She missed Hecate, the souls, the Underworld.
She missed Hades.
Now and then she considered returning to the Underworld to visit. She knew Hades hadn’t revoked her favor, but she was too afraid, too embarrassed, and too ashamed. How was she supposed to explain her absence and would they forgive her?
Persephone sat at her usual table at The Coffee House. She had just completed revisions on her final article on the God of the Dead, focusing on his wish to make the Underworld a beautiful realm for his people.
The Underworld is a second chance at life. A place where souls come together, unburdened, to heal.
Writing the article had been more painful than she expected. She’d written through tears and clenched teeth. As a result, the publication was delayed.
She hadn’t expected to be so emotional but she guessed she’d gone through a lot in the last six months. The worry and stress over fulfilling the terms of her contract with Hades had taken a toll in so many ways. Against her better judgment, she had fallen for the god, and she had slowly been trying to figure out how to put the pieces of her heart back together.
The problem was, it didn’t fit together the same way.
She was changed.
And it was both beautiful and terrible. She had taken control of her life, severing relationships as she went. The people she trusted six months ago were not the people she trusted now.
The most painful part of it all was her mother’s betrayal and subsequent silence. After she’d destroyed the greenhouse, Demeter had kept her distance. Persephone wasn’t even sure where her mother had gone, though she suspected she was in Olympia.
Still, she had expected something from her mother—even an angry text.
Nothing was a stab in the heart.
Her phone beeped and she found a message from Lexa.
Ready for tonight?
It was Lexa’s birthday weekend and they were going out tonight to celebrate with Jaison, Sybil, Aro, and Xeres. Persephone was exited. It was another distraction.
She texted back, You know it! Have you made a decision?
She hadn’t decided where to celebrate yet. They’d both agreed Nevernight and La Rose were out of the question.
I’m thinking Bakkheia or The Raven. Lexa said. Bakkheia was a bar owned by Dionysus and The Raven was owned by Apollo. What do you think?
Hmm. Definitely The Raven.
But you hate Apollo’s music.
It was true. Persephone dreaded every album the God of the Sun released. She wasn’t sure why—something about the way he pronounced his words irritated her, and it was the only music that played at this club.
But it’s your birthday. Persephone reminded her. And, The Raven is more your style.
It’s settled. The Raven it is! Thanks, Persephone!
Despite seeing less of Lexa, Persephone was happy for her. Lexa was thriving with Jaison and she would forever be indebted to the two mortals for their service to her—especially Lexa who had stayed with her for a whole week while she reeled from her breakup with Hades, and had managed to keep Minthe the Mint Plant alive after Persephone had promptly forgotten her existence in the kitchen window.
She’d had plans to return the nymph to the Underworld and offer her to Hades, but she didn’t have the courage to face him.
She texted Lexa that she was heading out and started to pack her things when a shadow fell over her. She looked up into a familiar pair of dark, gentle eyes.
“Hecate!” Persephone stood and threw her arms around the goddess’s neck. “I miss you.”
Hecate returned her embraced, and she heard the woman inhale, as if she were relieved. “I miss you, too, my dear.” She pulled away and studied Persephone's face, her brows knitted together over her caring eyes. “We all do.”
Guilt slammed into her, and she swallowed. She’d essentially been avoiding everyone. “Sit with me?”
“Of course.”
The Goddess of Witchcraft took a seat beside Persephone. “I hope I'm not interrupting.”
“No, just…working,” Persephone said.
The goddess nodded. The two were quiet for a moment. She hated the awkwardness between them.
“How is everyone?” she hedged.
“Sad,” Hecate said, and Persephone's heart hurt.
“You're really not one to beat around the bush, are you, Hecate?”
“Come back,” she said.
The Goddess of Spring couldn't look at Hecate. Her eyes burned.
“You know I can't,” Persephone said quietly.
“What does it matter that you found each other through this contract?” Hecate asked.