The Passion of Hades - Eliza Raine Page 0,3

now only you have the power to make it right.'

A small shudder cut through the tranquility of the garden. His words carried weight that even this place couldn't lighten.

'I was wronged?'

'Yes. The only person who can tell you about your past is Hades. And what he knows is incomplete.'

'So... How do I find out the truth?'

'When you are stronger, we will continue this conversation. Keep winning seeds, and gain more of your power back.'

I nodded. That sounded like good advice.

The dream was vivid in my memory when I woke up in the opulent bedchamber, and I replayed the conversation repeatedly as I sat up in the mass of colored cushions, still wearing my ballgown from the night before. I rubbed my aching neck and tried to get the stranger’s words straight. Could I really not trust Hecate and Skop? I struggled to believe they would bring any harm to me. I touched my parched lips as I looked down at the sleeping dog, sprawled across the end of the bed.

'You were wronged, by my worst enemy, and you paid the highest price. And now only you have the power to make it right.'

A little shudder rippled through me as I recalled the stranger’s statement. If what he was saying was true, then was someone else involved in whatever I had done to get thrown out of Olympus? Did that mean it wasn't all my fault? A tiny bud of hope blossomed in my chest. But who? And why didn't Hades know about it? I blew out a sigh and stared at the glowing rock wall. At the thought of Hades, images rolled through my mind again, flipping between exquisite pleasure, and unbridled terror. Talk about an emotional roller-coaster.

'Well, this is nicer than your room,' said a voice, and my eyes snapped to the door.

'Hecate!' She smiled as she sauntered over, carrying two cups of coffee. 'Thank you, for telling Skop how to defeat the phoenix, and... for trying to stop Hades.'

'No worries,' she said with an overly casual grin. 'How you doing?'

'A bit confused,' I said.

'No doubt. But heh, at least your powers are working.'

'What?' I frowned at her. 'What do you mean? I was going to ask you how to get my magic to work; I can't do anything.'

'Persy, you got lifted five feet off the ground by a giant burning bird, fell and crashed into a table, and nearly got electrocuted to death. Don't you think you should be feeling a bit sore this morning?'

I stared at her.

'My neck aches,' I said eventually.

'That'll be these stupid fucking cushions,' she said, her lip curling as she picked one up and launched it across the room.

'So... My magic has healed me?'

'Yup.' She took a long swig from her coffee and I did the same, my mind spinning. I could heal?

'How?'

'It just happens while you rest. The stronger you are, the quicker you'll heal, and you'll learn to heal big wounds on the spot eventually. You were always a good healer. Comes with the territory I guess.'

'What territory?'

'Goddess of Spring. New life. Growth and fertility and all that.'

My mouth fell open.

'Goddess of Spring?' I repeated, and heard a bark from Skop.

'Uhuh. No point keeping it from you any more, not if you can get your power back.' She was beaming at me, her eyes dancing with excitement. 'You can win this now, Persy. You really can.'

'Woah, woah, woah. You're the goddess of fucking Spring? I thought you were just some pretty human?' Skop's voice rang loud in my head.

'Erm, it's sort of a long story. I was married to Hades before. Then cast out of Olympus and removed from history. And I don't remember any of it.'

'What the actual fuck?'

'Yeah, I know,' I said to him with a look, then turned back to Hecate. 'What about what happened at the ball?'

'What about it?' she shrugged.

'Hades nearly killed me! I'm not marrying a god made of corpses!'

'Oh, he only lost his temper because that dude hurt you. When you're back up to full power his true form won't bother you at all.'

It felt like ice was sliding down my spine at her words. How could that monster, surrounded by dead bodies, ever not bother me?

'I want to be bothered by corpses, Hecate' I told her. 'I don't want to be like him. I don't want to be with him.'

Hecate's smile slipped.

'He's just freaked you out a bit. You'll work it out, I'm sure.'

'Hecate, seriously, I'm not cut out for the Underworld. I