My Lord Hades (32 page)

And then someone was there, fighting at his side, beating back the Titans. “Idiot boy! What were you thinking?!” Eris shouted. “Somebody get him out of here!”

He floated in and out of consciousness, his body chilled and then warmth suffused his body and he knew she’d come. He could feel Persphone through every cell of his body and soul. She was in his mind, a serene presence full of love and fear. He felt the change in her, the shift that had shattered the walls around her heart and lay bare every emotion. Some came gently and others with a force that knocked the air from their lungs, but each one made her whole again, made her stronger, made her the Persephone he’d fallen in love with, made her the Iron Queen.

“What are you doing here? It’s not safe,” he rasped.

“What happened?”

“Coronus cut him with a guard’s sword,” Thanatos said. “It paralyzes the victim for about three days.”

“We have to retreat, Thanatos. Get everyone inside the palace, now.”

Hades opened his eyes and stared up into her tear filled eyes. “No. We have to fight.”

She smiled. “It’s time this ended, my love. But we need everyone whole and strong for that.

Rest.”

He closed his eyes and the darkness overtook him.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

THE FORCES surrounding the palace were unconquerable compared to the small force of

gods inside the walls of the palace, many of who were injured by the guards’ stolen weapons and slow to heal. It would be another three days before they would be on their feet and ready to face the enemy once more. There were a few unaccounted for among the ranks, presumably captured by the host before her.

Another tear slid down her cheek as she watched the men of Tartarus range out across the

Underworld, free to rape and maim the shades of the Elysian Fields. She couldn’t allow the horror playing out before her, so it was that the morning after the battle, Persephone woke early and walked up the stairs to the parapet. She knew what she had to do, and she knew it might very well destroy her relationship with Hades, but she couldn’t be so selfish when the joy of the shades in the Elysian Fields was being shattered. They’d earned their reward and the men of Tartarus had chosen their eternal fates by the way they lived and the pain they inflicted. They’d wasted their precious lives in the pursuit of power and riches, missing out on the true joys of life.

They deserved the pits of Tartarus, not to be punished, but to understand the suffering they inflicted and balance the scales of their lives.

Extending her hand, she drew upon the power inside herself and cast her magic upon the air, searching her enemy out, planting in their minds the need to return to Tartarus. It would have been easier to transport as many as she could to their cells in Tartarus, but then she wouldn’t have the strength required to do what was needed next.

She watched as groups returned to Tartarus, ready to free more of their comrades in evil. But it wasn’t enough, too many remained behind, ignoring her suggestion. As the first light of dawn approached, she gathered up her power and sealed the doors of Tartarus closed. No more

prisoners would escape. And sadly, neither would the guards trapped inside.

But she wasn’t done.

Reaching deep into the ground, she summoned the spirit of earth, calling upon her to rise up, and the earth responded to her need. It rumbled and heaved. It split asunder. The unnatural and impenetrable barrier ran the length of the Underworld, cutting the enemy off from Tartarus and the Elysian Fields, except for the smallest track along the wall of Tartarus.

Her trap was fashioned and now it was time to bait it.

“Persephone!” Arms wrapped around her as her legs gave out and she collapsed. “What did

you do?!”

Looking up into the worried face of her father, she smiled. “What I must. The Titans might lack power in this world, but they are armed with the weapons of their guards and we are no match for their numbers. I couldn’t allow them free in this world.”

“So you weakened us more by draining yourself of power?!”

She used the wall for support as she headed for the stairs. “Hades swore to protect the people of this world, gods and shades. As Queen, I can do no less.”

She stepped into the darkened hall. She was so tired. She slid down the wall, sitting on the warm stone, all her strength gone.

Thanatos crouched down before her. “Explain.”

“The safety of the Shades are my first concern, Thanatos. Hades sealed the exits. I’ve sealed the doors to Tartarus and made the Elysian Fields defendable.”

“Persephone, you can’t suggest—”

“I don’t. I’ll not abandon my home. We’ll stand and fight them.”

Using the wall to support her trembling body, she struggled to stand and Thanatos swept her into his arms. This time she didn’t protest. “Let’s get you downstairs.”

“I need you to promise me something, Father.”

“What?”

“No matter what happens, take care of Hades.”

“I always do. What are you planning Persephone?”

“A small coup. We’re going to divide the enemy and destroy them from the inside out.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

BY THE end of the day, the palace was vacant, the small pass was secured, and the injured moved to safer ground. Lilith agreed to be bait and walked the precipice, taunting Adman.

Thanatos and Persephone had recruited most of the dead in the Elysian Fields to aid the battle, even if they were just tending the injured.

She left Hades in the care of the women and sought out Thanatos, revealing the next part of her plan.

Thanatos shook his head. “You’re asking people to risk their sanity and enter that camp. We should seek Zeus’ help—”

“I’ll ask nothing of that lying worm!” She faced Thanatos. “This world is ours to defend, not the theirs! We can only count upon ourselves for our deliverance.”

“Don’t do this—”

“Stop fighting what must be done, Father. It’s our only chance to separate them.” She laid her hand over his. “I’ll ask the men. Their pain will be upon my head.”

“I can’t talk you out of it?”

“No.”

Persephone did just as she promised, finding men willing to risk the wrath of the enemy and transforming their appearance before transporting them to the enemy camp with specific tasks.

None of the men knew who the others were or what their jobs would be, a precaution Thanatos suggested to protect the men.

Everything was set, if she could only lose her shadow. Thanatos followed her everywhere,

casting suspicious looks her way as he gave orders and guarded over her. He knew something was not right. Persephone wasn’t telling him everything and she wouldn’t, not until she was ready to put her plan into action. Hades was already stirring and if he knew what she planned, he would stop her.

Thanatos brought her to a meeting discussing the raid they would make on the camp that

night. The plan was to return as many of the men to Tartarus as they could before Lilith drew the fury of Adman upon their heads, which by the sounds of their shouting and threats outside would not be long in coming.

“Excuse me, gentlemen,” she interrupted them, yawning. “I’m a little tired and would like to get some sleep before tonight.”

She rose, amid the well-wishes of the men, and walked from the hut. Thanatos watched her.

He definitely knew she was planning something. She hoped it would be too late for him to stop her.

Entering the hut, she changed her clothes and flashed to the palace. There was a guard or two around here, armed with the paralyzing swords. She walked to the barred doors and reached for the latch. It lifted easily and the doors swung open at a touch.

A hand closed over her shoulder, twisting her around and slamming her into the wall.

Persephone sent a shock of power through the bane of her existence. Eris flew backward,

bounced off the wall, and landed easily on her feet.

“What do you think you’re doing, little girl?”

“Letting the enemy in.”

“Traitor,” she hissed, rushing forward and lifting the sword.

Persephone did nothing to stop her, only watched the blade arc through the air for what might have been a killing blow if she were mortal. It sliced through flesh and muscle, skittering along bone, and chilling her body, draining her of all strength. She stumbled back and the length of the sword skewered her through the middle.

She felt every cold inch of metal being slowly drawn from her body and belatedly she

wondered if Eris would hack at her until she was a bloody, unrecognizable pulp of flesh. If she did, it would slow the healing process considerably and give the army even more time.

Her legs buckled and she fell to the ground, able to see and hear, but not move.

“Leave the traitor where she lay,” Eris ordered the other man. “Return to the camp. Say

nothing.”

Eris leaned in and whispered in Persephone’s ear, “What are you thinking?”

“If we divide their forces we have a chance. Adman wants Lilith more than his freedom.

He’ll use the pass to retrieve her and you decimate his forces. Coronus wants to reclaim his kingship, but is trapped until Hades or I free him. As long as I am here, he will stay.”

“And since you’re wounded, we have three days.”

She tried to nod her head, but it was too hard. “Yes.”

“Coronus will use you against Hades like he did Leuce.”

“I’m not Leuce. I’m a goddess, immortal and powerful. Anything he does to me will be to his detriment. He’ll know that. And since I betrayed you all, he’ll see me as a possible ally instead of an enemy.”

Eris looked toward the open gate and rose. “I better go.”

“One more thing. You can’t tell anyone about this plan, not even Hades.” One of Eris’

eyebrows arched. “Let his anger drive him to defeat the enemy.”

Eris smiled. “I always knew you’d suit my son just fine, Persephone. Now prove you’re

worthy to be Queen of the Underworld and wife of Hades. Prove that my faith in you is not ill-placed.”

“I will.” Eris disappeared, only to be replaced by the concerned face of her father. “You heard.”

He nodded. “I don’t like your plan, Persephone. Too much can go wrong.”

“You don’t have to like it, Father. You just have to obey your Queen and come to her rescue before Coronus realizes I won’t help him escape or Hades tries to kill me.”

He rested his hand against her cheek. “You’ve nothing to prove. Let me take you with me.”

She shook her head. It was so hard to keep her eyes open. So hard to talk.

“I just found you, Persephone. I can’t lose you again. I won’t lose you.”

“You won’t,” she whispered through numb lips. “I’ll be here waiting for you. Go.”

HACKING HIS way through the poorly armed shades, Hades worked his way toward their

leader who was retreating with his prize, leaving his men to be imprisoned in his place. Once the enemy was once more ensconced in Tartarus he was going after his errant wife, and may the gods save the man or god who stood in his way.

If he got his hands on Persephone, he was going to wrap his fingers around her slender neck and choke her! She’d betrayed him! She’d so easily cut herself off from him, and given herself and his palace to his hated enemy!

He chopped into another shade, hoping to relieve his anger, but it fanned the flames,

producing a full rage. It wasn’t much of a defeat; once their leader disappeared, the ranks fell into disarray and were quickly dispatched. Returning them to their cells, he doubled the

enchantments and went in search of Thanatos. He found him directing the men on where to put the prisoners.

“This man’s not in the books of Tartarus,” Aeacus said.

Minos and Rhadamanthys peeked over Aeacus’ shoulder, and after a moment nodded their

agreement.

“Then find a cell for him to occupy. If he’s part of the rebellion, he deserves to be here.”

“No, he doesn’t,” Thanatos contradicted him. “Persephone sent six men into the ranks of

your enemy, each with their own task. This must be one of the men. Have him taken to one of the huts and tended. Post guards just in case. When he awakens, we can question him. If he answers correctly, he’s one of ours; if he doesn’t, imprison him.”

The judges nodded and left.

“She made a choice to stay, Thanatos. She’s a traitor.”

Thanatos swung around, fists balled at his side. “She’s my daughter and your wife. She tried her best to protect us, and shame on you for questioning her motives.”

“She opened the gates to the enemy.”

“The palace was lost. No one was there. Can you not see another reason to open those gates besides betrayal?”

“No.”

“You may be a king, but you don’t deserve your queen,” Thanatos sneered, marching away.

Hades stared after him. Persephone hadn’t just betrayed him, she’d betrayed them all and he was the only one that seemed to realize that.

“He’s right you know,” Leuce said.

“That I don’t deserve my queen.”

Leuce laughed, nestling herself comfortably into her half-brother’s embrace. “No. There

could’ve been another reason.”

“Not you too.”

“I like Persephone. She’s good for you, smart too. After all, she recruited the shades and neatly divided the army. She seems to have given you the chance you needed to defend us all. Do you think Coronus would have stayed at the palace without you there?”

Hades frowned and glanced toward his palace. His palace. As soon as this mess was cleaned up and the shades of the Elysian Fields armed, he was going to take back his home.

He rested his chin on his sister’s head. Tomorrow, they would take the Underworld back from the prisoners and make all traitors pay. The thought wasn’t as pleasant as he hoped it would be.

He missed the warm comfort of his wife’s body, the sincerity of her smile. He missed his

Persephone.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

PERSEPHONE KNEW the moment she began to stir that she was in trouble. She wasn’t

alone, and the palace was not her home. Despite this being part of her plan, she wanted nothing more than to send every last shade to Tartarus.