Page 36 of Flowers Near Me

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

THE PRICE OF LETTING GO

HADES

W ith sluggish effort, Persephone reached for the glass of water at her bedside table, but Hades scooped it up and handed it to her before her back lifted off the pillow. The once well-fitted silk pajamas hung loosely on her bony shoulders.

“Thanks,” Persephone muttered. His heart cracked at the sound of her raspy voice, stuck in the back of her throat.

At the sight of her, dull-eyed and pale, he struggled to form words. The color in her face was wrong and her half-lidded eyes hadn’t met his when she’d offered a weak good morning . She’d perk up for a little if he sent his power into her, but it hadn’t been enough to sustain her for more than a few minutes at a time.

“Dr. Asclepius said you need constant monitoring,” said Hades. “It’s not good for you to be down here with me. You need sunlight and your family.”

Half-truths cut him. Asclepius never said she needed to be moved from the apartment, but what if moving her to Laura’s home made the difference in her recovery? She ought to be with her sister. If she became more sick, he couldn’t bear it. And what if she thought he’d made her ill? He had no clue what was causing it, but if he was hurting her, then she needed to get away.

Better she’s healing than wasting away with me.

“Okay.” Defeat coated her reply.

“Obviously, anything related to the contract is void. You need proper rest without this project looming over you.” Hades offered a tender smile.

She nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“Hecate’s coming over to help collect some of your things and take you to Laura’s.”

Persephone nodded again and looked at her bedside table.

Standing up, Hades said, “I’ll be back,” and headed to the kitchen.

Hip cocked and leaning on the counter, Hecate pinned Hades with her stare as he grabbed a drink from the fridge.

“You’re sending her away? Now?” Hecate’s words burned a hole in his chest.

“Good to hear you understand the plan,” he bit back, scanning the living room, looking anywhere but at Hecate’s face.

“This is silly, Hades. She’s getting care now, and I heard Dr. Asclepius and Laura when they said they didn’t mind making regular visits here.”

He gritted his teeth. “I can’t keep her here when she’s this ill. What if there’s a part of her body that’s failing because she’s not with her family?”

Hecate rolled her eyes. “What a sack of shit. You know she’s immortal, so that’s no excuse. Look at how all these plants are flourishing down here. Her illness is unrelated to living here. I mean… think about how long she’s lived with you without issue. Wouldn’t it have come up sooner?”

“Maybe it took time to set in?”

“ Maybe she’s been cursed, and this is the best place for her?” Hecate spat back.

Rubbing his face, Hades rolled his shoulders.

“Hecate… what if I’ve gotten her all wrong? What if she’s been holding it together and now her body’s given up?” He paced and his stomach dropped. The scent of Hecate’s magic filled the air, and he slowly drew in air.

“Don’t send her away. We’ll figure this out. Dr. Asclepius will help too.”

The chime of the door drew their attention to Charon hurrying into the room, phone in a white-knuckled grip.

“Is she stable?” A few strands of dark hair clung to Charon’s forehead.

“Hades is trying to throw her out,” Hecate said.

“That’s—” Hades started, but Charon cut him off.

Charon’s lip curled. “Why?”

“She’s getting worse?—”

Hecate cut in, “No. That’s not what Dr. Asclepius said. He told you to monitor her but let things run their course. Healing takes time.”

Hades shook his head. “What if she needs something different now ?”

“Help me out here, Charon. Talk some sense into him,” begged Hecate.

Charon’s strained expression silenced them both. “Hades might be right.” Hecate went to speak, but Charon held up her hands. “Look, I hate this too, but she’s been sick for over two weeks now and it isn’t like her. We should give every option a try to see what works.”

“Thank you.” Finally, someone sees reason. “Staying here could be a death sentence for the young goddess, and there’d be no recovery for any of us if that happened.” Bitterness filled his mouth.

“You call Laura, and I’ll gather her things,” said Charon, before she headed off towards Sephy’s room.

Hecate glared back. “You’re a fool.”

Hades shook his head. “I hate this, Hecate, but we must try something different. She’s getting worse.”

“Her power responds to yours, you idiot. It didn’t manifest until you were together. It doesn’t take much to put two and two together. How do you not see it?”

His heart ached. “I want what you’re saying to be true, so badly that I would risk her life to find out. But that’s not fair. It’s selfish, and I’ve already upended her life, forcing her to spend time with me.”

“What about the contract?”

“Dissolved. She’s done more than enough. The app is ready and we have all the content she recorded months ago. Now she can recuperate in a place that’s familiar.”

Hecate’s voice was cold as she said, “Is that what she wanted? Did you ask her or simply tell her she’s leaving?”

Hades reared back his head. “Why are you fighting me on this?”

All the lights in the main living space flickered in response to Hecate’s rising fury. “Because she will not get better if she’s away from you… you fuck-wit.” Plumes of purple smoke obscured everything but the goddess of witchcraft. “You’re backing off now that she’s reciprocating feelings? What in the Fates has gotten into you?”

Her cloying scent of sandalwood burned his eyes, but he rose taller. The icy chill of his power snaked up his body and the water pipes in the wall moaned against the strain of ice threatening to burst them to pieces.

Stabbing a pointed finger, he replied, “How are you so sure she won’t get better as soon as she leaves?”

The swirls of Hecate’s magic faded to the floor, spinning near her feet. “ Titans fuck me . You’re impossible sometimes, you realize that? Aren’t you the one who tricked her into a contract so you could try to date her all under the pretense of promoting an app? With the intention of trying to marry her. Yet with all your wisdom, can’t see how she blushes when you compliment her? The woman can’t do anything but smile when your name is mentioned. Her power responds to you and we’re both old enough to recognize what that means. Fuck, Hades. Didn’t the Fates tell you she’s going to be your wife? You absolute?—”

Charon coughed loudly as she approached them, returning to the kitchen after visiting Sephy’s room. His power retreated back into his body and Hecate’s scent no longer battered his lungs. “Persephone’s things are ready. Did you call Laura?”

“Not yet.” He shot Hecate a scowl before dialing Laura’s number.

After a couple of rings, Laura answered, “Hi, Hades. What’s up?”

“Sephy’s gotten worse, and we need to move her in with you until she recovers. Can I bring her over today?” Fortunately, the words came out strong.

“Oh Fates, what’s happened?”

“She’s gotten weaker. I think we need to get her somewhere more familiar and see if that helps,” said Hades. Nearby, Hecate mumbled something derisive which Hades caught parts of. He’s forcing her away was muttered the loudest.

“That’s concerning. Yes, of course she can come here. Bring her as soon as you can.”

“Thank you, Laura. I’ll portal her there after lunch.”

When Hades ended the call, Hecate said, “Coward.”

Hades sneered, “Harpy.”

Hecate narrowed her eyes into slits. “I wonder if Poseidon wants to bring Sephy a get-well-soon gift? I should ask him.”

“Enough.” Charon stared both Hades and Hecate down. “One week. If Persephone doesn’t improve in one week, then we bring her back. And Hades needs to visit her twice a day.”

He didn’t know if he’d have the strength to visit her after she left. If he saw how happy and healthy she was without him, it’d crush his heart.

Hecate crossed her arms. “Fine by me, but if she asks to come back, I’m bringing her immediately.” She disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.

Hades gestured at Hecate’s vacated spot. “Why is she so opposed to this?”

Charon’s face sagged in sadness, tears filling her eyes. “None of us want to let Persephone go.” She clutched her necklace as she turned and headed towards Sephy’s room.

It killed him to send Sephy away, but if he hesitated any longer, he might never do it and she may hate him for it.

What if she perished? He struggled to breathe.