A Touch of Malice (Hades & Persephone #3)(6)

Persephone frowned. “But Aphrodite seems so…fierce. Why would she allow Zeus to determine who she weds?”

“Aphrodite wanted to marry Hephaestus,” Hecate said. “And even if she hadn’t, she would not have had any choice. All Divine marriages must be approved by Zeus.”

“What? Why? I thought Hera was the Goddess of Marriage.”

“She is—and he involves her to a point, but he does not trust her. She would approve of a marriage if it meant an end to his reign as King of the Gods.

“I still don’t understand. Why do we need approval to marry?”

“Marriage between gods it is not like mortals—gods share power, they have children. There are many factors Zeus must consider before he gives his blessing.”

“Share….power?”

“Yes—though I doubt it will affect Hades at all. He already has influence over the Earth, but you— you will have control over shadow, over death.”

Persephone shivered. The thought that she would have to learn to control and harness more magic was a little overwhelming. She was just now mastering her own magic. Of course, that wouldn’t be a problem if Zeus did not approve of her marriage. Why hadn’t Hades told her about this?

“Is there a chance Zeus will disapprove?” she asked, worrying her bottom lip. If he did, what would Hades do?

Darling, I would burn this world for you.

The words trailed along her skin, whispering along her spine—a promise Hades had made and would deliver upon if forced.

“I cannot say for certain,” Hecate said, and her evasive words made anxiety flare in Persephone’s stomach—a constant static that sat in her heart and pumped through her veins. The goddess was rarely anything but direct.

Yuri elbowed Hecate. “I am sure Zeus will approve,” she said. “What reasons could he possibly have for denying you happiness?”

Persephone could think of one—and that was her power. After she had lost control in the Forest of Despair and used Hades’ own magic against him, Hecate had confessed a fear she’d harbored since their first meeting—that she would be more powerful than any other god. That power would either land her a spot among the Olympians or as their enemy, which she could not say.

Yuri seemed to tire of the conversation and changed the subject quickly.

“Let’s start with color palettes!” she said, opening a large book on the table. Tuffs of cloth stuck out from the between pages.

“What is this?” Persephone asked.

“It’s…well, it’s a book of wedding ideas.”

“Where did you get it?”

“The girls and I made it,” Yuri said.

Persephone raised a brow.

“When did you start it?”

The soul’s cheeks turned pink, and she stammered. “A few months ago.”

“Hmm.”

Persephone had a feeling the souls had been collecting wedding-themed items since the night she almost drowned in the Styx, but she said nothing, listening as Yuri showed her a variety of color pairings.

“I’m thinking lilac and green,” she said. “It will compliment black, which we all know is the only color Hades will wear.”

Persephone giggled. “Does his color choice annoy you?”

“You mean his lack of color? Just once I’d like to see him in white.”

Hecate snorted, but said nothing.

As Yuri continued going over other options, Persephone couldn’t help thinking about Zeus and wondering why they were planning a wedding before knowing if her union with Hades was even permitted. Perhaps your marriage has been blessed, she argued. Perhaps Hades had asked before his proposals. It would explain why she’d never heard of the antiquated caveat.

Still, she would be sure to ask him later…and she would be anxious until then.

Persephone approved of the color pallet and with that settled, Yuri moved onto the wedding dress.

“I had Alma draw up some designs,” she said.

Persephone flipped through the pages. Each dress was heavily embellished with jewels or pearls and layers and layers of tulle. She might not have ever dreamed of her wedding, but she knew for certain these were not the dresses for her.

“What do you think?”

“They are beautiful sketches,” she said.

“You don’t like them,” Yuri said instantly, frowning.

“It’s not that…” Persephone said.

“It’s that,” Hecate interjected.

Persephone glared. “It’s just that…I think I want something a little more…simple.”

“But…you are to be a Queen,” Yuri argued.

“But I am still Persephone,” she said. “And I’d like to be Persephone…for as long as I can.”

Yuri opened her mouth to protest once more, but Hecate intervened. “I understand, my dear. Why don’t I take care of coordinating the gown? Besides, it’s not as though you won’t have another chance to wear a ballgown.”

The Goddess of Witchcraft looked pointedly at Yuri.

Persephone’s brows knitted together. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, my dear—this is just the first wedding. You’ll have a second, perhaps a third.”

Persephone felt the color drain from her face. “A… third?”