A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair

Author:Scarlett St. Clair [Clair, Scarlett St.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2022-05-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XVII

Iniquity

Hades had been summoned to Hera’s fight night nearly twelve hours ago, and though he’d been healed by Paean, he felt restless and uneasy. There was a kind of horror that thrummed through his body, a darkness he had yet to channel away. It was there when he blinked, in the form of bloodied rocks and crunching bone and the phantom pain of acid burning his skin.

He returned to the Underworld, where he had expected—or rather hoped—to find Persephone. There was a part of his brain that needed to lay eyes on her after the ordeal he’d been through, not only to ease his pain but to know that she was still here, that he had fought for her and not lost her.

He was not prepared for the sinking feeling in his chest when he did not find her asleep in their bed, roaming the garden, or at Hecate’s cabin.

“What has you so uneasy, my king?” Hecate asked when she found him outside her home.

“Could it have something to do with the fact that I have been killing all day?” he snapped.

“Murder does put one on edge,” Hecate agreed airily. “Would you like some tea?”

“What I would like is to be free of Hera’s labors,” he said.

“Hera,” Hecate said. “The Goddess of Women who does nothing but punish them. How did you earn her scorn?”

“I told her I would not overthrow Zeus,” Hades replied.

“Yet.” Hecate paused and looked at Hades, who raised a questioning brow. “What? All things must come to an end.”

Hades paused for a moment, then said, “She has threatened my future with Persephone.”

“No one but the Fates can truly threaten your future, Hades.”

“Perhaps, but Hera can turn her scorn on Persephone,” he replied. “And that would be my fault.”

“Is it your fault because you love her?” Hecate asked.

“Isn’t that enough?”

“Your greatest battle, Hades, will be recognizing that Persephone too has made the decision to love you. So there is no fault, only choice.”

It was a pretty sentiment, but he was dealing with gods—gods like him.

“That was before she knew the consequences.”

“You think so little of her love?” Hecate asked.

Hades flinched. He opened his mouth to speak but shut it once more.

“If you continue to project your doubt on her, then you do not deserve a future with her.”

They were harsh words, but Hades knew they were true.

“Now, would you like some tea? It will take your mind off things.”

“I think I’d rather have a clear mind, Hecate. I know what you put in your tea.”

She arched her brow. “Does all that alcohol give you a clear mind?”

“At this point,” Hades replied, “yes.”

Hades returned to his office, still on edge. His short conversation with Hecate made him want to see Persephone even more, if only to confirm that she still wanted this—them, their future—but once more, his fears overwhelmed him.

What would it take, he wondered, to feel such assurance?

He scrubbed his face and crossed the room to pour himself a drink. It was probably best that he put off seeing Persephone until he had a shower and real sleep anyway.

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