Page 47 of Queen of Tempests and Sin

‘Genesion?’ I tilted my head and frowned.

‘His kingdom.’

Guinn’s good eye widened like a cartoon character. ‘Under the sea?’

‘He is Poseidon.’ Perseus smirked.

‘Brutal!’ She grinned, then pouted. ‘Now I really want to visit Genesion.’

‘I’m sure you’ll get the chance, one day, little Guinn,’ he said. ‘Anyways… You hungry?’

Guinn bounced on her toes. ‘I’m starving!’

‘Good.’ Perseus grinned. ‘Because I just rustled up hummus flatbread with balsamic vegetables, and a jug of vanilla milkshake.’ Guinn actually swooned, hands clasped to her chest, and fluttered her long, dark lashes at the demigod, and that mega-watt smile was back on his stunning face.

‘Not just a pretty face, huh?’ I quipped.

A pink hue crept up his cheeks, but he recovered fast. Leaning in, he whispered in my ear, ‘I’m a dab hand in the kitchen… and a stud in the bedroom.’

‘I heard that,’ Guinn said as she skipped past us. ‘Let’s test out your culinary skills first, hey?’ Perseus barked out a laugh, and I shook my head at my fifteen-going-on-fifty-year-old sister.

‘Keep it in your pants, Mr Smiley,’ I warned with a grin. ‘Or I’ll be putting an end to your abilities in the bedroom.’ I gave my knife a fond pat, and Perseus clutched his chest in mock horror, making me laugh. Gods, laughing felt so good—I hadn’t done enough of it in a very long time. Perseus snatched up our luggage and then followed me to the kitchen.

* * *

After we’d eaten and cleared up, Si returned, looking as debonair and as dangerously edible as ever. His gaze snagged on mine, eyes glimmering with something that made my stomach flutter.

‘Thanatos and Erebus have already left, Majesty,’ Perseus said, and Si nodded.

‘Ready?’ His gaze locked onto mine, and I gave a half-shrug.

‘As I’ll ever be.’ I wouldn’t admit it, but I was a mess of nervous funk at the thought of going to the Underworld before I was dead. Guinn, however, appeared unruffled.

‘Ajax is staying up top with Theseus,’ Si continued. ‘Perseus, take Guinn, and I’ll bring Cordelia. We’ll meet in the kitchen… Apparently, Hades is cooking.’ His eye-roll was theatrical. Si grabbed my bag, and Perseus did the same for Guinn. ‘Let’s go, ladies.’

When Si wrapped me in his big arms, that unfamiliar, alien feeling of safety settled over me again—warm, strong, and undeniable. As my feet hit the ground, the aftereffects of travelling through the aether were less, like my body was adjusting. Guinn, on the other hand, looked ready to barf.

‘Oh. My. God.’ she groaned, hand covering her mouth.

Perseus rubbed her back, laughing. ‘It gets easier.’

‘Gods,’ a voice said behind us—deep, disapproving, and unmistakable. That voice made us both stiffen. As we turned around, Hades stood with a raised brow. ‘Gods, Guinevere,’ he corrected coolly.

‘S—sorry, your Highness.’ She dipped into an awkward curtsey, and I stifled a snort-laugh, while Si huffed a breath.

The kitchen was vast and light—an opulent blend of modern elegance and mythic charm. Chequered dark and light grey tiles stretched across the floor, and a massive island dominated the centre of the space. White marble countertops shimmered faintly, as if imbued with stardust, catching the pale silver-amethyst light filtering in from the tall windows. A long table nearby held an enormous vase of asphodels, the pink and white blooms swaying gently as if they were alive. I smiled.

‘Pah! You’re really cooking?’ Si asked his brother, smug disbelief colouring his tone. ‘Never thought I’d see the day you traded your crown for an apron.’

‘Baking,’ Hades corrected smoothly, unfazed. ‘Someone has to show Persephone that I’m more than good looks and damnation.’ Si’s eyes widened, his jaw dropping open. For once, he seemed at a loss for words.

‘Baking?’ Guinn whispered, sneaking over to peer through the oven’s glass door. ‘Mm, chocolate cupcakes!’

‘Yes. Persephone’s favourites,’ Hades said with a fond look.

‘Whipped bastard,’ Si muttered under his breath, and I elbowed him in the ribs.

Hades ignored his brother. ‘Persephone should be here any minute. She will show you to your suites.’