Free Desperate Housewives of Olympus by Saranna DeWylde

She took pity on him, his pain was devouring him. She took it beating from his chest and locked it away so nothing could ever hurt him like that again.”
    Persephone swallowed hard against the despair that threatened to strangle her. Was everything lost to her now? It didn’t matter. “I still have to try,” she said in a shaky voice.
    “I know you do. Your love for him is as bright as anything I’ve ever seen, Persephone. If anything could spark his heart back to life, I think it would be you. It’s not going to be easy though. His heart is gone, all he’s got left are shadows. When you light the dark places and the shadows are gone, what will be left?” Eros asked her softly. “Only hollow spaces. You’ll have to love him enough for both of you for awhile. Indifference will be kind compared to the hate that will burn inside of him when he begins feeling again. If he ever does.”
    “I don’t understand. I thought he would hate me first, if he had to.” Persephone knew she sounded pathetic, but she couldn’t help it.
    “Oh no, little one. Love and Hate are kissing cousins. Both take much passion, much of the soul. When there’s nothing there, you can’t have either.”
    “Can’t your mother just put it back? She took it, why can’t she put it back?” she cried and buried her face in Eros’ shoulder.
    “You know it doesn’t work that way. If you want him, you’re going to have to earn it, Persephone. Through fire, blood and tears. If you truly love him, you won’t let that stop you.”
    “It’s just, I had it before. Right in my hands and not only did I let go, I threw it away. I know it’s wrong to want to walk back to that point in time and hold on, but I can’t help it.”
    “Come on, we better go. You can only get cell service in Tartarus when the stars are in certain spots, so we have to get moving. You have to decide if you want to do this after all I’ve told you.”
    She pulled away from the embrace meant to soothe her. For some reason, it felt important to answer while she was standing on her own two feet, with nothing and no one else supporting her but her own strength.
    “Yes.” As soon as she said it, Persephone felt something heavy click into place around her. It was weighty like armor, thick like a geis, but was welcome like a vow. She knew for better or worse, she was bound to Hades for eternity.
    “Let’s go.”
    “Where are we going? Is there anywhere in Olympus that’s private?”
    “For matters of the heart, I think the grotto in my mother’s temple would appropriate. Plus it gets great reception.”
    “Thank you for doing this for me, Eros.”
    “I’m the God of Love. Did I have a choice?” He rolled his eyes.
    “You know you did. Thank you for being my friend.”
    “Of course, Persephone. I love you,” he said with ease.
    In Persephone’s limited experience, she knew he was the only god who could say that out loud and mean it, even to a friend. Demeter had told her gods didn’t say things like that and if they did, they meant it only until fluids had been swapped.
    “I love you too, Eros. Even if you are trying to get in my mother’s toga.”
    “She doesn’t even wear a toga.”
    “Semantics.”
    “Which should always be clear when dealing with an immortal,” he corrected.
    “You sound like my mother.”
    “She’s not wrong about everything, you know.” Eros cast her a sly glance.
    “I know, but… gods, I need some space.”
    “I know. I think you’re going to get more of it than you bargained for, Persephone.”
    “Is that a be careful what you ask for sort of thing?”
    “Yeah, something like that.”
    “You’re old for your years, Eros. You hand down advice like you’re a titan or something.” She rolled her eyes.
    “What’s the one thing people have the most trouble with in life? Men and gods?”
    “Love,” she replied as if reading from a script.
    “So, I do have a tiny bit of experience in the ways of these things.”
    “I