A Touch of Chaos (Hades x Persephone Saga, #4)

by Scarlett St. Clair

“You look beautiful,” she said. Persephone smoothed a hand down her stomach and glanced at her dress. “I do not feel like myself.” “Perhaps it is because Hades is not here with you,” Aphrodite said. Persephone swallowed hard, and fear moved up her spine. What would the other gods do when they discovered Hades had been captured by Theseus? “How did you know?” “Hermes told me,” Aphrodite said and then hesitated. “Zeus held Council today and stripped us of our powers for helping you in battle.” “What?” Persephone asked. A sudden cold numbed her entire body. “I managed to ensure Hephaestus retained his power,” Aphrodite continued, glancing back at her husband, whose fiery gaze was locked on her. Persephone could not tell if he felt gratitude or frustration, but now she understood why he had come. He’d had to use his magic to bring Aphrodite to the Underworld. “We will have weapons for the coming war at least.” When they had stood opposite Zeus outside Thebes, Persephone had not thought twice about what would happen in the aftermath of battle. She had just been grateful to have allies. Now all she felt was guilt. “Do not mourn for us,” Aphrodite said. “It was our decision to fight for you.” Persephone shook her head. “How could he?” “There are few instances where Zeus will illustrate his full power,” said Aphrodite. “One is when he feels his throne is threatened.”