“I’m fine.”
She felt her mother move closer.
“Hades would not help her?”
Again, Persephone tensed. She hated this question, hated it because so many people assumed Hades would help, hated it because she’d let herself believe she might become an exception to his rule, hated it because he was the reason she had to say no.
“He said it was not possible,” she whispered.
She released Lexa’s hand and turned to look at her mother. The goddess had appeared in her mortal form and wore a tailored yellow dress. Her golden hair was sculpted into a tight ponytail that curled at the end.
“Why are you really here?” Persephone asked.
“Is it so hard to believe I am concerned for you?”
“Yes.”
“I have only ever had your best interest in mind, even if you refuse to see it.”
Persephone rolled her eyes. “We are not having this conversation, mother. I made my choice.”
“How will you live your life beside the god who let your best friend die?”
Persephone flinched. She thought about the threads he hid on his skin, and the lives he had exchanged to get them. She would be lying if she didn’t admit that she had wondered why he wouldn’t choose to trade Lexa’s soul for another.
Persephone narrowed her eyes, suddenly suspicious. “If I find out you had anything to do with this—”
“You’ll what?” Demeter goaded. “Go on.”
“I will never forgive you.”
Demeter smiled coldly. “Daughter, for that threat to work, I would need to want forgiveness.”
Persephone ignored the pain of Demeter’s words.
“I did not hurt Lexa. Given the circumstances, I think you should consider—can a daughter of spring truly be death’s bride? Can you stand beside the god who let your friend die?”
The truth was Persephone did not know and that made her feel guilty and angry. She clenched her fists.
“Shut up,” she gritted out.
“You should channel your anger against the Fates,” Demeter said. “They’re the ones who have taken your friend.”
Persephone offered a sarcastic laugh. “Like you did? How did that turn out for you?”
Demeter narrowed her eyes. “That remains to be seen.”
Persephone turned from her mother and looked at Lexa again. Seeing her like this was the hardest thing she’d ever experienced, and it was getting worse every time she stepped through the hospital door.
“Hades isn’t the only god who could help you. Apollo is the God of Healing.”
Persephone’s body seized.
“Of course, you may have ruined any chance you might have had at securing his aid after that atrocious article you released.”
“If you came to defend him, I won’t hear it. Apollo hurt my friend and so many others.”
“You think any god is innocent?” She paused to laugh, and the sound was chilling. “Daughter, even you cannot escape our corruption. It is what comes with power.”