Page 35 of Flowers Near Me
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
FALLING INTO DARKNESS
PERSEPHONE
“ I wish I didn’t have to leave again,” Hades said as he trailed his fingers through Persephone’s hair. It drove her mad that she kept having weird health issues. One moment she’d be perfectly fine, the next, she’d feel like she was going to pass out. She’d never felt this pathetic before.
It should’ve been the two of them attending the afternoon meet and greet with the flower vendors and farmers, but earlier that morning, standing and waiting for the coffee to brew had proved to be too difficult a task for Persephone. She’d fallen right after a sharp pain erupted in one temple. Thankfully, strong arms had caught her before she hit the floor. They’d cuddled for a while after that, and she’d felt so much better. It was like Hades was the drug her body craved.
“I should be going with you,” Persephone said. “I feel better than I did earlier. I’ll be fine.” Her knees sank into the cushion as she gripped the back of the couch, hoping the position reminded him of how she’d straddled his lap yesterday. She really needed to get out of the penthouse too because being inside doing practically nothing was making her insane and depressed.
Buttoning his cuff links, Hades closed the distance from the kitchen to Persephone in three strides. “Your well-being isn’t worth the risk. Save up that energy for our date, little goddess.” He gave her a wink, then held her face in his hands and planted a slow kiss on her lips.
Gripping the sides of his jacket, she tugged him closer and rose higher on her knees to push her body against his.
Pulling back while keeping his palms on her cheeks, Hades said, “I know what you’re doing, love, and it’s going to work if you don’t stop.”
Persephone simpered and pressed harder into his chest with hers, parting her lips in a deeper kiss before releasing him with a light giggle. “Fine. Try not to miss me too much.”
Hades’ eyes narrowed and his mouth turned into a mischievous smirk. “I always miss you when we’re not together. Try to behave while I’m not here. Save the strenuous activity for me.” He winked and disappeared as he portaled away.
Emptiness settled in her gut. It was bad enough that Hades’ kindness monopolized her thoughts. Now their amorous encounter from the day before consumed her. Both happy and frustrated at his conviction to stop, Persephone wasn’t sure committing to marriage at this point made sense. Why did it matter to him if they were married or not? She was afraid of the answer. That he really did care for her and that what was blossoming between them was more than mutual attraction between two people in proximity. Their potential as a lasting couple was feeling more and more like an inevitable fate.
Cerberus whimpered nearby and lifted his head in a huff.
“What’s bothering you, friend?” teased Persephone. His smooth ears felt like velour under her fingertips. “You’ve been with Hades for a long time. Why have you stayed?” she asked, stroking the fur on his neck now. It dawned on her that the dog didn’t have a collar. He never had, come to think of it. The beast was formidable in his true form. He could venture out on his own. So why hadn’t he?
Several days later, hundreds packed into the covered amphitheater, and under cloaked darkness, gawked at the huge screen. Persephone watched Eurydice’s presentation as she jumped from function to function, citing features unique to the app’s experience.
“It makes custom recommendations for items to buy and sell based on users in your area. Connect with friends—” Taking a sip of water, Eurydice continued on as Persephone’s mind wandered and she shifted on her feet.
At the edge of the curtain lining the stage, Charon bumped Persephone’s shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” A lie, but the truth meant another hour sitting on a couch while a carousel of staff brought tea, water, and crackers. To spend one more sedentary minute in a bed or chair would destroy the little hope gained from watching the app take flight. Exercising wasn’t an option, but standing on the sidelines as Eurydice dazzled the crowd was just as invigorating.
Charon bent closer. “Truly? Because you keep clenching your jaw.”
“Truly. Let’s listen to Eurydice.” Fates, why did everyone have to treat her like she would break at any moment. On top of feeling useless, she felt pitied by those around her, too. Her thoughts turned dark as she wondered if she was ever going to be able to be on her own without fear of crippling migraines or dizzy spells.
“Persephone, please sit down.” Charon set the items in her hands on the floor and urged a folding chair behind her knees.
“It’s okay, Charon. It’s been a while since I’ve been upright this long. I just look tired.”
“Sit down or I’m calling Hades.” Charon stared. Unblinking. Stone still.
Bending to sit, instead of meeting the chair’s padding, Persephone fell into a never-ending pit of black.