Page 25 of Flowers Near Me
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
IT’S JUST THE START
PERSEPHONE
H eart racing, Persephone straightened her back as she pushed off the railing and waited for Hades at the bottom of the steps. With just the two of them in the apartment, she’d had little else—other than Cerberus—to watch. She knew which room he slept in and it wasn’t the one he’d emerged from just now.
The smarmy tilt of his head was the only indication that she might be right. Otherwise, he stepped evenly down the staircase, a calm smile on his face, like a cat sauntering past another, poised to attack yet masking interest with nonchalance.
“Can’t a god have multiple closets?” he quipped and swept a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
A low hum sounded in her throat. “Do you have some magical horn of plenty in there filled with workout clothes?”
Heading towards the door to leave the apartment, Hades said over his shoulder, “Are we headed to the gym or the loft?”
She didn’t follow. Feet planted, she waited for him to turn around. When he did, his brow lowered as a half smirk lifted on his face.
“Show me your office, Hades.”
He stalked towards her, his smile growing with every step. “Sure thing, love, but it’ll cost you a kiss.”
“Oh, for Fate’s sake.” She stopped her eyes mid-roll. “Not every question is an opportunity for a bargain, you know.” Though her shoulders were tall, butterflies danced in her stomach.
Invading her space, he dipped his head low to hers. “So what do you say? Will you sneak up there on your own later to take a peek? Or kiss me now and see whether or not you’re right?”
He was baiting her, but she wanted to bite. Reaching one hand out, she grasped the back of his neck with a slight dig of her nails in his skin and closed the gap to kiss him. She pulled his bottom lip between hers with a gentle tug before releasing him and backing away. The intensity in his eyes made her wonder if he was upset. With an abrupt turn, she spun on her heel and started up the steps. If she remained facing him, then he’d see the flare of need she felt building within her. It was better to turn away, distracting herself with the reveal of the room in the loft.
Over her shoulder, she called, “Come on. No secrets between soulmates, right ? ”
He appeared at the top of the staircase before she made it to the last step.
Her cheeks flushed when he leaned in to whisper, “I’d be honored to show you our suite.” The word our conjured a vision of her permanently living with him, and she wasn’t as put off at the idea as she should be.
Like a grander version of the bedroom he was staying in downstairs, this room had a high ceiling, lush furniture in rich gem tones, and dark oak touches. Not a speck of dust to be seen. A few well-placed art pieces decorated the walls, and there were books stacked next to a bedside table lamp. Giddiness fluttered in her chest as she imagined herself waking up in the soft sheets, stepping over the woven rugs, and running a hot bath in the large porcelain tub.
She ran her fingers along the back of a velvet settee. “Did you move downstairs to keep an eye on your captive? Worried I’d sneak off in the night?”
Facing her, he said, “I wanted to be close to you. And sorry to disappoint, but my hidden vaults aren’t connected to this room.”
Laughing, she headed towards the door. “I’ve seen enough. Let’s get to that workout.”
“I’ll portal us.” He held out his hand, then transported them to a bench near the indoor track. Surprised by the ease of the portal, she’d expected her stomach to revolt as it typically did. Instead, she smiled at the looseness in her shoulders.
“I’ll get us water and towels. Start without me.” Hades gave her a nod then jogged towards the locker room.
Skipping a warm-up stretch, Persephone jogged along the clay track. The cool, piney air hit her lungs as she found her pace. A prickly sensation needled her skin, but she fought those first uncomfortable moments that running ignited. She pushed through, her feet pounding on the path and the woody scent of the rafters fading into a powdery, floral smell. She carried on, but her vision faltered, and she stumbled early into her jog. This type of strain wasn’t normal.
Confused, she shook out her limbs. Once her vision returned to normal and her head wasn’t spinning, she walked.
In the distance, the flare of something red trailed around the track. Scattered along the path she’d run were thousands of bright red poppies.
“ Titans ,” she breathed out.
Hades’ approaching footsteps sounded. “Sephy, are you alright?”
While she gaped at the flowers crowning the track, Hades held her shoulders and checked her face. “Persephone, are you okay?”
Her attention snapped to him. “Yes, I…” she replied. Her skin tingled but her breathing resumed its normal rhythm. Her arms relaxed at the point of his contact. “I’m fine. I got lightheaded, then I noticed this.” She gestured at the poppies.
He kept his eyes on hers and then searched her face before he turned to see the flowers. “Wow,” he said. “Everywhere you ran, they’ve sprung up.”
She nodded. “Why?”
“I think it’s your power, love. It appears you can grow flowers… well, poppies to be more specific. They’re quite beautiful.”
“Not sure how poppies help anything…” If she was going to have a power, couldn’t it have been something better than creating flowers from her footsteps? A stab of disappointment hit her gut. Her mom could grow fields upon fields of produce. Why couldn’t she do something incredible like Demeter? Or Hecate, with her mastery of magic?
“I think it’s only the start of what you can do.”