Page 39 of A Kingdom of Wild and Power
Zagreus’ mouth twitched. ‘Does that truly surprise you? You conspired with Hecate and Themis to banish Melinoe there in the first place.’
Kage’s eyes widened in the shadows at the revelation.
Persephone waved the remark aside and glanced around Tartarus, surveying the prison her husband had once built and later gifted to their son. She looked upon it with the careful scrutiny of a mother desperate to offer judgement, yet wary her opinion would be poorly received.
‘We need to bring your sister back,’ she said at last.
‘And how would you suggest we do that?’
‘Perhaps if you travelled with Thanatos—’
‘No.’
Persephone’s dark eyes flashedwith irritation. Yet she did not strike out, as Kage had half expected. She held herself back.
There was too much love there.
A love for her son so unyielding, so consuming, it was dangerous in its own way.
‘Do you not wish to save your sister?’
‘We cannot save her, not that way,’ Zagreus replied evenly. ‘The bargain has been struck. Makaria will only be released when the original soul is returned. You and I both know the kings of Hell do not reverse their decrees.’
‘Then we offer them something greater.’
‘Such as?’
Persephone’s lips curved into a smile. ‘Melinoe’s child.’
‘You do not possess the child in question.’
Persephone lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. ‘Eris will bring the child to me. And if she fails… Thanatos will.’
Zagreus snorted. ‘Thanatos will not betray Melinoe.’
‘He is bound to me,’ Persephone said. ‘Bound to obey the king or queen of this realm. If I commanded him to bring me her head, he would.’
‘Is he not bound to her by the curse?’
Persephone’s jaw tightened, teeth grinding together. ‘He is. He is bound to love her. But love does not make one incapable of harm, my son.’
Zagreus let out a slow sigh, his interest in the conversation clearly waning.
‘I do not believe it wise to place any trust in Eris,’ Zagreus said. ‘She serves only herself. The moment it suits her, she will betray you.’
‘Perhaps she could be persuaded otherwise…’
‘How?’
From the shadows, Kage noticed the subtle tension ripple through Zagreus’ body, as though some instinct deep within him already knew where this path led.
‘If you were to marry her…’
‘No.’
Persephone’s eyes flashed, irritation glinting sharply within their dark depths. ‘All you would need to do is wed her, Zagreus.’
‘And sire children with her.’
