Page 7 of Winning Back Persephone (Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency #9)

HADES

I wasn't sure why I'd agreed to come to Jinx's Valentine's Day party. Not only had I never celebrated the day before, but the party was being hosted by Cupid . I was sure he was perfectly pleasant to those who weren't Greek gods, but there was still tension between us and them for the fall of the Greek Empire. And then there was the fact that he was the head of Jinx's matchmaking department, and they'd decided that sending me and Persephone on a date was a good idea.

It had been perfect, which was the precise problem. I didn't need anything to remind me of my former wife and what I lost when she decided to walk away from our marriage. I understood why she'd done it, but that didn't make it any easier to watch her live her life away from me. If there was anything I could do to win her back, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But I also knew Persephone, and there was no way she would admit that was even a possibility.

I headed to the bar to get myself a drink, nodding to several of the other gods who were in attendance this evening. I still hadn't managed to get to many of the Jinx events, and if this was how many people there would be at them, then I wouldn't be coming to many more.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Hades," a familiar voice said.

I looked up, only half-surprised to find Aphrodite leaning against the bar with her long blonde hair perfectly styled. "I can't say the same for you."

"Well, my boyfriend did assist Cupid with the planning," she said.

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realise you were seeing anyone."

"That's because you rarely leave the god realm," she pointed out. "And it was my sister who kept you up to date with the goings on of the other gods."

"There's nothing to keep up to date on," I pointed out. "Zeus will be pursuing someone he shouldn't, and the rest of you will be meddling in the affairs of mortals."

Amusement shone on her face. "Maybe you're right there." The bartender arrived and set her drink down. "And just for that, I'm going to meddle in your affairs."

"I don't see how you're going to do that," I responded.

"Turn around."

Without intending to, I followed her instructions. The whole world fell away as my gaze landed on Persephone wearing a sleek black dress with a flower pattern on it that only showed up when the light shimmered against her. Which it did a lot. It was almost as if it was attracted to her by her beauty.

She gave me a hesitant smile and walked up. It was strange to see her like this. She'd always been confident, even before the two of us had gotten together she'd known what she wanted and how she was going to get it. This was new.

"Hi," she said, setting her bag on the bar in a way that suggested it was a physical barrier between us.

"Hello," I responded.

"I didn't think you'd be here tonight."

"You're the second person to say that," I responded.

"Who was the first?"

"Aphrodite. I fear I might have offended her, she threatened to meddle in my life."

Persephone laughed, a beautiful sound that I wished to hear more of. "And what damage can she do to the life of the king of the underworld?"

"You know as well as I do that's not a real thing."

"Humans are going to be so disappointed when they get there and find out you're not there."

I chuckled. "Yes, but if I was there, then it would mean that I'd have missed out on a life with you."

She sucked in a deep breath, making me realise what I'd said.

"I'm sorry, forget I said anything."

"It's fine," she murmured, flagging the bartender to get her a drink. "Did you want some wine?"

I nodded. She ordered a couple of glasses, and I enjoyed the mundaneness of the moment. Not having to tell her what I wanted was the perk of having been with someone as long as we'd been together. Except that we no longer were, and it was important I remembered that, even at times like this.

She slid one of the wine glasses down the bar to me, letting go long before there was a chance that we could touch.

"So, another Jinx party," she said.

"Mmm. I was encouraged to come so that I could meet people," I said. "After our date."

She laughed. "That was more or less what Aine said to me, after I complained."

I raised an eyebrow. "Was our date that bad?"

"You know it wasn't," she said firmly. "But it can't happen again."

"No, it can't," I agreed.

She picked up her wine glass and took a drink. I didn't need her to say that she was doing it in order to avoid the conversation. I knew from the way she'd positioned herself.

"I don't want to make moving on painful for you," I said quietly.

Persephone let out a surprisingly sharp laugh. "It's difficult no matter how you look at it," she responded. "You were my husband for over two millennia, Hades." Her voice cracked, making me want to reach out and pull her into my arms.

If I listened to that voice, then I'd start telling her that none of what had passed mattered. That we could be together again and forget the past two years. But I resisted. I knew that wasn't what she wanted.

"I'm sorry, I'm just stressed. This launch has been a hard one," she said.

"For your bags."

She nodded. "Do you want to see?"

"Yes."

She picked up her bag and held it out to me. I took it, turning it over in my hands. The dark leather was perfectly crafted, and I could see little touches that were entirely Persephone on it, including the catch being a flower.

"You should open it," she said.

I did as she instructed, opening it up to see the brightly coloured interior, full of bright flowers and spring greens. I recognised several of the flowers as those that would bloom in spring. "It's perfectly you."

"The flowers, right?"

"All of it, Sephie," I said softly. "Anyone who thinks you're just flowers is a fool who can't see what's right in front of them."

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you for saying that. It's very sweet."

"I mean it, Sephie. You're so much more than that. I know you're starting to date, but don't take anything less than you deserve. Please?"

For a moment, I thought she was going to cry, but she managed to turn it into a smile. "The same goes for you, Hades. Don't settle for anything less than the best."

"I might have to, I've already met the best person for me." The words escaped before I could think about whether she would want to hear them.

She stiffened. "I should go before either of us says something we'll regret."

I nodded, but there were no words for what I was feeling. I wanted to hear what she was thinking that she thought she'd regret, even though I could probably guess what it was.

Because my words were true. I'd met the best person for me, and she was standing right in front of me.

"Enjoy your evening, Hades."

"You too, Persephone."

She gave me a strange look as I said her full name, but didn't comment on it, turning and walking away. I knew it was for the best, but there was no denying that it still stung. Would it ever not hurt to watch the goddess I loved walking away from me? I wasn't entirely sure about that. All I knew was that it hurt now and I wished I could just go back two years and ask her not to go.

It wouldn't have helped, but at least then she'd have known how much I wanted her to stay.