“I could say the same about you, mother. What don’t I know about you? What evils do you hide under your perfect facade?”

“Do not make this about me. You jumped into his arms as soon as he said he loved you. It is embarrassing that your judgement extends to his skin. I raised you better.”

“You didn’t raise me at all—”

“I imprisoned you,” Demeter interrupted, rolling her eyes. “Gods you are a broken record. I gave you everything. A home, friends, love. It wasn’t enough for you.”

“It wasn’t enough,” she snapped. “And it would have never been enough! Did you really think you could challenge Fate and win? You criticize other gods for their arrogance yet are the worst.”

Demeter smiled coldly. “The Fates may have given you what you wanted—a taste of freedom, a taste of forbidden love, but do not mistake their offer with kindness. The Fates punish, even gods.”

“They punished you,” Persephone said. “Not me.”

Demeter offered a small smile. “That remains to be seen, my flower. Do you know, the Fates named you? Persephone. I didn’t understand then how my precious, sweet flower could be given such a name. Destroyer. But that is what you are—a destroyer of dreams, of happiness, of lives.”

Persephone’s eyes glazed with tears as her mother spoke.

“Oh yes, my love. Enjoy what Fate has offered you because they have woven your destiny and you are a disgrace.”

Persephone kicked the candle, spilling wax and extinguishing the flame. Her mother’s form vanished, yet her scent lingered, choking her. She fell to her knees, breathing hard, when her door opened. Lexa, Sybil, and Leuce were gathered there.

“Persephone, are you okay?” Lexa rushed to her side. Sybil picked up the candle, looking perplexed. Leuce was the only one who seemed to know what was going on.

“Summoning spell?” she asked.

Persephone met the woman’s gaze and through her tears she said, “We need to talk.”

Lexa helped Persephone to her feet, and Sybil cleaned the wax up from the floor. Once they were finished, Persephone closed the door to her room. Leuce sat on the edge of her bed, eyes wide, twisting her fingers together in her lap. She probably thought Persephone was going to kick her out.

“I’ve asked Hades to give you an apartment and your job back,” she said.

Leuce’s breath caught in her throat. “Th-thank you, Persephone.”

“I’ve also agreed to help you learn this world,” she said. “There is one more thing you should know—my mother is Demeter, Goddess of Harvest.”

Persephone didn’t think Leuce’s eyes could get any bigger.

“You—You’re a goddess?”

Persephone nodded once. “It’s important you keep my secret, Leuce. Do you understand?”

“Of course...but....why tell me?”

“Because I need you to be honest with me. Who freed you from the poplar tree?”