Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning #2)(29)

"Wel , if you are sure you do not need me," Eurydice said.

"Yes, yes, I'l be fine. You go settle into your room," Lina assured her.

"You wil summon me if you have need?"

"Yes, child, yes," Lina said, trying to be patient. Al she real y wanted was a chance to be alone and to col ect her thoughts.

"Come, Eurydice," Iapis told the girl, which was the final push she needed to make her leave the room.

Lina could hear them discussing "Persephone's needs" as the thick door swung closed of its own accord. She almost said "I need a drink" aloud, but she was afraid either or both of them would rush back to complete her request.

Chapter 10

The wardrobes were fil ed with clothes - gorgeous, expensive, silky robes in every color imaginable

- but al of a similar style. Loose, long skirts, some slit up the side and some not, high waistlines and form-fitting bodices designed by wrapping lengths of fabulous material around and draping the folds over her chest. They were al beautiful and exceedingly feminine, which was in direct contrast to how Lina usual y dressed. At home she usual y chose comfortable velour sweat suits or shorts and T-shirts, depending on the weather. For work she had several well -tailored, professional looking suits, some with slacks, some with skirts. She tended to choose neutral colors, so that she could mix and match and expand her wardrobe. She let her hand slide across the silky material, enjoying the feel of the fabric as well as the bright, contrasting mixture of colors. When had she started dressing like a corporate matron? Probably about the time she had given up on romance. The thought was an unpleasant realization, and she pushed it aside, refocusing her concentration on the wardrobes.

In the wide, deep drawers there was a plethora of filmy undergarments, as well as delicate leather slippers and long, feminine nightgowns that reminded Lina of something an old-time movie star would have worn.

"Wel , they did cal them goddesses of the silver screen," Lina whispered as she fingered a particularly beautiful wrap.

The vanity had been stocked with more makeup and hair paraphernalia than a beauty supply store.

"So this is Hel . I've got to remember to be a real y bad girl when I get back," Lina muttered, picking through a glittering pool of eye shadows.

The bathroom was another marvel. The bathtub was more like a bathpool, and someone had already fil ed it to brimming with steaming water that beckoned, making Lina realize just how grubby her journey had made her feel. She'd take a quick bath, change her clothes, freshen her makeup, then she'd cal Iapis or Eurydice or both of them, Lina sighed, and be escorted to have refreshments with Hades. What did one eat in Hel , she wondered as she wandered around the huge bathroom.

"Hope it involves more ambrosia," she told a col ection of colorful glass bottles of various shapes and sizes covering a marble ledge. Lina pulled the stoppers off each of them, sniffing appreciatively at their oily scents until she found one that she particularly liked, which smel ed of lilies, then she poured it into the pool. From another ledge she grabbed a comb and used it to secure the mass of hair she piled atop her head. Undressing quickly she slid into the gloriously hot water and settled gingerly against the bottom with a long sigh of satisfaction.

She could have stayed there forever, but she reminded herself that Hades was waiting for her, and she certainly didn't want Iapis bursting in on her. She hurried through the wonderful bathing experience, promising herself that very soon she would pamper herself with a real y long soak. Rising out of the water she searched for a towel, which she quickly located on a shelf near the huge mirror.

And Lina froze, transfixed by her reflection. No, it wasn't her reflection, she reminded herself. It was Persephone, and she truly was a Goddess. Of course she had realized before then that her body was different. Of course she'd known that her soul possessed a younger, prettier woman's body. But she had had no idea...

Her slender hand reached up to trace a path along one of Persephone's perfect cheekbones. Her face was stunning. Luminous eyes, a remarkable shade of violet, were framed by thick, black lashes and arching brows. Her lips - Lina touched them - were full and the color of a blush. Lina knew, because as her eyes traveled down the rest of her naked body her cheeks flushed to that same lovely tint. Persephone was lush. Her br**sts were high and round, as perfect as the rest of her. Her hand moved lightly over one smooth mound. When the pink nipple hardened instantly in response, sending a sweet, tingling sensation through her body, Lina watched the lovely lips open in surprise as she uttered a little gasp. Was this body ultra-sensitive, or had it just been so long that Lina had al owed herself to have sexual feelings that she had forgotten the thril of arousal?

And what about Persephone's love life? Was the goddess a virgin? Or did she have many lovers?

Lina's gaze continued to study her new body while she considered the questions. The Goddess was slender without being gaunt. Her waist curved in gracefully, but her hips swel ed, ful and sexy. Her legs were long and beautifully shaped; the area between them was covered with a V of soft, dark curls. Her hand moved to touch that inviting triangle.

Lina's eyes snapped guiltily up. She shook her head, laughing nervously at her reflection.

"Oh, for heaven's sake. I have to live with this body. I can't be embarrassed to look at it." Lina grabbed a towel and began to vigorously dry herself, purposefully going intimately over every part of "her" body. "Or anything else." But as she chose a new dress and absently combed through the tangle of her long hair, questions kept circling around her thoughts. What kind of life had Persephone lived? She must have had a lover - at least one. With this body, how could she have been celibate? Was that real y why Demeter had made this exchange? Maybe she wanted to get her daughter away from an undesirable boyfriend. Lina sighed and rubbed her forehead. Too much had happened too quickly. She had no idea if the gods required sleep, but she certainly felt exhausted. She needed to get the refreshments over with so she could come back to her room and real y relax and refresh.