Twixt
Page 21
“But, but…” I spluttered, and she watched me with catlike curiosity, head tilted to the sound of my voice as I attempted to regain my senses. “They call you the lord of the Underworld. I thought—”
“It is a slur,” she breathed. I had to lean forward to hear her words. Her face remained still, placid, as if she were wearing a mask.
I didn’t know what to say—that I was sheltered? Should I apologize that I hadn’t known? She still held my hand, fingers curled into my palm like a vine. “I’m sorry,” I managed. There was nothing else within me, and the moment stretched on into an eternity as my heart beat against the door of my chest.
I’d forgotten Hermes was there, and he cleared his throat now, stepping alongside us, staring down at our hands, together.
“Hades,” he murmured, chin inclined, smile twisting up and up. “It’s begun, now that you’ve met her.”
“What?” My head spun; everything was happening too fast. Her eyes had never once left mine, two dark stars pulling me in. My blood pounded fast and hot, and I didn’t understand what was happening, but my body did. No, she was not beautiful, but she didn’t need to be. I was drawn to her, bewitched by her, a plant angling up to drink in her sun. Still, still, she had not let go of my hand.
“Hermes, may I have a moment with her?” she asked, turning toward him. When her eyes moved away, I felt an emptiness, a hollow, a great, dark ache.
Hermes frowned, shook his head once, twice, and shimmered into nothingness.
She raised my hand, then, so slowly that I held my breath until her lips pressed against my skin, warmer than I’d imagined, and soft. Something within me shattered as she swallowed me up again with her dark eyes, said: “You are lovely, Persephone.”
I stared down at her bent head, spellbound.
“Thank you,” I whispered. She rose.
Where Zeus’s lips had been wet, rough, pushing hard enough against my hand to leave a bruise…she was the opposite—gentle. Yet I felt her everywhere. I shivered, closed my eyes. She did not let go of my hand but turned it over, tracing the line of my palm with her thumb.
“It has been a deep honor, meeting you, seeing you. You defy my imaginings.” A small smile played over her mouth as she shook her head, traced her fingers against the hollow of my hand. “I hope to see you again.”
She looked as if she might say more—she looked hopeful—but something changed, and her eyes flickered. She sighed, pressed her lips together, squeezed my hand. Hades turned and disappeared into the crowd of Olympians.
“No—” I put my hand over my heart, breathed in and out.
“In front of all the others.” Hermes was shimmering beside me, leaning close; he shook his head. “She’s either stupid or very brave.”
I felt as if I were waking from a very long sleep. I stared at the floor, wondering what was real, what was a dream. “I don’t understand. That…she was Hades?”
“In the death,” he snickered, and he held up his goblet of ambrosia to me, as if in a toast. “It has begun.”
Find The Dark Wife wherever you purchase your eBooks!
Other works by this author:
- Project Unicorn, Volume 1: 30 Short Stories Featuring Lesbian Heroines (co-written with her wife, author Jennifer Diemer) Part of Project Unicorn, a lesbian YA extravaganza, PU seeks to address the urgent need for queer characters in YA fiction by giving lesbian girls their own heroic stories. Find out more about Project Unicorn at http://www.MuseRising.com
- Love Devours: Tales of Monstrous Adoration A collection of new fables for queer women, extracted from the bones of the dark: ominous fairy tales, sinister myths, dystopias rife with nightmares. But in the midst of monsters, love still struggles to find the light.
Sarah has written many other things, including an entire collection of retold, lesbian fairy tales (under her pen name, Elora Bishop). To learn more, please visit http://www.oceanid.org and http://elorabishop.wordpress.com
Acknowledgements
I am deeply and unconditionally grateful to everyone who has ever purchased my work, told someone they loved about it and spread the word. I am shockingly able to do what I love for a living because people believe in these stories enough. Without my wonderful, humbling and amazing fans, these stories are meaningless. What I write is, always and forever, for you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being, for wanting these stories.
Jennifer Adam loved Twixt from the very beginning and was endlessly and constantly supportive of its journey. Without her, it would never have been—she brought it into the world through her unwavering support, good humor and friendship, and I am deeply grateful to her for never giving up on it—or me. Rachel Melcher is one of the staunchest and best friends I could ever have wished on a star for—when I have felt truly defeated, she’s brought me back. Thank you for being. Rhiannon Matich is a pillar of my life—her sweetness, laughter and love are unending inspirations for me. Katelyn Verrill has unwaveringly believed in this story, and me, and her friendship is a priceless support in my life. Valerie Reho is one of the best things marrying into a family has ever accomplished in this world. Her unwavering support and cheerleading and kindness have meant so much to me. Gemma Dubaldo is a light in my life, and a constant, beautiful support. Rachel Gogan and Katie Raynes remind me, ceaselessly, that life is beautiful, and I am deeply indebted to their friendship and adore them both fiercely. My friendship with James Femmer is one of the best things that ever happened because of The Dark Wife. I love you so much, sir, and am so grateful for your humor, mischief and the type of support that skyscrapers can only dream of.
The good fairy is one of the dearest people in my life. If "'tis nothing good or bad / But thinking makes it so," / I must confess, dear friend, / This truth to me you've shown, / For your friendship is one of the / Most treasured things I've known.
Bree Zimmerman deserves heaps of roses and barrels of gem-encrusted skulls for the amount of times she’s read this book, in its eight million incarnations, and for her invaluable feedback and belief in this story. So much of this book’s existence is because she believed in it so wholeheartedly. My unending gratitude to you, Miss Hallow’s Eve.
Tara Taylor is an essential aspect of my entire writing process. Her editor’s eye is flawless, and I trust her with my life, and my words. My deep, abiding gratitude to you, Miss Pithia.
This book is dedicated to Madeline Claire Franklin, who has been one of the best friends that anyone in this world could ever ask for. She is one of the most brilliant writers I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet, and her wholehearted love of Twixt is why it exists in the first place—she would never let me give up on it. I love you, Miss Maddie.
Without the support of the congregation at Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, I would never be able to do what I do. In a harsh, cruel world, they give Jenn and I a beautiful, safe space to be who we are. It is a sanctuary, and our home.
My wife, Jennifer Diemer, is my world. Without her editing prowess, her attention to detail and fine eye, this novel would be a mere husk of what it has become. Any errors left are mine alone. I have the supreme pleasure of walking through this life with my beloved other half at my side. You make of my days something shining and lovely, baby. Knowing you is the only memory I’d sell my hair for.
There are many more beautiful people than I have space to list who I appreciate immensely, who make my writing life (and life, in general) a joy. You know who you are. I love you. Thank you for reminding me that magic exists outside of fairy tales.
About the Author
Sarah Diemer is an award-winning author of lesbian young adult (YA), speculative fiction. She lives in a purple-doored cottage in Western New York with her beloved wife, several furred creatures and a few mischievous pixies. She enjoys covering things in glitter (and putting them on Etsy), and is a professional fairy. She is addicted to tea.
Her debut novel, The Dark Wife, the YA, lesbian retelling of the Persephone myth won the 2012 Golden Crown Li
terary Award for Speculative Fiction, and was nominated for a Parsec Award (first two chapters of the audiobook).
She writes her lesbian adult fiction under the pen name Elora Bishop, including the Sappho's Fables: Lesbian Fairy Tales series, which she co-writes with her wife, author Jennifer Diemer.
She shares a blog with Jenn at MuseRising.com, where she talks about being gay, queer books and other sparkly things. Twitter (@SarahDiemer) and Tumblr (SarahDiemer.Tumblr.com) are some of her favorite places, and she's had her LiveJournal (Mermaiden.livejournal.com) since before it was cool to have one, and still now, after it's passé.
She believes, wholeheartedly, in happily ever afters.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One: Asleep
Chapter Two: Wanting
Chapter Three: Faster
Chapter Four: Harming
Chapter Five: Bird
Chapter Six: Sixers
Chapter Seven: Meant
Chapter Eight: Hunt
Chapter Nine: Bone
Chapter Ten: Truth
Excerpt from The Dark Wife
Other works by this author
Acknowledgements
About the Author