A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone #2) - Scarlett St. Clair Page 0,58
around when she’d come to New Athens and now it seemed like all of that was being taken away.
Everyone wanted her to be someone she wasn’t.
Persephone distracted herself by reading up on Apollo.
As it turned out, others were now coming forward with stories like the ones Persephone had published in New Athens News—instances where Apollo had threatened to dismantle the careers of his lovers if they left him.
She wondered if that was why she had yet to hear from Apollo.
“These new allegations emerged just days after Hades’ lover, Persephone Rosi, published a scathing article about the god.”
Still, the article refused to lay blame on the God of Music, stating, “The allegations have yet to be confirmed. Divine Entertainment has reached out to Apollo’s representatives, though they have declined to issue a statement at this time.”
Probably because Apollo needs a new oracle, she thought.
Persephone noticed something green in her peripheral and turned to find vines sprouting from the windowsill and climbing up the glass. Fueled by her anger, they were growing fast. She slammed her hand against them, as if she were smashing an insect and tore them down.
Gods she was a disaster.
“You okay?” Persephone jumped and turned to find Jaison.
He looked awful.
“Have you slept?” she asked.
He offered a weary smile. “Here and there.”
“You should rest,” she encouraged. “You can go to our apartment. It’s closer than yours.”
“I don’t...what if something happens while I’m gone? Or asleep? What if I miss…”
Persephone knew what he was going to say—what if he missed saying goodbye? She had no response to that because she wondered the same thing.
“The doctors said her vitals were better today.”
Jaison just nodded. Something else was on his mind. He toed the ground, hands in his pockets and then sat down on the already-cramped windowsill. Persephone shifted, watching him intently.
“Did Hades say he could help?” he spoke fast, like he wanted to get the words out so this conversation could be over.
Persephone didn’t think that question would hurt so much, but it stole her breath. She pressed her lips tight, her eyes watered.
“He said...we haven’t lost her yet.”
Jaison nodded. “I figured.”
Persephone’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged, choosing not to look at her. “He’s the God of the Dead, not the God of the Living. Why would he save a life when he can gain another resident?”
“Hades isn’t like that,” Persephone said. “There’s more to it than you think. The Fates—”
“So he says,” Jaison replied. “But...how do you really know that’s true?”
“Jaison.” Her voice shook as she spoke. She believed Hades because she’d seen the threads on his skin, one for each life he’d bargained.
“You defend him, but what does it say about him? That he will not even help you when you need him most?”
Because I don’t need him the most right now. Lexa does, she thought.
“That’s not fair, Jaison.”
“Maybe you’re right,” the mortal replied. “Sorry, Seph.”
She didn’t tell him it was okay because it wasn’t. Jaison’s words were unkind, and worse, they burrowed under her skin.
Did Hades’ refusal to help her mean he did not love her as much as she thought?
That’s ridiculous, she scolded herself.
And yet, she wondered, how could he watch her suffer like this?
With no changes in Lexa’s health, Persephone decided to keep her appointment with Leuce. She was going to meet the nymph at The Pearl, a boutique owned by Aphrodite located in the Fashion District of New Athens.
Ilias had managed to schedule a private shopping event for her and the nymph. He also arranged for Antoni to give her a ride, something she was thankful for after this morning’s disastrous walk to the hospital.
Persephone entered the shop as soon as she arrived. The boutique smelled like roses and was exactly what she expected from the Goddess of Love. The carpeting at her feet was furry and white, the chairs were plush and jeweled, and every accent shimmered.
Persephone wandered throughout the store, fingers brushing soft fabric and inspecting fine gems.
“Lexa would love this place,” she said aloud.
“I’m sure she would,” a voice replied.
Persephone spun. Aphrodite lounged on a chaise in her own boutique. She was dressed in something that resembled lingerie—a pink bodysuit and a sheer, pink robe. The outfit showed off her soft curves. Her bright blond locks splayed around her head. Persephone wondered if she’d just fallen on the chair like that or if she’d posed herself.
She wouldn’t put the posing past Aphrodite.
“Aphrodite,” Persephone said, surprised to see the goddess.