Persephone recognized Demeter’s vehicle—a long, white limo. Her mother went for a more modern look, choosing a lavender ball gown that dripped with pink petals. It literally looked like a garden was growing up her skirts. Her hair was up and her antlers on display.
Lexa leaned in and whispered to Persephone. “Something must be wrong. Demeter always works the red carpet.”
Lexa was right. Her mother usually put on a fashionable and flamboyant show, smiling and waving at the crowd. Tonight, she frowned, barely glancing at the journalists when they called to her. All Persephone could think was that, whatever her mother was going through, was all her fault.
The crowd grew louder as another limo approached. Aphrodite stepped out wearing a surprisingly tasteful evening gown. White and pink flowers decorated the bodice of her dress. The middle was see-through, and the flowers continued trailing down into folds of tulle. She wore a headpiece of pink peonies and pearls, and her graceful gazelle horns sprouted from her head behind it. She was stunning, but the thing about Aphrodite—all the goddesses, really—was that they were warriors, too. And the Goddess of Love, for whatever reason, was particularly vicious.
She waited outside her limo, and both Persephone and Lexa groaned when they saw none other than Adonis clamber from the backseat.
Lexa leaned in and whispered, “Rumor has it, Hephaestus didn’t want her.”
Persephone snorted. “You can’t believe everything you hear, Lexa.”
Hephaestus was not an Olympian, but he was the God of Fire. Persephone didn’t know much about him, except that he was quiet and a brilliant inventor. She’d heard a lot of rumors about his marriage to Aphrodite and none of them were good.
The last to arrive were Zeus and Hera.
Zeus, like his brothers, was huge. He wore a chiton that exposed part of his well-muscled chest. His hair fell in waves to his shoulders and was the brown in color, threaded through with hints of silver-white. His beard was full and well-manicured. Upon his head, he wore a golden crown that fit between a pair of ram horns that curled down around his face. It made him look fierce and terrifying.
Beside him, Hera walked with an air of grace and nobility. Her hair, long and brown, was pulled over her shoulder. Her dress was beautiful but simple—black, the bodice embroidered with colorful peacock feathers. A gold circlet rested upon her head, fitting perfectly around a pair of stag horns.
Though Demetri had told her Hades never arrived alongside the other gods, Persephone thought he might make an exception this time, with the evening being themed after his realm, but when the crowds began to disperse, she realized he wasn’t coming—at least not via this entrance.
Persephone and Lexa headed inside.
“Weren’t they all magnificent?” Lexa asked.
They were—each and every one of them, and yet, for all their style and glamour, Persephone still yearned to see one face among the crowd.
She started down stairs and halted abruptly.
He’s here, she thought. The feeling tore through her, straightening her spine. She could feel him, taste his magic. Then her eyes found what they sought and the room was suddenly too hot.
“Persephone?” Lexa asked, confused by why she wasn’t moving.
Then her eyes followed Persephone’s stare, and it wasn’t long before the whole room grew quiet.
Hades stood at the entrance, the crystal backdrop create a beautiful and sharp contrast to his tailored black suit. The jacket was velvet with a simple red flower in the breast pocket. His hair was slick and tied in a bun at the back of his head, and his beard trimmed close and sharp. He wore a simple black mask that only covered his eyes and the bridge of his nose.
Her eyes trailed from his shiny black shoes up his tall, powerful frame and over his broad, well-muscled shoulders to his glittering coal eyes. He had found her, too. The heat of his gaze tracked her, roving every inch of her body. She felt like a flame, exposed to a chill wind.
She might have spent all night staring at him if it wasn’t for the red-haired nymph who appeared beside him. Minthe was gorgeous, dressed in an emerald gown with a sweetheart neckline. It hugged her hips and flared out, leaving a train of fabric behind her. Her neck and ears were weighed down with fine jewels that gleamed as the light hit them. Persephone wondered if Hades’ had supplied them as Minthe looped her arm through Hades.
Her anger burned hot, and she knew her glamour was melting.
Her gaze shifted to Hades, and she glared at him. If he thought he could have her and Minthe, too, he was wrong. She downed the remainder of her wine and then looked at Lexa.