A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone Book 2)

by Scarlett St. Clair

  “Good morning,” she chimed.

  “G-good morning,” Persephone said, a little suspicious.

  “I thought you might like some coffee.”

  “Yes,” Persephone said, and gave a breathy laugh. “I love coffee.”

  Lexa laughed, filling a mug and pushing it toward her. “I know.”

  Persephone cupped the drink between her hands. For a moment, she couldn’t move. She just stood there, staring awkwardly at Lexa.

  She cleared her throat. “I...better get ready for work,” she said, reluctant to leave, afraid that if she did, she’d realize this was all just a dream.

  Lexa offered a small smile again. “Lucky,” she said. “I would like to work again.”

  “You will soon.”

  Persephone made her way back to her room. As she did, she sipped the coffee Lexa had made and promptly spit it back into the cup. It was strong and bitter and thick.

  Not like the coffee Lexa had made before the accident.

  She’s trying, Persephone thought. That’s all that matters.

  She’d drink a million cups of this coffee if it meant Lexa was healing.

  Persephone got ready for work. She hated how her perception of her job had changed. She used to look forward to days spent at New Athens News, now they filled her with dread, and it had nothing to do with the crowd that hung out to see her every day—it was her boss. Demetri had continuously given her busy work, keeping her from working on stories. She decided if he did it again today, she would challenge him.

  “Hi, Persephone!” Helen said as she exited the elevator.

  “Hello, Helen,” Persephone said, smiling at the young woman. She was about the only thing she enjoyed about her job anymore.

  She crossed the workroom floor and before she made it to her desk, Demetri popped out of his office, handing her a stack of papers.

  “Obituaries,” he said.

  When Persephone didn’t take them, he dropped them on her desk.

  “You have to be kidding me, Demetri. I’m an investigative journalist.”

  “And today you are editing obituaries,” he said.

  He turned and went back into his office. She followed.

  “You’ve given me menial tasks since Kal called off the exclusive.” Since I found out about your fucked-up love potion, she wanted to say. “Was this the trade off?”

  “You wrote an article that resulted in negative publicity for this company and hurt your reputation. What do you expect?”

  “It’s called journalism, Demetri, and I expect that you’ll stand up for me.”

  “Look, Persephone, no offense, but when it comes down to saving my own ass or saving yours, I’m choosing myself.”

  Persephone nodded. “You’ll regret this, Demetri.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “No,” she said. “I’m offering you a peek into the future.”

  “Do us a favor, Persephone. Stop sending your god after your problems.”

  “You think Hades will be the one to dismantle you?” Persephone asked, taking deliberate steps toward the mortal. Demetri tensed, unnerved by whatever he saw in her expression.

  She shook her head and continued, “No. Your fate is mine to unravel.”

  With the prophecy spoken, Persephone turned on her heels and left Demetri’s office.

  ***

  Lexa was in the kitchen the next morning with another pot of coffee. The same thick, burnt sludge she had made the day before, but Persephone didn’t care. She accepted the drink, sitting at the bar.

  “Are you alright?” Lexa asked. Persephone was so surprised by the question, she burned her lips trying to sip on her coffee.

  “I’m sorry, what?” Persephone asked.

  “Are you alright?”

  Persephone sat her mug down. “I should be asking you that question,” she said and sighed. “I guess I’m just not looking forward to work.”

  She explained what had happened the day before.

  “When I started there, I was so...ecstatic. I was ready to find the truth, to give a platform to the voiceless. Instead, I’m made to make copies, edit obituaries, and make up predictions.”

  “I think it’s time to start your own paper,” said Lexa.

  Persephone shook her head. “How?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know, but how hard could it be? Just do what you already do—give a voice to the oppressed.”

  Persephone tapped her nails against the countertop, considering Lexa’s proposal. It was something she’d joked about before, but this didn’t seem funny. It felt like a real possibility. She thought of all the reasons journalism had appealed to her—she’d wanted to find the truth, serve justice, speak for the voiceless—all things she could do on her own with no Demetri and no Kal.

  “Thanks, Lex. You’re amazing. I hope you know that.”

  Lexa smiled, and she focused on the counter for a moment before suggesting, “Maybe...we could go sometime. Like...before. It’ll take your mind off everything.”

  Persephone’s smiled.

  “I’d like that.”

  For the first time in a long time, Persephone felt like she might be able to heal the guilt she felt over this whole ordeal.

  “I’m sorry, Lex,” Persephone said. She’d never actually apologized to her for what she’d done—for the deal she’d struck with Apollo.

  “I know,” Lexa said. “But I forgive you.”

  ***

  When Persephone arrived home from work, she found Sybil getting ready in her room. Her hair was curled, her makeup done, and she wore a pretty, floral dress.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Sybil said. “I needed a place to get ready and Lexa’s in the shower.”

  “No, of course not,” Persephone said. “I just came home to check on her. How’s she doing?”

  Sybil nodded. “Better.”

  “Are you...going out?”

  The oracle blushed. “I have a date.”

  Persephone grinned, excited for her. “With who?”

  “Aro,” she said quietly.

  Before Sybil became an official oracle, the three had been inseparable. Persephone was glad they had reunited.

  “When did this start?”

  She shrugged. “We’ve always been friends and after Apollo fired me...we started talking again.”

  Persephone smiled. “Oh, girl. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thanks, Seph.”

  Persephone felt bad for not saying goodbye to Lexa, but she sent a text to let her know she’d be back in the morning, then teleported to the Underworld, appearing in the library. She’d had the intention of curling up by the fireplace and reading, instead, she found Hades waiting.

  “What are you wearing?” Persephone giggled.

  He had on a black shirt, pants, and what looked like black rain boots. She had only seen him this casual once, and that was when he came to her house to bake cookies.

  “I have a surprise for you.”

  “Those pants are definitely a surprise.”

  He smirked. “Come.”

  He held out his hand, and she took it, fingers tangling with his as he led her outside. At the front of the palace, two large, black horses waited. They were majestic, their coat glistened, their manes braided.

  “Oh!” Persephone clasped a hand to her mouth. “They’re beautiful.”

  The horses snorted and pawed the ground. Hades chuckled. “They say thank you. Would you like to ride?”

  “Yes,” she answered immediately. “But...I’ve never...”

  “I’ll teach you,” he said.

  Hades guided her toward the horse.

  “This is Alastor,” he said.

  “Alastor,” she whispered his name, caressing his muzzle. “You are magnificent.”

  The other horse neighed.

  “Careful, Aethon will be jealous.”

  Persephone laughed “Oh, you are both magnificent.”

  “Careful,” Hades said. “I might
get jealous.”

  Hades handed Persephone the reins and instructed her to put her foot in the stirrup and sit on the saddle as gently as possible. He gave more direction—sink your weight, lean back, firm up your legs.

  “My steeds will listen if you speak—tell them to stop, they will stop. Tell them to slow down, they will slow down.”

  “You taught them?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said while mounting Aethon. “Don’t worry, Alastor knows what he carries. He will take care of you.”

  They started at a snail’s pace, but Persephone didn’t mind. They’d often gone on walks, but those were isolated to the gardens and her grove, and there was something refreshing about seeing the Underworld this way. Alastor and Aethon trotted side-by-side, and Hades took her into new territory—through fields of purple and pink lupin, rimmed by dark mountains.

  “How often do you...change the Underworld?” she asked.

  One corner of Hades’ mouth rose. “I wondered when you’d ask me that question.”

  “Well?”

  “Whenever I feel like it,” he said.

  She laughed.

  “Perhaps when my magic isn’t so terrifying, I will try.”

  “Darling, there is nothing I’d like more.”

  They came to the end of the lupin field and continued down a narrow path between the mountains. On the other side, an emerald forest bloomed. Hades kept close to the rocky wall of the mountain. The sound of running water perked Persephone’s interest. That was when Hades stopped and dismounted.

  He approached her and helped her down, his hands lingered on her waist.

  “You look beautiful today,” he said. “Have I told you?”

  She grinned. “Not yet. Tell me again.”

  He smiled and kissed her. “You’re beautiful, my darling.”

  He took her hand and led her through a line of trees. On the other side was a waterfall that poured off the mountainous rocks into a shimmering lake. It was a million shades of blue, and clear as crystal.

  “Hades,” she whispered. “How gorgeous.”

  When she looked at him, his gaze singed, aroused and intense. Awareness shuddered through her and she turned into him.

  They didn’t speak, just came together beneath the trees.

  Hades was unhurried in his exploration, and Persephone soaked up each second. Everything was slow—the kisses languid, the caresses dreamy. When he entered her, he paused and brought his lips to hers. There was something extremely raw about this kiss, though it was light and lingering. When she opened her eyes, she found him staring at her, still and swollen inside her.

  She reached up and touched his face.

  “Marry me,” he said.

  She smiled. “Yes.”

  Then he moved inside her, the friction built as slowly as he moved and despite the pace he set, her breath came faster. She gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his skin, lost in the sensations he elicited all over her body.

  She loved it, loved him.

  She came hard, but quietly.

  “My darling,” Hades whispered. He kissed her face, brushing away tears. “Why are you crying?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  She just felt everything so keenly—every emotion was like a spear inside her. Her love for Hades was almost unbearable. Her happiness near-painful.

  Hades lifted her and carried her into the lake where they showered beneath the waterfall.

  After, they returned to the palace.

  On the inside, Persephone was still struggling with her feelings. They were so powerful, so heightened. She was so deeply in love, it hurt.

  It was a new level of love—one she had entered as his fiancée, as his soon-to-be-wife and queen.

  The thought made her chest feel warm—a sensation that didn’t last when she saw Thanatos waiting for their arrival. She glanced at Hades, his face had turned stony, lips tight, eyes hard.

  Something’s wrong.

  She tried to keep from jumping to conclusions, but it was difficult given the last few weeks.

  Hades dismounted and helped Persephone down.

  “Thanatos,” Hades said.

  “My lord,” he nodded, and his blue eyes met Persephone’s. “My lady.”

  The God of Death opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He tried again.

  “I don’t know how to tell you this.”

  Persephone swore her heartbeat slowed, and it suddenly felt really hard to breathe. Unlike before, Thanatos didn’t even try to calm her with his magic.

  “It’s Lexa,” he said.

  Persephone was already crying. Hades arms tightened around her as if preparing for her collapse.

  “She’s gone.”

  CHAPTER XXVII - EMPOWERMENT

  There was a strange ringing in Persephone’s ears and she suddenly felt distant from the world around her—as if she were watching things from inside a globe. She couldn’t feel anything, a terrible contrast to the earlier intensity of her emotions. Even Hades’ touch was numb against her skin.

  “Persephone,” Hades said her name, but it sounded so far away. She couldn’t look at him because her eyes wouldn’t focus. “Persephone.”

  Finally, Hades placed his hands on her face and forced her to meet his gaze. When she stared into those black eyes, she burst into tears. Hades pulled her against him as she shook and sobbed.

  “My darling,” Hades soothed, rubbing her back. “We don’t have much time.”

  She barely heard him, but felt his magic cradling her. They teleported and she found herself on the bank of the Styx. She pulled away, her face was soaked, and the pressure that had built in her nose and behind her eyes made her head hurt.

  “Hades, what are we—?”

  Her question died on her lips when she spotted Charon’s ferry crossing the black river. The daimon was ignited like a torch against the muted landscape. Behind him, sitting with her knees drawn to her chest, was Lexa.

  She looked pale but unafraid, and when Persephone spotted her, a raw sob escaped her. She clasped a hand over her mouth to suppress them.

  Charon docked and helped Lexa to her feet. As she stepped onto the pier, she embraced Persephone so tightly, she thought her bones would break.

  They cried together.

  “I’m sorry, Seph,” Lexa whispered.

  Persephone pulled away and met her gaze. It was strange to see her blue eyes in the Underworld. Beneath the muted sky, they were bright and...lively.

  “I don’t understand,” Persephone said. “I thought you were...better.”

  Pain erupted in Lexa’s eyes. “I...tried.”

  Persephone swallowed a thick lump in her throat, and then a horrifying thought occurred to her. She turned to Hades, alarmed and afraid.

  “Where is she going?”

  Hades looked just as distressed as Lexa.

  “Seph,” Lexa whispered, drawing her attention. “It’s going to be okay.”

  But it wasn’t going to be okay.

  Persephone understood what had happened now.

  Lexa had taken her own life. She was a suicide. She was going to drink from the Lethe, which meant she would forget everything, include her.

  “Why?” Persephone’s voice quacked; her mouth quivered.

  Lexa just shook her head, as if she couldn’t explain.

  Your actions have condemned Lexa to a fate worse than death.

  “I did this,” Persephone wailed.

  She’d bargained to heal Lexa, brought her broken soul back to occupy a body it didn’t want, to a life it had finished. In doing so, she’d set her best friend up for another devastating end.

  “Persephone,” Lexa said, taking her shaking hands. “This was my choice. I am sorry it had to be this way, but my time in the Upperworld was over. I accomplished what I needed to.”

  “What was that?”

  She smiled. “Empower you.”

  That made Persephone cry harder, and they embraced again
.

  They didn’t part until Thanatos arrived, marking an end to their reunion.

  “Are you ready?” he asked, his magic was calming, comforting, and for the first time in a long time, Persephone was thankful for it.

  “Wh-where am I going?” It was the first time Lexa looked uncertain since she arrived.

  Thanatos looked to Hades, who explained, “You will drink from the Lethe,” he said. “And then Thanatos will take you to Elysium to heal.”

  For so long, Persephone had tried to imagine a world where Lexa didn’t exist, and now she realized this was it, this was the beginning of that world.

  “I will visit you every day,” she promised. “Until we are best friends again.”

  “I know,” Lexa’s voice cracked. Persephone closed her eyes, trying to memorize the feel of her best friend’s hugs, the warmth of her, the feel of her hands digging into her back.

  “I love you,” Persephone whispered.

  “I love you, too.”

  When they parted, Thanatos took Lexa’s hand, and she watched as they walked the stone path toward the Lethe. At some point, she and Hades returned to the palace. He encouraged her to rest, and she did, falling into the comfort of Hades’ bed.

  When she woke, she hadn’t remembered falling asleep. She rose, exhausted, and went in search of Hades. She found him standing in front of the fire in his study. He stood with his hands behind his back, the firelight reflecting off his face, making him look serious and severe. He seemed deep in thought, but as she entered the room, he stiffened.

  Guilt slammed into her, and she knew he was waiting for her anger, for her blame.

  “Are you well?” she asked when he didn’t turn to her.

  “Yes,” he said. “And you?”

  “Yes,” she said, and it was true. She was better, despite knowing that Lexa was dead, despite knowing that she had drank from the Lethe.

  She was going to be fine.

  Persephone stepped closer to him.

  “Hades,” she waited for him to face her. “Thank you for today.”

  He offered a small smile and returned his gaze to the fire. “It was nothing.”

  She reached for him, placing her hand on his arm. His gaze fell there first, and then met hers. “It was everything.”

  He turned to her fully and their lips collided. They kissed for a while and soon Hades drew her to the floor, entering her in one, smooth, purposeful movement.