He exited the car and turned to her, reaching for her hand. He would not let her go through this alone.
“Darling?”
She latched onto his fingers and allowed him to help her from the car, and together they walked down a red carpet that led to the front of the Olympian Grand Hotel. As they walked, people shouted their names and demanded pictures, even reached across the barriers erected on either side of the walkway in hopes that they might brush their skin.
Hades kept Persephone close, and when the carpet widened and gave them more distance from the crowd, they both felt at ease.
“Zofie!” Persephone cried, and Hades turned his attention to the Amazon who approached, looking very uncomfortable in her blue gown and with the hug Persephone pulled her in to. Hades had requested Zofie join them tonight, both as Persephone’s aegis and her friend.
“Persephone, are you well?” she asked, frowning a little, perhaps confused by Persephone’s excitement. The Amazon was not used to being valued beyond her skills as a warrior, so it was likely she did not understand what friendship really meant.
Though Hades knew Persephone would teach her.
“Yes,” Persephone answered. “Just happy to see you.”
The Amazon smiled.
They continued on, and Hades kept a firm hand on Persephone at all times, though the goddess was handling every request with grace. They stopped for a million photos, and by the time they came to the end of the media circuit and were led into a large reception hall, all Hades could see was flashing lights. The hall was less crowded, but there was a roar to the room that was somehow worse inside. Perhaps that was because the noise was contained. Still, people gathered into small groups to chat, while servers darted around carrying trays of drinks.
Hades noted that Persephone kept her gaze on the ceiling, which was, essentially, an art piece—a field of glass-blown flowers in an array of striking, bright colors. She did not get to enjoy the view long because they were approached by people who wished to make Persephone’s acquaintance. Luckily, they were people Hades liked, mostly donors, some who ran within the circles of Iniquity and some not.
“Sybil!” he heard Persephone shout, and she left his side to embrace the oracle.
Hades hung back, watching her as she spoke animatedly with the mortal.
He braced himself for Hermes’s arrival, which, true to his nature, was dramatic. He appeared behind her and gathered her into a tight hug, swinging her around, coming to a stop before Apollo.
Hades looked away when he noticed the God of Music, gritting his teeth.
He had yet to forgive the god for the bargain he’d struck with Persephone.
As much as Hades hated that he could not prevent what had happened to Lexa, Apollo had a role in the game too.
When dinner arrived, the nervousness Hades had felt before they left the Underworld returned, simmering in the bottom of his stomach as he tried to focus on eating. The only thing that kept him grounded was Persephone, who sat beside him, laughing and talking to everyone near. She was charming and beautiful, but the longer dinner went on, the quieter she became, and he got the sense she was thinking about Lexa.
He placed a hand on her thigh and felt an immense amount of relief as Katerina took the stage to begin the event’s program. She welcomed everyone and offered an overview of the Halcyon Project, touching on how it had begun and its purpose. Then it was Sybil’s turn, and as she took the stage, Hades moved his hand from Persephone’s leg, lacing his fingers through hers.
“I am new to the Cypress Foundation, but I fill a very special position.
One that was once occupied by my friend, Lexa Sideris. Lexa was a beautiful person, a bright spirit, a light to all. She lived the values of the Halcyon Project, which is why we at the Cypress Foundation have decided to immortalize her. Introducing…the Lexa Sideris Memorial Garden.”
Behind Sybil, a screen showed pictures of Lexa and illustrated images of the garden. Persephone’s fingers squeezed his as Sybil continued.
“The Lexa Sideris Memorial Garden will be a therapy garden for residents of Halcyon and will include a magnificent glass-like sculpture at the garden’s center, representing Lexa’s soul—a bright and burning torch that kept everyone going.”
He leaned toward her and whispered against her ear, “Are you well?”
“Yes,” she said, looking over her shoulder at him with tears in her eyes.
“Perfect.”
He kissed her, and when they finished dinner, they left the dining hall to dance. Hades was not ready to release Persephone just yet and drew her onto the floor, his hands pressing into her body as he held her close.