Page 11 of The Hades Chronicles

“Really?” She asked, her voice gaining an octave.

“You sound surprised.”

Persephone used her power to diminish most of the flower arrangements but held two bunches in her hand, saving them. “I guess I am. I’ve never made flowers, and this place—” Shepaused, catching my gaze. “—or its king synonymous with each other.”

“Who could blame you? It’s simply the same mistake almost everyone else makes.” Shrugging, I swirled my hands, producing an onyx vase for her to set the flowers in.

“You said not everyone deserves to be comforted. Were you referring to those condemned to Tartarus?” Persephone positioned the flowers in a perfect arrangement within the vase.

“Yes.”

She cradled brighter flowers in the crook of her arm and surveyed the cave. “What about those who deserve the polar opposite? Those that have lived a good life, agreatlife?”

Intrigue had my chest fluttering. After making the vase disappear to my quarters, I crossed my arms. “I’m listening.”

“A meadow. Where it’s eternal spring for them to live out the rest of their lives in peace and sunshine.” Persephone gulped as if she were afraid of what my reaction would be.

Nodding, I flicked a piece of ash from my shoulder. “If I gave you a realm, would you create it? Oversee it?”

Her eyes lit up for the first time since she’d been down here, I dared say even more than when I told her she’d be able to go back to the surface. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Done.”

She fast blinked and pressed a hand to her chest. “Done? Just like that?”

“Just like that. I think you’ll come to realize, Persephone, that the less you combat me, the more comfortable you’ll be down here.” The ember wings peeked out of their own accord, and I didn’t stop them because the spark igniting in Persephone’s gaze made me never want to put them away again. “It’s been a long day. Why don’t you get some rest?”

“Don’t you ever sleep?” She grazed a finger over a white rose’s petals.

Stepping aside and ushering her toward the corridors, I hovered a hand at the small of her back, but didn’t touch her. “When time allows.”

Persephone opened her door, but paused before entering. “Thank you,” she whispered, the tiniest of smiles edging the corner of her lips.

It was a subtle expression, but still enough to give me hesitant hope that we might learn to be cordial toward each other in the years to come.