Epilogue

Three years later…

Persephone knew the moment her husband entered the ballroom. Her spine prickled. Behind her, close to the door, the murmuring crowd quieted.

“Incoming, twelve o’clock,” Hermes waggled his brows at her. Persephone pivoted in her gold dress and instantly picked Hades out. He was suave and knee-weakeningly handsome in his tux.

“No costume?” Hermes pouted, putting a fake-monocle to his eye. Persephone swatted his arm.

“He wouldn’t wear it. But does he even need one?”

Hades had caught sight of her. His stubbled jaw creased into a smile. Mmm, five-o’clock shadow, her favorite. He had been working a lot lately, and hadn’t had time to shave before the ball. He’d make it up to her later with the burn of his beard against her thighs…

Pressing two fingers to his lips, Hades blew her a kiss.

“Damn. He makes an entrance.” Hermes dropped his monocle.

“I know,” Persephone murmured.

“I was talking about Poseidon.”

“Oh.” The big shipping tycoon had just wandered in with a group of giggling women in skimpy sea foam green costumes.

“Water nymphs. Very, very clever,” Hermes admired their costumes. “Shall we go greet your husband?”

“I think not,” Persephone said. “Let him placate his supplicants.” As usual, Hades was surrounded by people wanting to shake his hand and whisper in his ear.

“You make him sound like he’s an emperor,” Hermes lifted a critical brow. “What does that make you?”

“A goddess.” Persephone smiled into her drink. “Leave Hades alone. He’ll come to me.”

“Of course he will. You two are glued to the hip. Or...other parts.” He cast a pointed glance at her rounded belly.

“Hermes!” She put a hand to her baby bump.

“Aaaand you’re blushing. I still got it.”

“You’re worse than Athena.” Persephone pretended to look prim.

“Thank you. What number is this?” Hermes hovered his hand over her belly. “Two of ten? Eleven?”

“Two of two, thank you very much. We wanted a boy and a girl.”

“You already have little Vito, so that makes this one…”

“A girl.” Persephone’s flushed skin seemed to glow. “We found out last week.”

“Mrs. Ubeli!”

Both Persephone and Hermes turned to greet a gray-haired man in a white coat.

“Dr. Laurel,” the man reminded them, raising bushy eyebrows that’d make Einstein jealous. “We met at the last gala. I can’t tell you how grateful we are for all your charity. We’re on the brink of a breakthrough.”

“Dr. Laurel,” Persephone murmured, letting him pump her hand. “Of course I remember.”

A willowy young woman in a white toga and a headband of green leaves hovered at the Dr.’s elbow until he dragged her forward. “Allow me to introduce my daughter, Daphne.”

“Hello.” Daphne gave a shy little wave, laughing when Hermes executed a bow.

“Please to meet you, dear,” Persephone said. The girl was a beauty with olive skin and almond shaped green eyes. She looked barely out of high school. “Are you in college?”

Daphne flushed as her dad guffawed. “College? My girl graduated already. On track for a Ph.D. Genius. Takes after her mother.”

“And you as well, Dr. Laurel, I’m sure.” Persephone smiled gently at the young woman. “Would you mind spinning around and showing us your costume? Let me guess what you are.”

With a graceful nod, Daphne spun on her heel.

“Her specialty is biochemistry,” Dr. Laurel was telling Hermes. “Her research is already making waves. Youngest recipient of the Avicennius grant.”

“Very impressive,” Hermes said.

“She didn’t want to come,” her father announced. “But she’s spent too much time cooped up behind a microscope. You’re still young.” He waggled a finger at his daughter.

“You look beautiful,” Persephone told Daphne. “I’m still trying to guess what you are. White robes and a wreath on your head?”

“I’m an ancient Olympic athlete,” Daphne explained. “A winner. These are my laurels.”

“Clever,” Hermes said and Daphne blushed further.

“You can’t be an Olympic athlete,” a deep voice interrupted. A tall, dark-haired man stepped between Daphne and everyone else. “Olympic athletes performed naked.”

“Oh my,” Hermes raised his fake monocle to his eye and peered at the newcomer. “Hello there.”

“Logan, stop being such a stuffed shirt,” Dr. Laurel chided with a grin. “Mrs. Ubeli, may I introduce Dr. Logan Wulfe, unparalleled medical researcher and apparently an expert on ancient sports customs.”

“Not an expert,” Dr. Wulfe said. His face was stern but there was a mischievous tilt to his lips. His fingers traced the edge of Daphne’s laurel leaves. “You could be Daphne, chased by Apollo, who turned into a laurel tree.”

“That’s a sad story,” Daphne said, a bit breathlessly. She gazed up at Logan Wulfe as if he was a god come to life.

And no wonder. With his height, dark hair, and raw-boned features, he wasn’t handsome but overwhelmingly masculine. Perfect to play the part of a brooding gothic hero. Daphne wasn’t the only one under his spell. Hermes didn’t rip his gaze away until Persephone elbowed him in the ribs. Everyone looked at him when he sputtered.

“She could be a military conqueror,” Hermes covered smoothly. “The Romans stole the practice of crowning winners with laurels, and gave wreaths to their successful generals.”

“That fits,” Logan nodded to Daphne, who looked like she might faint with happiness. She had hearts in her eyes.

“Do you want to dance?” she asked and a shadow fell over the tall man’s face.

“I don’t dance. Not even for you.”

“I’ll dance with you.”

The shadows on Logan’s face deepened as a model-handsome blond broke into the circle.

“Here’s my other star student. Adam Archer, of Archer Industries,” Dr. Laurel babbled as the blond and Logan glared at each other. “His partnership has been essential to the success of our company.”

“Happy to be of service.” Adam flashed a toothpaste smile to everyone but Logan. “Daphne, shall we?”

The young woman put her hand in his outstretched one, letting him lead her away. But as the song began, her eyes drifted back to Logan.

“Excuse me,” Logan muttered, pushing a hand through his thick hair before walking off.

“Forgive my protege’s rudeness,” Dr. Laurel said to break the awkward silence. “Logan and Adam used to be like brothers, but recently had a…a falling out.”

“Business or personal?” Hermes asked, studying how Logan glared at Daphne and Adam on the dance floor.

Dr. Laurel blinked. “Business, of course.”

“A bitter rivalry. How delicious,” Hermes murmured and Persephone nudged him again. “Excuse me, I must go...see if I can offer comfort.” He and the doctor wandered off in Logan’s direction.

A strong hand on Persephone’s back made her turn.

“Hades,” she exclaimed. There were a few silver hairs at her husband’s temple but he was even more handsome than ever.

“My love,” he dropped a kiss on her shoulder. “Are you feeling all right?”

“Better, now you’re here.” Persephone cupped his cheek. They exchanged what Athena called an “ooey-gooey” look.

“I got away as soon as I could. Poseidon has a new delivery for us. Charon’s overseeing it now.”

“He’s not coming to the party?”

“He says he’s too busy.” After Charon recovered, he insisted on helping Persephone secure her hold on Metropolis. He hunted out dissenters and put down any coups. With his responsibilities in two cities, he did nothing but work.

Persephone frowned. “He needs a girl.”

“That’s what I told him. That cute little physical therapist he mentioned a few times. I could get the Shades to pick her up, deliver her to him…”

“You are not going to kidnap Charon a bride.”

“Why not? Worked out well for me.” His hands slid over her hips, tugging her flush to him.

“Hades, not here, people will see…”

“Like I care.” But he pulled her into a private alcove before claiming her mouth.

“Hades,” Persephone gasped when he let her come up for air. “You’re mussing my hair.”

“I’ll muss more than that.” With a shark’s grin he reached for her again. “I can’t get enough of you, woman.” But once he had her in his arms, he simply held her.

Persephone rubbed her chafed cheeks.Stubble burn. Perfect.

“Just wait until your daughter gets here. She’s gonna have you wrapped around her little finger.”

Hades’s hands framed her belly.

“Have you thought about a name?” he whispered huskily in her ear.

“Of course. Chiara.”

“You sure?”

Persephone turned to face her husband fully. “Are you okay with that?”

“I am if you are.” He toyed with a strand of her hair.

“Hades,” she covered his hand. “What is it?”

“I wanna name our daughter something good. Something happy and light. Untainted.”

“Your sister was all those things.” Persephone pressed her forehead against her husband’s. “My love, the past will always be with us. A part of us. The pain will never go away. But we are strong. We can remember the good and bring it with us. Let’s name our daughter after your beautiful sister, and remember Chiara the way she’d want.”

Holding her husband close, Persephone rubbed her face against his. And if her cheek came away wet, there was no way to tell who cried the tears.

“You’re so beautiful,” Hades whispered. His thumb rubbed circles on her soft skin. “How is it you’re also so wise?”

“Are you implying beautiful women don’t have brains?” Persephone raised a brow. Hades shook his head. “I’m kidding. I know you’re in awe of me.”

“Of you. And the fact you’re with a guy like me. Why is that anyway?”

“Hmmm,” Persephone twined her arms around his neck. “I thought I had a few reasons but I don’t know. You better kiss me before I forget.”

“I’ll do more than kiss you,” Hades bent her back in his arms, claiming her mouth as she laughed, moving his lips down her throat until she gasped.

“We’re missing the party,” she murmured as he tugged her zipper down.

“Fuck the party.”

“Hades.” She laughed and gave in. With any luck, no one would come investigate her disappearance. If they did, the happy sounds emanating from the alcove would give her away. “Hades,” she panted.

After a moment he raised his head. “Yes, my love?”

“I love you.”

“And I love you,” he said.

“Say it again.”

“I love you. Per sempre. Forever.” He whispered it over and over, imprinting his kisses on her cheeks, her eyelids, her fingers and fluttering pulse. He had forever to make her feel his love for her.

Forever started now.

***