Page 36 of Curse the Flame

Yuck. Master is just as icky as mistress, and I’m not the only one who doesn’t like the way that Minthe says it like that. Almost like she has more affection for the master—for H… Aiden—than she does me.

Shoot. She probably has more affection for that poor cyclops than she does me at the moment.

As though she agrees with my impression, sweet Persephone swears. It’s gotta be Ancient Greek, so it doesn’t translate quite right, but I know a curse when I hear one; just like I did when the Roman soldier let one rip. I might not feel the need to use such strong language myself, but growing up in Manhattan with Daphne Ackerly as my cousin… yeah. Persephone is pissed.

What’s up?

The sky. Zeus’s domain. But that has nothing to do with the nymph in the palace. She shouldn’t be here. Send her away.

I can’t do that. It would be super rude.

If you knew her soul like I do, you’d do more than be rude. You’re a queen now, Willow. You’re here to take your place on my throne. Now be a queen and get rid of her.

Whoa. Persephone is really sure about that. And while I can’t keep pretending like I don’t know that I’ve somehow found myself in one of the most infamous Greek myths of all time, I’m still Willow. I’m still me.

And I can’t kick her out, especially when she seems so reluctant to be here in the first place. It’s obvious that someone sent her up—and considering the fabric in her arms, she was probably told to bring that for me by the master or someone else who listens to him—and I don’t want to get her in trouble with a man who can conjure fire in the palms of his hand like that.

So, because I’m at heart a people pleaser, I tiptoe over to her and accept the bundle of fabric.

I’m right. Her nose wrinkles when she gets a full look at me. Yeah, yeah. You wouldn’t look like a supermodel, either, if you fell through a mirror at bedtime, were running around the woods ever since because it was daylight here and you had no choice, got tied to a tree once it did get dark, and now you’re supposed to have supper with the master when all you want to do is lie down and hope this portal fantasy of mine was all a very lucid dream⁠—

Hang on.

Supper? I can’t eat supper.

Uh-oh.

I’m in the Underworld. I think… I think it just hit me. I’m in the Underworld, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do to get back home, but Minthe just gave me a white dress and a pair of silver sandals and it seems like I’m expected to get dressed.

I do. People pleaser, remember? I don’t want her to get in trouble, and I don’t know what else to do, and I just hope that the dress is warmer than my t-shirt and shorts.

Surprisingly, it is. It’s also the perfect size for me, right down to the red sash that wraps around my waist, and the silver sandals that protect my poor tootsies from the chilly floor.

I get changed in the bathroom. Though it looks like it’s ripped out of her, I decline when Minthe offers to help me get the chiton on. Chiton. Really. That’s what she calls it, and I decide to just go with it. Sure. I’m wearing a chiton, and I only hope I have it on the right way.

Taking a deep breath, I return to the room. “Okay. How’s this?”

“You look fantastic, Willow.”

My heart leaps to my throat. I thought, when I left the bathroom, only Minthe would be waiting in the bedroom. Um. Nope.

There’s Aiden, and his eyes flicker from black to white and back so quickly I can almost convince myself that I didn’t see that happen at all.

I swallow roughly. “Thanks. And, uh, thanks for the dress.” Nope. Sorry. I just can’t bring myself to call it a chiton after all. “It fits well.”

“I knew it would. It suits you. I mean, yeah. Looks real good.” His Adam’s apple bobs. “I’ve come to bring ya down for dinner.” He pauses, clears his throat. When he speaks again, he’s covered up his accent just enough to make me instantly miss it. “If you’d join me. I’m told supper is ready. It’ll be a quick one. I’m sure you’re tired and need your rest, but I must feed you first.”

Something tells me there’s no getting out of this. It would be rude to try. Especially after he saved me, brought me to his home, and gave me clothes… I mean, I can’t eat any of the Underworld food, but I don’t want to offend him.

So I shrug and give him a small smile because what else can I do?

Aiden nods. He gestures at Minthe. “That will be all. Tell Leuce to have the meal served immediately.”

“Yes, master,” she says, leaving no doubt in my mind that Aiden is…

Nope. Still not ready for it.

Aiden nods, but before she can walk out of the bedroom, he calls out: “Wait.”