from them. Perhaps it was another issue with Minthe causing trouble again. Her involvement also wouldn’t surprise him in the least. It could also be something wrong with the heroes, the Elysian Fields, the Titans...
He had to stop himself. Hades caught her hands in his and tugged her close to his chest.
Persephone smiled up at him and the wrinkles on her forehead smoothed. “Hello, husband. How are you today?”
“I can tell something is wrong,” he said. “Just say it.”
“Nothing is wrong, per say,” she replied. Though the wrinkles immediately furrowed her forehead. “Just, different. And I’m not sure how you are going to react when I tell you.”
Well, that sounded ominous. He wasn’t sure what could be on her mind now. “All right,” he said, straightening his shoulders and steeling himself for the worst. “Out with it then.”
“Do you remember when I said I had to stay behind for a bit? That I needed to talk with someone before we went for a walk.”
“Yes.” He gestured to Cerberus. “As does the terrifying guard dog of the Underworld. We both missed your company on our morning jaunt.”
She smiled, though her cheeks turned red. “I missed it too, but I had a talk with Hecate. Between the two of us, we figured out why I’ve been feeling so ill lately.”
He didn’t even remember her saying that she wasn’t feeling very well. Why hadn’t Persephone told him that her stomach was off? Perhaps she’d eaten something that didn’t agree with her, and he needed to make sure they never served that food again.
Persephone seemed to see what his thoughts were. She let out a little huffing laugh before shaking her head. “No, Hades. It’s not something we ate, nor am I ill.”
His mind blanked. What did she mean? If she wasn’t sick and she wasn’t eating something bad, then there were no other options in his mind that it could be. Frowning, he shook his head. “What is it then?”
She took a deep breath. “I guess I’ll just come right out with it. I’ve been ill in the mornings. Certain foods have been bothering me. I’m crying all the time and I don’t know how to stop it, especially when I see adorable things.” She tilted her head to the side. “Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
“No,” he replied honestly. “I have no idea.”
“Hades,” she said, laughing again. “I’m trying to tell you I’m pregnant.”
All the blood rushed to his head. He felt his cheeks turn bright red, but somehow couldn’t hear anything either. Even his sight disappeared as tunnel vision made him see nothing but her and the worried look on her face.
“Hades?” she asked. “Are you going to pass out?”
No, he didn’t think he was going to pass out, but that was a worry. He wasn’t sure what he felt like he was going to do.
“A baby?” he asked, his voice so quiet he could barely hear it.
“Yes.” Persephone sounded hesitant this time, like she was worried about what he would say if she continued. “I thought you’d be happy.”
Happy? He was more than happy. He’d never thought he would be a father, and yet, here was the moment. And he wasn’t like Zeus. This wasn’t a situation where he’d slept with a random nymph who had tricked him into getting her pregnant, or that he was careless with his lovers.
He was having a child with the woman he loved more than the sun itself. And now, they had created life together.
Without hesitation, he dropped onto his knees. Hades slid his hands down her sides until he could put one palm against her belly and press it there where she grew his child. “Our baby?” he asked, even though he knew the truth.
“Yes,” she replied with a laugh. “Whose else would it be? Silly man. We were together on Mount Olympus, and the timing is right.”
“How much longer?” He looked up at her and hoped the love was radiating from his gaze. “How long until I get to meet him?”
“Him?” Persephone parroted the word and then pressed a hand against her chest in mock horror. “What would make you think we’re having a boy?”
“Because it’s mine.” He tried to keep his voice sure and confident. “If we’re having a child, then it will be a boy.”
She lifted a brow. “Somehow I doubt that, but we’ll see. And there’s quite a few more months to wait, my darling. We can’t meet her until she’s ready.”