“I do not believe that is the case,” he said. “If this had been any other mortal, you would have sought retribution for the things she said. Instead, you entertain her, dedicate a whole fucking building to her.”
“She had valid points,” Hades stated, ready to leave.
“And she has caught your eye. Admit it, brother!”
Hades did not.
“Bah! I should not expect you to be vulnerable, though I do wish you happiness.”
Hades raised his brows. “Remember those words, brother.”
You will not think them long, he thought.
“As such, I feel it is my duty to warn you of the deception of women, mortals in particular.”
“Says the god who seduces women in the form of animals.”
“That was not deception. I could not approach them in my Divine form, as it is a form mere mortals cannot truly grasp.”
And yet none of us have the same issue, Hades thought.
“You disguised yourself because they had already rejected you,” Hades countered. “Do not attempt to lie to me, little brother. We both know it is futile.”
Zeus’ lips flattened, his eyes narrowed.
“Women only want one thing, Hades, and that is power.”
Hades had no doubt it was one of several things women wanted, and among them, freedom to exist without worrying about predators like Zeus.
“Perhaps you fear women in power because of the way you use your own—to rape, abuse, and torture.”
This conversation had not gone the way Zeus expected, but Hades would not hear his brother speak ill of women.
He turned from him and left his office. Outside, he found himself in a courtyard that was open to the sky. A path cut through the center, flanked by marble statues of nymphs. At the center was a simple fountain in the shape of a hexagon. As Hades started down the path, he was stopped by Demeter, who stepped out from behind one of the columns lining the boundaries of the yard.
She was full of hate for him. It built in her eyes, making them murky in color, like water in a swamp. Hades knew this confrontation would come. While Demeter had been ignorant to her daughter’s presence at the gala, she knew Hades spoke of her when he had given his speech, and now it haunted her. She’d probably relived it in every paper, in every magazine, on every news station. She could not even escape the knowledge at council. It was quite possibly the best torture Hades had ever doled out.
“Stay away from my daughter, Hades.” Her voice was even but menacing. It was the voice she used to strike fear in the hearts of her nymphs and to curse mortals.
But it only gave Hades pleasure.
“What’s the matter, Demeter?” he challenged. “Afraid of the Fates?”
His words were an acknowledgment. I know of the prophecy, they said.
“If you truly care for her as you so publicly claim, then walk away,” Demeter said. “She stands to lose everything if you do not.”
“And those are the actions of someone who cares for her?” Hades asked.
Demeter stepped toward him, her voice shaking. “I am doing this because I care! You are not right for my daughter.”
“I think she would disagree.”
Demeter glared, and after a moment, she stepped back, laughing. “My daughter would never betray me.” Hades got the feeling Demeter was only trying to convince herself of that. “She would never choose you over me.”
“Then you have nothing to fear,” Hades said.
Except she had everything to fear, because Persephone had already betrayed Demeter. She betrayed her every time she’d come to Nevernight, every time their lips met, every time she put her mouth on his cock, spread her legs, and let him taste her. Persephone had betrayed Demeter every time they came together, calling each other’s names, and it was that thought that had him smiling as he vanished from the grounds of Olympia.
CHAPTER XXIV – THE ASCENSION BALL
Hades teleported to the Underworld. His first stop was Hecate’s cottage, where he found the goddess preparing for the evening. She looked like the moon, draped in silver, her lampades weaving matching stars into her dark hair.
“Hades,” Hecate said. “How was council?”
He was not often vocal, but he felt the need to recount his time at Olympia.
“Zeus will pay dearly for his commentary on women,” Hecate said when Hades finished.
He had no doubt. Hecate was not afraid to punish gods. She had done so many times and in many ways, from setting traps to curses to revoking the victory of a precious hero. Her wrath was real and