Hades leaned in and whispered against her ear, “Are you well?”

“Yes,” she whispered, swallowing hard. “Perfect.”

After dinner, they gathered in the ballroom. Hades pulled Persephone onto the dance floor, drawing her close. One hand rested on the curve of her back, the other held her hand. He guided her along the floor with grace and confidence, and though he was a perfect gentleman, there was something sensual in the way their bodies formed to one another.

Warmth swelled in the bottom of Persephone’s stomach and she couldn’t take her eyes from his.

“When did you plan the garden?” she asked.

“The night Lexa died.”

Persephone shook her head, biting her lip.

“What are you thinking?” Hades asked.

“I’m am thinking about how much I love you,” she answered.

Hades grinned—it was a beautiful smile and she felt it deep in her chest.

After that, the music spiraled into something more electronic, and Hades took his leave, encouraging her to dance with Sybil, glowering when Hermes and Apollo joined in. She spent a while with them, laughing and joking and feeling better than she had in a long time. At some point, she went in search of Hades and found herself outside on a balcony that overlooked the whole of New Athens. From here, she could see all the places that had changed her life over the last four years—the University, the Acropolis, Nevernight.

She wasn’t there long when Hades’ approached.

“There you are.” He drew his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. “What are you doing out here?”

“Breathing,” she said.

He chuckled, and the sound sent shivers down her spine. He pressed a kiss to her cheek, squeezing her tight.

“I have something for you,” Hades said, and Persephone turned in his arms.

“What is it?” she asked, a smile on her face. She had never been so happy.

Hades studied her for a moment, and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing. Then, he reached into his pocket, and knelt before her.

“Hades—” She wanted to protest. They had already done this. They were engaged—she didn’t need a ring or a formal proposal.

“Just...let me do this,” he said, and the smile on his face made her chest swell. “Please.”

Hades opened a small black box, revealing a gold ring. It was both ridiculous and beautiful, encrusted with diamonds and gold flowers. It matched the crown Ian had made for her.

She gaped at it for a moment before shifting her gaze to Hades’.

“Persephone. I would have chosen you a thousand times over, the Fates be damned,” he said, laughing. “Please...become my wife, rule beside me, let me love you forever.”

Tears sprung to her eyes and she offered a shaky smile.

“Of course,” she whispered. “Forever.”