Desperate Housewives of Olympus (8 page)

“My mother did something for him. Something I don’t know if he can come back from.”

“What do you mean?” she cried out more loudly than she meant to.

“Shh.”

“Then tell me!”

“She took his heart,” he said simply.

“No, she couldn’t have. It’s mine,” Persephone argued.

Eros smiled sadly. “He begged her, Persephone. The proud, dark Lord of the Underworld on his knees before the Goddess of Love in all her golden light. She took pity on him, his pain was devouring him. She took it beating from his chest and locked it away so nothing could ever hurt him like that again.”

Persephone swallowed hard against the despair that threatened to strangle her. Was everything lost to her now? It didn’t matter. “I still have to try,” she said in a shaky voice.

“I know you do. Your love for him is as bright as anything I’ve ever seen, Persephone. If anything could spark his heart back to life, I think it would be you. It’s not going to be easy though. His heart is gone, all he’s got left are shadows. When you light the dark places and the shadows are gone, what will be left?” Eros asked her softly. “Only hollow spaces. You’ll have to love him enough for both of you for awhile. Indifference will be kind compared to the hate that will burn inside of him when he begins feeling again. If he ever does.”

“I don’t understand. I thought he would hate me first, if he had to.” Persephone knew she sounded pathetic, but she couldn’t help it.

“Oh no, little one. Love and Hate are kissing cousins. Both take much passion, much of the soul. When there’s nothing there, you can’t have either.”

“Can’t your mother just put it back? She took it, why can’t she put it back?” she cried and buried her face in Eros’ shoulder.

“You know it doesn’t work that way. If you want him, you’re going to have to earn it, Persephone. Through fire, blood and tears. If you truly love him, you won’t let that stop you.”

“It’s just, I had it before. Right in my hands and not only did I let go, I threw it away. I know it’s wrong to want to walk back to that point in time and hold on, but I can’t help it.”

“Come on, we better go. You can only get cell service in Tartarus when the stars are in certain spots, so we have to get moving. You have to decide if you want to do this after all I’ve told you.”

She pulled away from the embrace meant to soothe her. For some reason, it felt important to answer while she was standing on her own two feet, with nothing and no one else supporting her but her own strength.

“Yes.” As soon as she said it, Persephone felt something heavy click into place around her. It was weighty like armor, thick like a geis, but was welcome like a vow. She knew for better or worse, she was bound to Hades for eternity.

“Let’s go.”

“Where are we going? Is there anywhere in Olympus that’s private?”

“For matters of the heart, I think the grotto in my mother’s temple would appropriate. Plus it gets great reception.”

“Thank you for doing this for me, Eros.”

“I’m the God of Love. Did I have a choice?” He rolled his eyes.

“You know you did. Thank you for being my friend.”

“Of course, Persephone. I love you,” he said with ease.

In Persephone’s limited experience, she knew he was the only god who could say that out loud and mean it, even to a friend. Demeter had told her gods didn’t say things like that and if they did, they meant it only until fluids had been swapped.

“I love you too, Eros. Even if you are trying to get in my mother’s toga.”

“She doesn’t even wear a toga.”

“Semantics.”

“Which should always be clear when dealing with an immortal,” he corrected.

“You sound like my mother.”

“She’s not wrong about everything, you know.” Eros cast her a sly glance.

“I know, but… gods, I need some space.”

“I know. I think you’re going to get more of it than you bargained for, Persephone.”

“Is that a be careful what you ask for sort of thing?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“You’re old for your years, Eros. You hand down advice like you’re a titan or something.” She rolled her eyes.

“What’s the one thing people have the most trouble with in life? Men and gods?”

“Love,” she replied as if reading from a script.

“So, I do have a tiny bit of experience in the ways of these things.”

“I know you do, but what happened to spontaneity? Did you ever think about simply grabbing my mother and planting one on her? I mean, if that’s what you want?” She screwed up her face in an expression that proclaimed she couldn’t imagine anyone wanting that, but this was her version of being supportive.

“Advice from a self-proclaimed toddler?”

“Yeah. Kids say the darndest things. Or what was that other one? From out of the mouths of babes?” she shot back.

Eros made it a point to look her up and down. “I don’t think they meant
that
kind of babe.”

“You’re not as innocent as you’d have my mother believe.”

“Actually…” he shook his head. “Never mind. Are you ready?” Eros didn’t wait for her to answer, but willed their transport to his mother’s temple.

NYX

“Thanatos!” she cried when she saw her oldest son lounging on her temple steps.

“Hey, Ma.” He stood and endured her hug.

“I thought you were working all week. Wasn’t there a natural disaster in South America?”

“Wouldn’t you know it, it’s so cool. Red Cross showed up and the volunteers saved a bunch of people.”

Nyx hadn’t seen him in what felt like a century. In fact, she almost started counting on her fingers to see if it had been that long. “I suppose you’re hungry. Fig cakes with cream cheese frosting?”

Thanatos patted his flat stomach. “You know me so well.”

“Why are you outside? You could have gone in, you know.” Nyx pushed the door open.

“I didn’t want to startle you. Might fall and break a hip and I’d feel bad.” He shrugged.

“You little shit,” she laughed. He was always teasing her about her age. She was a Titan after all and older than all of the gods. She was one of the last of the old guard; one Zeus was sure wouldn’t try to overthrow his power. He was mistaken about that one, only she didn’t want the power herself. She wanted him to stop treating Hera like crap. Or divorce her. That at least, would be honest.

He smirked back at her. Of her two sons, Thanatos was most like her. She loved her children the same, but she had a special kinship with Thanatos.

“So uh, what’s the deal with Persephone and Hades?” he asked as he followed her inside.

Tartarus on cracker! What was with that girl that these dark types were so stuck on her? Was it because she was blond? Nyx just didn’t get it. Not that she had anything against the girl, but it wasn’t like she was as pretty as Hera. Or as smart as Athena.

“You have been out of the gossip loop for awhile, yeah? They broke up, so to speak.”

“He let her go? Dumbass.” Thanatos shook his head.

“What would you have him do? Sacrifice the world for her?”

“Well, yeah,” Thanatos answered as if that were the only reasonable response.

Nyx couldn’t argue with that, but she tried anyway. “Hades released her from the curse too. He didn’t want her to be unhappy.”

At that, her son was silent for a moment. “So how hard do you think Demeter would smite me if I asked Persephone out?”

“She better not smite you, or I’ll kick her ass up over her shoulders. She has winter, but I’ll drench the world in eternal night if she tries.” Nyx was thoughtful for a moment. “Unless of course you were unreasonably handsy or demanding. Or acted like Zeus. Or—,”

“I get the picture, Ma. By the way, you look great.”

“You’re just saying that because my hair looks like yours now.” She scowled.

“Moonlight and stardust. No one can resist.” He smirked as if it was just his trial to bear, being that attractive.

“Nice deflection. I mean what I said. If you want Persephone, do what you will, but don’t be a dick. Got it?”

“Yeah, Ma. Don’t be a dick. Got it,” he recited dutifully.

“So I have to ask. What’s with you dark and tortured types and this girl?”

“I dunno. She’s hot. It’s not like I want to marry her or anything. It would just be a date. Maybe a kiss.” He considered for a moment. “Maybe something else.”

“That girl is a virgin, Thanatos.” Yes, he was her son and she loved him dearly, but he was one-hundred percent male—thinking with his parts. She had to struggle not to sigh.

“She’s probably got a family of bats living in there after all this time. Don’t you think it would be okay if she—,”

“You know, we so don’t need to have this conversation.” She threw her hands up in defeat. Nyx loved that her boys talked to her, confided in her, but there were some things a mother just didn’t need to know.

“Why not? Not getting any?”

“What did I say about being a dick? You’ll keep a civil tongue in your head if you want fig cakes.”

“Sorry,” he apologized immediately. “It’s just I heard from a friend Apollo was checking you out when you left Jean Pierre’s.”

“And
he
wanted you to ask me if I was, and I quote, getting any?”

“No.” He hung his head. “Yeah.”

Nyx took a deep breath and rolled her eyes skyward. “That friend wouldn’t happen to
be
Apollo, would it?”

“No, it was Artemis.”

“Does everyone know my business?” Nyx complained as she dropped the batter for the cakes in the pan.

“You know how it is on the Lane.”

“Is that why you never come see me anymore?” She couldn’t resist one little jab.

“Don’t start. You know I’ve got work. If you want me to let you make those fig cakes, you’ll knock it off.”

The kid had a point. She was more than happy to cook for him and he knew even with his smart mouth he still had her wrapped around his little finger.

“Fine, you win.”

“You should really go see what Apollo is up to.”

“I know exactly what he’s up to. 6’4 and it’s no surprise they stack bullshit that high.”

“Harsh, Ma. Totally harsh.” He shook his head at the indignity.

“When you say ‘totally’ like that, you sound like some kind of sick hybrid of goth surfer.”

“Cool.”

“Not so much. Blows your cred.”

“My cred can take it.” He sat down at the table to wait for his fig cakes. “Are you really not interested in the sun god, or is it because you think he’s too young for you?”

“He’s one of your friends, Thanatos. That would be weird.” She putzed around the kitchen with a few more busy-work chores. Something to keep her hands busy.

“If it doesn’t bother me, why should it bother you? You were old when the Dead Sea was sick.” He snickered.

“One more age joke, just one more,” she warned.

“And you’ll what? Get younger?” Thanatos didn’t simply laugh this time, he cackled like an over-caffeinated hyena.

Nyx threw a pan at him and he easily dodged it.

“You’re off your game. You could practice by throwing them at Hypnos.”

“He doesn’t come over unless he and Hermes are fighting. You know Hermes travels so much and he likes to take Hypnos with him and I understand. Although my aim suffers.” She gave a long suffering sigh as if she bore the travails of the world on her shoulders. “They’ve promised to come for Brumalia.”

“Ma, keep up. It’s Christmas now.”

“I didn’t like that Saturnalia fad.”

“Again, Ma, when the Dead Sea was sick…”

“Christmas. Fine. Whatever. Call it whatever you want, all I care about is my boy coming to visit. You’re coming too, aren’t you?” Ha! She’d snuck in the invite while he was there in front of her. Thanatos had no problem telling her no on the phone, but in person? She owned his ass.

“Ma, you know Christmas is always busy for me. I have to work. So many unhappy mortals.”

“You’re upper management. The peons work the holidays. That’s how it’s supposed to work.”

“They have families too.”

“Just for a bit of ambrosia wine and a few canapés? Really, when was the last time you saw your brother?”

“Uh,”

“See? It would make me very happy, Thanatos. And I promise, no nagging if you have to leave.”

“Okay, but only if you’ll talk to Apollo.”

He was picking up some of her better tricks. She’d have to try harder.

“Were you even listening?” No, he probably hadn’t been. Thanatos had always had a strong will and he heard exactly what he wanted to. Selected deafness seemed to be something all children suffered from, whether they be mortal or godling. It was enough make her pull out her hair.

“Good, so it’s okay I told him to pick you up tonight at eight.”

“You’ve lost your damn mind.”

“No, just wait before you whip out the crotch puppet.”

“I don’t have a
crotch
puppet
, son. Do you need an anatomy lesson too, because I thought we had this discussion when you were much younger? Though, given my advanced age, I could be mistaken.” Her words dripped with sarcasm like honey from a hive, but definitely not sweet. Maybe honey that had been made from the nectar of the Corpse Flower.

“Look, it’s a good idea. He even agreed to take you out at night. When it’s your time. You’ll be in charge.”

“As if I need the cover of darkness to protect me from Apollo. Please.” She almost said
bitch,
please
.
Nyx was always in charge.

“He’ll bring his horses and the chariot. He even said you could drive at dawn.”

Now this appealed to Nyx. She loved the dawn and watching his fiery horses streak across the sky. She watched every morning before she fell asleep. Not that she’d tell her son or Apollo that little tidbit.

“I guess, but it’s just this one time.”

“What if you have fun?”

Nyx didn’t discount it was a possibility. “Then I’ll have fun the one time. I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”

“So don’t have one.”

“I won’t.”

“Nothing says you can’t hit it and quit it.” Thanatos gave a pragmatic shrug and tried to goad her further.

“Still not having this discussion.”