Goddess of Spring (14 page)

With an effort, Lina kept from sighing aloud.

“Persephone, Eurydice, if you follow me, I will be pleased to escort you to my Lord.”

Iapis led them through a maze of corridors, all the while explaining, mostly to Eurydice, that even though the palace was large, it was really not difficult to remember one's way around it. Hades had designed it in sections. The frontmost part of it was designated as the Great Hall of Hades, where he held court and heard the petitions of the dead. There was a smaller central meeting area, which was where they were headed. It was linked to the guest wing—where Persephone and Eurydice were staying—complete with two ballrooms. Lina wondered briefly why Hades had bothered to build an entire wing for guests and two rooms for dancing, when he obviously wasn't used to receiving visitors, but she kept her thoughts to herself and let Iapis speak uninterrupted.

“There is an entire wing of the palace designated as Hades' personal chambers. So, as you can see, Eurydice, you need only become familiar with the positions of the different wings of the palace to know where you are.”

“Yes, I understand. Perhaps I could be allowed some material with which to draw, so that I might sketch myself a simple map,” Eurydice said, looking expectantly at Lina.

“Absolutely. I think that's a great idea. Maybe it could help me find my way around, too. I'm terrible with directions,” Lina said. “Iapis, do you think you could find some drawing materials for Eurydice.”

“Of course, Goddess. It will be my personal pleasure to be sure your friend has all that she requires,” Iapis said.

“Thank you,” Lina and Eurydice said together, grinning at each other as their words mixed harmoniously.

Iapis turned another corner and stopped between a huge set of double doors, which, of course, opened without his touch into a large room in which there was one focal point—an enormous black marble dining table. Directly over the table were suspended three massive crystal chandeliers. Lina squinted her eyes against their bright, faceted beauty and suddenly understood that the glittering stones were probably not crystals at all.

“Diamonds,” Eurydice said in a hushed voice.

“Yes,” Iapis said. “My Lord chose to hang the diamond chandeliers in this room because they cast such perfectly clear light over the dining table and complement the chrysocolla candelabrum.”

Lina dropped her stunned gaze from the diamonds to the half dozen multitiered candelabrums neatly arranged across the vast length of the table. They were made of an unusual blue-green stone into which blazing snow-white candles fitted neatly.

“Chrysocolla?” Lina asked. “I don't think I'm familiar with that stone.”

“Chrysocolla hides itself well within the earth.” Hades' deep voice made Lina jump. She hadn't heard him come into the room. “I enjoy its unique blending of the colors of turquoise, jade, and lapis lazuli, but the reason I chose to display the chrysocolla candelabrums on the dining table is because of the stone's properties.” He paused, as if deep in thought.

“What are the stone's properties?” Eurydice asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hades smiled warmly at her. “Chrysocolla is a stone of peace. It soothes the emotions.”

Eurydice's eyes widened. “I think it is the perfect choice for a dining chamber.”

“I agree with you, little one,” Iapis said, causing the girl to blush. Then he bowed to Hades and Persephone and gestured to the table. “If you wish to be seated, I will inform the servants that you are ready to be served.”

Hades nodded curtly and strode to the table. He pulled out a high-backed chair that sat in front of one of the two place settings near the end of the massive marble expanse, and motioned for Lina to take her seat.

“Thank you,” Lina said, smoothing the silky folds of her skirt as she sat. She'd been so entranced by the chandeliers and the candelabrums that she hadn't even noticed the beautiful china and crystal dishware.

Eurydice had followed Iapis from the room, leaving Lina alone with the god. She smiled nervously at him and tried not to fidget. Hades had changed his clothes. His robes were as expansive, and just as black as the toga-like attire, but these were trimmed in an intricate silver-edged design. His hair was still tied back in the same thick queue, but he was minus the cape. Any other man would have looked ridiculous and probably even effeminate in such an Errol Flynn-meets-Zorro-meets-
Gladiator
outfit.

Hades did not.

“I hope your chamber is to your liking.”

Good, Lina thought. She'd just make conversation with him. Like he was a normal man.

“It's lovely—just like the rest of your palace,” Lina said. “Iapis tells me that I have you to thank for the warm welcome of fresh flowers and a newly drawn bath. Thank you, everything was just perfect. It's like I was an invited guest instead of one who barged in all on her own.” She gave him a chagrined smile.

Hades thought he had never seen anything as beautiful as the embarrassed flush that warmed her cheeks, and he suddenly felt himself doing something he hadn't done in centuries. He smiled, leaned forward, captured Persephone's hand and raised it to his lips.

“You are most welcome here, Goddess of Spring.”

Lina thought she might fall off her chair. In forty-three years she had never had a man kiss her hand. She wasn't sure of the correct protocol. Did she leave her hand in his? Did she pull it out? Hell! What she really wanted to do was to kiss him back. Instead, she felt her mouth form what was probably a goofy smile.

“Th-thank you,” she stuttered.

Hades dropped her hand and looked away from her. Impulsive! He was acting like an impulsive fool. She was a goddess; he could never allow himself to forget that.

Lina watched his expression change and a hardness settle on his features. What was wrong? It wasn't logical, but Lina had a sudden thought that this aspect of Hades—this stern, expressionless god—was a facade he drew over himself as a cover. But why?

Merda,
just listening to her thoughts made her want to slap her own face and tell herself to snap out of it! When had her disciplined, well-ordered mind begun having such delusions of romance? She knew the answer already. It had been that damn narcissus. . . .

Uncomfortable silence crouched between them.

Think of something to say,
she ordered herself. She took a deep breath and tried again.

“It's interesting what you said about chrysocolla. I don't know very much about the properties of stones.” She glanced up at the brilliantly lighted chandeliers. “For instance, I think diamonds are beautiful, but I have no idea about their properties.”

“Diamonds are complex gems.” Hades' gaze turned upward, too, and as he warmed to the subject of precious stones his voice began to lose its hard edge. “They promote courage and healing and strength. When worn by warriors they can actually increase physical strength, which is why some mortal cultures go to war wearing them set within arm-bands of platinum or silver.”

“And all this time I've only thought of them as a girl's best friend,” Lina quipped.

“Are they the gem you prefer?” Hades asked.

Lina opened her mouth to give him an automatic
yes!
, but his penetrating gaze stopped her. Something in his eyes said she should think about her answer more carefully. She closed her mouth and reconsidered.

She didn't have many diamonds. Actually, the only diamonds she'd ever worn had been gifts from her ex-husband. She frowned, remembering how her beautiful, expensive wedding ring, with its large center diamond surrounded by a wealth of glittering baguettes, had become a symbol of bondage rather than of fidelity. Her diamond earrings had been a guilt-induced gift given to her after one of his drunken tirades because he found the growing success of her bakery intimidating. The diamond necklace and gaudy cocktail ring had belonged to his mother—a shallow, manipulative woman who had never liked Lina. Every time she'd worn either of the pieces she had felt shackled to her husband's cold, aloof family. Consequently, she'd stopped wearing them long before she'd stopped being his wife.

When she bought jewelry for herself, she never even considered diamonds. She smiled as she thought about the lovely, dangling earrings she'd gifted herself on her last birthday. Yes, they would definitely qualify as her favorite stone.

“Amethyst,” she said firmly. “My favorite gemstone is amethyst. What are its properties?”

Hades looked surprised, but not displeased. “Amethyst is a spiritual stone, with absolutely no negative side effects or associations with violence or anger. It is the stone of peace. It calms fears and raises hopes. Amethyst soothes emotional storms. Even in situations of potential danger it can come to your aid. It is a wise choice as your talisman.”

“I'm so glad to know that.” She grinned at him. “No wonder I've always loved it.”

The goddess's beauty stunned Hades. When she smiled, she shined brighter than the diamonds over their heads. His stomach tightened. He had forgotten the power of a goddess's beauty and its overwhelming allure. His response to her was basic, his need raw. He felt his buried passion stir, and desires he thought he had entombed eons ago began to stretch and breathe. Hades felt powerless in the wake of the surge of foreign emotions.

“Amethyst matches your eyes perfectly.”

His voice was rough and dangerously sexy. Lina's borrowed body responded to it as quickly as her soul and she looked deeply into the god's eyes.

“Thank you, Hades.” This time experience took over and she didn't stutter or blush, she purred.

Hades was overwhelmed by the rush of heat that coursed through his blood. Persephone couldn't possibly know what a temptation she was to him. She was a goddess. She was accustomed to commanding the attention of males, mortals and immortals alike, but she was not accustomed to the Lord of the Underworld. She could not know how painful it was for him to see her there before him, so young and beautiful and desirable. With the return of passion, the old emptiness reared alive within him as the ancient difference between Hades and the other immortals reawakened. He forced his gaze from the velvet trap of her eyes.

“Would you like wine?” he blurted.

“Yes, please,” Lina said, confused as he suddenly lurched from the table, shouting for wine like he was in the middle of a fish market. What had just happened? He had complimented her eyes, and she had thanked him. Electricity had passed between them. Even a young woman would not have had trouble recognizing that spark, and Lina was no young woman. She had even thought he was leaning toward her, then pain had flashed over his face and the attraction had been shattered. Lina felt like someone had thrown cold water on them.

Two servants rushed into the room, each carrying a pitcher of wine. Hades glowered, pointing to Persephone.

“Do you desire red or white, Goddess?” one of the servants asked.

“Red, please,” Lina answered automatically, not caring whether Hades was serving fish, fowl, beef or pasta for dinner. She just hoped that the red was dark and rich and strong. She took a long drink. Thankfully, it was all of the three.

“Leave this wine and bring more,” Hades ordered the servant after he had filled the god's goblet. The two immortals drank without speaking.

Hades studied his empty plate, wishing that he were different . . . wishing that her very presence didn't remind him of why he must remain withdrawn from the rest of the immortals.

“The wine is excellent,” Lina broke into the silence.

Hades made a sound somewhere in his throat that might have been a grunt of agreement.

“I like red wine best,” Lina said. Now that she had started speaking she didn't seem to be able to stop. She held up the crystal goblet and let the diamond light sparkle through it. “This wine reminds me of rubies.”

Hades cleared his throat and allowed his eyes to meet hers again.

“Rubies,” he repeated her last word, pouncing on a harmless subject. “Did you know that jewelry set with rubies can be worn to banish sadness and negative thoughts?”

“No, I didn't,” Lina said, studying the blood-colored wine. “What else can it do?”

“Ruby-set jewelry can also produce joy, strengthen willpower and confidence as well as dispel fear.” Hades noted the irony of his words. Perhaps while Persephone visited his realm he should take to wearing rubies.

“I had no idea jewels could be so fascinating,” Lina muttered, looking from the diamond chandeliers to the gleaming chrysocolla candelabrum and then back to her ruby-colored wine. “Actually, I haven't given jewels much thought at all, especially lately.”

Hades quirked one dark eyebrow up at her. “A goddess who hasn't given jewels much thought. That would make you a unique goddess indeed.”

Lina felt a prickle of warning. Had she said too much? She had been so involved in what Hades was saying she had forgotten to remember that she wasn't herself—as confusing as that seemed.

A stream of semitransparent servants carrying trays laden with food, followed by Iapis and Eurydice, entered the room. Lina breathed a sigh of relief at the distraction. “Oh, Persephone, wait until you see what has been prepared for you!” Eurydice gushed. “I've never seen such delicacies.”

Lina was already staring at the trays, and she couldn't agree more with the little spirit.

“It smells fantastic,” Lina said, and watched in hungry anticipation as trays filled with color and scent and texture were laid reverently before her. There were clusters of white delicacies that Lina realized were several different kinds of flower petals, all of which had been sugared, crystallized, and frozen in perfect bloom. Olives, ranging in color from light green to black crowded against blocks of cheese that were thick and almost as fragrant as the slabs of warm bread that rested beside them. But it was the fruit that kept drawing Lina's eye. It commanded one tray by itself. Its dark pink skin had been broken open, and fat, red beads spilled forth, begging to be consumed.