A Game of Gods (Hades Saga, #3)

by Scarlett St. Clair

It felt…unfair. What if he gave her too much? “Has she ever given you too much?” Hecate asked. “No,” Hades said. “She could never…” “She feels no different about you, Hades. You must cease thinking that your love is somehow greater than hers just because you have lived longer, yearned longer.” He held his breath as she spoke, feeling as though she were attacking him in some way, and yet he knew what she said was right. He did think that way and often. A sudden gnawing guilt overtook the fear. “Persephone has chosen you, and she accepts you in whatever way you choose to offer yourself, but is it fair that she cannot see you struggle when so often you must bear witness to hers?” “I am protecting her,” he said. “Are you protecting her or yourself?” Hades was quiet. “Persephone has grown because at some point, you made her feel safe enough to be vulnerable with you. As a result, she has come to see your side of things and respect your decisions. If you do not offer her the same, can you truly respect her?” Hades’s teeth ground so hard, his jaw hurt, and the pain was spreading to the back of his head. “If you expect the world to tear you apart, it will.” “Then what do you want me to do?” “I want you to stop being an idiot,” said Hecate, though her voice held no scorn. “I want you to recognize the importance of being vulnerable with Persephone, because apart, you are both powerful, to be sure, but together, you are unstoppable.”