Page 37 of Flowers Near Me

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

ROOTS AND THORNS

PERSEPHONE

T he familiar scent of a field of wildflowers woke Persephone from her fitful sleep. It took a breath to remember she was in Laura’s guest room and not Hades’ apartment. She’d half expected Cerberus to nudge her leg.

“Mom?” Persephone’s voice cracked.

Warm arms embraced her and pulled her into a hug. “ Sephy, my heart. How are you feeling?”

Tears streamed from Persephone’s eyes. “It’s so good to see you.” After weeks of feeling ill, unable to work or do anything productive, it was good to see her mom. She needed someone familiar or else she was truly going to lose her mind.

Demeter held Persephone’s arms in her hands and looked over her face. “Tell me what he did to you. We’ll fix this, I promise. Did he make you eat something? Inject you? Did he touch you?” Demeter swallowed, choking back her cry.

Shaking her head, Persephone answered, “No. I was never in danger.”

Demeter ran her fingers through Persephone’s hair. “You’ve been in danger this whole time, and it’s my fault.”

Persephone’s eyes felt heavy. She was too tired to say everything she wanted to. “ Mom .” She groaned. She needed answers. After months of waiting to hear something from her mom—beyond their short interaction in Zeus’ office—she finally had the chance. Using as much vigor as she could, she asked, “Why wouldn’t you answer my texts or calls?”

“I knew he was targeting you, Sephy. He asked me about you as soon as I introduced you as my daughter. After photos and videos of you began circulating, he tried to negotiate a marriage agreement between you two.”

The bed felt like a shoddy raft on rapids. “ What?” She must’ve gone insane because whatever her mom had said made no sense.

Demeter nodded at Persephone with a long face. “But that’s not why I’m here. I don’t want to talk about him. I needed to see you.”

Persephone had wondered what this reunion would be like, what she would say to her, but now she was at a loss for words, fighting through the fog of sickness.

Demeter said, “I’ve heard you’re showing signs of power.”

Persephone struggled to not break down and sob. What good were these powers anyway? “Why didn’t you tell me I’m immortal?” Magic prickled over her skin.

Her mom’s eyes softened, and she inhaled a deep breath. “Because I wanted you to grow up to be kind and with an understanding of mortals that the rest of us lack. I wanted you to be better than me. I wanted you to live and feel and for those to be natural things for you.”

Demeter looked up at the ceiling and her throat bobbed in a teary swallow. “You’re different from the others because you work hard for your power. It’s hard not to raise an entitled child. When you’re a goddess and can give them everything they want… it’s even more difficult. And I didn’t want you to be hard like me. I wanted you to be better, Sephy. And you are.”

Persephone rubbed her face. She needed her mom in this moment, and she needed a strength she didn’t have. “Well, I’ve been a mess, actually. I almost killed two people.” She kept the fact that Hades was immune to herself. How would her mom respond to her change of heart regarding him? Not well, if she had to guess. A problem for another time when she didn’t feel like she was spiraling into the depths of depression.

There was a tenderness in Demeter’s smile that Persephone recognized. Part pride and part sympathy.

“I’ve heard about your magic, Sephy. Have you tried to conjure the poppies?” Demeter asked. Persephone felt the rush of her mom’s power wash over her body, giving her energy.

“Yes. Hecate’s been a huge help with controlling my power. The poppies aren’t a problem anymore. Now it’s whatever’s causing me to be so weak.”

Demeter’s nostrils flared, and her mouth pressed into a flat line. The scent of earth and grains hit Persephone. “He had no business using you like that. Trying to run you into the ground so you’d be too weak to leave.”

“It wasn’t like that. He was the one that sent me here to Laura’s. Said it’d be better for me to be above ground with family and sunlight.”

Demeter’s brow shot up. “That’s the only thing he’s done right.”

She doubted she could win Demeter over to Hades’ side—especially not when she was in such poor health—but she felt the need to still defend him. “Things have been busy, but I’ve not been overworked. Their office culture is like ours and you’d love his assistant, Charon.”

Leveling her gaze at Persephone, Demeter replied, “I have no qualms with Charon, but I’d imagine you’d be a dream to work with after working for him for as long as she has.”

“No, not just—” A stabbing pain erupted on Persephone’s side, and she clutched at the spot. She held her breath, willing the pain to fade. A powdery floral scent preceded an eruption of sprouting poppies. The spasm in her side relented, and she took in a full breath.

“Oh, my…” Demeter trailed off, staring wide eyed at the blooms now covering the bed. “This is what you were telling me about.” With a featherlight touch, Demeter stroked a silken petal. Golden pollen sparkled. “It’s beautiful, Sephy. A sign of potent magic. Soon you’ll conjure objects and will portal all on your own.”

A mother’s confidence could dispel any fear of inadequacy. If Demeter thought Persephone had potent magic, then it had to be true. “I hope so. I haven’t gone longer than a day without shooting pains. Why is this happening?”

Plucking a flower and breathing in its scent, Demeter replied, “It’s residual decay from Hades’ power. You’ve been stuck in Underworld Unlimited for so long and needed to get out. You’re not meant to be hidden away like that and brought out like a doll when someone wants to flaunt you around.”

You had no problem keeping me a secret. It pained her to admit it even to herself, when she knew her mom only wanted to protect her. And right now, she needed her mom to know that she had been fine these past few months.

“Listen, it wasn’t like that. I’ve been well taken care of.”

“Of course. Why would he break his favorite toy once he got it?” Demeter waved her hand over the poppies and they turned a light pink. She gathered them in her hand, then conjured a vase to set them in.

“Mom. There’s a lot we need to catch up on. It was not bad there at all. I enjoyed my time with him.” Fates , did she sound like a wayward teenager pleading with her mom that her new boyfriend ‘wasn’t that bad?’

Demeter’s eyes snapped to Persephone’s and the thick scent of wheat fields and summer sun enveloped her. Her mom set the flower-filled vase on the dresser and sidled next to Persephone on the bed. Those familiar dark green eyes softened. “Do you love him?” Not harsh, accusatory, or biting. Just sadly inquisitive.

“I don’t know, but I’d like to find out.”

Her mom gave a tight nod and looked down at her interlocked hands sitting on her lap. She returned Persephone’s gaze. “And you’re certain you’re under no compulsion or spell?”

“Does it seem like I am?” Rubbing the center of her chest, Persephone sucked in a deep breath.

Her mom sighed. “I don’t sense any enchantments.”

Grasping her mom’s hand, Persephone gave it a tender squeeze. “I’ve missed you. Why didn’t you respond to any of my messages? Were you disappointed?”

Shaking her head, Demeter closed her eyes, then focused on Persephone. “I didn’t handle things well, Sephy. I’m very sorry about that. I tried to get you out of that contract. When Zeus affirmed it, I finally gave up and by then, felt terrible I’d abandoned you. I didn’t want to make things harder, but I can see how I did. I even tried to give you a helpful warning when we last spoke.”

Don’t make a fuss and don’t involve my team. Her mom knew bigger things were at play and did her best to protect her.

“You didn’t fail me, Mom. I made a mistake, and you had to scramble.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong. With the Fates, meddling only makes things worse. I was worried if you bucked against the contract, it’d give him more reason to force you to marry him sooner.”

“Hold on.” Heart pounding, Persephone asked, “What do you mean by sooner ?”

Demeter’s throat bobbed. “He asked me for my blessing for your marriage.”

Persephone’s head spun. Air left the room. Tiny stars danced a jig across her vision.

“What are you talking about? When did he contact you?” Hand on her stomach, she waited for her blurry sight to sharpen and slowed her breathing. Hades had asked her to marry him, but it was playful banter, not a proposal.

“Before all of this happened. He reached out saying he consulted with the Fates and that you two would be married and he wanted my blessing. I, of course, said no, and he said he’d marry you, regardless. I thought I’d protected you from him. I even had Hermes block all Underworld Unlimited numbers in our phones’ contact lists. I should’ve known he’d find some other way.” Demeter shook her head and peered out the window.

“Fates… Mom. What does this mean? That I’m destined to marry him? Is this how it works among gods? Fates decree then we obey?”

With a grimace that did nothing to diminish her beauty, Demeter replied, “Afraid so. There’s usually a high cost to fight it and you’ll lose.”

Persephone’s mind reeled. On top of feeling awful—both physically and mentally—this was quite the earth-shattering revelation.

Do I like him because it’s destined to be so?

Why am I not more mad about this?

“I-I’m not sure what to think. I’ll admit I’m fond of him.” A thought struck her. Does he only like me because he thought he had no choice? The blood in her face retreated and her stomach lurched.

“Sephy, I know this is a lot to take in. I was hoping there was more time.”

Tears pooled in her eyes. Wiping at soaked eyelids, Persephone stifled a cry.

“Oh, honey. We can fight this. You don’t have to marry him soon. There are ways we can delay this.”

Persephone swallowed, then sucked a breath through her mouth. She grabbed a tissue. “He only likes me because he knows he has to.” She blew her nose, then dropped her head in her hands. The motion caused the mounting pressure in her face to throb painfully.

Her mom rubbed soothing circles on her back. “Oh, my sweet Sephy. No. You’re a goddess of immense value. Any god or goddess would be thrilled to wed you. If he wasn’t interested in the first place, he never would’ve consulted the Fates. Us gods only do that when we desire something so desperately that we’re afraid it’s an instrument of our demise.”

Of course she’d think that. “You’re terribly biased. You don’t know what he feels.” She leaned more of her weight onto her mom, feeling tiredness pressing down on her. She was going to need to sleep again soon, and it made her so angry. This conversation had been months in the making—she was desperate for it and had to fight through the pull of whatever this illness was.

Her mom released a long exhale. “Sephy, dear, I know how gods think. I’ve been a goddess for far too long to claim ignorance. He’s locked onto to you and will never let go.” Demeter continued brushing her fingertips up and down Persephone’s back. “You’re a goddess. I’m sure by now you’ve figured out that we don’t do anything we don’t want to.”

Persephone managed a soft laugh. She’d seen as much with the gods and—to be honest—realized that few could force her to do anything unless they convinced her first. She leaned towards her mom, Demeter’s warm chest and arms wrapped around her. As she melted into the embrace, the tears stopped.

Demeter kissed the top of Persephone’s head, and both goddesses released each other. “Let me get Laura in here to check on you before I go. I’ve come here and riled you up.”

“I’m glad you came. Thanks, Mom.” Demeter portaled away, leaving Sephy to contend with her conflicted feelings.

Her mom’s support—albeit closer to sympathy—chipped her spirit. Hades had sent her away without hesitation and now her mom pitied her. Worse, her mom thought Hades had damaged her. What would her mom say if she knew how easily Hades had let her go? A raw, unrelenting ache saturated her chest.

I’m weak and alone. What can I do?

Months ago, she was poised to become Olympus’ next mogul. Now she’d be lucky if she could stand long enough to brush her own teeth.

Before she’d fallen asleep, Persephone had told Laura a quick, stilted version of her conversation with their mom. After Persephone’s long nap, Laura returned with a pot of tea and an eagerness to hear more.

“She said what now?” Laura stared slack-jawed at Persephone as she sat next to her in bed.

“He’s my Fates-ordained husband, apparently. Asked Mom for her blessing before I signed the contract with Eurydice. Mom knew and tried to save me from it, but was too worried if she meddled, it’d cause more problems.”

Laura laughed, then slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry, but that’s archaic. Right? I believe in the Fates or whatever, but didn’t that type of divination die out a long time ago? Do the Fates bill gods when they’re consulted? Does Mom have them on payroll?”

Persephone released a small, airy laugh despite feeling like a shell of what she once was. “Perhaps they make them sign a statement of work before fortune telling?”

“How are you feeling about this? Are you okay?”

Persephone took a slow sip of her tea. “Relieved. Knowing we’re fated to be together makes it feel more like a sure thing, but I’m worried it influenced his initial interest. Mom claims he must’ve been interested if he went to the Fates in the first place, but she’s biased.”

“No, I’m with Mom on this one, but it’s not our place to convince you he’s committed. Leave that to him.”

“Shouldn’t you be cautioning me to guard my heart?” Persephone set down her tea.

“Sephy, you’re not some lust-crazed simpleton. You’ve barely dated. And we knew Hades was good-looking and successful and it turns out, he’s kind and is obsessed with you. I think it makes sense that you’ve developed feelings for him. Plus, Peter, Helena, and I like him and he owns all the best restaurants.”

“So, is it because he’s kind, or because he owns the best restaurants?” Persephone cracked the joke, but her insides felt hollow.

“Why can’t both things be true? Expand your mind, goddess.” Laura winked at Persephone and then brushed her hand lightly down Persephone’s arm. “Want me to help you get ready for bed?”

Persephone nodded with tears filling her eyes because she knew she wouldn’t make it more than two steps before she’d be needing Laura’s help again.

The day after her mom’s visit, Persephone woke with the worst migraine she’d ever experienced. Back in Laura’s guest room, groaning into the pillow, Persephone pushed up to a sitting position on the bed. The movement caused the room to wobble, and a sharp spasm tore through her stomach. One hand clutching her waist and the other extended to steady herself, she shuffled towards the bathroom. Exhausted, she sat on the closed toilet seat, resting her head on the nearby sink and needing the chill from the porcelain to cool her.

The bedroom door creaked open, followed by Hecate’s voice. “Sephy, it’s Hecate. Can I come in?”

Clearing a hoarse throat, she called, “Yes.”

The door clicked shut, then Hecate laid a hand on Persephone’s shoulder.

“Laura said you’re feeling worse. May I check you?”

Five days ago, Persephone could stand without trouble and now she struggled to make it the short distance to the bathroom.

Nodding, Persephone tried to sit tall as Hecate placed her hands on Persephone’s neck. She felt pathetic. She couldn’t live like this, needing the constant help of others to do simple things. She wanted to cry but felt too weak to even do that.

“A little pressure.” Hecate pressed lightly under Persephone’s chin for three seconds. With a gentle touch, Hecate traced her thumbs down the column of Persephone’s throat to her heart. “Your magic is starving, so it’s taking energy from you.” Hecate crouched down, resting her forearms on her thighs. “Power functions a lot like our metabolism does. The more you feed it, the hungrier it becomes. I have a few guesses what was feeding it before, but I may need to relocate you to be certain. Are you well enough to portal?”

“Let’s try it.” Anything was worth a shot at clearing the constant pain.

Hecate stood up and pulled out her phone. “Is it okay with you if I take you straight to Hades’ bedroom?”

“Alright.” Hecate could’ve laid Persephone in the middle of the streets of Olympus, and she wouldn’t care. Every atom of her being waged war against her.

“Fates, you poor thing. I never should’ve let you leave his place.” Hecate wrapped her arms around her, and the familiar whoosh of a portal swept over them both. Engulfed in the purple smoke and sweet sandalwood scent of Hecate’s magic, a large bed appeared in a suite decorated with velvet furniture and an open door to a spacious walk-in closet filled with suits.

Cerberus perked his head up from the intricate wool rug he laid curled up on. He then hopped up to nudge Persephone’s leg.

The dark oak bedside tables shone in the low light of the room, and flanked the pressed pillows lined so precisely, they looked like tiles in a palace wall. The fresh, masculine scent was unmistakably Hades.

“Hecate, it’s too clean to have me stay in here. Put me in my old guest room.” The thought of sweating on the silk sheets made bile rise in her throat. Poor Laura. Her guest room must smell like an open grave now.

Scoffing, Hecate pulled back the covers just as Hades appeared beside Persephone.

“Come here.” Hades scooped her up and cradled her to his chest. Her muscles relaxed and her eyes drifted shut as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Hades lowered her to the bed, between the sheets. Shedding his jacket, Hades scooted next to her and pulled her partway onto his lap. The dizziness and nausea from seconds before faded, leaving a pleasant calmness in her bones.

On the other side of the bed, Hecate stroked Persephone’s hair. “When you’re feeling up to it, try conjuring the poppies.”

Persephone nodded.

Before leaving, Hecate glared at Hades, narrowing her eyes in a challenge, then portaled away. Odd given the fact that Hecate had brought her here.

A welcome coolness washed over her, bringing with it a light evergreen scent. “Little goddess, I am so sorry I let you leave.”

The reminder stirred an emptiness in her gut. Was he relieved she was back? Or burdened again by his future Fates-ordained wife? Why did you send me away? Even thinking about the question churned humiliation to the surface.

“It’s okay.” The words tasted sour. Turning her head away from Hades, she reached out her hand and imagined poppies blooming around the bed. Bright orange and red blooms sprouted across the floor and parted around a sitting Cerberus.

A low rumble in Hades’ chest preceded his reply. “I thought I was being selfish, keeping you here as you struggled. I didn’t believe Hecate when she said you were better off staying. I was wrong, Sephy. Will you forgive me?”

Relieved to hear his regret, she smiled. “Of course. I mean, we still don’t really know what’s going on. And I’m sorry I’ve missed so many events. I feel terrible.”

Hades ran his fingertips over the back of her neck. “I kept you from going to events. Besides, you should save your strength for our weekend getaway.”

In the struggles of her illness, she’d completely forgotten about their trip. Would it even still happen?

Do I tell him what my mom admitted? Maybe if she could go a day without searing pain, she’d bring it up.