Page 264 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

Styx Took Kore Out of the Cottage

but I lingered for a moment,

looking at Hades’ form,

half-covered in shadow.

For a moment neither of us

uttered a single sound,

but finally I had to ask.

‘What convinced you to let her go?’

My words hung heavy in the air

as I saw his pale face,

tired in the dim light.

‘I wanted,’ he said slowly,

‘to be better than my brothers.’

I waited. So he continued.

‘At the end of that war,

I no longer recognized them.

Their wants and desires

overtook their initial will

of overthrowing Kronos to do good.

If I treat Kore like a possession,

force her into my arms and my bed,

how am I any different?’

He looked out the door

to where Styx and she waited.

‘Keep her safe, Hekate.’

This was all I needed to hear.

I smiled at Hades.

Perhaps that tender part of him

was not dead after all.