Chapter Twelve

A few days after Persephone and Hades broke the news of the immortality fruit to the others, they walked into the bedchamber in the evening to find a small bird darting around the stalactites. Birds didn’t usually fly down into the Underworld, but occasionally one, lost or adventurous, swooped into the entrance and wound up fluttering around frantically in some part of the cave.

Persephone laughed. “Poor silly thing.” She fashioned a net by wrapping a veil onto a long spear handle, and set about climbing the wall to catch the bird.

Using handholds of tiny ledges and lumps that took immense muscle strength and control to hang onto and wouldn’t have sufficed for any mortal rock-climber, Persephone ascended easily, one hand free to hold the net. She swung the net through the air. The bird darted to avoid it, soared straight to the cold fireplace, and flew up the chimney—perhaps the way it had entered in the first place, and a good method of escape now.

Persephone and Hades laughed. She threw the net to the floor and picked her way back down the wall. Hades’ hand closed around her bare foot to help her, and she turned and slid into his arms. Her legs straddled his waist; her tunic slid up around her hips. He moved his hands beneath it and stepped forward to press her against the rock wall.

Nearly every day since the spring equinox she had invited him to let her make use of those cloudhair seeds she kept around to avoid pregnancy. Every time he had refused, and redirected their desire to other tantalizing activities.

But it was increasingly clear Persephone was immortal. She had proved it by sensing him, by switching realms, and by feats of strength such as climbing this wall. As she kissed him now, her legs around him, she felt his resistance crumble, the evidence of her eternal youth finally conquering him.

Neither of them needed to speak a word of explanation. Persephone pulled his tunic out of the way. He shifted into position and pushed forward, and their bodies interlocked. A spark of pain gleamed inside her, and she caught her breath, then it lulled to a spreading warmth. He filled her; she surrounded him. They lingered a moment, breathing against one another’s lips. Then Hades lifted her by the backs of her legs and moved her to the bed, and tumbled down on top of her.

Finally, I can do everything, she thought in bliss, moving with him. Not just everything Aphrodite could do with men, but everything anyone could do, anywhere. The world was hers.

Her increasing excitement scattered her thoughts beyond words, and she let herself only enjoy him.

Afterward they lay side by side, garments still half on, their hearts slowing back to normal. Persephone sat up and crawled over Hades. She reached across to the flat-topped stump he had brought down as a table. On it sat the cloth bag of cloudhair seeds and dried mint leaves. She untied the drawstring, poured a small handful into her palm, and tossed them back into her mouth.

A glance at Hades found him watching her, smiling gently. “Thank goodness,” he said. “I wasn’t quite ready to face that risk yet.”

“Nor me.” She grimaced. “Ugh! Aphrodite wasn’t joking about the taste. Even with the mint. Bitter and oily. And the texture’s like thorns.” She swallowed, shuddered, and washed down the seeds with a swig of water from a jar.

“Sorry, love. If we ever find an herb that works for men, I’ll happily take it, no matter how it tastes.”

“I know you would. We’ll keep looking.” She settled into his arms, and wrapped his thigh between hers. “Worth it, though.”

“Mm.” His sigh was more of a groan. He nuzzled her throat. “I completely agree.”

Sophie opened her eyes to the darkness of the trailer. Heat cocooned her. Adrian breathed in sleep, his head turned away. She had no idea what time it was, and at the moment cared nothing about such details.

She slid her hand under his shirt, reveling in the taut skin and the wiry hairs leading down from his navel. His warmth and scent captivated her. His breath hitched, his consciousness creeping back as she moved her hand inside his flannel pajama pants. She stroked one lean hip and then the other, and finally dipped between them.

He slid his arms around her and released his breath in a gratified moan.

She climbed onto him, knees planted on either side of his waist. He peeled off her shirt. She did the same to his, then lay down so their bare chests met. Without cloudhair seeds of her own, she wouldn’t take it as far as Persephone and Hades had, but she could take pleasure in him, and give it back. At last.

She expected a question or a triumphant remark any moment, as they kissed and stroked one another. And she would have been happy, if shy, to relate the dream she’d awoken from. But he said nothing, smug nor otherwise; asked her for no explanation. He only breathed and groaned and touched and received. Goddess bless him.

OMG girl!! Zoe texted Tabitha when she got the video link. You are a rock star ALREADY! FFS, invite me next time. After shooting it off, Zoe wondered if she should have added a wink or something, to sound less needy. But then:

Ha, I wanted to come get you! Tab texted back. But even with the horse it takes what, 3 hrs ea way to NZ? And I didn’t think your folks would let you out so easy this time. Next time def!!

Sounds great, Zoe answered, and this time added the smiling emoticon. You’re careful abt not showing your powers too much, right?

Yeah & besides, I think I’ll mostly be making things happen for others. Awesomest parties, coolest connections, cos we have the money, you know? Anyway, N thinks the weirdos don’t even know for sure I’m connected w/ S. We’re in different states now and all.

Zoe worked it out: N for Niko, S for Sophie, weirdos for Thanatos; but was that a safe conclusion about Thanatos’ cluelessness?

Well, be careful. I’d hate to see my new favorite rock star get assassinated.

Aww, Tab texted back. Can I count you as my new favorite groupie, then? ;)

Zoe grinned, demeaning though the words might be if taken a certain way. Absolutely, she answered.