A Touch of Ruin (Hades x Persephone #2)(22)

“I thought you weren’t thirsty,” said Lexa as she joined her by the window.

Persephone smiled and said, “You can never have enough water.”

“Really, what was that? I could have had this tour underway.”

The goddess sighed. “I’ve learned a few things since being in the Underworld, Lex. You see me as your best friend, so bringing me here means nothing but a bit of fun for you, but these people—they see me...differently.”

“You mean they see you as the Queen of the Underworld?”

She shrugged. That was definitely true of the residents of the Underworld. “They serve Hades, and no matter how much I argue, they seem to think they serve me by association.”

More than likely, because they were ordered too, she thought.

“Being of service pleases them. The more I fight it, the more I offend, I think.”

“Hmm,” Lexa said after a moment, and when Persephone looked at her friend, she found her smiling mischievously.

“What?” Persephone asked, skeptical.

“Nothing, Queen Persephone.”

Persephone rolled her eyes and Lexa laughed, turning away from the window.

Ivy intercepted them carrying a silver tray with two glasses of water.

“Today’s flavor is cucumber and ginger.”

Persephone took the glass and a napkin. She knew the dryad would be eager to know if she liked the drink, so she sipped it immediately.

“Hmm, very refreshing, Ivy, thank you.”

The nymph beamed and then handed Lexa a glass. Ivy disappeared once more and when she returned, she was still smiling, as if she were on a high.

“They’re ready for you, Lady Persephone, Lexa.”

Persephone’s stomach was suddenly in knots. She’d been able to handle this one interaction well, but would she do as well with more?

“Finally!” Lexa said unceremoniously.

As they ascended the stairs to the second floor, Persephone turned back to Ivy.

“Thank you, Ivy. I appreciate everything.”

She didn’t look long enough to register the nymph’s reaction as she followed Lexa up the stairs.

What they found when they got there stopped them in their tracks. The hall was lined on either side with employees who had stepped out of their glass offices to greet Persephone. There was also a man taking photos.

“Lady Persephone, it is an honor,” a woman approached. She was mortal and had a crown of black curls. She shook Persephone’s hand. “I’m Katerina, Director of The Cypress Foundation.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Persephone said.

“Please, allow me to tell you a few things about our progress. I’m sure you will be pleased.”

Persephone exchanged a look with Lexa. Her lips were pinched together, and her jaw clenched. This wasn’t what her friend had imagined when she’d suggested a tour. Persephone tried to ignore the sudden guilt that came with this whole experience. All Lexa had wanted to do was show off her new workplace, neither of them expecting to be treated this way. They’d have been better off coming here after hours.

Katerina narrated their walk, quoted some facts that Lexa had already shared. It was clear she had an elevator speech prepared for all situations.

“We were very excited when The Halcyon Project was announced,” Katerina said. “We’ve worked on several initiatives with Lord Hades, but never something quite like this.”

“Other projects?” Persephone promoted. This was news to her.

Katerina smiled. She seemed genuinely excited to have communicated something Persephone was unaware of, and explained, “The Halcyon Project is just one of many initiatives under The Cypress Foundation.”

“Tell me more.”

“Well, there’s Cerberus House, a non-profit for animals. The organization has founded fourteen no-kill animal shelters in New Greece and pays for pet adoption fees. We’re very excited to be opening a fifteenth location in Argos. There’s also the Safe Haven Project which helps families pay for funeral and burial costs. So far, we’ve aided over three hundred families in their time of need.”

Persephone was speechless, and yet, the woman kept going.

“Lord Hades’ longest-running charity is Chariot, a fund that provides training for therapy dogs for children in need.”

She swallowed a lump in her throat.

“Th-that’s amazing.”

Her feelings were all over the place. She felt awe that Hades had started so many wonderful organizations, but frustrated and embarrassed that she didn’t know about any of them. Why hadn’t he told her? Why hadn’t she stumbled across any of this during her research of the God of the Dead?

Gods, she looked like such a jerk, having written such slander about him. Perhaps that’s why so many of these people were eager to tell her about all his accomplishments, to further prove her wrong.

Damn his humbleness.

The tour continued a little while longer, and several introductions were made. Persephone met the people behind each of Hades’ charity initiatives. At the end, Katerina turned and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’d be happy to escort you downstairs, my lady.”

What about Hades’ office?

Luckily, Lexa intervened.

“I’ll take it from here, Katerina. Persephone and I need to finalize some plans, anyway.”