And Megan had said the earthquakes were normally over in minutes. Why was Hades so angry?
As soon as I had that thought, my gaze swung to Zotera. She looked completely calm as she watched me closely.
“Are you feeling better?” she asked.
“I am.” I paused walking and looked at Eliana. “Would you mind giving me a moment alone with Zotera?”
“Sure.” She led me to the bed where I sat again. “I’ll check on Megan and be right back.”
I waited for the door to close before asking, “Is he watching me?”
“Yes.”
So he knew I’d been hurt and was upset about it. Knowing that created conflicting feelings in me. I didn’t want Hades to continue to shake the world with his anger. I didn’t want anyone to be hurt because of me. Yet, I couldn’t stop the bursting joy that he still cared. But was it because he liked me,Ashlyn, or simply because I looked likeher?
Either way, I needed to reassure him that I was fine so he’d stop shaking everything. How was I supposed to do that long distance, though? From what I could remember about the pool, the sounds were garbled. He’d never be able to hear anything I said.
But when had reassuring him with words ever worked anyway? Distracting had.
“I’m going to take a shower,” I said, standing and pulling my shirt off in one fluid motion.
The rumbling immediately mellowed, and I fought not to grin.
No matter what Hades had learned, he was the same Hades…easily distracted by Persephone’s body. Bymybody.
My bra was off by the time I reached the bathroom door. The tremors stopped completely.
I didn’t linger in the shower or use the mirror to inspect the area on my back that still ached a little when I put on the clean clothes that were waiting for me. I didn’t want to call attention to it if he was watching as closely as I guessed he was.
“Feel better?” Eliana asked when I emerged again.
She and Zotera were waiting for me by the bed.
“Much better now that the tremors stopped. Was anyone hurt?”
“Not here,” Eliana said. “But injuries are broadcasting in the human cities. Mostly accidents. Loose objects falling from shelves. Stuff like that. A few buildings collapsed due to the prolonged tremors, too. The casualty numbers are still being tallied. We probably won’t know how many until later tonight.”
I appreciated Eliana’s straight honesty.
“Has the council said anything about the prolonged tremors? How are the other humans here doing?”
“There’s actually a meeting in progress right now,” Eliana said. “We can join them.”
“Is Adira there?”
Eliana smiled slightly. “No. Megan is.”
I was only a lowly human. I’d never been worthy of attending a council meeting before. My uncle had, though, as the official liaison for the humans in Uttira. However, he’d never returned home very happy after attending one.
“Sure,” I said. “I’m curious what is said in one of these meetings.”
“Nothing very useful usually,” Eliana said, leading us from the bedroom. “They tend to get distracted by inconsequential issues. For example, when they were supposed to be looking for you, they continually focused on my relationship with Fenris instead.”
“I can’t imagine that went over well with Megan,” I said.
“It didn’t. But don’t worry. I promise to make sure she keeps her cool when she’s around you. You’ve been hurt enough.” She gave me an apologetic smile.
I grabbed her hand to stop her for a second.
