Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 472(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 472(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“That is not what was said,” they answer calmly. “You must listen.”
“I will listen,” I murmur attempting to remember what they said word for word.
I cannot quell my frustration, and it seems the Fates don’t feel any at all. I fold my hands together and clasp them tight to keep from making fists. There is no running from Fate and I do not know that I am entirely ready for mine. It feels as though I’ve just found footing again and that they’re here to throw me off balance.
“I miss my mother,” I say finally, the grief of missing her twisting in my gut. It is easier to ignore it when I am in bed with Hades or at his side in court, but she is my mother. I had never been apart from her before I came to the Underworld. All that separated us were the secrets I kept from her. I wish she knew I was well. I wish I could see her again. Tears prick at the back of my eyes and I swear whatever magic exists in the bedchambers has been broken in this room, for I feel like a child again.
“She misses you as well.” The Fates sound reassuring, though their words only make me miss her more.
I do not know what to say, but I gather myself as much as I can.
“Tell me again, please,” I ask. “So that I may remember this message.”
The Fates tug at the strings in their hands.
“You can thrive in death in the Underworld as much as you can in life on Olympus.” They speak more slowly this time. “But neither life would be complete.”
A lump aches in my throat. “How am I to be complete, then?”
What they are saying makes no sense. Two halves of a life? How could I choose between them? In the Underworld, I have some control over my powers. On Olympus, I have my mother but my powers will go and surely I will be swept aside.
“To simply be,” the Fates reply. “You do not need to choose.”
I let out a harsh laugh as tears slip from the corner of my eyes. “But you have just said that I will never be complete no matter what I choose. That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It does, my Queen,” the Fates say. I want to scream at how calm they sound. “Find your power. It is then that fate will find you.”
Hades
I know Hermes is in the underworld the moment he arrives. I had been returning to Persephone, who came down the path some time ago, but when I sense Hermes on the path, I change directions and go to find him before he can find her.
Whoever granted him passage will hear from me next.
It is not difficult to locate the God of War and Conductor of the Dead. His eyes are on the side of the path as he walks in loping strides, and he is not attempting to conceal himself. He guides souls to the River of Styx, he is not permitted on these grounds though. He should not be here and I can only imagine why he’s ventured this far. Zeus.
“Hermes.”
The youthful God boasts an athletic yet slim build under his cloth tunic. His winged sandals mark him as the messenger. He rubs his beardless chin with one hand, grasping his gold staff with the other.
He turns at the sound of his name, a smile on his face. “Hades.” His tone is one of greeting. As if I do not know better. His arrogance is infuriating.
“I did not know you planned to visit my realms.”
“I am here at the behest of Zeus,” Hermes announces. He’s always honest…when it suits him. “Tell me. Where is your queen?”
“Not available to you.” My tone is harsh intentionally although the God does not change his demeanor.
“I’ve come to convince Persephone to return to Olympus,” Hermes says. Apparently there is no need for subterfuge.
“You will not,” I say flatly.
Hermes glances around the grounds. “She was here. Wasn’t she?” He stares at me a moment, “Persephone,” he says as if I need reminding.
“Do not speak her name,” I warn. “Lest you wish to get her attention.” Anger bristles inside of me and I imagine her in her throne, her righteous anger.
“Persephone?” Hermes says. Chills run down my spine at the thought of him taking her. “She is here, then. Here in your realms.”
“She will not return,” I tell him firmly. “She is my wife.”
Hermes squares his shoulders and faces me. A moment passes and it’s then I realize my hands are in such tight fists that they pulse. “I would like to see her and speak to her myself.”
I put my two fingers in my mouth and let out a sharp whistle. Cerberus will hear it wherever he is in the Underworld, and he will come to my side.