Heart of Hades: A Hades and Persephone Retelling (Faeries of the Underworld Duology) by Katherine Macdonald

Author:Katherine Macdonald [Macdonald, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KateMacAuthor
Published: 2022-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

As always, Hermes is the first to arrive. He’s a small, slight man with a shock of blue hair, flanked by a group of pixies, nymphs, and a few other small pretty creatures even Hades can’t quite name. He’s wearing a crisp white suit, trimmed with gold, and wings are shaved into the side of his head.

“Lord Hermes,” Irma announces from the door, all dressed in red and yellow, like a living flame.

Hermes bows to Hades, who nods in deference. “Right on time, as always.”

“It is my speciality,” says Lord Hermes. “Happy Solstice, my lord."

“Please, make merry.”

Hermes and his entourage drift over to the banquet table. The pixies quickly start serving wine, arranging towers of goblets on silver trays to start delivering the other more prominent guests when they arrive. Irma has arranged everything perfectly, as always.

The next person to arrive is Apollo, a tall, broad-shouldered man with hair a sunlight-yellow. His skin glows, and he’s surrounded by an entourage of extremely beautiful fae in every colour, shape, size and gender imaginable.

He calls out Hades’ names as they enter as if they’re old friends, and springs up the steps to the throne to clasp his hand. He doesn’t even seem to notice the three growling dog heads on his way up.

“So good to see you again, old boy! And your lovely lady!” He moves to kiss Persephone’s hand, and Hades has to stop himself from leaping out of his seat to throttle him.

“Lord Apollo,” Hades says, his face twitching. “You’ve arrived.”

Apollo roars with laughter. “You can just say it’s a pleasure, you know.”

“If only.”

This just makes him laugh more. “So serious, as always. Never mind, I shall make my merriment elsewhere. I hear your wines are fantastic.”

He gives Persephone a cheery wink and backs down from the dais.

“He seems friendly,” she comments when he’s out of earshot.

“Never trust friendliness,” Hades says through gritted teeth. Because yes, Apollo is friendly. He’s friendly with everyone. And despite their differences in temperament, he’s always been close to Zeron. Apollo has laughed at a lot of things he shouldn’t.

“I’m friendly,” Persephone reminds him. “You trust me. And I’m a liar.”

Hades snorts. “You can lie, Sephy, but you aren’t a liar. Everyone else here can speak nothing but truth and somehow manages to lie with almost every word they say.”

“You don’t.”

“I’m the worst of them all.”

I’m lying to you with our shared history. I’m lying every time I speak to you with that part unknown.

Before Persephone can ask what he means, Artemis, Apollo’s sister, arrives. She’s almost as tall as he is, but unlike him in every other respect. Dark-haired and dressed from head-to-toe in silver, she’s the moon to his sun and just as cold. She gives Hades the most curt of nods and says nothing, taking her hunters with her to the side of the room.

He actually half-likes her for that. She’s never tried to curry favour, never tried to pretend she likes him. Her dislike is evident and she’s unafraid to show it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.