can handle it.'
'No, you can't. When we first arrived here the sight of Hades in full god form caused you to black out. It nearly killed me, before I had my power.'
'He nearly killed you?' Sam gaped at me. 'And you're fucking considering marrying him?'
'It's not as simple as that!'
'Persy, I'm staying. If I can't help you physically, then at least I might be able to talk some sense into you.' He folded his arms, eyes fierce.
I sighed. Hades was staying eerily quiet. I turned to him.
'Can he stay just a little while?' Hades stared at me, silver eyes a swirling mass of tension. He turned to Hecate abruptly.
'You caused this mess. Clean it up,' he said to her. I opened my mouth but he carried on. 'Persephone will be moving into my rooms. He can have this room. If he leaves it once without you, I'm giving your job to that fucking skull you care for.'
'Yes boss,' Hecate said, flashing a wicked grin at me as my brother spluttered. My cheeks heated.
'You're staying in his rooms?' Sam half whispered at me, the disbelief back.
'Yep,' I said, my voice coming out awkwardly high-pitched.
This had to be the worst brother-boyfriend introduction ever.
My new living arrangements caused a raft of arguments. Sam kicked up such a row about being locked in the windowless bedroom on his own that eventually Hecate gave up and told him he could sleep on her sofa. None of us told him there were no windows in her rooms either.
Convincing Hades to let Skop stay with me in his rooms was a harder task. The little dog didn't make it any easier, hurling insults about the King of the Underworld into my head the entire time I begged Hades to let him come with me.
'He is the spy of another god, Persephone, you don't know how much you ask of me,' Hades said, exasperated. Guilt trickled through me as I recalled Hecate telling me how secretive Hades was about his realm.
'But he's one of my only friends here, and he's helped save my life,' I said. 'Plus he already knows loads about Virgo now. It's not like he'll be with you all the time, he'll be with me, and I'm not allowed to go anywhere or do anything.'
'Fuck no. I'll be with him as little as possible,' said Skop in my head.
'You're lucky he bans mind-reading, now behave yourself!' I snapped back at the kobaloi.
'He must sleep in the antechamber, and he must hear none of our conversations,' Hades growled eventually.
'Thank you!' I squeaked, and flung my arms around his neck. His tense shoulders relaxed under my embrace, and my brother made a strangled sound.
'You are welcome,' Hades said, but he didn't sound like he meant it. 'Now regretfully, I must go. I have neglected my duties and have a lot to... attend to.' I could see the guilt and pain in his face, felt his shame through the bond, and my heart ached for him. He could not escape the consequences of his wrath.
Had he saved me from facing mine when I drank from the river Lethe and forgot whatever it was I had done? Fresh frustration clouded my mind at the thought. I was fast reaching a point where I wanted to believe Hades was right about me being better off not knowing what I had done in the past. I had enough shit to wade through already, with the Trials and Cronos and Tartarus. Did I really need to know anymore? Would any good come of it?
How can you not know what you are capable of? Of course you need to know. The voice inside me was inescapable, and it was a blend of fear and justice. Whether I needed punishing or forgiving for my actions, both were important.
'Kerato will have regenerated soon,' said Hecate, and a small sound of relief escaped me as her words cut through my thoughts. The minotaur was OK.
'Tell him thank you from me, will you?' I said to Hades.
'Of course. I will see you in a few hours.' He leaned down to kiss me softly, then vanished. I felt a small pang of loss, but the bond flared inside me, reassuring and bright. I turned to Sam, determined to keep my mind off the myriad concerns rolling around my brain.
'Right. There are a few things you need to know about the Underworld. Hecate? Help me out?'
Hecate had barely begun telling Sam about the twelve realms when the world flashed