A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Get introduced to a funny yet fierce world of Greek mythology that retells a story of Persephone and Hades

- NIDA NAEEM

Girl, Goddess, Queen A fierce, fresh and enormously fun YA fantasy re-imagining from a growing TikTok superstar. Shop Now

When they asked me what I wanted, I said: 'The world.' 'And what would you do with the world?' my father asked. His words were lined with sharp edges but I didn't catch their threat until Mother squeezed my shoulder. Her fingers were too hard to be a comfort-a warning, perhaps? Or a threat of her own?

I stared from god to god, no one giving me any indication of what I'd done wrong. They had asked me a simple question. I had given a simple response. Now everyone watched me from the shaded porticoes of the megaron, their faces distorted in the reflections on the bronze pillars that ringed the throne hall. I had no idea what they wanted, no idea why everyone suddenly seemed tense. A few people glanced to my father, whose glower was so fierce he could have passed for one of his own statues.

I considered his question, my mother's nails digging deeper with every passing second that I remained wordless.

I'd fill it with flowers,' I decided. A heartbeat as the words landed.