“Of course not. That would mean you’d have to talk to me.”
She glared. “You mean like you talk to me? I’m not the only one with communication problems, Hades.”
“I didn’t come here to argue with you,” he said. “Or lecture you. I came to see if you were okay.”
“Why come at all? Antoni would have told you.”
“I had to,” he said, and looked away, setting his jaw. “I had to see you myself.”
She could feel what he didn’t say. The emotions that swelled between them were heavy with desperation and fear, but why wasn’t he saying that?
“Hades, I—” She took a step toward him. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say. Maybe, I’m sorry? Those words didn’t quite seem like enough, though, and she didn’t have a chance to figure it out before Hades spoke.
“I should go. I’m late for a meeting.”
He vanished, and Persephone exhaled, leaning against her door for support, her body suddenly felt heavy and torturous thoughts rolled through her head.
He couldn’t get away from you fast enough, she thought.
Sadness curled into her chest, aching and hot. She made her way into the shower and stood under the hot spray until it was ice cold. After, she climbed into bed.
She missed Hades.
His comfort.
His conversation.
His touch.
His teasing.
His passion.
She missed everything about him.
She groaned and rolled onto her side.
Funny, she could hear Lexa’s voice in her head. Why didn’t you just ask him to stay?
He didn’t give me the chance. He was busy, anyway.
Did you even try to stop him?
No.
They’d already been arguing. What would they have done if he’d stayed?
Had really hot makeup sex, Lexa commented in her head.
She managed to smile, despite the tears that pricked her eyes. For a moment, her thoughts spiraled. How had she gotten here? She’d severed her relationship with her mother, ended a bargain with Hades just to jump into another with Apollo. Her best friend was in the hospital, her future still uncertain, and she hadn’t really liked her job since Demetri’s ultimatum.
What the fuck are you doing, Persephone? she whispered aloud.
Your best, she heard Lexa reply before she fell into a deep sleep.
***
With no update on Lexa from her mother, Persephone headed straight to work. Antoni came to a stop in front of the Acropolis, glancing in the rearview mirror.