A Touch of Malice (Hades X Persephone #3)

by Scarlett St. Clair

“I am not sure who you think I am,” she said. “But let me be clear—I am Persephone, future Queen of the Underworld, Lady of Your Fate. May you come to dread my presence.”

“I never thought I’d thank the Fates for anything they gave me, but you—you were worth all of it.” “All of what?” “The suffering.”

For the briefest second, Persephone saw fury flash in Apollo’s eyes. “This woman is Hades’s betrothed, the future Queen of the Underworld. Kneel before her or face my wrath.”

“I will build temples in honor of our love, and I will worship you until the end of the world. There is nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice for you.”

“You were my only love—my heart and my soul. My world began and ended with you, my sun, stars, and sky. I will never forget you but I will forgive you.”

Persephone.” “Still determined to marry Hades and let the world die?” Artemis asked. Persephone cocked her head to the side and asked, “Aren’t you the Goddess of the Hunt?” Artemis lifted her chin. “What does that have to do with anything?” “I would think you could use your exceptional tracking abilities to locate my mother instead of insulting me.” Artemis’s lips flattened. “You have an insufferable mouth, goddess.” Persephone’s lips curled. “I think that is the only thing you and Hades would agree on.” Artemis rolled her eyes and stalked away. “Ignore her,” said Hermes. “She has a stick up her vagina.”

“I am a Goddess of Life,” Persephone said. “A Queen of Death.” As the shadows swirled, Persephone felt as though she herself were becoming darkness. “I am the beginning and end of worlds.”

“Hades and Persephone,” the oracle repeated. Their voice was clear, cold, and ancient. “A powerful union—a marriage that will produce a god more powerful than Zeus himself.”

Persephone said. Zeus’s eyes darkened. “I should have never allowed you to leave that temple. That prophecy was not about your children. It was about you.”

“I said don’t call me little.”