it because it was the event she’d been working on before her accident. An advocacy dinner for The Halcyon Project, and it was being hosted at the Olympian, one of Hera’s hotels, a building Lexa had always admired for its beauty and architecture.
And because it was where most gods stayed when they visited New Athens.
“You must come back and tell me all about it,” Lexa answered.
Persephone smiled. “Of course. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
When Persephone returned to the palace, Hecate and her lampades helped her dress.
Hecate had chosen a red, off-the-shoulder gown. The top was lace and the skirt was full and made of layers and layers of tulle. Persephone loved the silhouette. It made her feel like a princess. The lampades smoothed her hair into soft, glamour curls, and applied natural makeup.
“We will let your beauty speak for itself,” Hecate said, looking at Persephone’s reflection as the goddess helped her accessorize with gold jewels and shoes.