by J. N. Colon
“You doubt he could?”
“You’re just as powerful as me.” He shot me a wry smile. “And I doubt he would. He’s in love with you.”
I sighed, unable to deny it.
Demeter crumbled to the ground, broken and defeated. Her face had lost some of the harshness, replaced by an echo of pain and loss so deep it darkened the blue in her eyes.
Zeke tilted his chin toward Hermes. “Get her out of here.”
Persephone scurried over to help her mother with Hercules on her heels. Soft, childlike sobs resonated out of Demeter.
“Where should I take her?” Hermes asked.
“I don’t care,” Zeke replied. “Just get her out of here.”
Chapter 28
Hartley
Hayden was helping Mrs. Penelope bring a load of books to her car, leaving me to walk the hallway alone after our last class of the day. We were back at school as if nothing happened, graduation a few weeks away. It’s been a week since Hayden reclaimed the Underworld and banished Ixion to Tartarus. Demeter was out there, probably sour and vengeful. In hindsight I wasn’t sure Zeke did the best thing by demoting her to a demigod. If she ever got her powers back, she would probably continue her vendetta against us.
Now that I was goddess of the Underworld and ruled with Hayden I was no longer chained to it. It was a part of me as much as it was Hayden. The power of fire and darkness was always with me, no reason to yank me back.
The new ring sparkled on my finger, a flash of crimson winking in the impenetrable glossy depths of the mystical onyx stone. The other hand held Hayden’s silver band adorned with rubies. A smile curled my lips remembering the night he gave it to me after unexpectedly showing up at my house. Unbeknownst to me he stole my other ring right off my finger, using it as an excuse to come over.
He was such a little duplicitous trickster then. Nothing has changed. He hid all of my bras this morning at the castle. Every single one of them. Too bad he didn’t realize some clothing comes with one. Ha!
“Hi Hartley.”
I glanced up to see Meredith leaning against her locker, tucking a piece of silky brown hair behind her ear. “Hi Meredith.”
Vaughn strolled up and bent his lanky body down to kiss her cheek before waving at me. “Hi Hartley.”
I waved. “I’ll see you guys later.”
“Hi Hartley.”
Even though I didn’t recognize her, I smiled and nodded at the tall, rail thin girl with midnight hair and freckles across her button nose. I did recognize the bleach blonde sulking in the corner, orangey bronzer thickly layering her scowling face. I wiggled my fingers. “Hi Darby.”
She popped her gum and rolled her eyes dramatically before turning around and opening her locker to avoid me.
“Hartley!” Leslie jumped, nearly knocking Kathryn over who was grabbing a book out their shared locker. “I think I left my phone at your house.”
My brow furrowed, certain I hadn’t seen her phone or heard her the Taylor Swift ring tone. “Have you tried calling it?”
Her blue eyes widened. “Oh. Right.” She elbowed Kathryn. “Call it for me.”
Kathryn pressed the speed dial button—I knew it was number one—and moments later the familiar tune began somewhere nearby.
Leslie’s mouth dropped in a little ‘O’ as she reached into Kathryn’s fuchsia purse. “I found it!”
“Oh yeah,” Kathryn said, flicking her black ponytail. “We should probably have checked there first.”
They both waved at me, giggling. “Thanks Hartley,” they chorused.
I laughed and shook my head. Those girls would probably end up marrying identical twins and living next door to each other.
“Hartley!” Blake sidled up to me, throwing a thick arm over my shoulder and giving me a big wet one on the cheek.
“Ugh Blake!” I pretended to be grossed out.
“Ah, come on. Hayden’s not around. This is the only time I get to have some sugar from Ms. Hart-breaker Walker.”
I flashed a smile. “You’re right. You know he’d knock you out if you tried it in front of him.”
He shook his blonde hair from his face, grinning. “We’re boys, but his girl is off limits.”
We reached Jake’s locker, his hand reaching out to stop Blake. “You coming to the poker game tonight?”
Blake gave him daps. “Hell yeah. Pete’s coming too.”
“Cool.” Jake’s lopsided grin bunched up his sun kissed cheeks. “Hartley, will you and your king be coming tonight?” He was referring to the night Hayden made an ass out of himself drunk at Callie’s house, calling me his queen. Little did Jake know it was true.
“I suppose us royalty can make time for the little people.”
“Hey, who you calling little.” Callie kissed my cheek before latching onto Jake’s arm. “You’re like an inch taller than me.”
I lifted my leg, showing off my tall wedges. “I’m at least three today.”
Callie grimaced before reluctantly nodding in agreement. “Yeah. I suppose. You’re lucky I’m only in flats.” She popped her tiny hand on her hip. “But I won’t be making that mistake again.”
Will sauntered up, squeezing me in a bear hug like old times. “Hart. You’re looking good as usual.”
I fake punched him in the bicep. “You’re not so bad yourself Michaels.”
He grinned and shifted to the side. “What are we talking about?”
“Just that the king and queen might be joining us for our poker game tonight,” Blake said, pinching Callie’s cheek and dodging Jake’s shove.
“Oh really?” Will asked, a knowing glint shining in his baby blues. “I thought it was god and goddess.”
I nearly choked on my gum while Callie’s head tilted back, wild giggles pealing out.
Jake’s brow furrowed, confusion flashing across his face. “Wait. I thought we were calling them the king and queen. Now they’re gods too?”
“Who are gods?” Laurie slinked up and kissed Will on his cheek, giving him a nibble afterwards.
Will’s cheeks flamed, a bashful grin curling his lips. “Hartley and Hayden.”
Her green eyes widened. “Well duh. Of course they are.” Laurie blew me a kiss. “They’re too hot not to be.”
I laughed. “You guys are ridiculous sometimes.” I wiggled my fingers. “I gotta go. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Hi Hartley.”
“Hi Hartley.”
“Hi Hartley.”
As I walked down the hall the chorus continued and it seemed as though my hand was forever in the air, waving hello. But for the first time in a long, long time I didn’t mind.
I leaned against my car in the parking lot, waiting on Hayden. An approaching presence tickled my senses and I glanced over my shoulder to see Persephone slowly gliding toward me, caution glimmering in her blue eyes. Her blonde waves danced in the wind around her stunning face and a petal pink dress highlighted her golden skin.
My brow arched in a combination of curiosity and annoyance. The last time we’d seen each other—excluding Demeter’s demise—we fought in the palace after I caught her trying to collect her things. I crossed my arms, suspicion burning in my chest. “Persephone, what do you want?”
“Well, hello to you too Queen Hartley.” Her voice was sweet—and forced. “I just thought I’d stop by and offer my congratulations on your new role in the Underworld. I’m so very happy for you and Hayden.” That last part was so very dry.
I shot her an incredulous expression. “Seriously?”
Persephone opened her mouth, but stopped short and sighed instead. “Oh whatever. We hate each other. There’s no amount of faking that can cover that.” She leaned next to me, smoothing out her dress while averting her gaze down.
“So what are you doing here? If this is about your mother…”
She waved a dismissive hand in the air, cutting me off. “No, no. I wouldn’t dare interfere with Zeus and his punishment on my mother.” She laid her pal
m on her chest. “I don’t want my powers stripped too. I like being a full god thank you very much.”
Ah, always the selfish bitch.
Persephone flicked her flaxen mane. “Anywho… I was here because I did want to apologize for my part in the soul theft.” She winced. “I’m not mad I’m free, but I do feel bad about the dark souls tormenting people and stuff…” She bit her bottom lip and slid her eyes toward me to gauge my reaction.
A humorless laugh tumbled out my mouth. “You call that an apology?”
“I’m just being honest Hartley. I could have just lied and shed some tears.”
I scoffed. “Please. I’m not Hayden. I would have seen through your crap.”
Her mouth curled in a smirk. “You didn’t at first.”
My eyes narrowed. “Well I would now.”
“Okay.” She tossed her hands in the air, surrendering. “Look, I simply want to know if you and Hayden are going to come after Hercules and me. Are we cool or not?”
My brow lifted in surprise. “What makes you think we would ever be cool?”
“You know what I mean,” she hissed.
I did. Hayden and I have had enough drama these past few months to last us a lifetime. What they did was horrible and would never be forgiven or forgotten, but right now the Grecian Bonnie and Clyde were just a blip on our radar. Chasing revenge on them was not our priority and honestly it probably never would be.
Of course Persephone didn’t need to know that.
A wicked smirk lifted the edges of my mouth as distant crimson fires ignited in my irises. “Oh Persephone. Hayden and I have put you two on the back burner for now.” A flame appeared in my palm, illuminating her face with crimson light. “But we haven’t forgotten what you did.”
Color washed from her usually rosy cheeks while her eyes showed white and her body tensed. I could practically smell the fear seeping off her. She took a shaky step back. “What are you saying?” Trepidation laced her tone.
I stepped forward. “I’m saying stay on your toes.” I winked one of my flaming eyes.
Persephone’s gaze darted between my fire eyes and the flame dancing precariously in my palm. “S-Seriously?”
I loved hearing the stutter out of her.
Someone cleared their throat. “What’s going on?” Hayden’s deep, silken voice was like a soothing balm to my system. “What are you doing here Persephone?”
“Don’t worry Hayden.” I dowsed the flame before he saw it. “We were just having a little girl talk. Right Persephone?”
She nodded. “Yep.” She tilted her head in thought, probably wondering if I had been serious in my threat.
Hayden halted beside me so close I could feel the heat from his body. His stormy eyes fixed her with a glare. “Are you here about Demeter?”
She scoffed in irritation. “Why does everyone think that?”
“Sorry. I forgot how selfish you were,” Hayden said dryly. “Why are you here then?”
“No reason.” She traced a tiny chip on my otherwise pristine car with a light pink fingernail and pouted. The attempt glazed right over him. No one could pout better than me.
I turned toward him, giving him said pout. “Just girl talk baby. Don’t worry about it.”
His brows dipped in skepticism, but he didn’t press the subject further. “Whatever. Let’s get out of here.” Desire darkened those silver eyes as his thumb slid gently across my bottom lip.
I smiled up at him. “Gladly.”
He pulled me into his arms. “You’re eyes are flaming,” he teased.
“So are yours.”
“Ugh, you guys are sickening.”
“Goodbye Persephone,” he said without looking away.
“Remember what I said.” I waved behind my shoulder and felt her presence drift away.
Curiosity glimmered in Hayden’s gaze while his mouth curled up. “You gonna tell me what that was about?”
“Nope. I’d rather do something else with my lips.”
“Touché.”
Hayden
Souls waved hello to both of us as we entered the Underworld, my mind still doing a mental double take. It was so strange not having them cower in fear. Well most of them anyways.
“Hades, Hartley.” Charon nodded, his skeletal formed hidden in the shadows of his cloak.
Hartley smiled. “Charon! How’s your catch today.”
He jingled his bag of coins. “Not too bad.”
I winked at Hartley behind his back, knowing full well she’d passed out a few coins this morning to the souls waiting on the shore.
“That little demonic angel tried sneaking a few past me, but I caught him.”
I laughed. “Where is Hermes?”
Charon shrugged, letting his bag drop back into the folds of his cloak with a resonating jingle. “As long as he isn’t pestering me I don’t care.”
Hartley scoffed. “Oh, don’t lie. You know you like Hermes. He’s your friend.”
A gravelly grunt was his only denial—it was pretty weak as denials went.
“Come on.” I gripped Hartley’s hand and tugged her across the Acheron River. It’s not that I needed to hold her hand any more. She could simply walk across the water like me. I just preferred touching her. “I have surprise for you.”
Excitement glinted in Hartley’s hazel eyes the moment she realized where we were headed. Now we stood facing the gilded mirror surrounded by vines and treacherous thorns.
“Are we really going in Elysium?” she asked, her voice giddy.
“I think it’s about time you saw everything you rule.” I lifted her hand and motioned with my chin toward the mirror. “Press your onyx ring to the surface and call on your power.”
She followed my direction without question, her powers instantly swirling around her once the ring made contact. The reflective surface rippled and churned until a vibrant world shimmered into focus.
A sharp intake of air slipped out of Hartley the same time her fingers pressed against her mouth as if to stop it. She stood frozen for a moment, transfixed by the realm before her. “It’s amazing.”
“I thought we should finally take a trip to true paradise.” I stepped through the doorway and tugged her hand. “You can come any time you’d like. It’s your world too now.”
She followed me through, her gaze traveling over the lush vegetation exploding before us. Towering trees grew toward a canopied sky, leaves of brilliant green stretching out like hands. Bamboo and palms sprouted everywhere, intertwining with snaking vines. Exotic plants and flowers covered the ground and crawled up almost every trunk, thickening the humid air with sweet perfume. Sounds of jungle wildlife and rushing waters echoed harmoniously through the expanse of wilderness.
“Hayden, it’s beautiful.” Her voice was soft, barely a whisper above the sound of tropics. “You made this?”
I shrugged noncommittally. “It’s just something I dreamed up.”
She sucked her teeth and wiped her cheeks with her fingertips as tears spilled over. “You created a world within a world—a paradise.” She shook her head and peered up at me with undeserving awe glimmering in her watering eyes. “You’re amazing Hayden.”
“Come on before you give me a bigger head than I already have.” I pulled her through the foliage as the sound of washing waters grew louder.
“Where are the souls?”
I glanced over my shoulder. “They’re here. It’s a big place.” I pursed my lips trying to hide my smile. “Plus I asked them to make themselves scarce for a few hours.” My suggestive hint had Hartley’s cheeks blushing.
We finally reached our destination when the trees parted, revealing a shimmering pond fed by a waterfall.
Hartley’s gasp was swallowed up by the cascading water. Her eyes traveled around the small lagoon encased in green. “It’s so—so I don’t think I can find a word good enough to describe it.” Her gaze met mine with a sweet smile. “Or you.”
I winked playfully at her. “Most peop
le just call me the villain.”
She scoffed and nudged my chest. “Hardly.”
“Oh yeah?”
A mischievous expression crossed her face, her lips curling at the corners. “Yeah, because right now I think I’ll play the role of the wicked villain.”
My brows knit at her statement, but before I could ask Hartley snapped her fingers. The humid air suddenly kissed my skin and I looked down to find myself in my black boxers. Only my black boxers.
Shock hit me square in the chest and it took several moments for me to shake it off, blinking repeatedly. I glanced up to catch the devilish smirk across her beautiful face.
“I guess I didn’t need you to teach me that little trick after all.” Distant flames of desire lit her eyes as they roamed over my naked flesh.
I shook my finger at her. “Naughty girl. My voice dipped several octaves. “Do I need to teach you a lesson?”
Hartley snapped her fingers again and her clothes disappeared, leaving her in black and crimson lacy underthings.
Flames roared to life in my irises while heat lit my insides like a blazing inferno that never died out.
She gave a noncommittal shrug. “Like I said, I’m done with learning.”
My gaze roamed hungrily over her stunning body bared before me, lingering on every curve and dip. I ate her up and wanted to do the same with my mouth. My hands reached out and gripped her hips, pulling her flush against me. “You’ve done it now baby.”
Her brow arched in challenge, but her breathing was just as ragged as mine, betraying the quickness and depth of her yearning. I jumped backwards with her into the sparkling pond. Warm water glided over my skin and between us as we bounced back to the surface.
Hartley giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck. “You call that a punishment?”
I kissed her quickly. “That was nothing.” I swam for the waterfall, passing through it to reveal a cave. I pulled Hartley up onto the glittering stone, a breathless laugh tumbling out of her sexy mouth. My eyes traced the curve of it, imaging the tip of my tongue doing the same and everything else I wanted to do to her.
As if she knew what I was thinking the crimson in her eyes deepened and her teeth snagged her bottom lip, sending my pulse into overdrive.