The silence between us stretches on, broken only by the soft sounds of Eros working. I can't help but wonder what he's thinking, what he's feeling.

  As he finishes cleaning the last of my cuts, he stands and starts to turn away. I reach out for him, catching his wrist, and he freezes.

  “What’s wrong, Eros?”

  Slowly, he turns to look at me, his expression pained.

  “I am sorry.”

  “For what?”

  He lets out a heavy sigh.

  “For getting you into his mess. I should have known better than to even suggest sending you to the ball to seduce Hades. I should have—”

  “Stop.” His eyes widen slightly as I cut him off. “This is my own doing. My own choices led me here. I am the one who was foolish enough to make a deal with Death. I should have known better than to believe I could take fate into my own hands.”

  Eros shifts uncomfortably at this. Narrowing my eyes, I watch him for a moment, but even in his blindness he won’t quite meet my gaze.

  “What is it, Eros?”

  He hesitates for a moment before saying, “You should know how much it pains me to say this. Truly, I hate to even mention this, but I have never known Death to take payment for a deal and not fulfill his side of the bargain.”

  “What?” the word barely makes it past my lips as my breath catches in my throat.

  “All I am saying is that—”

  “You can’t be serious,” I snap as I’m reminded of Death’s broken promise. “You saw my father’s soul on the other side of the gates.”

  “You were right that he should not have died so soon. But how can you be so sure that Death broke his side of the deal?”

  I open my mouth to answer this before blinking.

  Slowly, I close my mouth.

  My heart skips as I consider what Eros is suggesting. Is it really possible that despite our deal, despite my bargaining, my father still met an untimely end?

  “Is that really possible?”

  Eros shrugs, but it’s enough to plant a seed of doubt in my mind.

  My heart races as I consider this.

  I can’t help but reflect on everything I’ve said and done since seeing my father’s soul at the gates.

  At the harsh words I snapped at Death, and the way I was too quick to rush into Eros’s arms.

  And yet, despite all of that, he still came for me when I needed him the most.

  A lump begins to form in my throat as tears mist my eyes.

  “What am I to do?” I ask Eros.

  He gives me a gentle smile as settles on the edge of the bed and reaches for me.

  I let him gather me in his arms, rocking me softly as he runs a hand through my hair. Offering me comfort when I need it the most.

  “Listen to your heart,” he says, his voice all too gentle and soothing. “When you face what is to come.”

  I glance up at him, just as he presses a palm to my cheek.

  The next thing I know, he’s bent his lips to mine, stopping just short of kissing me. He remains frozen there for a moment, before quickly pulling away, a curse on his lips as he puts distance between us.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He shakes his head.

  “I am sorry, Hazel. I have to go.”

  “Why?”

  He opens his mouth but then forces it closed. His expression hardens as he stares down at me.

  A question forms and dies on my lips just as the door swings open and Anteros strides into the room.

  He nods at Eros.

  “It is time.”

  Without so much as another word or further explanation, Eros offers his hand to me. I take it, allowing him to help me to my feet.

  As soon as I am standing, he drops my hand and steps away, as if he can no longer stand to touch me. As he moves to exit the room, his brother stops him to lean in and whisper something.

  Eros looks surprised, but then nods.

  I frown after him, wondering what was just said, as strides silently from the room. Anteros watches after him for a long moment before looking back to me.

  Motioning to several guards, they lead me from the room.

  30

  Hazel

  Not a single word is spoken between us as I’m escorted through the palace and out into the city. I was beginning to think I would only ever know the four walls of Hades’ castle, and I can’t help the way my heart leaps with joy as we put it behind us, but as we move deeper into the City of the Gods, I realize that my excitement may be short-lived.

  Leaving Hades’ palace may not have been such a good thing after all.

  The streets are already lined with spectators.

  Their eyes bore into me as I’m led past them. I can hear their whispering, laughter, and jeers, but none of it makes any sense to me. Most seem to be celebrating which only makes me warier as I’m led to a part of the city that I’ve yet to step foot in.

  The crowd only thickens here, the faces all blurring together as the creatures of the Underworld jostle one another for the chance to look upon me.

  A large arena made of bright white stone looms ahead of us, and I can’t help but stare up at it, craning my neck back to make out the shining golden top of it.

  It’s stunning, the delicate columns and stones begging to find themselves captured by a paintbrush. My fingers twitch in a way I’d almost forgotten at the thought, and for just a moment I allow myself to be distracted.

  Panic is quick to overcome any daydreams about painting though as Anteros leads me into the arena. I barely manage to catch a glimpse of the beautiful marble floors as I’m led to a small room.

  “You will await further instructions here,” Anteros tells me.

  Heavy metal bars fall over the doorway, efficiently trapping me alone in the room. I watch as he moves away, the guards leaving with him.

  Turning back to look around the empty space, I let out a sigh.

  There’s not much to do here but wait and wonder about what’s about to happen.

  Will I find myself standing before the Judges? Or perhaps this is a trial for some crime they believe I have committed against love?

  I suppose it’s possible. Here, I’m starting to think anything is possible, but the more I try to imagine what I’m about the face, the faster my heart begins to race.

  Unable to stand still, I begin to pace as my mind runs wild.

  “Hazel.”

  Blinking, it takes a moment to pull myself from my thoughts as I turn to find Cerberus standing at the gates, watching me with concern in his gaze.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask as I frown at him.

  I’m still too anxious and overwhelmed by my thoughts to want to deal with him right now.

  “Please,” he whispers, “we do not have much time.”

  The urgency in his voice breaks through to me, and I have no choice but to step toward him.

  “What is it?” I ask, something about his face and voice making me realize that I should listen to him.

  He shifts forward, slipping his hand through the bars. Opening his palm, I stare at the small piece of paper that lies there.

  I eye it warily for a moment before quickly reaching to take it.

  Only he closes his hand before I can grab it, catching me in his grip. I glare up at up.

  “What kind of trick is this?”

  “It is no trick,” he rushes to say. “I will give you the note, but I would like to ask your forgiveness for not doing a better job of protecting you.”

  I blink at him in surprise.

  “I do not think this is an appropriate time to be having this conversation.”

  His gaze drops, and I almost think that I see a single tear slip down his cheek. Frowning, I shift closer but when he meets my gaze, I swear his cheeks are dry.

  “You are right, of course,” he says, releasing his hold on me.

  The parchment in hand, I turn my back to the door.

  Opening the note, I inhale sharply at the small illustrated page that was torn out of the book Cyprian gave me … and on it, in Cyprian’s own handwriting is one word.

  Nightshade.

  I stare at the word for a long moment, my mind spinning. Then, with horror, I stumble back. The pungent scent that filled Father’s room when he lay ill.

  It hits me all at once, nearly choking the air from me. The memory is so strong, I swear I almost find myself standing back in his room that day.

  Of course, at the time, it had been masked by so many other scents that I hadn’t immediately been able to pinpoint it.

  But now, it’s clear as day.

  The smell that haunts me slowly dissipates as I realize what it means.

  Father was poisoned.

  Is this Death’s way of proving to me that someone else killed my father?

  If so, then it means that despite my best efforts, even our deal would not have saved him from an untimely death.

  Not if his murderer still lived.

  Whirling, I turn back to Cerberus, questions at the ready. Only the space beyond the bars is empty.

  I open my mouth, not sure if I can summon him back or not, but a startled sound comes out instead just as the groan of metal grinding together fills the small space.

  Turning to look at the far wall, I watch as it slowly gives way to the arena floor beyond. Blinking, I stare out at the space just as my name is called.

  Taking a deep breath, I clutch the note in the palm of my hand … and then step toward the arena and whatever trail awaits me within.

  31

  Death

  I make my way into the arena, my guard on high as I pause before the large gate that leads to the main area.

  My eyes move about as I take it in. A simple open space, meant for soldiers to show off their fighting skills.

  Above it, a crowd of gods and monsters have already filled the stands, watching and waiting for the trial to begin.

  Though I know what is to be tested, I have no idea how I will be tested. That alone is enough to have me on edge. I cannot begin to imagine what Hazel must be thinking and feeling right now as she faces this. Alone and unprepared.

  Setting my jaw, I step into the arena.

  Immediately, my mind goes blank. The space before me transforms before my eyes and I blink twice to make my vision focus.

  I am home.

  Frowning, I take a step as I try to recall where I have been.

  But I have no recollection of where I have been or who I even am … or what I am.

  All I know is this moment of stepping into my home having returned from a long journey.

  Something warms my hand and I glance down in surprise to find a small glass vial, devoid of any substance, held in the palm of my hand.

  I frown at it.

  Why would I be holding such a thing?

  Shaking my head, I move further into my palace.

  I reach the cold fireplace and set the vial atop the mantel, staring at it for a moment.

  I cannot for the life of me remember why I would have such a thing, but then my attention falls to the fireplace.

  It bothers me that there is no fire lit within.

  But why?

  This has never bothered me before; I like things cold and dark and empty.

  At least, I thought I did.

  Now, I am suddenly not so sure of anything.

  Confused, I reach for the vial again. It seems wrong to leave it here above the cold fireplace. Instead, I tuck it into my pocket before turning to go about my normal daily tasks.

  Walking through the palace halls, an odd feeling comes over me.

  My eyes keep noting the empty walls. The dusty kitchen. The clean floors.

  I cringe at the lone echo of each step I take.

  It is as if there is something missing. As if something deeply important to me has been taken from me without my knowledge.

  But what?

  I pause in a hallway, glancing about the empty space.

  It feels so lifeless here.

  But that should not bother me. So, why is it?

  I set off again only to abruptly stop again.

  Slowly, I turn toward a door that I never use and throw it open.

  The space beyond is empty, just as I expected.

  And yet, I know there used to be something here. Something terribly valuable. Of that, I am sure.

  But I simply cannot remember what.

  No matter how hard I search my mind, I come up empty. My mind nothing but a blank canvas unwilling to be painted.

  Frustrated, I leave the room and storm toward my bedchamber.

  I throw open the door before moving toward the mirror. Leaning closer I stare at my maskless reflection.

  I blink.

  Startled, I realize that I am seeing my unmasked face, and then my eyes shift toward the bed.

  My heart pangs as my gut twists.

  Whirling I stare at the bed and the woman lying there. Her blonde hair halos her face, her curvy figure barely concealed beneath the silken sheets of my bed.

  Unable to stop myself, I take a step toward her.

  The woman’s eyes flutter open and she smiles sweetly up at me.

  “Welcome home,” her soft voice greets me.

  I frown down at her.

  Who is this woman?

  She laughs and I realize I have asked the question out loud.

  “I am your wife,” she tells me. “What a silly question. Now, come to bed. I have missed you terribly.”

  I shake my head, taking a step back. Suddenly all I want is to put as much distance between us as possible.

  “No, I have business to attend to,” I say, the excuse bubbling from my lips before I can stop it.

  She pouts prettily, shifting in a way I am sure is meant to convince me to join her in bed.

  Yet, I am not tempted.

  There is something wrong here, though I cannot put my finger on it.

  “Very well,” she finally says. “Will you at least see to it that the children are taken care of?”

  “Children?”

  She lets out an annoyed sigh at this. “How is it that you can pretend to have forgotten your own children too?”

  Anger fills her face, and I do my best to placate it with promises of checking that the children are fine. Even as I search my mind for the faces of these supposed children of mine and come up empty.

  Sweeping from the room, I make my way through the palace, my shadows sweeping up around me in agitation.

  Slipping my hand into my pocket as I walk, lost in trying to solve the puzzle of the woman in my bed and the children she speaks of, my fingers absently wrap around the vial.

  A jolt of heat shoots up my arm at the contact, and I stop and pull the vial out.

  Frowning, I turn it over in my hand.

  The is vial now partially full with a thick golden liquid.

  Something familiar seeps into my mind as I stare at it. Only just as an image starts to form in my mind, laughter pulls my attention away from the vial.

  Pocketing it again, I move toward the sound.

  I push open a door, finding three children sitting on the floor surrounded by toys. The blonde woman sits amongst them, smiling sweetly as she watches them play.

  I cannot miss the way the children look like perfect blends of the woman and myself.

  Watching them for a moment, I cannot help but take a step into the room. Drawn by the warmth of the scene before me.

  The children turn to me, smiling and laughing as they leap to their feet and race toward me.

  At the last second, I take a step back. Stopping them from reaching me or coming any closer. I shake my head as my eyes narrow on the woman.

  This is not right.

  She stands, her face upset.

  “You are acting like a beast,” she tells me. “Unable to greet your wife and then not even hugging your children? Is this the sort of monster I married?”

  I shake my head, turning and striding from the room.

  My mind spins.

  This is not right.

  This is not my home.

  She … they are not my family.

  I let my feet carry me through my palace until I find myself nearly to the Valley of Death. Without hesitation, I traverse the dense fog until I step into the golden fields.

  Knax comes prancing toward me and I smile at him as he nuzzles me in welcome. I savor the moment, finally something that feels right.

  As it should be.

  After a minute, I pull myself atop Knax. With a click of my tongue, we race off. Away from my palace and my realm, and into the realm of the mortals.

  I do not know where I am going, or if I even have a destination in mind.

  But I feel drawn here.

  I push Knax faster and faster, suddenly filled with eagerness to reach the end of our journey. I have a feeling something awaits me at the end.

  Something true. Something real.

  Finally, we come to a stop just outside a manor tucked away on a hill.

  Dismounting, I stride toward the front door and throw it open.

  Only, as I step through, I suddenly find myself in a huge arena.

  32

  Hazel

  I’m wary as I step into the arena.

  A strange quiet settles over it, and I can’t help but feel on edge until I see Death standing in the very center.

  My heart skips a beat as a smile pulls at my lips.

  I move to hurry toward him, but my steps falter when I realize that we are not alone.

  Stepping from the shadows that are now slowly creeping closer all around us, is Hades.

  I stop in my tracks, my stomach dropping at the sight of him. A slow smile pulls at the corners of the king’s mouth as he stares at me for a long moment before glancing toward Death.

  It’s only now that I realize Death seems to be lost in a daze, unaware of my presence.

  Hades raises a hand and I follow his gesture as I look up at the audience that fills the stands high above us. Their eyes all seem to be fixed on me, despite Hades and Death standing not far off.

 

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