Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning #2)(95)

Just as she would never be the same, Persephone finished the thought silently. Carolina had departed her body, but she had left behind an essence of herself. Absently, Persephone stroked the amethyst narcissus that hung between her br**sts. The chain had been broken, but the Goddess had left it knotted around her neck. She could remove it and command it repaired, but she had been loath to part with it. In some way, its touch soothed her.

Lina finished the dance and returned to her home. Persephone watched as she stood naked before the mirror. Her smile echoed the mortal's. She was proud of the changes she had wrought in Lina. Persephone stil remembered the burn of tired muscles and the satisfaction it had given her to watch Lina's body grow more fit and flexible. She had molded it into a vessel fit for a goddess. When Lina slid into bed, Persephone could almost feel the warm, soft body of the cat pressed familiarly against her own hip.

The oracle swirled and went blank.

"What is it, Daughter? Why do you and the mortal seem so unhappy?" Demeter's voice caused Persephone to jump guiltily. "No," Demeter continued before her daughter could answer with a ready excuse. "I do not want empty words meant to salve my feelings. I want truth." Persephone met her mother's eyes. If Demeter wanted the truth, she would give it to her. "I miss it, Mother. I did not intend to, but I fel in love with Lina's world. It is so vibrant and messy and alive. And they did not know I was a goddess. They did not know I was your daughter, yet they embraced me."

"Was it not Carolina that they embraced?" Demeter asked gently.

"No. I wore her body, but the soul was mine."

Demeter shook her head sadly. "Carolina said the same thing to me, only I did not listen to her. I believe that was a mistake."

"What if there was a way to correct your mistake?"

"This time I would listen."

Persephone smiled fondly at her mother. "Good. I have an idea."

Chapter 27

" Are you sure you want me to leave early! I real y don't mind staying," Dolores said.

"No, honey." Lina waved a linen napkin at her. "I insist. It's not busy and we're going to close in thirty minutes. Anton and I can handle it."

"Wel , if you're sure..." Dolores said dubiously.

"Oh, go on! Lina and I wil be fine alone. Who do you think I am, Mr. Incompetent?" Anton huffed.

"I have never cal ed you Mr. Incontinent - at least not within your hearing." Dolores dissolved into snorting giggles at her own joke.

Anton drew himself up into his full southern bel e glory. "Ah'l nevah be nuice to you again!" he said, raising his fist in the air.

Lina laughed. "I don't think Scarlett would have worn those boots."

"She would have if she had been g*y," Anton said smugly.

"Okay, ya'l , I'm leaving." Dolores opened the door and then hesitated, smiling back at Lina as she said, "It's nice to hear you laugh again, boss." Then she hurried out into the Oklahoma evening. Surprised by Dolores' words, Lina stared at the closed door.

"It is, you know," Anton said, touching her arm.

"Thanks," Lina patted his hand. "It feels good to laugh again." They smiled at each other. "I'l take care of closing up out here. Why don't you finish the dough in the back? It should be ready to be separated and put into the bread pans."

Anton nodded and scampered through the French doors separating the kitchen from the cafe. Lina was taking the PIZZA DEL GIORNO sign from the wal so that she could change it to read the next day's special, when the front door jangled open.

"I'l be with you in just a moment!" she cal ed without turning around. "You're in luck; I stil have one pizza of the day left. It's a lovely three cheese blend with garlic, basil and sun dried tomatoes."

"It is one of my favorites, but I have been dreaming of a thick slice of warm gubana with butter spread over it."

Lina froze. That voice. She knew that woman's voice as well as her own. Lina turned and was struck anew by the Goddess's beauty. She was wearing jeans and a snug knit sweater, and she had her long hair pulled back into a thick ponytail, but her casual clothes did nothing to dispel her unique loveliness.

"Hel o, Lina."

"Hel o, Persephone."

Persephone smiled. "That is one thing we can count on -  we would recognize each other in the middle of a teeming crowd."

"I - " Lina ran her hand across her brow as if she was trying to wipe away her confusion. "I didn't expect to see you. This is a surprise."

Before Persephone could respond, the door chimed again. A tal , handsome woman stepped regal y into the bakery.

Persephone sighed and glanced over her shoulder.

The woman chose a table near the front window. She sat as if readying herself to hold court.

"I had a feeling Mother would fol ow me," Persephone said.

Anton breezed from the kitchen.

"Ohmygod, who knew we would get a rush right before closing?" Like a feather, he fluttered up to Demeter. "May I bring you something?"

The Goddess raised one eyebrow at him. "Wine. Red."

Anton tilted his head, considering. "Is the house Chianti okay?"

"If Carolina has chosen it, I wil abide by her wil ."