Goddess Interrupted

Goddess Interrupted
Aimee Carter

After surrendering her mortal life, Kate’s about to be crowned queen of the mythical Underworld, home to the Gods. Her king – dangerous, mesmerising Henry – the boy she sacrificed everything for, is becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then he is abducted in the midst of her coronation.Forced to take up her role in a bitter war between the Gods, Kate battles to save Henry’s life. Worse, her only hope of victory means turning to Persephone, Henry’s first true love…and the greatest threat to Kate’s future. Kate now knows that rescuing the one she believed to be her destined soulmate could mean losing him forever.‘A fresh take on the Greek myths adds sparkle to this romantic fable.’ Cassandra Clare on The Goddess Test

Praise for

THE GODDESS TEST

‘A fresh take on the Greek myths adds sparkle to this romantic fable.’

—Cassandra Clare

‘This absorbing, contemporary take on the Greek myth of Persephone features romance, mystery, suspense, and an engaging, fully dimensional protagonist.’

—Booklist

‘Absolutely unique, fresh and fascinating.’

—BewitchedBookworms.com

“Do you accept your role as Queen of the Underworld?” said Henry.

I could do this. I had to do this. For Henry’s sake—for my mother’s sake. For my sake. Because in the end, without Henry, I didn’t know who I was any more.

As I opened my mouth to say yes, a crash shattered the silence. I twisted around to survey the damage, but before I could get a good look, Ava appeared beside me and took my elbow. “We have to get out of here.” As we scrambled forward, another crash echoed through the hall, and a shimmering fog seeped into the palace. The same fog from my vision.

This was the thing that had nearly killed Henry and now it was attacking all of us. Without warning, it sliced through the air faster than the members of the council could control it, but it wasn’t aimed at Henry or Walter or Phillip.

It went directly for me.

Books byAimée Carter

THE GODDESS TEST

GODDESS INTERRUPTED

Goddess Interrupted

Aimée Carter

www.miraink.co.uk (http://www.miraink.co.uk)

For Melissa Anelli, who knows how it feels to climb that

long, winding road just to see the dawn.

Acknowledgments

I’m beyond grateful for all the help, encouragement and support from the people who were brave enough to stick around while I wrote this monster. I especially want to thank the following:

Rosemary Stimola, my magical agent, for the smiley faces.

Mary-Theresa Hussey, Natashya Wilson and the entire team at my publisher’s, for believing in these books.

The incredible community of YA book bloggers, for their enthusiasm and love of reading.

Angie, Stacey, Mandy and the rest of the crew, for being a second family.

Lauren DeStefano, for the ups and downs and late-night e-mails.

Carrie Harris, for the laughs and infectious cheer.

Sarah J. Maas, for the endless optimism.

Courtney Allison Moulton and Leah Clifford, for being Angels.

Nick Navarre, for the music.

Sarah Reck, for never holding back.

Caitlin Straw, for putting up with me.

And last but never least, Dad—for everything.

PROLOGUE

Calliope trudged through the sunny field as she ignored the babble of the redhead trailing behind her. Ingrid was the first mortal who had tried to pass the test to become Henry’s wife, and maybe if he’d spent more than five minutes a day with her, Henry would’ve understood why Calliope had killed her.

“You’re in for a treat,” said Ingrid, scooping up a rabbit from the tall grass and hugging it to her chest. “Everything’s going to bloom at noon.”

“Like it did yesterday?” said Calliope. “And the day before that? And the day before that?”

Ingrid beamed. “Isn’t it beautiful? Did you see the butterflies?”

“Yes, I saw the butterflies,” said Calliope. “And the deer. And every other pointless piece of your afterlife.”

A dark cloud passed over Ingrid’s face. “I’m sorry you think it’s stupid, but it’s my afterlife, and I like it this way.”

It took a great deal of effort, but Calliope fought off the urge to roll her eyes. Upsetting Ingrid would only make things worse, and at the rate this was going, it would be ages before Calliope got out of here. “You’re right,” she said tightly. “It’s only that I never spend any time in this realm, so the process is unfamiliar to me.”

Ingrid relaxed and ran her fingers through the rabbit’s fur. “Of course you don’t spend time here,” she said with a giggle that set Calliope’s teeth on edge. “You’re a goddess. You can’t die. Unlike me,” she added, skipping across a few feet of meadow. “But it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be.”

If that idiot of a girl knew a damn thing, she’d have known that Calliope wasn’t just any goddess. She was one of the original six members of the council, before they’d had children and the council had expanded. Before her husband had decided fidelity was beneath him. Before they’d started handing out immortality like it was candy. She was the daughter of Titans, and she wasn’t merely a goddess. She was a queen.

And no matter what the council and that bitch Kate had decided, she didn’t deserve to be here.

“Good,” said Calliope. “Death is a stupid thing to fear.”

“Henry makes sure I’m comfortable. He comes by every once in a while and spends the afternoon with me,” said Ingrid, and she added with a catty grin, “You never did tell me who won.”