Daughter of the Earth and Sky (8 page)

“The kind who met his last victim, narrowly avoided her fate, and watched her best friend die at his hands. He doesn’t deserve your pity.”

“I know. He deserved worse than what I did to him, but not feeling even the slightest bit of guilt? That makes me a monster.”

“You can’t keep comparing yourself to humans. Gods have a stronger sense of justice. We see a wrong and we fix it. There are not as many shades of grey for us.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “You’re the furthest thing from a monster I’ve ever met.” He yawned and I turned around, shifting until I was lying down. “I can sleep on the floor,” he said with another yawn.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

He hesitated, putting his book on the nightstand. “I don’t think—”

“I dream about that day all the time,” I said, voice so soft he had to lean closer to hear me. “I see her die, over and over again, and sometimes I don’t get away.” I felt his reassuring arm wrap around me and leaned into him. “It’s better…when I know you’re here.” I met his gaze, “I’m not afraid to sleep. I know when I’m with you, I’m safe.”

His arm tightened around me, and he turned off the light without a word. I felt the shield drop away from us and fell asleep to the soothing sound of his beating heart.

The next morning I woke to the sound of a shower running. Hades was still sleeping, one arm draped possessively over my middle. I smiled and let myself enjoy the feeling of his arm around me for just a minute before I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and began packing. The water shut off, and I grabbed the extra outfit out of the unicorn bag for Aphrodite.

The door opened, and Aphrodite stepped into the room wearing a towel. I glanced over at Hades, glad he was still asleep, and handed her the outfit, motioning for her to keep quiet. The tank top and short skirt looked amazing on her, and I realized I’d need to have a talk with Cassandra later. The clothes fit her too well to be coincidence.

I ducked into the bathroom and slipped into a blue sundress and clipped on my necklace. I smiled and touched one of the pointed green leaves. I’d have to get Hades something. But what could I possibly get for the god who had everything?

By the time I was ready, Hades was awake. We ate breakfast before settling our bill and leaving the island. I made a quick phone call to the ferry company and left a glowing review for the captain I’d charmed into coming back for us then made Hades do the same from the hotel phone. It wasn’t nearly enough, but it was all I could think to do. Then I called my mom when we reached the car and explained the situation. We filled Aphrodite in on our plan and had her swear an oath regarding the safety of the priestesses.

“Okay,” she agreed in a cheerful voice.

“You don’t have any questions?” I asked, surprised.

“You’re trying to protect me. Why would I question you?”

“Imagine that.” Hades gave me an amused look.

I narrowed my eyes at him, sure he was remembering the first time he rescued me.

“See how much smoother things go when you tell people you’re trying to help them?” I poked him with my index finger and unlocked the car.

“Touché,” Hades said. “On that note, whatever you do, don’t piss off Demeter.”

Aphrodite nodded, looking so worried I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t look so scared, my mom is really nice.”

“To you, sometimes.” Hades snickered. “And those who’ve sworn allegiance to her.”

I frowned. “My mom is nice to everyone.”

Hades shook his head, but didn’t push the subject. “Just walk on eggshells,” he warned Aphrodite.

It was dusk when we arrived at Melissa’s house. The porch light shined like a beacon at the end of their long gravel driveway. I noticed Mom’s car and drew a deep breath. I was still angry with her for lying about Zeus but returned her hug when we entered Melissa’s home. No matter what, she was still my mom.

I hugged Melissa then introduced everyone to Aphrodite. She gave Melissa a cool appraisal, clearly not impressed with what she saw, and I winced. We’d have to talk about manners later.

“So you’re Persephone’s human?”

Or now. I grabbed Aphrodite’s arm. “Excuse us,” I told Melissa and dragged Aphrodite down the hall. “Don’t ever talk to her like that again!”

“Like what?” Aphrodite asked, all innocence.

“Like she’s beneath us. Like anyone is beneath us. She’s not my human; she’s a person—”

“Yes,” Aphrodite agreed. “Of course she’s a person. She’s human. She is beneath us.”

I gaped at her cavalier attitude and looked to Hades for help. He hadn’t said a word since we’d walked into the house. I followed his gaze to Melissa’s mother, crossing back and forth behind the half wall that separated the living room from the kitchen.

“Would anyone like cookies?” she called, putting a plate down on the bar. “They’re just ready…” Her voice trailed off when she felt the power of Hades’ stare.

“Minthe?” he breathed.

She met his eyes, and her face paled.

Melissa and I glanced at each other in confusion. What was this? “Treat her like you’d treat me,” I told Aphrodite quickly. “And listen to what she says. She’s your best bet at fitting in here. You can’t just walk around like you’re better than everyone—”

“But I am.”

I rolled my eyes. I didn’t have time for this. “Don’t act like it,” I snapped, moving away from Aphrodite and closer to Melissa.

“Hades, I wanted to tell you—” Mrs. Minthe began.

“But I thought it best she not further invoke Hera’s anger,” my mother interrupted in clipped tones.

“I thought you were dead.” Hades’ voice was careful, as if he was trying very hard to bury whatever emotions were at war within him.

“What’s going on?” Melissa asked.

“She’s
the
Minthe.” I managed to work the words out of my dry throat. “Isn’t she?”

Melissa knew the myth. We’d both heard it in Latin class, and then later, after my winter in the Underworld, we’d analyzed every facet of that myth to figure out what kind of girls Hades liked. Melissa met my eyes, looking pale and shocked.

“Hades and I used to see each other before I was a priestess of Demeter,” Mrs. Minthe explained.

“Hera got jealous and turned her into the mint plant,” Hades added.

“Why would Hera be jealous?” Melissa interjected. She blinked, seeming surprised at the sound of her own voice, and I knew that question had been the least important one on her mind. She’d just blurted it out without thinking.

Hades hesitated, but my mother had no problem filling in the gap. “Hades and Hera were a couple long before she married Zeus. Didn’t he tell you, Persephone?”

I didn’t bother to answer her smug question. No, he hadn’t told me, but I’d already guessed. He’d always been unusually defensive on Hera’s behalf. He’d been open with me about every other relationship he’d ever had. Obviously, that one was a sore subject, and I saw no reason to get upset about a relationship that had ended when dirt was new.

Aphrodite gave my mother a strange look and stepped closer to Hades in a show of solidarity.

“So you’re nymphs,” Aphrodite exclaimed, indicating Melissa and her mother with a wave of her hand. At Melissa’s questioning look, she clarified, “It’s easier to turn a nymph into a plant. Humans are easier to turn into animals. It’s not impossible, mind you…”

“I’m a nymph?” Melissa asked her mom.

“Half,” Mrs. Minthe replied. “Honey, the difference between a human and a nymph is so inconsequential it’s hardly worth mentioning. We work well with nature. Unlike the human myths, turning into trees or rivers isn’t typical of our race, unless cursed.”

Melissa’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “Oh, so you got turned into a plant? Why?”

“It made sure even her soul was out of my reach.” Hades’ voice was bitter.

“Demeter rescued me. In return, I swore to be her priestess for all time.”

I wondered how many of my mom’s priestesses were refugees from other gods. I was about to ask when Hades interrupted. “Well, it’s good to see you, Minthe. I’m happy that you’re still alive.” He turned to my mother. “I am grateful to you for that.”

I fiddled with my necklace and studied Mrs. Minthe out of the corner of my eye. Her every feature should have been familiar to me, but too many conflicting images were vying for my attention. I saw the woman who babysat me since before I could walk. The lady who baked cakes for my birthday parties. She was Melissa’s mom, and that image didn’t resonate with the youthful nymph I’d imagined from hearing the stories.

Words were being exchanged between Hades and Minthe, but I couldn’t hear them. The words didn’t matter anyway. Their eyes spoke louder, telling stories of regret and angst. I shouldn’t be in here right now. Melissa gripped my hand, and I knew she understood.

“I’ll…uh, I’ll be back. Tomorrow. Can you…” I kept losing my train of thought, the right words slipping past me like water flowing through my fingers. “Aphrodite…”

“I will be fine.” Aphrodite beamed. “You should have told me she was a nymph,” she added, as if that made all the difference.

“Okay then, I’m going to show you to your room.” Melissa kept her voice low, steering Aphrodite away. She met my eyes and quirked an eyebrow.

I nodded. We would talk later.

I made my way to the porch, gulping the fresh air as if I’d been suffocating. The door closed behind me, and I closed my eyes. “Which is it, Mom? Are you here to gloat or give me a cover story?”

“I deserved that,” she said in a calm voice.

“Damn right, you did!” I snapped. She arched an eyebrow at my tone, but I was too angry to care. “You knew I was coming here with Hades, and you let me find out like this! Not to mention Minthe and Melissa. What do you think that did to them?”

“I spoke with Minthe before you arrived.” Mom smoothed her skirt and sat on the porch swing. “We both agreed that it was best to get this over with. Hades was bound to run into her at some point if Aphrodite is going to be staying here, and you deserved to know about his past before you get any further involved in this relationship.”

“You think he didn’t tell me about her? He told me everything; he always does. He used her as cautionary tale for why we shouldn’t be together. You didn’t win here, you—”

“I wasn’t aware we were fighting a battle.”

“We’re having a war, haven’t you noticed?” I laughed. “And you’ve been fighting dirty, withholding information just long enough to sharpen the blow.”

“Persephone.” She gave me an annoyed look. “You can’t believe I’ve been keeping things from you to hurt you.”

“What other reason could there be?” I held up my hands in frustration. “I’ve told you I want you to be honest with me. I don’t know how I can make it clearer to you. So yeah, I’m taking it personally. You’ve been against me and Hades from the start. It’s not about the age difference. It’s about power. As long as I’m in the dark, I’m easier to control, and he took that away from you.”

She gave me a level stare. “You’re upset right now, but when you calm down, we’re going to talk about this attitude of yours—”

“So I can be better behaved?” I pushed off the wooden porch rail and moved toward my mother, furious with her deception. Her back stiffened, but she didn’t move. “You know how this conversation would have gone a few months ago? You would have lectured me and ended by asking me to promise to have a better attitude. You took advantage of the fact that I couldn’t lie and used it to bind me to your standards. But the secret’s out. I’m not falling for it anymore, so you’re changing your tactics. And you don’t care who you hurt in the process.” I pointed at the door. “That was ruthless, Mom, even for you.”

She opened her mouth, but I cut her off before she could get a word in. “And I say that after finding out you let me believe my father was dead. After your refusal to be honest with me nearly got me killed last winter and actually did kill Melissa. After all of the half-truths and deceptions throughout the years.” I shook my head. “Letting me plan for swimming and scuba diving on the Georgia coast trip, knowing I wouldn’t be able to step one foot in the water. What is
wrong
with you?”

“Are you going to let me get a word in?”

“You’ve said enough.” I crossed my arms, hands clenched so tight I was surprised my nails didn’t draw blood. “If you love me at all, if you’re even capable of it, you won’t say another word. You’ll go inside and leave me the hell alone. I can’t take a single word my mother says to me at face value ever again, and you apparently lack the basic compassion necessary to understand how hard that is for me.”

I spun around, facing the driveway. The porch light spilled over my shoulders, casting a shadow into the grass and gravel. The door creaked open, and Hades stepped onto the porch. I watched their shadows in the grass, still and silent. My silhouette was caught between theirs, blending us all into a featureless lump. I imagined the look being exchanged between the gods behind me. Was he mad? Grateful? Indifferent? For once I couldn’t guess how he felt.

My mother retreated, leaving me with my shadows and Hades with his mysterious feelings. I breathed heavily, but didn’t allow myself to cry.

It felt like eons later when Hades spoke. “You’re angry.”

I touched my necklace. “Not at you.”

He fell into step beside me as we walked toward the car. “Are you okay?” I asked finally.

“I love that you would bother to ask that.” He had a sad smile on his face. “I’m fine. I feel better, actually. I’ve felt guilty about what happened to Minthe for a long time. It’s good to know she’s okay.”

“I guess it was nice of Mom to rescue her,” I conceded.

“Strategic. Undying gratitude is powerful stuff for a god.”

That explanation better fit my mood. We sat in the car for a minute. Dread filled the pit of my stomach, and I really didn’t want to ask, but I had to. “Do you still love her?”

He didn’t hesitate. “No.”

I let out a sigh of relief and started the car. We’d only driven a few miles when Hades told me to pull over.

“You shouldn’t drive when you’re so upset.” He motioned to my shaking hands. “But I figured you wanted to get out of there.”