He had kept his distance until that point, and then she felt him, his energy reached for hers. His hands found her arms, her shoulders, and then her face. She inhaled sharply at his touch.

“I couldn’t sense you,” he said. “I couldn’t find you.”

Persephone placed her hands over his. “I’m here, Hades. I’m fine.”

She thought he might kiss her, but instead he let go and turned on her light. It burned her eyes.

“You will never know how difficult this is for me.”

“I imagine as difficult as it’s been for me to deal with Minthe and Leuce.” Hades eyes darkened. “Except that Apollo has never been my lover.”

He scowled. She was provoking him, but she needed to see his emotion, to see that he cared.

“You have not been to the Underworld.”

Persephone folded her arms over her chest.

“I’ve been busy,” she said—and angry and afraid.

“The souls miss you, Persephone,” Hades said at last. She looked at him, unsure where he was going with this. Did he miss her? “Do not punish them because you are angry with me.”

“Don’t lecture me, Hades. You have no idea what I’ve been dealing with.”

“Of course not. That would mean you’d have to talk to me.”

She glared. “You mean like you talk to me? I’m not the only one with communication problems, Hades.”

“I didn’t come here to argue with you,” he said. “Or lecture you. I came to see if you were okay.”

“Why come at all? Antoni would have told you.”

“I had to,” he said, and looked away, setting his jaw. “I had to see you myself.”

She could feel what he didn’t say. The emotions that swelled between them were heavy with desperation and fear, but why wasn’t he saying that?

“Hades, I—” She took a step toward him. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say. Maybe, I’m sorry? Those words didn’t quite seem like enough, though, and she didn’t have a chance to figure it out before Hades spoke.

“I should go. I’m late for a meeting.”

He vanished, and Persephone exhaled, leaning against her door for support, her body suddenly felt heavy and torturous thoughts rolled through her head.

He couldn’t get away from you fast enough, she thought.

Sadness curled into her chest, aching and hot. She made her way into the shower and stood under the hot spray until it was ice cold. After, she climbed into bed.

She missed Hades.

His comfort.

His conversation.

His touch.

His teasing.

His passion.

She missed everything about him.

She groaned and rolled onto her side.

Funny, she could hear Lexa’s voice in her head. Why didn’t you just ask him to stay?

He didn’t give me the chance. He was busy, anyway.

Did you even try to stop him?

No.