A Game of Retribution (Hades Saga #2)(91)

“He did. Much like you blamed me for Lexa’s accident.”

Saying that probably made him an asshole, but it was the truth, and she knew it, despite what she said next.

“I never said I blamed you.”

“You blamed me because I couldn’t help. Apollo did the same.”

He expected her to argue, but instead, she took a breath. “I’m not…trying to fight with you. I just want to know your side.”

He took a drink from the bottle before explaining the truth behind his feud with Apollo. It went far beyond Leuce, who, in the end, was really just a victim. She’d been caught in the middle of a Divine feud, much as she was now. Hades grimaced at how life never really changed.

“Apollo didn’t ask to see his lover,” he said, realizing in this moment how hard it was to actually speak these words, to dig them up from a past that had been buried so deep, one that he’d wanted to forget but had been forced to face. “He asked to die.”

Hades remembered the day well. Apollo had stood at the Lerna Lake entrance to the Underworld screaming his name, and when Hades obliged to meet him, he’d demanded that Hades take his life.

“Of course it was a request I could not— would not—grant.”

At the time, Hades had believed that Apollo wasn’t fit to make any decisions, that he would regret the sacrifice he’d made to die, but now he wasn’t so sure.

“I don’t understand. Apollo knows he cannot die. He is immortal. Even if you were to wound him…”

“He wished to be thrown into Tartarus. To be torn to pieces by the Titans.

It is the only way to kill a god.” Or, at least, it should be, his thoughts turning to the Graeae. Someone had managed to kill them without the might of gods. A strange feeling twisted in his gut, and he pushed that aside, focusing on Persephone. “He was outraged, of course, and took his revenge in the only way he knows how—he slept with Leuce.”

Persephone’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open in shock. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I tend to want to forget that part of my life, Persephone.”

Though it seemed to not want to forget him.

“But I—I wouldn’t have—”

“You already broke a promise you made. I doubt my story of betrayal would have prevented you from seeking Apollo’s help.”

His words hurt her. He could tell by how she seemed to fold in on herself, and a surge of guilt made his entire body feel weak. Perhaps his honesty would have influenced her behavior differently, but he had not even given her the chance.

He set the bottle aside and pushed away from the bar.

“You are probably tired. I can take you to the Underworld, or Antoni will see you home.”

He gave her two options, not knowing where she’d like to go, but instead, she asked him, “What do you want?”

You, of course, he thought, yet found himself putting the choice to her. “It is not my decision to make.”

When she averted her eyes, he knew he’d made a mistake.

“But since you asked,” he added, and she looked at him. “I always want you with me. Even when I’m angry.”

There was a little less sadness to her expression.

“Then I’ll come with you.”

He approached, crunching the broken glass beneath his feet as he drew her body against his. Despite their proximity, there was still so much distance between them. He would take this for now, though, her closeness and her presence in his bed.

At least for this night, she would be home.





Chapter XXIV

Answers

Hades should have guessed he would not sleep, though he did rest, which was easy given that for the first night in what felt like forever, Persephone lay beside him. Eventually, he rose, though reluctant, and left their room. In the halls, he passed staff carrying bundles of flowers and leafy garlands, and the smell of savory foods permeated the air. He followed the activity, finding Hecate in the ballroom giving instruction on the placement of banquet tables and flowers.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Tonight is the solstice celebration,” she said.

Right. He had forgotten. Usually these festivities were relegated to the Asphodel Valley, but Persephone had insisted on moving more of them to the palace, and it had begun with the Ascension Ball.

“Will you join us?” Hecate inquired.

“I’ll try,” he said.

“Persephone will want you here.”

Hades was not so certain, but he would actually make an effort.

He left Hecate to her work and wandered to the stables, where he released Orphnaeus, Aethon, Nycteus, and Alastor from their pens. He followed them out into the field and, at the last minute, mounted Alastor, riding fast across the Underworld. He had no particular destination in mind, but it had been a long time since he had just existed somewhere without expectation, and that was what he wanted to do right now.

Alastor galloped hard and fast until he came to the edge of the Underworld, where a steep cliff met the gray Aleyonia Ocean. Hades considered jumping into its cold depths, if only to feel cleansed of the chaos that had riddled his body over the past few weeks. As enticing as the thought was, he remained seated and, soon after, turned Alastor away. It was on their way back toward the palace that he dismounted, allowing the horse to run free across his realm, though he was not alone long before Hermes appeared.