Soul Bound (Moonstone Saga #2)(51)
Author: Courtney Cole

I made a beeline for the door and Persephone followed suit. I could hear the rustle of her silk dress behind me as she hurried to keep up.  I knew that she wanted to see Brennan’s face when he saw me.  I didn’t care about that. I just wanted to see Brennan’s face.

As I flew through the halls of Hades’ palace, I blurred into superhuman speed.  I was on the ground floor within a minute and out the back terrace doors that led to the gardens within a few seconds more.

Hades was standing there amid the flowers, vines and fountains.  He was drinking from a one of the fountains, from a nondescript metal cup.  He looked up when I approached and I saw the appreciation on his face.

“You look beautiful, Em,” he acknowledged, setting the cup back down on the stone.  “Truly, you are a vision.”

“Thank you, Hades.  The terrace looks beautiful, as well.”

And it did.  I had never been out here before, but I had to imagine that the twinkling lights that were strung above our heads and the hundreds of paper lanterns were put here specifically for my impromptu wedding.  It was a beautiful setting and it was absent of only one thing.

My future husband.

I turned to Hades, and he was speaking before I could even form the question.

“He’ll be back soon, Empusa.  He is simply getting you a gift.  A ring, I believe.  It’s a mortal tradition, but it is an endearing one.  We need a moment alone, anyway, you and I.”

“We do?” I asked curiously.  “Has something happened while I was in my rooms?”

Hades shook his head.  “No.  Zeus will carefully plan his attack.  It will be awhile. It will give us time to plan, as well.  No, what I have to speak with you about involves Brennan.”

I raised an eyebrow.  “And?”

“And we need to talk about what will happen to Brennan here in the Underworld while he is separated from the light of the sun.”

My breath froze in my throat.  Because while it was so obvious and simple, it was a problem that hadn’t occurred to me yet.  There was no sunlight in the Underworld.  And Brennan needed it to survive.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“I’m such an idiot,” I murmured.  “I didn’t think of that.  I should have, but I didn’t.  Of course we can’t stay here.  He needs the sun.”

I pivoted and rushed for the doors, but Hades flashed ahead of me and blocked the way.

“Empusa, it isn’t the end of the world.  We can work around it.”

“How?” I asked dubiously.  “There is no sunlight here and Brennan needs it.  We can’t stay here without it.”

Hades rolled his eyes.

“Who are you?  Who am I?  Do we not have enough magic between the two of us to think of a way to bring the sun to Brennan?”

That did give me pause.  He was right.  There was always a magical solution to any problem.  We just had to think on it.

“Here,” a voice called out faintly.

Hades and I both turned to find my mother making her way toward us from the fields of Erebus that lined the boundaries of the castle.

“Mother!” I cried and rushed through the gardens to meet her.

She looked exhausted, with lines of fatigue forming on her beautiful face.  She was pale and had dirt smudges on her cheeks and her clothing was dirty and torn.  But she was here. And she was safe.

I flew into her arms and she embraced me, clinging to me tightly.

“You made it here safely,” she murmured into my hair. “I’ve been so worried for you, Em.  So very worried.”

“There is no need, mother.  I’m here, you’re here and everything will be fine.”

She stepped away from me and looked at me.

“You look breathtaking, sweetie.  Absolutely beautiful.  Brennan is a very lucky mortal.”

I cringed at the word.  “Don’t say that.  We’ll figure out a way to gain his immortality.  Someday.  After all is said and done.  I’m so happy you’re here, mother.  I’ve been so worried about you.  Was it horrible on Olympus?  Was Zeus furious?”

She nodded.  “Yes, he was furious, throughout most of the game.  I’ve never seen him quite so agitated.  I think he had an inkling long ago of your true parentage.  It all makes sense now.  He’s been afraid of you for a very long time.”

“There is no need,” I said  coldly.  “I mean him no harm. I just want to live my life and be happy with Brennan.”

My mother nodded.  “I know. But you know Zeus.  He is ever suspicious of those who will threaten his crown. That is not going to change now or ever.”

“This is just the beginning, isn’t it?” I asked cautiously.  “Zeus isn’t going to stop until I’m finally dead.”

My mother looked at me seriously, her dark blue eyes somber.  “He won’t stop trying,” she corrected.  “But we will stop him.  We will find a way.”

I decided to stop thinking on it at the moment.  I was getting married just as soon as my groom returned.  And as soon as I figured out what to do about his little sun problem.

“Here,” my mother said, thrusting something warm into my hands.  “It is my wedding gift to you.”

I looked down and found a sparkling citrine globe, cut with a thousand prisms, in my hands.  It was the size of a softball and it was glittering so brightly that I could barely look at it.  So I looked instead to my mother…for an explanation.

“It contains the light of the sun,” she explained with a shrug.  “If Brennan keeps it with him here, it will keep him healthy and safe.”

A sunstone.

I stared at her for a moment longer before I flew back into her arms.  “How did you know to get me the most perfect gift ever?” I cried into her neck.  I only just realized that he would need the sun here… I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.  And you came with the perfect gift.  Thank you so much, mother.  Thank you.”

Her beautiful eyes filled up with tears.  “I would do anything for you,” she answered.  “I only hope you know that.  If Brennan is what you want, if you’re willing to risk so much for him, then so be it.  I’ll help you in any way that I can.  I wish you many, many years of happiness and love with him.”