The moment I utter those words, the atmosphere in the room changes completely. Zeus stands up, his presence doubling in size as his whole being crackles with an invisible power. A glittering golden wreath appears and settles on his head, with a slightly smaller and daintier wreath nestling in Hera's hair shortly after. The other gods and goddesses in the room silently follow Zeus' lead, their thrones disappearing the moment they stand up. In a blink, their clothing morphs into more formal guises, and an ethereal glow begins to glow from behind them. It takes me a moment to realise that they had all shed their 'human' forms and were standing in front of me in all their divine glory. Hades, on the other hand, doesn't change at all. Affection warms my heart.

"Golly gosh, I haven't been at a divinity crowning for aeons." Spencer grins. Ironically enough, he doesn't look at all different; if anything, he looks even more impishly human than normal. "This should be fun."

"There's a reason for that, Diony." Leia needles, blowing him a kiss when he scowls at her.

A grumble of annoyance rumbles through Zeus. He gives them a warning look.

"Stop acting like children, you two."

Spencer rolls his eyes. "Oh I am terribly sorry, Daddy-O, am I stepping on your toes? The stage is all yours."

Zeus deliberately ignores Spencer and turns back to Hades and I. He clears his throat. I try to ignore the pounding of my heart, instead drawing strength from the hand linked with mine.

"Brothers and sisters, we are assembled here today to appoint a new consort in assisting Hades with the governing of the Underworld. Before we proceed, is there anyone present who disagrees with this decision?"

"Jeez, I forgot how much this parade sounded like a marriage." Spencer mutters. This time, it's not just Zeus who glares at him.

"One more word, Dionysus, and I will throw you off this mountain." Zeus warns. Spencer mimes zipping his lip shut and flinging away the key.

I turn back to Hades. He picks up on my nerves straight away and squeezes my hand.

"Are you absolutely sure about this, Evie? It is not too late to back out, if you wish. It is a phenomenal responsibility to take on."

"No. I want to go through with this." I state firmly, shaking my head. "It's just... a lot to take in, and my good ol' friend anxiety is back and out for blood."

Hades chuckles softly. "You need only say the word, and I will release Cerberus on your good friend."

That surprises a smile out of me. The butterflies in my stomach start to flutter less erratically.

Zeus locks eyes with Hades. Hades inclines his head slightly, and Zeus nods. He focuses his attention on me, and I do everything I can not to cower away from his intense stare.

"Very well, then. Evie, this is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Should you choose to go through with this ceremony, you will become the Queen of the Underworld, and a minor goddess. You will cease ageing, and you will live for as long as we divinities are needed to guide this world. You will assist Hades in the judgement of the troubled souls that pass through the Underworld once their lives up on earth's surface have ended. This is not a burden to be taken lightly; you will need all your compassion and empathetic understanding to pass honest and unbiased judgement upon these souls, for they will need your guidance when deciding the fate of their afterlife. Do you understand the importance of this role?"

"Yes, I do."

"Do you understand that, by agreeing to take on this role, you will not be able to return to the earth's surface, save for one month every six months, as is the demanding nature of your role, and you consent that you agreed to this of your own will and desire?"

I blink. That's new. But then again, that was extremely similar to the original terms of Persephone's time down here — except she got six months, instead of one. "Uh, yes? Let's all be honest here, it's not like I'll be doing anything exciting there anyway."

Spencer bites back a laugh, holding his hand over his face.

"Very well. Evie, please step forward." I falteringly take a step forward, letting go of Hades' hand. The air around Zeus begins to hum and sing as pure power rumbles through his deep voice.

"Evie Mae Autumn, you have hereby accepted all duties and responsibilities that accompany the role of Hades' consort. From this moment and forevermore, you will be known as Evie Mae, Queen of the Underworld."

He steps forward and places his palm over my heart. I gasp out loud. An effervescent warmth engulfs my chest from the point of contact, spreading through my body like wildfire right through to the tips of my toes. For a moment, every cell in my body feels like it's vibrating to the point of exploding, yet somehow, at the same time, it feels indescribably delightful. I close my eyes and relish in the unfamiliar sensation for a moment. For the first time in my life, I feel truly and completely alive.

Is this what it feels like to be a goddess?

I freeze. My eyes fly open.

Oh my god. I'm a goddess.

"How does it feel?" Spencer asks. He wriggles his eyebrows at me. "Pretty awesome, right?"

"Woah." I breathe, an awestruck grin spreading across my face. "This is nuts."

They all laugh. Zeus smiles at me.

"Congratulations, Evie. I truly mean it when I say I look forward to the influence you will have on this world."

My grin widens. "You're going to regret saying that."

Zeus' eyes twinkle. He steps back and sweeps his hand back, officially presenting me to all the deities standing behind him. Everyone bursts into applause, Selene, Axel and Spencer the loudest of all.

Spencer lets out a whoop. "All hail Queen Evie! Impromptu crowning party!"

He claps his hands, and the room explodes into life. Glittering crystal chandeliers descend from the ceiling, with maroon and golden tapestries unfurling down the columns decorating the edges of the room. Tables full of banquet foods and drinks suddenly appear all over the room, like flowers bursting from the grass, and festive music, emanating from an unseen source, livens up the dance floor that has appeared in the centre of the circular room. Waiters and waitresses pop up out of nowhere and begin circulating the room, gracious smiles on their faces and delectable food on their trays. I glance down in awe, to find that my outfit has morphed into an elegant ruby-red dress, which flickers golden in the light like a dying fire. I catch sight of my reflection in one of the windows, and almost do a double take. I barely recognise the person staring back at me. Her green eyes are brighter than I've ever seen them, with a glittering glow radiating from her skin and a beaming smile dressing her face. She looks almost celestial: she looks like a goddess.

I turn to Hades, my expression flickering between wonder and confusion. For once, he's also changed, and looks a touch vexed as he glances down at the sleek black tuxedo that has replaced his usual attire. He fixes his red tie with an exasperated sigh, before looking over at me.

"This is one of Spencer's limited talents: the ability to change every situation he can into a party." Hades snags a pair of glittering champagne glasses off a passing tray and offers one to me. "As you can observe, he spares no expense. Including, but not limited to, forcing us into these ridiculous outfits."

"I think you look very handsome." I tell him with a coy grin. He raises his glass in the air with a small hint of a smile. I follow suit, and meet his glass in the middle with a soft 'tink'. My amazed gaze wanders the room as I take a sip. "This is all completely surreal."

"It can take some getting used to. My family is not known to hold back when it comes to events like this." Hades responds. He looks over at me. "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly? Still completely befuddled by it all." I reply honestly. "I feel like I have to pinch myself just to make sure I'm still not dreaming. I'm still half convinced I'm asleep in my bed right now. How on earth am I supposed to measure up to all of you?"

Hades appears amused by my response. He leans back against one of the columns, surveying the room. His gaze lands on his younger brothers, who appear in the middle of a heated argument.

"You have nothing to worry about, Evie. I am certain you will hold your own amongst my family."

"What makes you so sure? You've all been alive since the dawn of time; I'm barely twenty."

Hades smiles minutely. Curiosity flickers through his gaze as he glances back at me. "Because you are one of the single few in this world who has tried, and succeeded, to hold their own against Zeus. Convincing him to change his mind is no small feat for small matters, yet you managed to sway his decision about Aphrodite breaking the conditions of the deal with ease. I can count on one hand the people who have been able to do that, and they are both in this room."

"Both?"

Hades nods in Hera's direction. "Hera has, of course, been known to win an argument or two against Zeus, as much as he would be pained to admit it."

I laugh. "Who's the other one, then?"

Hades raises a singular eyebrow at me. "Who do you think?"

I smile a little and take another sip from my glass. We fall into silence, and I find myself watching the room as well. An overwhelming sense of deja vu sweeps through me as my gaze wanders around the room. Spencer is, unsurprisingly, tailing one of the waitresses, his eyes darting between her and the tray of champagne glasses she carries. I faintly hear him complain, "what do you mean I can't have the whole tray? Do you know who I am?" as he runs after her, and shake my head wryly. Selene, Axel, and Leia are all in the middle of the dancefloor, laughing at Olly's unsuccessful attempts to breakdance, and I quickly spot Minnie not far away from them, in the middle of a spirited discussion with Kezia. The latter waves when she spots me watching, mouthing 'well done!' with a wink as she raises her glass in my direction. It all feels painfully familiar, as if the last chapter of my life had been copied and pasted into this moment, without any consideration of what had happened after the last divinely-thrown party. My elation wanes. My gaze sinks to the floor.

"Hades." He looks over at me, his expression unexpectedly open. I hesitate. "Can I... Can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"The past two weeks," I start, and he stills. His expression closes off. Inwardly, I curse, but I'm too far gone to back out now. I swallow back my trepidation. "Were you avoiding me?"

Hades sighs. "The answer to that question is not as easy as you want it to be, Evie."

I frown. "Yes it is, Hades. It's a yes or no question. That's not hard."

"True as that may be, whatever answer I give, you will want to know why." Hades responds. "Is that not correct?"

"Well... yes." It's my turn to sigh as I run a hand through my curls. "But don't I deserve to know, Hades? You told me the night of the ball that you wouldn't shut me out, and then literally the very next day you did just that, for something that wasn't even my fault. Do you realise how much I've been torturing myself over that for the last week? I thought..." My voice breaks, and I shake my head. "I guess it doesn't exactly matter what I thought, does it?"

Hades turns to face me, and I feel him step closer. He places a hand under my chin and lifts it up.

"Of course it matters." He replies softly. He pauses and glances over his shoulder for a moment, before offering me his hand. "Here, give me your hand."

"Why?" I ask, but don't wait for an answer and grab his hand anyway. In an instant, we're standing in my bedroom in the Underworld. I whirl around in confusion. "Wait, what? How are we back? I thought only Olly could transport people between realms."

"Did Zeus tell you that?" Hades asks, and I nod. A small smirk twists up his lips. "Do not believe everything my brother tells you. Sometimes, even he does not know all the secrets of the universe."

"But won't we be missed? Aren't we kind of the guests of honour?"

"Once Dionysus finds the alcohol storage, I suspect our absence will not be noticed at all."

"True." I let out a long sigh and fall back onto my bed. I rub my face with my hands tiredly. "Today has been just nuts."

Hades gingerly sits down next to me. The slightest hint of apprehension crosses his features. "Are you regretting your decision?"

"What? No, of course not." I reassure him, shaking my head. I sit up and lean back against the post of the bed. "I just... I've received a lot of new information, had my whole world turned on its head, and simultaneously agreed to become a goddess. A real life, genuine goddess." I laugh shakily. "It's just a lot to process, and it's terrifying."

"Why is it terrifying?"

"Seriously?" I ask incredulously. "What about it isn't terrifying? I just agreed to help you hand judgement down on the direction a person's afterlife takes. I barely understand how it all works, let alone know how to judge people without bias. How am I supposed to determine whether someone gets a happy or a miserable afterlife? Since when is my opinion that important?"

"Evie, you would not have been appointed my consort if we did not believe you had the capability to be a fair judge of souls."

I shrug slightly, glancing down at my lap. "How can you all be this sure, though? You've only known me for a few months, and that's a lot of faith to pin on a belief."

"You forget that we have known you for longer than you may have known us." Hades gently brushes a lock of my hair out of my face, drawing my attention back up to him. His midnight-blue eyes lock me into place, and my breath catches. He smiles, his hand slowly skimming down my jawline to cup my face. "You also forget how much you have shown me over the last three months. Within the first few days of being down here, you showed that you are fair and empathetic in the face of adversity. You gave me a chance, did not judge me for my callous behaviour and somehow still found it in yourself to care for me. Do you truly think that you will not be able to be an unbiased or compassionate judge? You are the most compassionate person I know."

My heart skips a beat. "Hades..."

Before I can manage a reply, Hades closes the gap between us, and my heart shudders to a complete stop.

Hades is kissing me. Hades is kissing me. And I didn't think it was possible, but the feeling of his lips upon mine sends my heart into more of a trembling mess than it had two weeks ago. All the anger, frustration and confusion that had been boiling within me finally bubbles to the surface and bursts from me in a rush of passion. I melt into him, eagerly kissing him back. The feeling of his hands sliding down to cup the back of my neck sends fiery sparks throughout my body, oscillating in waves from every point his fingers touch. I feel like I'm falling and floating and flying all at the same time; and then he deepens the kiss. All thoughts dissipate, into pure mindless bliss. I feel both alive and numb and everlasting all at the same time. I didn't realise how much I wanted this, how much I needed this until the moment his lips touched mine.

I whimper when he finally pulls back, even though I'm completely and utterly breathless. Hades shakes his head with a small smile, tucking my hair back behind my ear again.

"What was that for?" I ask hoarsely, still out of breath.

"To show you what a profound effect you have had on me." He replies just as softly. "And to answer your question earlier, yes. A small part of me was avoiding you. But I want you to know that it was not for the reason you may have been thinking."

"What was the reason, then?"

"I was angry." He admits. "Mainly at myself, but partially at the cruel hand of the Fates. When I realised you had been drugged with the aphrodisiac, I was furious at myself, not only for putting you in harm's way but also for letting my guard down around you. Most of all though, I was furious that my chance to see the deal through had been ruined, and furious that I had let myself dare to hope that it would be successful. I felt I had failed not only myself, but you as well, that night."

"Because you thought the aphrodisiac was the reason I kissed you?"

Hades nods.

"What about now?"

He chuckles. "Let us just say that if it is still the aphrodisiac influencing your actions, then I am a fool the better for it."

I smile and roll my eyes. "You're not a fool."

"No. I am Hades."

My jaw drops in disbelief. I almost miss the cheeky smile that fleets across his face. "Did you just...?"

"What?" Hades raises an innocent eyebrow.

"This is weird. You just made a joke. An actual, real-life joke." I narrow my eyes at him, pursing my lips. "Who are you and what have you done with Hades?"

"He has gone nowhere. He has just started to trust."

A big smile spreads across my face. I wrap my arms around him without a sound. Hades stills under my embrace for a moment that feels painfully too long, before encircling his arms around me and pulling me close. We stay like that for what feels like several minutes, just soundlessly wrapped up in one another's embrace. All of a sudden, I'm struck by an earth-shattering realisation.

I've never felt more at home than I do right now.

I smile into his chest, tightening my embrace. I guess I did make the right decision.

Before long, though, a small, tiny thought starts needling away at the back of my mind, growing larger and more painful the more time trickles by. As much as I try to focus on the arms wrapped around me, it doesn't take long before that tiny needle becomes a full-blown spear, that agonisingly hacks away at my better reason until I can bear it no further. Internally, I sigh, and pull back.

"I have one more question."

"With you, Evie, there is never just one more question." Hades responds bemusedly. He leans back on his elbow and eyes me curiously. "What is it?"

"When I agreed to become your consort, I had one condition." I say hesitantly. In an instant, his expression has completely smoothed over, and his mask of reservation is back.

"That's not a question."

"I know." I swallow hard and pinch the inside of my elbow. It takes me several tries to finally get the words out of my mouth. "Hades, what happened to Persephone?"

Something flickers through his gaze. He sits up straight and smooths out his shirt. "Are you sure this is what you want, Evie?"

I swallow back the lump in my throat and nod. "Yes. I know it'll be hard for you to dredge up the past, but you can't begin to build a future with me if you keep living in it. That will hurt both of us in the end, you more than me, and I don't want that happening. We need to air out the skeletons in our closets if we want the past to stop haunting us."

Hypocrite. A ghostly whisper echoes in my brain. You should be telling him about your ghosts if you're making him reveal his.

You should be telling him about Ellie.

Ellie.

"Very well." Hades sighs and nods once. "Go and get changed. I will be waiting with the truth when you get back, though you may come to regret wanting to learn it."