Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning #2)(37)

"Eurydice," Lina said sleepily.

"Yes, Goddess."

"Thank you for taking care of me."

"You are welcome, Persephone," Eurydice said.

Sleep closed gently around Lina, bringing her dreams of riding the wind while she chased Batman's shadow.

Chapter 12

The Great Hal lived up to its name. Lina had thought the dining chamber and her bedroom extravagant, but they paled in comparison to Hades' throne room. The room was enormous, even when judged on the scale of the huge palace. Three colors dominated it - black, white and purple. The floor, wal s and cathedral ceiling were al made of the unblemished black of the exterior of the palace, as was the raised dais on which stood a massive throne-like chair, which seemed to have been carved from a single piece of an ethereal y white stone Lina did not recognize. On the dais next to the throne there was a tal , narrow table made of the same milky stone. On the table rested a silver helmet which looked oddly familiar to Lina. She stared at it and realized where she had seen it before. It was the same helmet that was emblazoned on the flag that hung over the palace and adorned the uniforms of the stablemen. It winked and sparkled in the candlelight with an otherworldly beauty. She forced her eyes from the helmet to the other color in the room, purple. It came from dozens of chandeliers and wal fixtures, al made of a pure sparkling stone Lina did recognize - amethyst.

Lina hesitated on the threshold of the room, intimidated by its austere grandeur. She felt suddenly smal and insignificant and very, very mortal.

"Is something the matter, Persephone?" Eurydice asked.

Lina took a deep breath. She was Goddess, she reminded herself. Yes, it was only temporary, but she was Goddess nonetheless.

"No, honey, nothing's wrong. I'm just admiring the room." She smiled at the little spirit.

"Ah, Hades comes," Iapis said.

Hades entered the Great Hal from a doorway on the opposite side of the room. His gilded sandals rang against the smooth marble floor, and as Lina watched him she felt her heartbeat increase with each of his steps. He was wearing the cape again. It swirled behind him, accentuating his body's long, powerful lines. His toga-like robes at first appeared black, but as the light from the chandeliers touched him, the material shone like a raven's wing with glints of purple and royal blue. His hair was loose and it fel in a thick black curtain around his shoulders. His chiseled jaw was set and his face was dark, his expression somber. He exuded raw, masculine power. Lina's stomach fizzed. She had to force herself not to twirl her hair nervously. Hades took the steps of the dais in one stride. He turned and was about to sit when he noticed the three figures standing just inside the entrance across the chamber. His eyes met Lina's and held.

"Persephone," he said, inclining his head slightly, not breaking their gaze. "I am honored to welcome Spring into my Great Hal ."

Lina swal owed, wishing her mouth wasn't so dry.

"Thank you, Hades," she said, pleased that her voice sounded strong and clear. "I appreciate your invitation."

"Please, join me," Hades said. Then, breaking the spel that had locked her eyes to his, he shifted his attention to the daimon. "Iapis, have a chair brought for the Goddess."

"Of course, my Lord," Iapis cal ed over his shoulder, and a flutter of activity ensued. Within moments spectral servants carried a delicately carved silver chair to join Hades on the dais. Lina walked into the room. She could feel the God's eyes on her, and she lifted her chin with pride. Eurydice had helped her dress, and Lina was especial y pleased that the violet silk she had chosen reflected the color of the amethyst chandeliers blazing over her head as well as her eyes. But she knew the lovely material that draped her body was incidental. That morning as she had been dressing, she had been struck anew by Persephone's immortal beauty. Lina knew that no matter what turmoil was going on within her mind, she crossed the room with al the beauty and grace of a goddess.

When she reached the dais Hades hesitated, then with a sidelong glance at Iapis he met her as she took the first of the dais steps. He offered her his hand, just as he had when he had helped her into his chariot the previous day. When Lina placed her hand within his, the dark God lifted it slowly to his lips.

"I hope you slept well last night, Goddess."

"Yes, thank you, I did," Lina said, trying to ignore the way her skin tingled at his touch.

"It pleases me to hear you say so," Hades said.

Lina smiled foolishly and nodded. Hades was different today - more powerful and more sure of himself. And there was something else about him, too, a magnetism that today he seemed to have focused on her. Standing so close to him she could feel the strength of his presence, and she found it a little intimidating, as well as very, very sexy.

Admittedly, it had been a long time since she had been around such a tal , virile man. She snuck a look at him as he helped her up the steps and led her to her chair. Okay, so she had quite possibly never been around any man like him before. She watched the cape wrap enticingly around his body as he turned and sat beside her. He definitely looked the part of God of the Underworld.

"Eurydice, you need not remain behind. You may stay with your Goddess," Hades cal ed to the girl, who was stil standing in the doorway.

Ashamed that she had forgotten about the spirit, Lina whispered a quick thank-you to Hades as Eurydice scampered across the room and up the dais steps to take her place next to Lina's chair.