The woman in front of her was familiar and beautiful and deadly.
“Aphrodite.” Persephone’s breath left her. Why was the Goddess of Love here to see her? “What are you doing here?”
“I thought I would pay you a visit,” she said. “Seeing as you are close to the end of your contract with Hades.”
Persephone covered her wrist unconsciously, though the mark was hidden by a bracelet.
“How do you know about that?”
She smiled, but there was pity in her gaze. “I fear Hades has placed you in the middle of our bet.”
Persephone wasn’t sure she understood what Aphrodite was saying.
“Bet?” she echoed.
The goddess of love pursed her lips. “I see he has not told you.”
“You may drop the false concern, Aphrodite, and get to the point.”
The goddess’s face changed, and she became more severe and more beautiful than before. When she’d seen Aphrodite at the gala, she’d sensed her loneliness and her sadness, but now it was clear across her face. It shocked her that Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love—the goddess who had affairs with gods and mortals alike—was lonely.
“My, my,” she said. “You are awfully demanding. Perhaps that is why Hades likes you so much.”
Persephone’s fists clenched, and the goddess offered a small smile.
“I challenged Hades to a game of cards. It was all for fun, but he lost. My wager was that he had to make someone fall in love with him within six months,” she said.
It took a moment for what Aphrodite said to sink in. Hades had a contract with Aphrodite—make someone fall in love with him. She swallowed hard.
“I must admit, I was impressed with how quickly he zeroed in on you. Not an hour after I set my terms, he lured you into a contract and I have been observing his progress ever since.”
She wanted to accuse the goddess of lying, but she knew every word Aphrodite had spoken was true.
All this time she’d been used. The weight of the truth settled upon her, broke her, ruined her.
She should have never suspected Hades was capable of change. The game was life for him. It meant everything, and he would do anything to win.
Even if it broke her heart.
“I am sorry to hurt you,” Aphrodite said. “But I see now that I have truly lost.”
Persephone glared at the Goddess of Love through watery eyes.
“You do love him.”
“Why would you be sorry?” Persephone asked through her teeth. “This is what you wanted.”
The goddess actually looked remorseful and shook her head. “Because...until today, I didn’t believe in love.”
***
Persephone had never wanted to choose between Demeter or Hades’ prisons. She’d wanted to find a way to be free, but given the realization she’d been used, she made a choice. After Aphrodite vanished from the interview room, she made a split decision—she would end the bargain with Hades once and for all, and deal with the consequences later.
She found herself in the Underworld, making her way across a field, heading toward a dark wall of mountains, intent on finding The Well of Reincarnation.
She should have listened to Minthe.
Gods, she never thought those words would come out of her mouth.