Then the video ended and the lights came up. Persephone was surprised to see Hades standing on the stage—his presence elicited cheers from the audience.
“Days ago, an article was published in New Athens News. It was a scathing critique of my performance as a god. Among those angry words were suggestions on how I could be better. I don’t imagine the woman who wrote it expected me to take those ideas to heart, but in spending time with her, I started to see how I could be better,” he paused to chuckle under his breath, as if recalling something they’d shared, and Persephone shivered. “I’ve never met anyone who was so passionate about how I was wrong, so I took her advice and initiated The Halcyon Project. As you move though the exhibit, it is my hope that Halcyon will serve as a flame in the dark for the lost.”
The crowd erupted in applause, standing to honor the god, even a few of the Divine followed, including Hermes. It took Persephone a moment to rise to her feet. She was shocked by Hades’ charity, but also wary. Was he only doing this to reverse the damage she’d done to his reputation? Was he trying to prove her wrong?
Lexa gave Persephone a quizzical look.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Persephone said.
She arched a brow. “And what am I thinking?”
“He didn’t do this for me. He did this for his reputation.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Lexa said, grinning. “I think he’s besotted.”
“Besotted? You’ve been reading too many romance novels.”
Lexa walked toward the exhibit with the others at their table. Persephone hung back, afraid to see more of the creation inspired by her. She couldn’t explain her hesitation, maybe it was because she knew she was in danger of falling for this god who her mother hated and had lured her into a contract she couldn’t win. Maybe it was because he listened to her. Maybe it was because she had never felt more attracted to another person in her short, sheltered life.
She wandered into the exhibit slowly. The space was dimmed so that the spotlight showed on the exhibits which illustrated the plans and mission for Project Halcyon. Persephone took her time, and stopped at the center of the room to observe a small, white model of the building. The card beside it stated it was Hades design. It was not a modern building like she had expected. It looked like a country mansion, nestled on ten acres of lush land.
She spent a long time roaming through the exhibit, reading every presentation, learning about the technology that would be incorporated into the facility. It was truly state-of-the-art.
By the time she left, people had already begun dancing. She caught sight of Lexa with Hermes, and Aphrodite with Adonis. She was glad her co-worker hadn’t tried talking to her and had been keeping his distance from her at work. It took her a moment, but she realized she was searching for Hades. He was not among the dancers or those in attendance at the tables. She frowned, and turned to find Sybil approaching.
“Persephone,” she smiled, and they hugged. “You look beautiful.”
“So do you.”
“What do you think of the exhibit? Marvelous, isn’t it?”
“It is,” she agreed. She couldn’t deny, it was everything she’d imagined and more.
“I knew great things would come of your union,” she said.
“Our…union?” Persephone asked, confused.
“You and Hades.”
“Oh, we’re not together—”
“Perhaps not yet,” she said. “But your colors, they’re all tangled up. They have been since the night I met you.”
“Colors?”
“Your paths,” Sybil said. “You and Hades—it was destiny, woven by the Fates.”
Persephone wasn’t sure what to say. Sybil was an oracle, so the words that came from her mouth were truth, but could it really be that she was fated to wed the God of the Dead? The man her mother hated?
Sybil frowned. “Are you okay?”
Persephone wasn’t sure what to say.
“I’m sorry. I…should not have told you. I thought you would be happy.”
“I’m not…unhappy,” Persephone assured her. “I just…”
She couldn’t finish her sentence. Tonight and the last few days were weighing on her, the emotions varying and intense. If she were destine to be with Hades, it explained her insatiable attraction to the god—and yet it complicated so many other things in her life.
“Will you excuse me?” she asked, and headed for the bathroom.