Pirithous led her to another part of the roof blocked by a patrician where there was a set of chairs. The space overlooked the coast of New Athens, a line of pure white sand that met a foamy ocean of the deepest emerald.
It was a breathtaking view.
“Go ahead and sit,” he said.
Pirithous opened his lunch and took out a sandwich and a bag of chips.
“You sure you don’t want any?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He took a bite, and they looked out over the city. After a moment of silence, Pirithous prompted, “So, what are you doing up here?”
She sighed and chose not to look at him when she said, “I’m guessing you haven’t seen the news.”
“Can’t say that I have,” he answered.
He was the only mortal she knew who didn’t seem at all obsessed with the gods.
“Well, I messed up.”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
She took a deep breath. “I kinda...chose to do something I promised Hades I wouldn’t do because I was angry with him and now...I can’t take it back.”
“Ah,” Pirithous offered a little laugh. He took a bit of his sandwich, talking as he chewed. “What did he do?”
“Something stupid,” she muttered. “I don’t think he sees the problem with what he did.”
Pirithous smiled in his sad way. She got the sense that he understood her situation more than he wanted to admit.
“They often don’t,” he commented.
“I don’t understand.”
He shrugged. “Men just don’t think.”
“That is really a horrible excuse.”
“It’s not an excuse, really. Just a reality. All you can do is keep fighting for what you want. If he wants you, he will work to understand you.”
She pursed her lips, feeling ridiculous. She knew now that she’d overreacted, but she hadn’t been able to stop herself. She wanted him to feel as betrayed as she felt when she’d learned about Leuce. She wanted him to feel the frustration she’d felt with each passing hour that she hadn’t heard from him. She’d wanted to defy him, just to see if she could get a reaction.
“Am I being irrational?”
He shrugged. “Maybe, but emotions are emotions,” he said. “I have been the stupid boy before. I wish I had worked harder.”
Persephone felt she understood the sadness that clung to this man. She wondered what Hades would see if he looked at his soul.
“What stupid thing did you do?”
He took a deep breath. “You will be surprised, I think, given your history.”
Persephone’s brows drew together, but before she could ask what he meant, Pirithous explained.
“I gambled a lot—not the kind of gambling your boyfriend does. I used to bet on the Panhellenic Games. I was good—lucky, I guess. Until I wasn’t. Thought I was doing what was best for my girl and I believed that so much I ignored what was important—her wish that I stop. She didn’t care about the money or the status. She just wanted me.”
He paused to offer a small laugh.