Page 31 of Flowers Near Me

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

MORE THAN FLOWERY WORDS

PERSEPHONE

A fter rolling her thirtieth fried donut, Helena traded her apron for a tablet, leaving Persephone dusted with honeyed pistachios as she sprinkled them onto the crispy dough. Beside her, Laura fished the loukoumades from sizzling oil, setting them on paper towels.

“I’m so hungry I might risk burning my mouth,” Persephone joked.

Laura laughed. “Same. I had a decent breakfast, but there’s always room for sweets.” She tossed more dough into the pot, the oil crackling.

Laura’s eyes flicked to Helena, who sat entranced by her screen. With a careful glance back at Persephone, she asked, “So… what’s going on with Hades?”

Persephone’s chest tightened. “It’s confusing. I’m very attracted to him, but I don’t trust him. He says he cares, but the more I let my guard down, the worse it’ll be when things fall apart.”

Laura softened. “Are you sure it’s bound to fizzle out?”

“How could it not? He’s a god. This is a game to him. Even Mom, who liked your dad, discarded him. They move on faster than aphids swarming a dahlia.” Persephone rolled a donut in crushed pistachios.

Laura dropped more dough into the oil. “Mom’s real love is Demeter’s Bounty. Hades, on the other hand, seems to prioritize you.”

“As far as I know,” Persephone muttered.

Laura set down the ladle. “Feelings only get stronger if you fight them. If you get bored, you walk away. Maybe it won’t be so catastrophic.”

“I’m not like that. If I let these feelings in, I’ll create a fantasy that’s not real. It’s dangerous,” Persephone countered.

Laura raised an eyebrow. “You? You’re not the head-in-the-clouds type.”

“But I am getting swept up,” Persephone confessed. “I want to believe him. I’ve even been happier at Underworld Unlimited than I was at Demeter’s Bounty.”

“Maybe you’ve outgrown DB.”

Persephone swallowed, a lump forming in her throat. Was she ready to leave her mother’s company for good? The idea was overwhelming. “I agreed to go on a real date with him—a weekend getaway,” she added.

Laura’s eyes lit up. “A whole weekend?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think I can handle it. If we’re alone without work as a distraction, I might let my guard down.”

Laura grinned. “Don’t shave your legs.”

“What?” Persephone laughed.

“It’ll keep you from getting too cozy. Trust me,” Laura said with a smirk. “Old trick.”

“That’s actually genius,” Persephone admitted. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

Laura’s smile widened. “You’ve never been serious about anyone before.”

“Okay, fair. But I’ve had relationships.”

“Not like this. You were never this worried about your feelings,” Laura pointed out.

Persephone’s shoulders slumped. “Work was my main relationship. Now that it’s gone, I feel exposed.”

Laura placed another batch of dough into the oil. “And yet, you’ve taken things slow with Hades. Have you even kissed?”

Persephone’s face went hot. “We did. I thought he was going to do it for the photos during one of our fake dates, but he kissed me in private.”

Laura’s brows shot up. “When?”

“During a lunch date. I came out of the bathroom, and he kissed me in a quiet hallway,” Persephone said, a smile sneaking onto her face. He’d kissed her in the fitting room too, but those few kisses he’d placed on her cheeks and the back of her neck felt too personal for anyone else to know about. And when she’d planted that rough kiss on him to see the lofted space… she needed to keep that one locked up tight.

Laura grinned as she set more dough into the pan. “That’s actually kinda sweet.”

Persephone’s face lit up. “I thought so too. It was nice that it wasn’t for show and he didn’t wait long either. We had agreed to one kiss before we got to the restaurant and the second we had a moment alone, he did it.”

“I like that. It’s nice when a man’s confident but respectful. It’s a hard thing to find. Has anything else happened? In the apartment or out in public?” Laura paused for a second before turning to Persephone and adding, “Or at work?”

“No. Not like that,” Persephone said. “He showed up to my dress fitting for the gala.”

“What do you mean ‘he showed up?’ Did he portal into the fitting room?” Laura’s eyes sparkled through her questioning look.

Persephone stifled her snort. “No, he walked through the door after I let him in. I was surprised he showed up.”

“Mad surprised? Or happy?”

“Excited, actually. I told him if he wanted to see the dress, he had to grant me a favor. A future one with no strings attached.”

Laura released a low, huffed laugh. “I’m sure he hated that. Remember trying to get Mom to promise us a blessing?”

How could Persephone forget? Their mom wasn’t stingy with her powers, but everything was on Mom’s terms. If they asked her to make their kitten strong, then the favor would come with something they’d have to uphold on their end, like it’d be strong as long as they kept a tidy bedroom.

“Yes, she blessed my wildflowers one summer and said they’d keep their petals all season unless I touched a male. She said, even if one brushed my arm, then every bloom would fall off. I was twenty-three.”

Laura flicked her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head. “Titans, she can be an ass sometimes.” Tugging the dry towel from her shoulder, Laura wiped flour remnants off the counter. “So did Hades grant you this favor? And what did you ask for?”

“He agreed, but I didn’t specify what it would be.”

“What will it be?”

Persephone shrugged and used tongs to place the finished donuts on a porcelain platter. “I’m not sure. I did it because I figured whatever advantage I can get between us, I should take. I’m living in his world and slowly making allies, but if things go south, who there would help me? And did I tell you about what happened with Hermes?”

Laura shook her head.

“He asked me to help him distract his girlfriend so he could sneak into the building and read her texts. She’s one of the app’s developers.”

Flinching, Laura turned towards Persephone. “I hope you said no.”

With a wince, Persephone replied, “No. I got him onto the developer’s floor, then distracted Eurydice’s whole team by telling them they needed to take a group picture with me.”

“Oh shit, Sephy. You snuck someone into Underworld Unlimited. Why?”

Persephone looked off to the side at her content niece, still engrossed in the game on her tablet. “I know. It’s never wise to sneak someone into a god’s domain—uninvited—but at that moment, I wanted to help Hermes. He’d do the same for me if I asked.”

“Sure, and if he snuck you into some god’s place of business, he wouldn’t be a good friend, having you act like a fool. So what happened?”

Persephone caught up Laura on the events of that day, even telling her about Hades speaking with her afterwards in his office.

“Yikes. You’ve got to be more careful.”

Hearing the admonishment from her older sister stirred the regret anew in her chest. “I know. I’m not saying I’m proud of it. Stupid, really—” As she fussed with the edge of a dish towel, Persephone’s shoulders slumped. “But he was gracious about it and it hasn’t come up again. Almost makes it more embarrassing.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. You apologized and admitted it was stupid, so you can move on.” The slotted spoon swung between the pan and paper towels as Laura rescued more fried dough.

Persephone nodded as she finished rolling another donut.

“Go back to the dress fitting story. What did he say when he saw the dress?”

Blushing, Persephone kept her focus on covering the dough with its toppings. “He said he was going to keep me and that I was made for his world.”

“How do you feel about that?” Laura asked.

Persephone met her sister’s gaze. “Comforted, to be honest. He seems committed and thinks I belong there. Maybe it’s dumb, but I like how attentive he is with me. He’s close with Charon and Hecate, but treats them like siblings. He treats me like I’m his top priority.” It was nice to get to talk with Laura like this. It’d been way too long since the two of them could spend time together cooking. Promotions for Flowers Near Me had monopolized every waking moment during the press tour, and now her and her sister were finally catching up.

Laura inclined her head. “Good. He should treat you well.”

“This doesn’t bother you at all? That he’s a god and has been around Olympus bullshit for ages?”

The edges of Laura’s mouth quirked the tiniest bit up. “Of course I care, but I’ve been thinking a lot about his reaction to finding out you were made?—”

“Then born,” Persephone cut in. The topic had been discussed during that first dinner together at Hades’ apartment when Laura, Peter, and Helena visited.

“Right. I think he figured out you’re an immortal goddess, like the rest of them. You just came later.”

“You think I’m immortal?” Hades always talked like Persephone was a goddes,s but he acted as if he worshipped the ground she walked on.

“You have to be, Sephy. You came from a goddess. After that conversation in Hades’ penthouse, I’ve been thinking about it and it makes sense that you’re immortal. You’re tall like the rest of the gods are, you’ve got power, and now we know that Hecate enchanted the flowers that Mom ate to become pregnant with you. There’s no way you’re mortal. Think about it.”

She could feel her power surging in her veins and it made her feel incredible. Although it did make sense, it was a lot to take in. “Then does this mean you’re immortal as well?” Hope blossomed in Persephone’s chest as she continued, “Does it work that way with a goddess and demigod?”

“I asked my dad and he said he didn’t think so, but would look into it. Sounds like it’s a little tricky to discern with hybrid parentage.”

“Well, I hope he finds out it’s true.”

“Time will tell.”

If the way Laura had aged was any sign, then Persephone assumed her sister was immortal. Laura could be mistaken for a young twenty-something even though she was mid-forties.

Laura continued, “Anyway, going back to that night when Hades asked about you being made. Things clicked for me. You’re one of them, but it wasn’t as obvious since you were a child first. But you reached thirty and haven’t aged since.”

“Same with you. But it hasn’t been a full decade for me to really know,” clarified Persephone.

Laura nodded. “Think about it for a minute. You could always open locked doors or cupboards, and your ability to maintain a garden is otherworldly. Nothing dies on you, ever. And it turns out you can create poisonous flowers.”

Straightening her neck, Persephone thought back to her years of gardening and their bountiful blooms. Not to mention that miracle plants that were thriving in Hades’ underground penthouse. “I always assumed the gardens did so well at Mom’s estate because of Mom.”

Washing the now dough-less bowl, Laura said, “Maybe I’m wrong, but there were plenty of seasons where she didn’t go to the estate, but the plants stayed lush. Peter and I were just there for a weekend away, and your gardens were dead.”

A stab of sadness hit her gut. She loved those gardens and to hear they weren’t faring well, broke her heart. “Oh, that’s so sad.” Hopefully she could return and breath some life into them.

“I guess it’s colder this time of year…” Trailing off, Persephone thought back to previous cold seasons. Her blooms always kept their vigor. “You’re right, though. When I’ve been there, the gardens stayed vibrant. And now I have poppies sprouting from me.”

Laura tapped her finger in the air towards Persephone. “I think you’re in the newest generation of gods, so you’re Hades’ equal. You’re worried about your heart and getting hurt, but the more I think about how you are and what it was like growing up, I really think Hades is right and that you’re the goddess of… something . Poppies and poison, maybe?” Laura chuckled. “You’re worried because you think you’re at a disadvantage in this relationship, but I think you have just as much or even more power than Hades because he’s so in love with you and would do anything to make you love him back.”

Now Persephone’s skin prickled. “He’s been accommodating.” And a perfect gentleman.

“There’s no hiding for you anymore. You’ve got to own your power and be open to some of these more uncomfortable possibilities. Hades could be a good partner for you, despite what Mom has led us to believe.”

“I appreciate your confidence, Laura. I hope I have it soon, too.”

“You will. Try to be kinder to yourself for liking someone who would be a good husband.”

“Oh my Fates, he jokes about us getting married. It’s absurd.”

Chuckling, Laura said, “Check that contract again and make sure you aren’t already.”

“I did, and it’s not in there.”

“Would you marry him? Is that a possibility?” Laura asked.

“How could I know at this point?” Would I? She wasn’t sure.

“Well, I think the gods act quickly, despite living forever. Remember how Mom said she knew she was meant to love my dad but could never marry him?”

They each groaned in annoyance.

Persephone replied, “I do. It never made sense to me until I saw how dedicated she was to DB. You’re right to say that’s her true love.” The memory of her mom leaving Laura’s dad stirred a long-held ache. If I found someone I loved, I could never let them go.

Persephone loaded the dishwasher as Laura put away the clean dishes from the drying rack. In the back of her mind, Persephone marveled at how accepting Laura was of Hades.

Have I missed something?

A few floors above Hades’ apartment but still well underground, Persephone sat cross-legged on the floor in Hecate’s home. Now, with relative ease, Persephone could summon and recall her poppies.

“Keep practicing with the poppies so your magic has an outlet or it’ll burst when you don’t want it to,” Hecate explained.

“Good to know,” said Persephone. The poppy meadow on Hecate’s woven rug swirled into a mist that retreated into Persephone’s chest.

Both goddesses held hands as Hecate recited an incantation she’d told Persephone would draw out her magic. Hair twirled around Hecate’s head as if submerged under water. Poppies bloomed around them with a thick, stifling scent, more earthy than floral.

“Anything?” Persephone asked.

Eyes closed, Hecate shook her head. “It’s there, but I can’t make sense of it. Almost like your power is hiding and isn’t ready to come out.”

With a sigh, Persephone asked, “Should I try to portal instead?”

“Patience.” Hecate released the word with her exhale.

Sweat formed on Persephone’s brow. It must’ve been an hour by now, and Persephone wondered when Charon would come and collect her.

“I think I need to stop, Hecate. All I can think about is this event tonight. We both need to get ready soon. Can we give it a go later?”

Hecate opened her eyes and her hair cascaded to her shoulders. “Of course. We may be better off waiting for it to show itself when it’s ready.”

“You speak of my power like it’s another person.” A chill ran down Persephone’s back.

“Until you know what you’re capable of, it sort of is. But don’t worry. I think it wants more time before it’ll manifest in full.” Hecate stood up and offered her hand to Persephone. Using Hecate’s help, Persephone rose and stretched her legs.

Gathering her bag and looking for shoes, Persephone asked, “If you had to guess, what power would you say I have?”

Hecate bit her bottom lip. “Well, we know you can poison mortals and that most of the Underworld crew is immune to them. Even Cerberus… whatever that means.”

“Yes, thank the Fates. My heart stopped when I saw him eating them in my room.”

“Ah, don’t worry about Cerberus. He’s one tough puppy.” Hecate’s mouth lifted at the corners. “We know Hades can command your poppies.”

Persephone’s body felt hot. “He’s powerful. Of course he can.”

Humming low with a sultry grin, Hecate said, “Magic and power between the gods isn’t like that. One doesn’t control another unless there’s a deeper connection.”

Cheeks reddening, Persephone fussed with her sleeves. “I didn’t know that.”

“How could you? Until a few weeks ago, you still thought you had no real power. Turns out, you’re as much a goddess as your mom. Try to embrace it.”

Persephone nodded. “I understand how we’re connected. You created the field of poppies my mother ate to become pregnant with me. But what’s my connection to Hades?” With her head high and attention directed at Hecate’s face, Persephone straightened her shoulders.

Hecate bit her bottom lip. “I think you know.”

A thought bubbled to the surface, and it felt right.

He’s my future.