Drag Me Up

by RM Virtues

  “And you should be.” They both chuckle. “Seriously though. If there’s anything you need, you can call.”

  He raises a brow. “Is this an alliance?”

  She rolls her eyes. “My alliance is with her, and it’s rooted in a lifelong bond, so fuck this up, and we’ll be enemies before you can blink.”

  He nods, a tight smile on his face. “That’s fair.”

  “And know it only applies to you and your district.”

  He knows what she means. She already has her union with Dio and Hermes, and she and Poseidon are respectful neighbors. Neither of them need to specify who it doesn’t extend to, surely not right now.

  “Just - watch out for each other,” she sighs, patting his arm.

  “You have my word.” Before she can leave him there though, he puts a hand out to stop her. “Can I ask you something though?”

  “What is it?”

  “Do you - honestly think Demeter would do something like this?”

  She laughs softly, meeting his eyes. “I asked Persephone the same thing, but truly? Naw, I don’t. Demeter is many things, but reckless is not one of them. She knows what it would look like if she were to attack you for something like dating her daughter. I mean, she loves Seph, don’t get me wrong, but her district has always come first. If that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t be this angry to begin with, you know?”

  He nods, trying to find some relief in that assurance, but there is little to be found. It only enforces the story that has already begun to fall into place.

  They bid each other good day, and Hades continues upstairs, finding Persephone laying down on the couch. The TV is on, but she seems in and out of sleep. He smiles, moving to sit on the recliner before she reaches out an arm, beckoning him over. She pulls him down atop her the moment he’s close enough, and his head falls against her chest. Immediately, he relaxes into her, feeling her lips against his head as he closes his eyes.

  “Tired?” she asks, running a hand over his back.

  “Very,” he sighs. “I’m not complaining though.”

  “Do you ever?”

  “I see no sense in it really.”

  “It’s a very human thing to complain every now and again.”

  “Hmm.”

  He feels her lips turn upward against him before she moves her hand over his head. For the moment, all the stress and anxiety washes away as though she simply wipes it off with her palm. He hums his content, wrapping his arms around her middle as he turns slightly on his side to relieve her of most of his weight. He doesn’t want to think about the state of the casino or of Tartarus or of Zeus. He only wishes to remain here with her and pretend nothing outside of the penthouse exists. This is the first time he’s ever felt that way. While he’s always desired to be left alone, he never actually wanted to be alone. The sounds of the casino were his company beyond Hecate and the boys, and that was his comfort in a world that felt far too small to accommodate him sometimes. Now, she’s become a sanctuary for him without him ever meaning for her to. He’d known from first looking at her that she was special, but he never could have foreseen this.

  “How did it go?” she asks after what seems like forever, her voice a soft lull that washes over him with renewed warmth. He must have started to drift off. “Did you find anything?”

  “Yeah.” His thumbs stroke her back thoughtlessly. “Video of a man who works under Coeus.”

  She freezes, fingers idle against his scalp. “Seriously? Just - like that?”

  He sighs heavily. “No, not just like that. —Zeus identified him. By a tattoo and a maroon car. I mean, I recognized him after the fact, but...”

  She seems to sense that there is more he wants to say—or rather, needs to say as he isn’t sure what he wants to do anymore. He should say it too. Maybe he can’t say it to Charon or Thana or Hecate because to say it means he’s been consistently debasing their trust in him for years, but if he says it to Persephone, maybe he can begin to break that cycle. Or at least prevent it from continuing with her as well.

  “Do you think he did it?” he asks at last, his voice fragile.

  “Zeus?” She takes hold of his chin, guiding it upward. “Do you think he did it?”

  He still can’t meet her eyes. “I - don’t know. A week ago, I would have said no, but - something has changed between us.”

  “Because of me.”

  He shakes his head. “That’s not - it isn’t that simple, and it isn’t your fault. Even if it is, it wasn’t for the worst.” He forces his eyes up to hers. “I denied him. I’ve never denied him even when I should have, but I did this time, and he took it as a personal strike. In his mind, I may have very well declared war myself.”

  “But you didn’t, Hades. Forget Zeus for a moment because you won’t be able to go down that path until you hear this, and I mean really hear it. You are not the problem. He is. I am being as blatant as I possibly can about that, and it is the only thing I am willing to do for you. Because I will not be to you what you have been to him. I will not be your enabler. If he did this, you have a choice to make. If you let it stand, this will continue until you either give in or lose everything. He doesn’t care about you. He only cares about what you can do for him. You threaten that, and you are as much an enemy as anyone else because that is what he was taught. He is the king. Everyone else exists to serve him, and when they cease to do that? They have to be disposed of.”

  She allows him to lay his head back down, to marinate in the cold, hard truth to his heart’s content, to let it seep into the core of him and calcify there. She resumes stroking his head, her heartbeat soft against his ear, and he clings to it. He lets it soothe him, even when he knows he doesn’t deserve it. Zeus was very much a monster of his making, and he was now tasked with setting it right. If Zeus was responsible for the fire at the casino, it was an act of war. And it has to be treated as such. Whatever that might look like under such circumstances, it is crucial that Hades have a plan in place, multiple plans. First, he would need proof. He’d meant what he said to Zeus. He never makes any decisions, especially those as critical as this, based only on a few pieces of disputable evidence.

  “He’s forgotten one important thing though,” Persephone whispers.

  “Hm?”

  “He may be the king, but you built the throne. You sized the crown. You gave them to him, and you can take them away.”

  Hades breathes out slowly. He’d forgotten that too.

  25

  Persephone

  Preparations for Hades’ birthday party had been much easier than Hecate and Persephone had both anticipated. For one, Aphrodite and Dio had been more than willing to help. It was easier to be sly too when Hecate had informed Hades that Persephone would be working with her for the time being. While he’d felt bad about the fact Seph couldn’t do what she loved, he’d been supportive of the decision. After that, the two women could plot and scheme the details of the party to their hearts’ content without him wondering what they were doing. Needless to say, they spent much of their time in Hecate’s office with Dio and Aphrodite on a video call.

  With the contractors and engineers making absolutely astounding time with repairs, Hades was currently in good spirits, but Persephone knows he needs something to celebrate. He also needs to be celebrated. In a way, it’s all of them telling him that they are behind him. While Persephone had refused to disclose what Hades had confided in her, Hecate had been able to garner the basic gist once Persephone assured her she thought things would be different now. It was the only thing they had to look forward to when they were all under attack. Tartarus still hadn’t lifted the lockdown nor had they spoken out about the attack despite the rumors floating around. Persephone doesn’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but she knows that eventually, the other shoe is going to drop. They just have to be ready for it.

  Dio is setting up the wine fountain when she walks into Elysium, decorating the bottom with fresh Pomegranate seeds. Persephone
takes a moment there, remembering the night on Hades’ balcony. Carefully, she dips her fingers into the bed of seeds, scooping some up and taking them into her mouth. She closes her eyes and savors the taste. Sweet and light, they fall heavy into her stomach, like a memory.

  “Hey, do not disturb, Seph,” Dio warns playfully, smoothing out the space she’d touched as he bumps his broad shoulder against hers. “But you’re just the person I wanted to see.”

  “Please don’t tell me there’s a problem,” she groans.

  He shakes his head, grinning wide. “No, I talked to Thalia last night. She wants to see you next week about a music video. She said I could tell you she was gonna call.”

  Persephone inhales sharply, her eyes wide. “Dio, don’t play with me.”

  He scoffs. “I would never! Besides, you can’t be that surprised. Everyone knows you’re free right now, and you’re a hot topic. We’ll have a drink later though, yeah? We’re on a time crunch.”

  She chuckles even though her face is aflame with anxious excitement. “Thank you for telling me, and you are doing a wonderful job. Your uncle is going to love it.”

  “I hope so.” Dio softens. “He deserves it, you know, to have something for him. People sort of forget about him. I mean, I know he prefers it that way, but - I think it’s alright every once in a while, for him to remember people care.”

  She smiles up at him. “He’s lucky to have you.”

  “You flatter me.”

  He gives a dramatic bat of his lashes, and she giggles. Persephone wonders what it would have been like, watching Hades try and raise this boy who most often appeared to be his polar opposite. Either way, she’s glad they’d had each other.

  “He’s lucky to have you too though,” Dio states, disrupting her thoughts “You seem to be a very good influence, and don’t bother playing modest. I’ve heard it from everyone.”

  She scoffs. “Who is everyone?”

  He only grins again before looking at his watch. “We’ve only got a couple hours.”

  “How are y’all getting him down here?”

  “Apollo’s going up to get him. He’s gonna tell him he wants him to come down and check out some ideas he has for the new floorplan. Uncle doesn’t even know it’s done. Hecate made sure Apollo wouldn’t tell him until tonight.”

  “And you don’t think he suspects anything?”

  He snorts. “Absolutely not. He trusts us. That’s a good thing of course. This is the only evil we’ve ever used it for.”

  Persephone sobers. “Did - someone tell Zeus?”

  Dio rolls his eyes again, and Persephone only just remembers who his father is. “Even if someone did, I doubt he would come. The party isn’t for him, so - not really his scene.”

  “Good point.”

  “Oh, and Eros says he’ll bring the cake down just before we’re ready to cut it. It’s huge, and he doesn’t want it getting bumped or anything beforehand.”

  “Did you see it? Did it match the design?”

  Dio grins. “Down to the felt.”

  “Perfect.”

  As she finishes up with her own decorations over an hour later, her phone buzzes in her pocket. Persephone extracts it to find Hades’ face and name flashing across her screen. It’s insane. They’ve been together and in the closest of quarters for weeks now yet she still gets butterflies in her stomach when he calls or texts. She grins like an idiot at her phone before slipping into the service hall, answering his call and putting it to her ear.

  “Yes?” she answers, her voice low and slow.

  “Are you working?” he asks, just as low, and his voice sends shivers down her spine.

  “I am. And you?”

  “Very much so.” He pauses only a moment. “But I miss you.”

  She bites her lip. He’s become more and more affectionate lately, and she can’t say she’s complaining. “Oh yeah? How much?”

  “Enough that I’m thinking of skipping out on the rest of the day.”

  “Ooh, sorry, baby, Hecate’s showing me the big books today. I’m about to learn all about the algorithms these college kids use to try and steal all your money.”

  “Ah, now that’s a good lesson. Has she started calling them dickhead juniors yet?”

  “Since the first slide.”

  While it may be for a good reason, she hates lying to him, but she vows to make up every moment to him once this is all said and done. As in, the moment this party is over and she can get him upstairs.

  “You like working down there then?” he asks, and his tone grows more serious.

  “I do. Don’t get me wrong. I miss the stage, but it’ll hold me over until I go back.” She thinks of the news Dio had given her but decides to hold off on telling him. Today is his day. “I like spending time with Hecate and meeting vendors and - coming home to you.”

  She can hear his smile through the phone, damn him. “I do like that part.”

  “Mhm, I like taking that suit off of you, roping you into baths just so I can-”

  “Okay, don’t tease me now.”

  She laughs softly. “Oh, I’ll show you exactly what I’m talking about as soon as we get home. I promise you that. I don’t bluff, boss.”

  “I know damn well you don’t. Bless the fates.”

  “I gotta go before Hecate comes and drags me back into her office.”

  “Mm, you two better behave down there.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  She hangs up just as she hears him greet Apollo. She glances at her screen. Right on time.

  Stepping back into the club, she allows herself a moment to take in the scene. For all the quick repairs, Elysium looks better than ever. Both Dio and Hecate are no doubt thrilled to be close to reopening, and Persephone is willing to bet that the rest of Khaos Falls is thrilled as well. Traffic is still decent on the casino floor, but she and Hecate spend a good chunk of their day fielding calls from various businesses, civilians, and even the Khaos Falls Daily newspaper to see when the Pantheon and Elysium would be revived. Today is a good day for many reasons. After Hades’ party, they can fully commit to opening up again.

  Persephone is ushered by Hecate towards the center of the room as the lights come down. The crowd has grown to a few dozen now, all of whom had some kind of notable relationship with Hades or who might come to appreciate one. Hecate and Persephone had been very particular about the guestlist, wanting no one who might sour Hades’ mood anywhere near it. It’s why Zeus hadn’t received an invitation.

  Moments later, the lights come up just as Hades and Apollo appear at the edge of the railing that fronts the balcony adjacent to his skybox.

  “Happy birthday!”

  The words boom through the space, and Persephone drinks in the sincere shock and surprise that is etched on Hades’ usually composed face. Confetti spills from the rafters, fluttering around in the air conditioning as music begins to play. Persephone waits until Hades’ gaze falls upon her, and she grins. A moment passes. Then he grins too.

  What feels like an eternity later, she blinks, and he’s gone from the balcony, but then she’s being swept up in his arms. She giggles against his assault of kisses across her face and neck as everyone around them offers a collective “aww”. Persephone reminds herself that they have never seen him like this. In fact, they have never seen the two of them together. Pride swells in her chest as she seizes his face and plants her lips on his.

  “You think you’re so slick, don’t you?” he hums against her lips.

  “Oh, more than that,” she returns, gesturing around them. “I’ve proven it.”

  He rolls his eyes but kisses her again.

  “Get a room!” Dio yells from somewhere, but Hecate immediately cuts him off.

  “No! They aren’t allowed to leave for at least 4 hours! I want the doors guarded!”

  Laughter bubbles up around them as Persephone stares into Hades’ eyes. If she would have known then, the first time she laid eyes on him, that he would be this important
to her, she may have run in the other direction from the jump. She’s glad she hadn’t known. The surprise was well worth it.

  She kisses him once more before they find themselves parted by the crowd, Persephone finding Aphrodite as she enters and Hades greeting the rest of his guests.

  “I’d never seen that man smile in my life before he met you,” Aphrodite hisses as they watch him. “What have you done, girl? Actually don’t answer that. I don’t need to know.”

  Persephone snickers and lightly smacks her arm. “Anyway, thank you for the help.”

  “You know I like to make things happen. This was pretty easy if you ask me. Plus, telling you no is hard enough. Telling Dio no? Impossible.”

  “I know that’s right. And I doubt anyone else could’ve gotten him a functional wine fountain that size on such short notice.”

  “You know he has one of those in his living room, right?”

  Persephone pushes on. “And the tapestries? Hecate and I looked everywhere for that color. Not even Apollo could help us.”

  “Okay, that was a complete accident. Eros ordered the wrong ones for Psyche’s birthday. That boy wouldn’t know plum if it slapped him in the face.” She pauses. “And it did.”

  “Shit, I’m glad you mentioned him. I almost forgot the chocolates. They’re Hades’ favorite. I’ll be right back.”

  She hands Aphrodite her drink before rushing towards the stairs. Eros makes exquisite holiday chocolates, and on her first night staying with Hades, she’d found a stockpile of them in his pantry. She had immediately called Eros and asked him for his best party arrangement, which he had been most honored to deliver. To find out that the mysterious —and, to an extent, terrifying— leader of the Underworld had a sweet tooth for his chocolates had seemed to be quite the milestone, and Persephone had shamelessly milked it for both the chocolates and the cake he’d eventually agreed to make.

  Once she reaches the top of the stairs between the two skybox areas, she signals one of the servers with a smile. The man follows her behind the bar to the back room where she’d stored two carts earlier. One cart is piled high with various types and shapes of chocolate. The second sports an entire model of Casino Asphodel, complete with the hotel tower, made out of decadent white, milk, and dark chocolates. It looks stunning, and Persephone had stared at it for nearly fifteen minutes when Eros had first brought it by. She’s filled with excitement as they push the carts into the elevator, moving them down to the first floor. She finds Dio in the crowd, and once they lock eyes, she gestures between the chocolate cart and the DJ booth before pointing to Hades. Dio nods immediately and moves towards the booth while Persephone and the server are joined by a few more servers, who put the carts atop one of the elevated platforms.