Page 41 of Flowers Near Me

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

A DIVINE PROPOSAL

PERSEPHONE

T he primitive image hot springs cave brought to mind was nothing like Hades’ palatial residence built into the caverns. Although they had portaled there, it was clear from the forested mountains surrounding the property that they were far from the metropolis. Even on the coldest night, the city of Olympus could never be this quiet.

Equipped with ambient lighting and modern bathrooms, most of the rooms sat along an exterior wall with natural light flooding through large windows. The same style of lush furniture Hades had in his apartment decorated the space.

“Take a bath while I gather a few things,” he said then pointed to a rose-colored silk robe and fluffy towels placed on a sprawling, god-sized bed. He opened a pine wardrobe built within the wall—its edges framed by an overlapping lip of stone—and pulled out a basket filled with oils and soaps.

“This place is gorgeous,” said Persephone. “Why don’t you live here instead of the apartment?”

“Remember how much Cerberus sheds?”

Picturing the dog shaking off, water droplets scattering over a pile of towels, brought a grimace. “Good point.”

“Make yourself at home.” With a hand gesturing to a carved archway between a velvet loveseat and a desk cut from a large, dark stone deposit in the wall, he added, “That hall leads to a spring-fed bath.”

“Thank you.” She scooped up the items from the bed.

Hades left and Persephone walked down the hallway into the bathing chamber. She marveled at the carved ceiling twice Hades’ height with snaking veins of lapis running throughout the light gray stone.

Persephone sunk into the effervescent springs and stretched her arms overhead, relaxing against the submerged curved bench. Faint trickles echoed in the cavern. Would too much bliss melt an immortal body into a puddle? It seemed possible as she closed her eyes.

When her body felt warm and loose, she got out and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel. Using her poppy-scented power, she finished drying her hair and body before heading back to the bedroom.

Inside the wardrobe were sleepwear sets, reverse seam sweaters, and tailored joggers, each in a variety of soft fabrics of silk or silk-like cotton. She pulled out a long-sleeved top and matching pants. Dressing quickly, she kept one eye on the arched doorway.

Using the mirror on the inside of the wardrobe door, she ran one finger over her lids, imagining her eyelashes lengthening and sending magic through her veins. Picturing a dark pink rose, she pressed her lips together, and they turned a deeper shade. Would her mom be proud to see how far she’d come in her power? She hoped so.

An evergreen scent announced Hades’ presence in the hallway. “Sephy, love. Are you done with your bath?”

She called back, “All done,” and he joined her in the bedroom. Despite her advances and protests, Hades refrained from becoming too intimate. He claimed it was so they could be extra certain that her powers wouldn’t reignite the sickness. But it had been two months since she’d healed. She sensed he was holding out for her to agree to marry him.

“You charmed your face.” Hades ran his hands up and down the sides of her arms.

“How can you tell?”

Tapping the side of his nose, he said, “You get a sense of these things.” With a bright smile, Hades asked, “Ready to eat? Or want to play a game of Sevens?”

She’d lost the last time they’d played and now they were on the date she’d agreed to because of that gamble. It reminded her to ask if he’d swayed the outcome in his favor. Even if he did, she wasn’t upset but she was curious.

“Hades, did you cheat when we played before?” Arms crossed, she let a smirk peek through.

He stiffened and took a breath. “I may have tipped things in my favor.”

“Damn it. When you won after all those losing rounds…” Persephone shook her head.

“Are you upset with me?”

Pressing into him, her face on his chest, she replied, “No. If you hadn’t won, I may have never gotten to see this place.”

He met her eyes when she looked up at him. “The contract’s complete. And I always planned to bring you here as soon as you would let me.”

Pulling away, Hades kept her in his hold with his hands on her back.

“Well, thank you for bringing me. The bath alone has made the visit worth it.”

Hades’ eyes roamed her face, his lips parted and eyes narrowed slightly. “Persephone.” Hearing her name from him sent a shiver up her spine. “There’s something I want you to agree to, but only if you’re ready.”

Another contract? Was he worried she wouldn’t attend the gala?

“What is it?”

He held her hands and knelt on one knee. No mistaking which kind of contract he meant now.

“Persephone, I’d be honored to be at your side. You’re the only partner for me.”

Heart speeding, she nodded. “We make a good team.” Hades owned the key to her heart, and he knew it.

With a kiss on her hand and a glimmer in his eye, he said, “Come with me. I want to give you something.”

He stood up, a surprising move given how certain she was that he was going to propose. Instead, he led her down the corridor connecting the rooms on the cave’s outer wall, into a sitting area. Plump cushions atop a huge, curved couch jutted against steel framed windows looking out the mountainside.

A present wrapped in floral fabric sat on a polished wood tray on the sofa. Written on its tag in flowing script was ‘Sephy.’

Hades picked up the tray. “Sit here.”

Settled on the sprawling couch, Persephone took the present off of the tray as Hades sat next to her.

Small like a jewelry box. Her heart danced as she untied the satin bow. The fine wrapping fabric slid from the black box.

Three rings of varying sizes lay in a jewelry cushion. Each silvery white band had a smooth, dark stone in their center. Her brows pinched in confusion, looking at the different sizes. Was Hades unsure of her ring size? Unlikely. What detail did Hades—or Charon—ever miss?

A chill cut through the air as Hades’ power enveloped her like a wintery cloud. Her own power rose to meet it, a tangle of cedar and florals filling the room.

His deep voice warmed her chest. “Persephone…” His throat bobbed. “I’m not sorry that I tricked you into working for me—or living with me. But I am sorry that I made you think you were a pawn that day I moved you?—”

“Forced,” she interjected with a smirk and bright eyes.

He laughed with a wink. “Yes. Well, let’s call it the first day you came to our apartment.”

Her smile grew wide and he continued, “You thought you were a pawn, but you’ve never been one to me.” The sincerity of the sentiment shone through his softened gaze. He scooped her hands in his. “You’re the most exquisite immortal to exist. You’ve unlocked a yearning I didn’t know I could feel. I love you, little goddess. You’re everything I want but don’t deserve. And I wish I had something as valuable as you to offer in return, but all my love, commitment, and loyalty is yours. Marry me, Sephy.”

Peacefulness washed over her. A future with him made her feel like she could conquer more than just Olympus.

She met his silver eyes. “I’ll marry you, Hades.”

He leaned in for a kiss which she returned. He pulled away to pick up the ring box.

“May I?” Hades held up his palm to her.

Placing her hand in his, she whispered, “Please.” Magic crackled in the air—tiny sparks surrounded them, leaving wisps of smoke in their place. The scent of their commingling power was thick yet pleasant.

He plucked each ring from its bed then slid the largest one onto her finger. A blanket of contentment wrapped around her.

Mesmerized by his gentle movements, she watched him slide a second one, stopping right before going over her knuckle. Now the varying sizes made sense. Each ring was built to fit a different section of her finger. The largest worn normally, the middle one in between her knuckles, and the smallest right behind her nail bed.

“They’re beautiful.” Time stood still as she admired the jewelry.

With a tender smile, he said, “These symbolize my intention to love and care for you. As long as you wear yours, they represent your commitment to me. Once you place my ring, it’ll secure our marriage bond.”

“We’ll need a ceremony, right? And to get a marriage certificate?”

Hades shook his head. “It’s different between the gods. Our word is law. Once we exchange these rings then the oath is complete. There’s nothing else to it unless we want a ceremony or a certificate to commemorate our promise. No need for witnesses or officiants.”

No wonder the gods expected the world. Everything was simpler for them, yet more powerful. And now Persephone knew she was one of them too.

He hooked a finger under his collar to fish out a black chain holding one obsidian ring.

“Here’s mine.” He unclasped the necklace, allowing the ring to slide down the chain into his palm.

Carefully, she plucked it from his hand. Adorning the dark band were carved images of poppies— her poppies. Each intricate flower was a sibling of the ones next to it. As she traced the pad of her finger over the design, a warm sensation ran up her arm.

“Is it enchanted?”

“No. It responds to you, though. Similar to most things and people in your environment.” He paused and grinned at her with a glint in his eye. “I think I’ve finally figured out what you’re the goddess of.”

“Tell me after I put this on you.” She wanted Hades to be hers as much as he wanted her to be his.

Between pinched fingers, Hades’ ring vibrated a low tone. His hand remained still as the ring slid over his knuckle. Was he breathing? She wasn’t sure she was.

With gentle and slow pressure, she placed the ring on his finger. A fullness entered her chest as their agreement settled into place.

His hands cupped her cheeks in their tender kiss, then wrapped behind her back, tugging her to his broad chest.