She was roused by Hades’ warmth. His scent filled her nose as he cradled her close to his chest. She knew when they teleported because the air changed. If she wasn’t so exhausted—so groggy—she would have opened her eyes to see his expression. In fact, she wanted to open her eyes, because her heart needed to see how he was looking at her—but she found she couldn’t.

She was so damn tired.

Why was she so tired?

Hades held her close for a long time before shifting and settled her in a heap of blankets. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and warmth seeped into her skin.

She remembered nothing else.

CHAPTER X - GOD OF MUSIC

CHAPTER X - GOD OF MUSIC

When Persephone opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed were black silk sheets. She caressed them, brows knitting together. How had she gotten in Hades’ room? She rolled over, thinking she might find him beside her, but the bed was empty. Then she heard the clink of a glass and her eyes shifted to Hades’ bar.

Hermes was standing in front of it and he had frozen at the sound, looking to see if he’d woken her.

“Hermes?” she asked.

The God of Trickery turned fully holding a decanter of amber liquid and a glass. “Sorry, Sephy. I needed a drink.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked, sitting up in bed.

“What am I doing here? What were you doing last night?”

Persephone’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

Hermes’ cocked his head to the side. “You really don’t remember?”

“I went for a walk,” she said and shrugged.

“That was some walk,” Hermes scoffed. “Hades freaked the fuck out. He couldn’t find you or sense you anywhere. I’ve never seen him so...”

“Angry?”

Hermes looked at her like she was crazy.

“No, distraught. This is the Underworld. His territory. He thought something bad had happened. He summoned every deity in the Underworld to look for you...and me.”

“I just...got lost. I wanted to clear my head. I meditated for a little while like Hecate told me to do, and when I was finished, it was dark. I couldn’t find my way back. I didn’t mean to make anyone worry. I just wanted to be alone.”

“Well, enjoy that because I don’t think Hades will let you out of his sight for the foreseeable future.”

She raised a brow. “You mean like now?”

“I’m babysitting,” he said, almost proudly and Persephone rolled his eyes.

“And why are you babysitting?”

“Because Apollo’s here.”

Persephone froze, and Hermes face drained of color as the god realized his mistake.

“What?”

“Did I say Apollo was here? I meant that he’s on his way. He’s most definitely not here. Hades is not meeting with Apollo in the throne room without you....fuck.”

Persephone was already out of bed.