Chapter 84

Hades

“Two weeks?” I asked. “Why do you need two weeks to get everything tied up at your apartment?”

I didn’t want to be away from my witch for a single night, but we’d agreed that she needed some time to pack and get everything ready for her move. It would also give the renovators time to finish the floors. Persephone didn’t like the stone floors in the main hall. I’d assumed she’d be gone a week at most.

“I need to interview witches to take over the lease on my apartment and get my move paperwork approved by the Council of Witches. I’m glad Beatrice told me I needed to do that,” she said as she set her suitcase on the floor by the bedroom door. “I didn’t think I’d need to notify them. Apparently, I could get called before the council if I move to the demon realm without their approval.”

“I suppose two weeks away is worth it if you can avoid going before the council,” I muttered.

“Thank goddess I can fill out the forms online.”

“If you can fill them out online, then I have no idea why you can’t fill them out while you’re here,” I complained.

Persephone rolled her eyes. “I have to go back to take care of my apartment. It won’t take long to get the paperwork approved, from what I’ve been told. Besides, we’ll still see each other during those two weeks.”

Not enough, but I decided to stop complaining and enjoy my time with Persephone before she left.

“Would you feel better if I promise to leave my flying broom here?” she asked.

My expression turned thoughtful as I looked at the broom in question. “Will the spell work for me?” No, I wasn’t going to miss Persephone any less, but she’d still piqued my curiosity.

“No,” she admitted. “I meant that you can look at it as a reminder that I’ll be back.”

“I’m not worried about you not returning,” I assured her. “If you don’t come back soon, I’ll kidnap you. I have a lot of experience in that area.”

She laughed at my response. “What happened to your assurances that you won’t kidnap me?”

“I made those promises before you agreed to be mine,” I replied.

She snorted. “Yours? I never agreed to be your property.”

“Why not?” I asked. “You own my heart. Why are you afraid to let me own yours?”

“I’m not sure if I should laugh at how sappy you sound or hug you for being so sweet,” she replied.

“Go with the hug,” I suggested, opening my arms for her.

She launched herself into my arms. “I’m going to miss you.”

“Then don’t go,” I told her. “We can hire someone to deal with your apartment, and I’ll be happy to tell the Council of Witches to go fuck themselves for you.”

She pulled back and swatted my chest. “It won’t be that bad. When I get back, we’ll have our wedding and then we can bind our magic. Two weeks is nothing when you’re a timeless being.”

She was right, but I still hated that our magic wasn’t bound yet. For some reason, Persephone felt she needed to wait until after our wedding ceremony. If I had to guess, I’d say her nerves were part of the reason she was putting off our bonding. Persephone was still uneasy about becoming immortal. After we were bound together, only a few angelic weapons could end her existence. She still refused to accept that she might already be immortal. I might not understand why it was hard for her to accept, but I was trying to avoid being a dick about it.

“You’re trying hard to avoid pushing me about the bonding, aren’t you?” she asked with a laugh.

“You know me so well,” I murmured as I snaked an arm around her lower back to pull her close.

“Yes, and I love that you try so hard to understand my feelings,” she replied before going up on tiptoes to kiss my chin. “I also love that your beard is growing back. That civilized look wasn’t you at all.”

“Are you saying I’m uncivilized?” I asked with mock offense.

“Absolutely,” she replied before wiggling out of my arms. “I need to go. Lucy and Xavier will be waiting for me.”

“They spend an awful lot of time together,” I remarked thoughtfully.

“Lucy has a crush on Xavier,” she told me.

“Since when?” I asked. “Do you think Lucifer knows? Ignore that last question. If Lucifer knew, he’d never let Xavier near Lucy again.”

“I have no idea how long Lucy’s had a crush on Xavier,” she replied. “This is just my impression. Lucy’s never said anything.”

“I never would have pictured her with someone like Xavier,” I admitted.

“Neither would I,” she agreed. “I don’t think Xavier returns her feelings. Poor Lucy.”

“It’s just as well,” I replied. “Lucy would walk all over Xavier. She needs someone who won’t be intimidated by her or her father.”

Persephone giggled. “Is there anyone who’s not intimidated by Lucifer?”

I shrugged. “Her choices are definitely limited.”

“I really have to go. I’m going to miss you.” She gave me one last kiss before hurrying out my door to meet the guards who’d walk her to meet Lucy and Xavier at the portal.

With a sigh, I admitted to myself that she was right to insist on going without me. Escorting her to her apartment would give my kidnapping impulses time to fully kick in. I already wanted to chase after her and drag her back to my bedroom.

“It’s going to be a long two weeks,” I grumbled before deciding I should head to work. Hopefully, there’d be a riot to take my mind off of how much I already missed my witch.