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Chapter 7
Apollo
Elyse had changed since the last time she died. She was a lot stronger, yes, but it was more than sheer physical strength. She’d been so angry before, so unsure about who she was going to become. But she was different now—sure of herself, settled in her power, and looking forward instead of back. Even after the shit X had pulled, I had to admit I admired everything about her, from her confidence in the face of such a horrific time to her tenderness—caring so much for her friend, insisting she’d search every corner of the planet to find X and save her.
We spent all of Saturday together, spending time in each other’s company.
Comforting her, I insisted on going out for a walk with her for fresh air. Lake Michigan was spectacular, and there were a few people around, but it was quiet as we strolled side by side next to the water.
I listened to her talk, and I was fascinated by her human life—an existence she seemed more and more uncomfortable with. With each passing day since I first met her, she seemed less human to me. No matter how much she insisted she wasn’t a deity.
Catina was Elyse’s link to her humanity, and she held on to that connection for dear life. I’d figured that out pretty soon after meeting the girl. Now with Catina taken, I tried to do whatever it took to distract Elyse until we found X, to stop her from falling apart because her tears broke me. Yet I kept wondering if she felt like it was symbolic, that her humanity was fading and Catina had disappeared, too.
Though again, I hoped she didn’t feel that way. Her compassion, her emotional strength, her will to lay down her lives—all four of them—for others, was her human side showing through.
The gods could be pretty damn selfish. Ironic, if you considered how much life we had to live. But we took our immortality for granted and too often gave little thought to the grief humans went through. Sure, we observed them, but for us, the souls went on to another realm, so life never truly ended.
“Talk to me,” I murmured softly, taking her hand in mine, our fingers intertwined. She felt tiny in my palm, and more than anything, I wanted to fold her into my arms and keep her guarded from X, from grief, from agony. But she’d never accept that. She’d been brought up a warrior who fought against danger, not a victim who ran away. So, I’d remain by her side as I had done since we first met, there for her when she needed me.
“I don’t want to talk about Catina if that’s what you mean,” she finally replied, glancing up at me, her eyes glazed. They were still red from her earlier crying, her cheeks rosy and so flawless like the rest of her.
My chest tightened. I didn’t mind what she talked about to me as long as she didn’t shut me out. “We can chat about anything.”
“Persephone came to see me,” she said softly.
“What?” I looked at her, frowning. We’d spent the whole day together, and she hadn’t mentioned that piece of information.
Elyse kept staring at me without answering. She knew I’d heard her.
“She’s not supposed to be able to come to Earth yet,” I explained.
“That’s what I thought, too. But apparently, the Underworld is unstable because of what X is doing. It’s falling apart.”
I tried to piece together what Elyse was saying. X’s actions had repercussions far worse than I’d imagined. If the Underworld was unsteady, what would that mean for the dead souls? The fates? To the balance for humans? Zeus ruled over the domains with his two brothers to maintain perfect harmony, but if one element stopped working, everything would soon start breaking down.
“She said it’s not Hades.” Elyse’s voice sliced through my thoughts. “Apparently, X is acting on his own. Because Hades is in such a bad place X was able to escape.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” I said. “Hades and X are supposed to be stuck to each other. X is his alter ego.”
Elyse glanced around as if looking for answers. “To be honest, I don’t know enough about X to tell you if you’re right or wrong. I never learned about him in school or from my dad. He’s not a popular topic in Greek mythology. Which is why he’s pissed off, it seems. Or something like that. Persephone said Hades needs to learn to love again, and I must give him a chance. What am I supposed to do with that?”
I ran my hands through my hair. What the hell had just happened? We hadn’t talked about anything important the whole day, and now she’d blurted out a vital piece of information?
“Okay,” I acknowledged.
“Okay?” She looked at me, her brow furrowed.
“Yeah. Thanks for telling me.”
Elyse shrugged again, and we continued walking. “Just thought this might mean something to you. Clearly not,” she said, her voice darkening.
But my mind was racing, far away, with Hades. I drew her into my arms and wrapped them around her. My heart beat erratically in my chest whenever I held her, when our bodies pressed close, and I wanted nothing more than to keep her safe for eternity.
The breeze fluttered through her long, chestnut hair, a striking contrast to her pale skin. All I could remember was her smile when I’d whisked her off to ride in my chariot, how I’d promised myself to do whatever it took to give her endless joy and wipe away the grief.
“I’m going to find out what it means.” I brushed a strand of hair off her cheek.
Her mocha eyes carried a softness to them, and she melted against my chest, her arms looping around me. With her cheek just over my heart, I touched my chin on the top of her head and knew exactly who’d help find the answer we sought.
