“Hades and Persephone are interesting. I enjoy sitting at their table and conversing with their guests. Sometimes I like to watch the judgment of certain souls as well, and the proceedings of the court. There is a lot of entertaining drama in the Underworld.” He grinned. “Enough that I have no need to look any further for it.”
“I suppose there’s no escaping that, in any realm,” I suggested with a soft laugh. My emotions churned beneathmy levity, curiosity and tact competing for prominence upon a foundation of immeasurable awe. “So there’s a hierarchy to the Underworld, then? Where you all fight for influence?”
“Oh, yes. Hades rules it all, of course, with his wife. Those beneath him compete for his favor: the Judges, the Furies, and other immortals like Hecate. Sometimes even my siblings. There is always someone to grovel at Hades’ feet.”
The dreaded ruler of the dead. One whose character remained a mystery to all on this side of the Styx. “What’s he like?” I asked.
“Hades? He is quite protective of his realm. He is stern, but he is also fair, I think.” Thanatos spoke to me so easily, so openly, as though the glimpses of secrets he offered were all mundane to him. I supposed they probably were.
“Incredible,” I breathed. “You’re incredible. We have so few tales about any of this. Has anyone ever escaped Hades? I mean…escapedyou, I suppose?”
“Once,” he sighed, wincing. “Well, twice, but the first was a deliberate example. A fool earned himself eternal suffering for his defiance, so I very much doubt it was worth it for him.”
“And the other time?”
“Intercession by immortals,” he grumbled. “It is offensive enough that I can never havethem, but on top of that they resort to hotheaded cheating for their favorites.” He folded his arms, frowning. “In the end, it is no matter. I am patient, and I always have my due.” His voice remained calm and even, but his broody expression lingered. My pulse quickened in warning, and I hastily redirected our conversation.
“What of the regrets of the dying?” I asked. “You hear so many of them. What do we wish we had done before we go?”
Thanatos tilted his head, and his stormy countenance faded into a melancholy smile. “Everyone is different,” he answered softly. “But often, people wish they had valued theirchoices in accordance with my finality. They wish they had been themselves while they still could. Such freedom comes to an end when a soul finds my wings.”
His words were weighty, and I mulled them over with care. Was I embracing my freedom, what little I felt I had? I wasn’t sure. I was here, I supposed, chatting with Death in the rain. This, at least, I could always treasure.
“I will try to avoid their mistakes,” I said. “I will do the best that I can to…be myself, and to enjoy my life. I will try to remember what you have told me.”
“Good.” He hesitated, then continued, “I wish for you to have a good life. Try to have some fun before you meet me for the last time.” He flashed me that soft, pretty smile once again.
“I am expected soon,” he added quietly. “But I will come to see you tomorrow, if you like. This place is nicer than the garden. Will you come here?”
I nodded, my mind spinning. “Yes.”
I folded up the rich people’s blanket and stuffed it underneath the seat and out of sight. He flickered to his feet as I lay my wet chiton over my arm, still a bit embarrassed by my immodest sleepwear. He didn’t seem to notice, though.
“I will take you back,” he murmured. When he put his hands on my waist, I dared to do the same to him. Reality twisted into knots, and then suddenly we were tucked in an alcove near the staircase which led up to my room. I stole one last look at his beautiful eyes.
“Goodnight,” I breathed.
“Goodnight, Cyrie.” And then I was standing alone.
4
Alex was giving me a funny look when she shook me out of bed. “Get up!” she prodded, pulling my covers away. I wanted to do nothing of the sort. Gods, how could one person be so energetic? “Or are you too sleepy?” she joked. “Because you came back so late last night?”
Alright, that got me up. “No,” I moaned as I rolled off the mattress. “I was just walking, that’s all. I guess I was out for a while. Maybe I got carried away.” I rubbed my eyes and moved toward the wash. My sisters were way ahead of me.
“Uh-huh,” she mocked. “You know, you’ll have to tell me about these long ‘walks’ eventually.” She gave my shoulder a little shove and studied my expression closely, looking for a reaction. Clearly she saw something of interest, as she broke into a grin and waggled her eyebrows. Fuck, I must have been blushing. Damn my stupid face.
“Oh, sister, it’s okay,” she said happily, sensing my restraint. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. “I just hope your walks are satisfying. And that you let us in on it someday.” She giggled, then let me go to finish pinning up her hair.
Ugh, she was right; I would likely have to say something eventually. They knew me too well. But at least they valued my privacy now, making this a problem that could be put off to another day.
Today’s problem was mustering the energy for another round of festival preparations. It promised to be just as difficult as yesterday, with the added trouble of the wet grounds left over from last night’s rain. After morning prayers were finished, we all ventured out in working clothes and messy updos to pick up where we’d left off. Our keeper chased us around all afternoon to make sure not a breath was wasted. It worked—I mean, the preparations were completed at record pace—but we ended the day exhausted and in a sour mood.
As the temple workers were packing up, I made my way over to Alex. “I’m going for a walk,” I said wearily. “Not sure when I’ll be back.” My sister patted me proudly on the shoulder, then nodded and herded everyone else inside.
I grabbed a lantern and began my trip out to the scholarly gazebos. The sky was already growing dark, but the little flame lit my path well. The brush was wet and cool beneath my feet, and the crisp breeze helped to keep me alert. There was still a skip in my step as I approached our meeting place. Unsurprisingly, there was no one out here. It was rare for anyone to come at night.
I peered into a few of the enclosures before I found the one with the purple blanket tucked beneath the seat. I set my lantern onto the small center table, then sank onto the bench and enclosed myself in the stolen fabric. Warm inside my luxurious cocoon, I propped my feet up on the edge of the table and leaned back, eyes closed. Yes, this was nice.
