A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone 2)

“Gods, I’d give anything for a woman who just wanted me now.”

“What happened to her?”

“She is happily married. Expecting her first child. Strange to watch someone you love move on and assume a life that could have been yours.”

Persephone hoped she would never have to do that.

“I am sorry,” she said, and covered his hand with hers for a moment.

He shrugged.

“I thought I was protecting her,” he paused. “Maybe that’s what Hades thought he was doing for you.”

She had no doubt.

“I wish he would stop. I don’t need protection.”

“Everyone needs protecting,” he said. “Life’s hard.”

Persephone frowned. She’d said something similar to Hades’ once when she’d argued with him about why it was important to forgive mortals. She’d never considered she required the same grace.

After lunch, the day just got worse. Helen was dealing with an influx of angry phone calls and Persephone’s inbox continued to fill with hate mail. She couldn’t escape the judgement, even in her text messages.

I can’t believe you did it! Lexa texted.

She wasn’t sure if that was her best friend expressing her excitement or her frustration.

Have you talked to Sybil? Persephone asked.

No. I am betting she’ll lay low. If she was still Apollo’s oracle, you know she’d be dealing with this mess.

If she was still his oracle, he wouldn’t be in this mess.

Um, girl, I meant YOU. You’re the mess.

I just told the truth. So sue me.

I’m thinking Apollo will resort to more archaic means. Lexa paused and then text, Has Hades said anything yet?

Nope.

There had been no apology, no lecture, and her emotions were all over the place. She had never felt like this before, torn between anger, a desperate wish to be confronted by him, and fear of his disappointment.

When Persephone left the Acropolis, Antoni met her at the doors and walked her through the aggressive crowd. He waited until they were safely in the car to ask, “Are you okay, my lady?”

She wasn’t sure why, but the question made her eyes burn. All of a sudden, she was holding back tears. She would not cry over this—not yet. Apollo wasn’t worth her tears.

She took a deep breath.

“Is he angry?”

She knew she didn’t have to say Hades’ name. Antoni would know who she was talking about.

“I haven’t seen him,” the ogre admitted. “But I can imagine he won’t be happy.”

She knew that, which was why there was no way she was going to the Underworld tonight. She was

thankful that the ogre didn’t elaborate or berate her for writing about Apollo. Most of the drive was spent in silence, except for when she asked Antoni to stop so she could grab takeout before heading home.