Chapter forty four

Persephone's breath quickened and her mind raced on what she was to do next. Murmur might have told the girl everything. All she had fought to hide. Persephone even considered killing the girl there and then considering the girl was trapped in the dream realm all that time, it would have been impossible for Talia to call upon the wraith and give up her Fae side for true immortality. Persephone doubted the girl had that knowledge. Just looking at the girl's eyes, she knew she was right. Humanity still existed behind that glaze of anger. It was not insanity or a psychotic daze. There was a chance she knew something but Persephone suspected it wasn't something that would make the girl more volatile. So instead of flaring up, Persephone decided to get more answers.

"Don't tell me that demon scrambled your brain? because you seem to be forgetting your manners!"

"Manners, " Talia scoffed shaking her head. "I don't belong here and I know why you brought me here. It wasn't because of the stupid accident. No... It was only because of revenge." The girl broke down. "I know who my father is and seeing that bland look on your face, I can tell you already knew. That's why I am here right? A stress ball to release all the pain Hades has caused you."

That was it!

All Talia knew was the identity of her father. It was better to throw her off there and finalize the plan I getting rid of her permanently. Persephone jerked away from Talia's iron grip and looked her square in the face.

"When I cursed you die, I never knew of your paternal heritage, and trust me, You would not be breathing if I did but since you are so quick to assume you are trapped in this realm because I seek to have my pound of flesh for all the suffering your father has caused me. Ask yourself this, would I be wrong? Your father cursed my firstborn to be a pegasus- to live the rest of his life as a lowly beast. He tricked my husband into giving up his immortality and if you ask me, your existence is solely to be a thorn in my flesh."

"He doesn't even know I exist!"

"Zeus saved you. He sure didn't give a damn about your existence but he made sure you lived because someone told him too. You might think he doesn't care you exist but he does and he definitely has plans for you."

Talia clasped to the hem of her gown listening to the horrible thing Persephone had to say about her so-called father. The tales were true but there was something damning hearing it from the mouth of someone who had suffered tremendously in his hands. Talia knew she was hot safe here. Her legs trembled and her anxiety shot over the roof locking gazes with Solomon who was awestruck and Sybil who was barely managing containing the last of the demon's scattered soul pieces.

"If that true, " Talia tried to sound in control but it felt like her Fae had abandoned her. She had lost her last line of defense and the only thing left within her was stupid rage. "Why won't you let me go?"

"I will once you've completed your end of the bargain."

Before Talia could reward Persephone with a total mental breakdown, She fled the room.

***
Talia wiped the pouring tears clouding her line of sight off her cheeks as she ran faster over the marble floors that were too cold for her bare feet.  So long she had wondered why she was here, what was it a goddess that hated her could gain from trapping her, and today she might have gotten her answer. Seeing miniature fireballs zip past her in several directions, Talia remembered something that had eluded her mind when she attacked Persephone. The demon wasn't done speaking.

"Perhaps you think it's her revenge for all the torture she has endured in the hands of Hades but child, the truth runs much deeper..."

There was something else. Something that sneaky goddess wasn't telling her. Talia went higher up the castle, almost stumbling on a stair as she approached the Prince's chambers. She had never ventured this far up the castle. She had never felt the need to until today. Exerted, Talia managed to knock on the golden door. Talia felt her stomach clench when the door creaked open.

"Talia, come in." He offered, opening his door like it was an invitation.

Trying her best not to pry and trying to stay away from him considering he was shirtless with the exception of his trousers, Talia rejected his invitation.

"Thanks but I just want to ask you a question, and I want you to be sincerely honest with me."

"O–kay?"

"Did you know? You know, the identity of my father or did your mother hide that from you too?"

"I knew." He replied after a long wave of silence.

Eyelids fluttering, Talia tightened her jaw to keep back the tears that threatened. She wished he had lied to her. It might have made it better but he chose to tell the truth.

"And you chose to keep it from me. Why?"

"Because I did not want you to believe you are here as a result of my mother's F.U revenge towards your father."

"Wow, " Talia muttered. "Is that the truth or is that another act to conceal the truth."

"That is not fair."

"I know!" Talia retorted, combing her hair backward with her hands. It was insensitive to say. Denys had been more like a protector since she hit his mother's blacklist but it was far comforting to fight it than accept it. She just couldn't fathom why he of all people didn't hate her. "But how can you and there and look at me like I am not some kind of monster's spawn when it turns out my father is responsible for all the horrible things your family had to go through. It just doesn't make sense."

Denys bent to meet her eyes. Compelled to look into his, Talia’s breathing calmed. Despite there being no vibrant light source in the distance, she clearly saw his irises were blue. Intense, fascinating, and true. Yet something about him was far from the truth as it could ever be. There was a taint in the brightness she had to discover. Her eyes glided over his lips. It was pretty pale pink and it sent Talia into a state of sheer sensual intoxication. Perhaps it was the seductive side taking over or her will to figure out the secret he was keeping but Talia wasn't sure what force took over when she reached towards his face tasted his rose-red lips.
***
**Author note**
What was your first kiss like?