The Passion of Hades - Eliza Raine Page 0,68

find the grass, to fill it with what it needed to flourish. I didn't dare open my eyes to see what was happening, but now I could only feel the spiders that were still trying to burrow their way through my ears and nose, and the ones that had gotten under my corset. The rest I was able to block out. How long had I been here? Taking as deep breaths as was possible, I channeled my fear into the ground as life for the yellowing grass, the joy from doing so offsetting the revulsion just enough that I could hold myself together.

When I finally heard the gong I made the mistake of opening my mouth in a relieved gasp. I just saw the hall fading into existence around me as spiders flooded into my mouth. I coughed and choked, my vines vanishing as I clawed at my tongue, but the spiders kept coming. More tears streaked down my face as a sob was ripped from my throat, then I felt a cascade of something warm and soothing pour over my entire body, washing the spiders away with it. Weird tingles flowed through my nose and mouth, and when they stopped, I couldn't feel any more scurrying feet.

I looked up, still frantic, and saw that Artemis was standing up in front of me, a lop-sided smile on her face.

'I think that's got them all,' she said gently. 'And thanks, for sorting out my meadow. Sagittarius could do with some more flowers.'

'Flowers?' I stammered, trying to stop my body shaking and keep my dinner down. She nodded at me, and gestured behind her. A shimmering portal opened up, and through it I could see a meadow brimming with wildflowers, some taller than me and in every color I could think of. The grass was a lush deep green, and dotted with tiny daisies.

'Did- did I just do that?'

'You did. And you endured my test. Well done.' Artemis sat back down and I took another shuddering breath, still rubbing at my arms and chest sub-consciously, and batting at my ears. I believed her that they were gone, but it still felt like I was covered in spiders. I would be burning this damned dress if I got through this. The satyr trotted up again and this time his tray had a small tumbler on it, filled with liquid. I took it carefully in my shaking hands and sipped. It was nectar. Immediately the shudders through my chest and limbs lessened. I felt my legs strengthening, and my pulse slowing. I looked away from the gods, towards the crowd, and saw Hecate at the front, giving me an over the top thumbs up, her thumb dancing with blue flame. Skop was sitting beside her, his tail wagging.

Three tests done, and three seeds safe. Just one more to endure, and I was getting in my damned shower for the rest of time.

'One more test to find, Persephone, which god will it be?' The commentator’s voice was jarring, and I put the tumbler down on the satyr’s tray. I looked along the row of gods, and they were all facing me. My gaze settled on Hermes’ twinkling eyes and red beard, where he was sitting between Dionysus and Zeus.

'Hermes,' I said, and strode towards him with as much dignity as I could muster. The gods only knew what my hair looked like now, but it really didn't matter. What mattered was getting this Trial over and done with.

'Drink from the cup of tricksters and see if you shall be tested,' beamed Hermes, handing me a goblet. The liquid inside looked like mud, but when I hesitantly sipped from it, it tasted like cherries. I held my breath as I waited, but nothing happened. I let go of the sigh as I handed the messenger god his cup back, and felt a little buoyed by his encouraging expression.

I had Zeus, Ares and Hephaestus left. Frissons of nerves rippled through me as I thought about my choice. It seemed very, very unlikely that Zeus would let the round end without getting involved. Surely the King of the Gods was hiding my last test? If he was, I wanted to find out now, and get it done.

'Zeus,' I said, stepping to my left so that I was in front of the god. A slow smile crossed his face and his formal visage rippled and morphed into the gorgeous blond from the coffee shop.

'Drink from the cup of the