My Lord Hades (12 page)

“Never let anyone accuse you of being selfless.”

He grinned and shrugged with his palms up. “Even Death deserves a break now and then.”

Placing the lavender on the table, Hades leaned forward. “Did you wish to bargain for time off or a raise? Or are you here to make a nuisance of yourself?”

“I would never be so crass. At least, not until you have a wife who makes you blissfully

happy and fat kids running around this dreary palace.”

“I appreciate your honesty, old friend. But the woman in question…” Hades straightened in his comfortable throne. “What did you need?”

Thanatos’ eyes narrowed. “The judges of the Asphodel Fields are here?”

“Finally! Could you show them in?”

“You need a true steward, my lord.” He skipped down the hall, still mumbling loud enough

so Hades could hear him. “I can’t be taken away from my duties to play errand boy all day long.

There are shades to collect, women to court, and Penelope to chase around the palace. Which reminds me, where has that pretty goddess hidden herself? You’d think she didn’t like me? Come in, come in. His royalness will see you now.”

Hades shook his head, chuckling at the antics of Death as he lead tall and thin Minos, short and fat Aeacus, and Rhadamanthys who looked as old as time itself through the hall. When the four gods stopped before the throne, Hades glared down at Thanatos. “I should make you the court jester.”

Thanatos looked stricken. “You wouldn’t,” he gasped, his horrified voice a few octaves

higher.

“Keep it up and I might,” he threatened, but they both knew he wouldn’t. Hades turned to the other three gods. “I wanted to commend you on your stewardship of the shades in your care. It’s good to see the Titainomachia hasn’t affected your work. However, there are some changes to your duties I would like to introduce. First, I want the Asphodel Fields cleared of all shades, not just the heroes and evil persons. Second, all shall be fairly judged and receive their just reward or torment based on their deeds in life. Those who are neither virtuous nor evil shall be returned to the Asphodel Fields until further notice. Those who are evil shall be sent to Tartarus. And those whose deeds were good shall enjoy the Elysian Fields with the heroes. Third, I give you three the power to judge the fates of the shades. I’ll not preside over their judgments unless asked by you to do so.”

The three gods bowed their heads, murmured acquiesce to his command and hastened out of

the throne room. Hades frowned at their departing backs. While the fear of others could be useful, he would never be comfortable with it. Only Persephone had never feared him. She

accepted him, even though she really didn’t know him.

“Who ruled here before me?” Hades asked

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Every time I introduce myself as God of the Underworld,” a strange look crossed Thanatos’

face, “I get that look. This world accepts my changes, but they don’t accept me.”

Thanatos sighed. “It’s nothing against you, Hades. As far as we’re concerned, Zeus appointed you ruler, but he didn’t have the right. He displaced our Queen.”

“A goddess ruled here?”

“Don’t look so surprised.”

“Where is this Queen now?”

Thanatos’ shrugged. “An arrogant god came here to take what was not his. Coronus left a

blackened mass of immortality. In the process, our home was destroyed and our Queen injured.

She was taken from this place and one day she will return, and you will lose your kingdom.”

“Unless?”

“You marry her,” Thanatos said. “Only she can make you our King in more than name. Only

she can heal this world.”

Wasn’t there always a catch? Hades didn’t like the idea of marrying the unknown woman, but if he was to keep his kingdom, he would have to marry the Queen of the Underworld.

Persephone would be truly lost to him.

“Who is she, Thanatos?”

He shook his head. “It would be better for you to go to the woman that commands your full attention. She is your chosen bride. She will be the one to make you happy. She will be the one you demand from Zeus. Forget the other thought in your head, because I will not be party to your destruction.”

Hades grumbled under his breath as the happy-go-lucky god actually spun, hopping in the

process, and sauntered off, whistling a popular Siren tune.

“I must have perfect timing,” Eris said. She stalked from the shadowed doorway, her topaz dress clinging to every curve and revealing a fair amount of cleavage. “Did I just hear you talking of marriage?”

“No,” Hades growled, glaring at Thanatos’ retreating back. Thanatos paused to kiss Eris’

proffered cheek before he disappeared. “We were discussing securing my dubious place on this throne.”

“So you were talking of marriage? And to a worthy woman. I found the Iron Queen a

refreshing breath of fresh air.”

“The Iron Queen?”

Eris grinned. “Yes, dear. You didn’t think a woman could rule this world and hold her own against Coronus if she wasn’t a hard ass.”

Sighing, Hades stood and grabbed his black cloak from the arm of the throne, wrapping the soft cloth around him.

“Did you want something mother?”

Eris glided further into the chamber. “I just wanted to visit my favorite son.”

Hades snorted. “I’m your only son.”

She laughed. “Well if you are looking for a bride, then I have a bit of good news for you.

Zeus is about to bestow this beautiful flower of a goddess upon the god he believes worthy of her.”

Hades grimaced. “You mean Zeus’ll trade his daughter for political favor?”

Eris nodded. “Sounds about right. But that’s not the point. She could make a perfect bride for you.”

He groaned. “Why does everyone want to marry me off today? Besides, I doubt Zeus would

even consider me for this daughter. He hates me. In any case, I would rather return to my cell in Tartarus than marry pasty-faced Athena…unless you mean Artemis?”

“I never pegged you for a masochist.”

“I have a sadistic mother. It’s only natural.”

She smiled. “I don’t think you need Tartarus. You’re doing a better job sulking on your

throne than torture ever accomplished. As for the goddes, she’s neither of those uptight virgins.

She’s Demeter’s daughter, and I hear Hermes might receive her hand in marriage.”

The way she said the words made the hair on the back of Hades’ neck stand on end. Hermes, the horny god of thievery, would destroy innocent Persephone! He tried to show no reaction to the news, but he doubted he’d succeeded.

“I have business to attend to, Mother. If all you have is gossip, I’ll bid you good day.”

Eris chuckled. “See you later, Hades.”

A GODDESS with blonde curls tumbling over her creamy white shoulders stepped out of the

balcony door and into the garden. “There you are.” Smiling, she glided over the path and to Persephone’s side. “It seems you have caused quite the stir among the gods. Poor girl, you must feel like a bone between wolves.” The woman passed a fountain of nymphs, her long fingers drifting over the cold stone. “And your mother fighting so valiantly to keep you a virgin goddess.

How boring that must be for someone like you.”

“Like me? I don’t understand.”

“Really. How remise of Demme not to mention your lack of memory.” She paused, tilting her head, her delicate nostrils flaring. She frowned. “Or your lack of power.”

“I don’t see how any of that is your business.”

“It’s not, my dear Persephone. I’m Aphrodite.” She draped an arm over the statue. Her dress dipped so low in the front that her breasts strained to be free of the binding cloth, and yet, rather than be self-conscious, she exuded a buoyant air of excitement and confidence. “We were

friends. We both found mortals fascinating, although, I did warn you that they were fickle creatures. But you wouldn’t listen and look where it got you. Trapped in a valley, dreaming of what you can’t remember, lacking the power to protect yourself from the gods. What was Zeus thinking when he brought you here?”

Persephone said nothing, just watched the goddess as she moved from the fountain to the

bench. She cringed to think of what would happen if Aphrodite had anymore a bounce in her step. The woman’s breasts would fall out of that dress.

“Now, as your friend, I thought to warn you.” She sat on the bench and crossed one leg over the other. “The gods are getting impatient to marry you. Ares likes the idea of owning such a stunning goddess, but he’ll be unfaithful to you.”

“Because he is in your bed?”

“Was in my bed! Hermes is more elusive. He doesn’t approve of me. But then his moral

compass is skewed. He loves beautiful women and has had more lovers over the years than I ever have.” She twirled a golden lock of hair around her finger, a gesture that Persephone found oddly familiar. “And Apollo is no better than his brother. Did you know they share their women? I wonder if that will extend to their wives as well.” She looked at Persephone. “No need to look so shocked, my dear. It’s the way of the gods. If you stay here long enough, you’ll find that out.”

What kind of mad house was she in? “I don’t think so.”

Aphrodite laughed, her breasts leaping against the flimsy fabric. “Not if Zeus has his way. He wants you married off by the end of the week. And what Zeus wants, he usually gets. Unless your mother succeeds in making you a virgin goddess.”

“What’s that?”

“Athena and Artemis in a nutshell. Boring. Sexless. Lacking the fascination men bring to life.

It’s not the life of the Persephone I knew.”

Persephone couldn’t stop herself. She sat beside Aphrodite. “Tell me.”

The voluptuous goddess tossed her hair over her milky white shoulders and slipped her arm through Persephone’s, acting as if they’d always known each other. The simple action unnerved Persephone, but more for the reason that she’d always disliked people touching her. But rather than the horrible images she’d received from the other gods, all she saw from this goddess was a naked, sweaty god in a bed with Aphrodite under him.

She pulled away and Aphrodite let her go. “Sorry, I forgot your aversion to touch.”

Aphrodite’s laughter rang like wind chimes. “You were always an adventurous and curious child.

I remember the day when you created a family of mud and clay, giving them life. You were a powerful goddess, compassionate yet ruthless, practical yet ruled by your passions.”

Aphrodite stood, drawing Persephone with her. The image of a sugared pear with a rotten

core came to mind. Her blatant honesty of moments before was tarnished now. There was

another reason for this visit, though what it could be, Persephone had no idea.

“Are you taken with one of the gods yet, young Persephone?”

“Well, I found them to be…” She shrugged. “Overwhelming.”

“But they’re cute, are they not?” She plucked a daisy from the garden, twirling it between her fingers. “I was debating if I should offer you advice. And when I overheard Demeter and Zeus speaking at the party, I knew I had to speak with you. It would be awful if you made the wrong choice of your husband, and I know who would be perfect for you. He’s so much better than the others, and handsome too. He even has his own kingdom. Imagine what a thrill it might be if you were a queen of an entire kingdom.”

“I’m not sure I follow you.” Although she was beginning to have an inkling of what

Aphrodite meant. Her cheeks warmed.

“There is a god who’s more powerful than the gods you’ve met so far. And I got a chance to meet him when he came to receive his reward from Zeus. He’s incredible to look at.”

Persephone bristled. “You’re married, aren’t you?”

“Yes. But there is no rule that says I can’t look. Or touch. Or play with.”

“Then what concern is Hades to you?”

She shot Persephone a curious look for a moment before bursting into a charming round of

laughter. “Oh Persephone! You were always sharp, but you misunderstand. I’m not interested in Hades. He’s a touch too melancholy and violent for my tastes. But I thought you might find him to your liking, considering your past, and I see I was right.”

Persephone hated her tone. She was speaking to Persephone as if she were a child, as

Demeter still did at times. She was a woman grown! She might not know how old she was, but it was very clear that she was older than the twenty years she appeared to be.

“If you married him, you would rule the Underworld at his side.”

Persephone’s heart dropped. “The Underworld?”

“Come now, Persephone. Life would never be dull with him around. And he is powerful

enough to protect you while you heal. You could always find a lover if he doesn’t please you.”

“I don’t want to marry.”

“You want to be a virgin?”

“No. I want to be free to chose my lovers and not be bound to marriage vows.” At least until she knew her past.

Her skin tingled, like a caress along her skin. She knew instantly that Hades was in the

palace. She could feel him moving through the halls and she couldn’t believe she never sensed him before today.

“Oh. I forgot the undeniable sense of honor you hold. And your need for freedom.”

She nodded absently. Every moment seemed to strengthen her link to him. What had changed

in her to cause this new awareness?

Aphrodite waved her hand in front of her face. “Are you alright?”

“Hmmm. Yes. Just thinking.”

“About Hades? He’s a mysterious god. No one truly knows him.” She sighed, as if wistful.

“When it comes to men, dark, handsome, and aloof are very sexy qualities. Just think about it. If you happen to see him, you might want to make your availability known. He’s a wonderful

catch.”

“What?” Persephone asked, though every word was already burned into her brain.

“I asked if you found him to your liking?”

“Uh? Yes?”

“There are so few here who are as interesting to talk to as you are,” Aphrodite said, pouting.