Page 43 of Flowers Near Me

CHAPTER FORTY THREE

SETTLE THE SCORE

PERSEPHONE

“ I need to call Laura,” Persephone said as she reached for her phone. After a long shower which Hades had prolonged with his flirty interruption, she’d relaxed with her husband in a cozy sitting room with tall windows and short bookshelves.

After telling her sister that she was married , Hades and she reclined on the large sofa. The unhurried manner of Hades as they’d cuddled calmed her heart.

Laura and Peter were thrilled to hear the news, and she, Laura, and Helena, had set a date to dress shop. Picturing Helena in a flowing gown as she spread petals down the aisle coaxed a permanent grin on Persephone’s face.

“When are you telling Mom?” Laura had asked her.

“In a few days, at the gala.”

“She’ll demand the wedding be at the estate,” Laura said.

Persephone looked at Hades, who smiled back and ran his fingers back and forth across her collarbone. “Good. It should be there.”

Hades had texted Charon and Hecate, who both gushed their congratulations. Dozens of notifications popped up from Charon on Persephone’s calendar for wedding planning details. Tastings, meetings with potential vendors, photographers. Meanwhile, Hecate sent her links to her favorite lingerie and sex toy sites.

The evening of the gala, inside Hades’ SUV, Persephone went to wipe the sweat off her hands onto her legs. Hades intercepted her with a handkerchief before she marked her satin dress.

“Fates, I’m nervous,” she said, drying her palms.

Hades held out his hand to take the handkerchief and folded it back into his front pocket. “Trust me, you were made for this.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on her temple.

“You’re still feeling good about making the announcement tonight? Even with every god and goddess there?” Persephone watched Hades’ face for any hint of hesitation.

Smiling back, Hades skimmed his fingers over her shoulders. “Of course, my love. I don’t want to wait a second longer to let them all know we’re married.”

Persephone nodded. “And you’ll wait until I talk to my mom first, right?”

He dipped his head. “I won’t say a thing until you give me permission.”

Sucking in a slow breath, Persephone straightened in her seat. “Thank you. I’m not sure how she’ll take it.” She turned to Hades. “Do you think your brothers will be angry or not care?”

Hades gave a light laugh. “I think Zeus already knows, and Poseidon will care for all of two seconds before he’s chasing down his next victim.”

“Speaking of Poseidon, has he mentioned anything about us not following up with a get together?”

“Charon followed up with him, but he went quiet after she asked him who his date would be. I don’t think he’s stayed with anyone long enough to schedule more than three days in advance.”

Huffing a laugh, Persephone looked out of the car window and saw the botanical gardens.

“I can’t wait to see it fully decorated.” Persephone loved the lighted flower displays Charon had shown her.

The car stopped in front of a purple carpet strewn across the marble staircase. Lines of reporters edged the velvet ropes and Persephone took another steadying breath. She looked at the three rings on her finger and prayed they weren’t a beacon.

Hades exited first then helped her out of the car. He placed his left hand in his pocket, hiding the obsidian band. His large hand covered hers when they entered, ensuring no onlookers or photographers would notice her new jewelry.

“You look like a princess.” Persephone hugged Helena but mouthed the word sorry over her niece’s tiny shoulder.

Back when Helena was barely a week old, Laura had cautioned Persephone not to compliment the girl’s appearance as a way of greeting.

She’ll associate her worth with how she looks, and we don’t need to perpetuate that, Laura had said to Persephone as she’d held baby Helena to her chest.

But Persephone couldn’t help it. Helena, in all her adorable glory, looked regal in the lavender ball gown.

“She does look like a princess,” Peter agreed and shook Hades’ hand.

“Have you seen Mom?” Laura asked Persephone as they exchanged a quick air kiss.

“Not yet, but I need to find her.” With a reach of her power, she felt around for the familiar hum of Demeter’s magic.

“She doesn’t know yet, right?” Laura nodded at Persephone’s not-so-hidden wedding bands.

“Not yet. And she doesn’t know that I know she was behind the ‘snake bite’ virus.”

Laura’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ll keep an eye out for you. Want me to be there when you talk to her?”

Persephone tilted her head. “Why?”

“Morbid curiosity.”

Appreciative as she was for her sister’s support, she needed to do this on her own. “I’ll come find you afterwards.”

With a few parting words, Hades and Persephone made their way further into the main hall, where guests gathered in small groups, chatting around the dance floor. As she stepped past a hanging vine, tiny buds blossomed to reveal bright pink and orange petals that looked to be following her movement. Curious about the strange flower behavior, she tested her theory by stopping, then doubling back over her steps. Sure enough, the blooms moved with her.

Her face snapped to Hades. “What flowers are these? They look like a tropical morning glory. Maybe a hibiscus? But they move?”

Eyes bright, Hades replied, “Hecate enchanted them to respond to your power.”

“Awe, thank you.” She squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek. “That’s so thoughtful. I love them.” His gesture warmed her heart. They continued, greeting guests.

Finally, the feel of the warm sun and smell of flowing fields wafted over one side of her face. Turning towards the sensation, she spotted her mom sauntering in, wearing a dress of iridescent green that matched her intense eyes.

“Would you bring Laura over in a few minutes?” she asked Hades who nodded, then kissed her before heading off.

Her jaw tightened with each step. Her mom’s smile faded as she met eyes with Persephone.

“Sephy, sweetheart. You look stunning.” Demeter held out her hands, and the women exchanged a stilted hug.

“As do you. Beautiful as always, but we need to talk… in private.” Without allowing a reply from her mom, Persephone picked up her mom’s hand and portaled them to a secluded garden path in one of the connected greenhouses.

Demeter’s mouth hung open for a moment. “A smooth portal, Sephy. Your power is so fragrant and strong.” She cupped Persephone’s chin. “Everything alright?” The stern yet focused mask returned to her mom’s face.

“Yes, and no.” Persephone took a deep breath. “No, because I heard you had a hand in the ‘snake bite’ that almost killed Eurydice’s app.” Steeling her eyes on her mom, Persephone waited for the reply.

Demeter sighed and looked away. “I wanted you back, Sephy. I won’t apologize for trying, but I am sorry it hurt the people you care about.” Demeter waved her hands at their surroundings. “Although it seems like my efforts did nothing to diminish Flowers Near Me ’s success.”

Persephone bit the inside of her lip. “Thank the Fates for that.” As far as Demeter and apologies went, that would have to suffice. And if Persephone showed mercy, then maybe her mom would as well once she dropped the news of her marriage to Hades. Her gaze remained steady. “There is something I wanted to tell you in person.”

She looked up to see a strange smile on her mom’s face. Something akin to bitterness with equal parts happiness and disappointment. “You married him.”

Persephone held back a gasp. “How did you know?”

With a hand lifted in the air, Demeter answered, “You’re my daughter and I notice everything about you. Your magic smells different. It has this evergreen scent that wasn’t there before. That’s Hades’ doing. Not to mention you’ve kept your left hand hidden since you spotted me from across the room. And lastly, I received a dowry payment from Hades.”

“What?” Persephone practically sneered. Why would he do that?

Demeter chuckled. “Don’t be cross with him. DB received a sizable donation in the form of a new app. He gifted Flowers Near Me to us and I knew there could only be one reason why.”

“Because I asked him to?”

“Because this is how it is among the gods. He gets you, so I get something in return. Hardly an equal transaction.” There was a glint of coquettish satisfaction in her mom’s stifled grin. “Besides, you’re glowing, and if this agrees with you, then I’m happy for as long as you’re happy with him.”

“Thanks, Mom.” It was more than acceptable given the long-standing battle between Hades and Demeter. Two top-tier gods united by Olympus’ newest Goddess of Spring. It all sounded workable enough.

“I love you very much, my clever girl. I always will. And I’ll honor the things you honor.” Demeter glanced over her shoulder, looking statuesque with soft lines tracing her long neck. “You should get back to your launch party and dance with your new husband. I’m certain he’s counting down the seconds to flaunt you in front of all of Olympus.”

Persephone’s cheeks turned to lava, but she straightened and clasped her mom’s hand. “I’ll take us both back.”

Hades’ arms wrapped firmly around Persephone’s waist, pulling her close after a graceful spin. Since announcing their marriage and the upcoming celebration, he hadn’t let her go. His hand pressed gently against her back, fingers tracing delicate patterns between her shoulder blades when they weren’t intertwined with hers.

Persephone stretched her sore jaw, her endless smiles leaving indents even godhood couldn’t erase.

“Remember that first night at the restaurant?” she whispered as they swayed together. “I thought I’d outsmarted you, marked my territory in Olympus by getting the app you wanted before you could sink your teeth into it.”

Hades’ deep laugh rumbled through his chest. “Sitting with you in that booth only confirmed what I already knew: you were dangerous. Irresistibly so. And now, it’s clearer than ever.”

“Dangerous?” she teased, but a thrill danced up her spine.

He leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. “I knew then I had no hope of resisting you. You’re as kind as you are breathtaking, and even though I don’t deserve you, the Fates gave you to me anyway. I just had to trick you into spending time with me, hoping you’d take pity on me and fall in love.” He smirked, pulling her impossibly closer as he inhaled softly, the warmth of his breath sending tingles down her neck.

Persephone smiled, her heart swelling. “We do make the perfect team, you know. Partners in every way.”

Hades’ lips brushed her ear. “Yes, partners for eternity, my love.”