She’s lying. I know she’s only here because she doesn’t want me to be alone after I cried in her arms earlier.
‘No Tempest?’ I ask her.
‘She told me to get lost at the mere suggestion she join when she’s so busy preparing the palace for the court’s arrival. Then she added a few more choice expletives to drive home the point.’
I shake my head as I laugh, feeling a sudden fondness for the nymph and for Styx, and for all these women who surround me and giggle as they dress me like we’ve all known each other for centuries.
They arrange my hair, spray me with scents and squeeze me into a dress Hades fetched from the mortal realm, having no time to make one himself. Styx sits on the bed, watching with wry amusement. ‘Oh no, dear. You wouldnotwant me doingyour hair. That’s why I brought the others. Don’t worry, I’ll provide the entertainment.’
When I first sat in front of the mirror, I could feel walls slamming down and defences being raised. It was too reminiscent of my mother flitting about every time we had visitors – the tug of her fingers in my hair, my breath gasping as she laced me into something impossible so they’d go back to Olympus and spread rumours about my beauty.
But I haven’t stopped laughing as I have been painted and dressed. This whole evening is a forgery of a wedding announcement, I will be a forgery of a blushing bride, and everything about my appearance will be a performance. The difference is that I am in control. Mother is not squeezing me into a costume; I am creating one myself.
When I am ready, the perfection of the costume has my shoulders pushed back and my head held high. It is precisely what I needed. My hair is long, pinned out of my face and flowing freely down my back. My black dress sweeps the floor, overlayed in sheer fabric embroidered with black flowers. The sleeves are translucent, my skin glowing beneath the lace. Kohl is smudged on my eyelids and my lips are stained a dark and bloody shade of red.
I look ready to become the queen of Hell. I thank the mortals and promise them updates in the morning. Styx leaves with them, claiming she will feel like a spy when she returns with the other gods. There’s a delighted smile on her face, like nothing makes her happier than being privy to secrets.
I look in the mirror one last time and note the steely certainty in my eyes. I can do this. I can pretend I have enough power and potential that a king might want nothing morethan to make me his queen. It won’t be easy – but it might be fun.
There will be no going back. But my parents will know where I am soon anyway.
I leave my room and descend the marble stairs to meet Hades.
He’s straightening a picture and I take advantage of his distraction to unapologetically run my eyes over him. He wears a formal black robe, with twin gold cuffs on his wrists that match the earrings glittering on my lobes.
The robe fits him well, so well that I can’t help but think that, if we were really getting married, I might not be able to wait until the wedding before peeling those layers off him.
The thought shocks me and I clutch the banister to keep from stumbling. I have no idea where it came from and part of me wants to run back upstairs. But then he turns and sees me, and his eyes widen like he’s spotted enemies on a battlefield.
My own panic dissipates, like just locking eyes with him is enough to make me feel calm.
He mutters something that I can’t catch and I smirk as I close the distance between us. I know I look stunning, and I do so very love unnerving him.
‘What was that, my dear?’ I ask.
Hades cocks an eyebrow. ‘I said, you’re late.’
‘Did you now?’
Hades grins. ‘No, I said you look exquisite.’
I smile back, enjoying this one moment of peace, just the two of us before we encounter the masses. ‘Now that’s more like it. You look rather well yourself.’
‘Exquisite and rather well are not on par,’ Hades says pointedly.
He’s already so close and he’s only going to be closer as we pretend to be madly in love. My heart pounds. I can do this. I have been lying for years. I can definitely spin the truth into a lie too.
‘Then I suppose you’ll have to try harder for the wedding,’ I tease. Though honestly if he tries any harder I could faint on my wedding day. I might be dramatic but I don’t think that would be beneficial for anyone.
‘I’ve never had any complaints before.’ He grins wickedly and heat rushes to my cheeks.
‘Before?’ I manage. ‘Oh, we are discussing “before”.’
‘Must we?’
‘Ever since you ended the war, you’ve been surrounded by no one but half-corporeal nature spirits and the ghosts of dead humans. We aredefinitelydiscussing your before.’
His laughter bounces off the walls until I am surrounded by the ringing, glorious noise.
