‘I didn’t actually enjoy this one very much,’ Hades says dryly. ‘Embroidery wasn’t for me.’
‘But the others are?’
He nods, folding his arms across his chest. ‘I’m not ashamed, you know. I’d rather be here weaving tapestries and making pots than up there destroying lives and causing wars.’
‘I didn’t say you should be ashamed.’
He’s still looking at me in that weird way. ‘Yes, I did get that feeling. Why?’
‘Why what?’
‘Why aren’t you … I don’t know, judging me?’
‘I am judging you – these are amazing! This is basically everything my mother has ever tried to make me do – well, except the sculpting and carpentry – and I am terrible at all of it.’ I’m not, not really. But nothing was ever goodenough. And certainly nothing was this good.
‘Exactly. It’s everything your mother wantsyouto do.’
Oh.
‘So you hid this because you thought I’d ruin your manly reputation over it?’ I ask.
‘My reputation is a tricky thing. It’s not my ego that protectsit. As far as that’s concerned, people can say what they want,’ he says. ‘But I have this crown because Zeus believed Kronos chose the most powerful beings when he snatched Poseidon and me – the men who might grow to be a threat. Zeus thought that if he gave us some modicum of power we’d never rise against him. But if Zeus found out I did all this – that I’m not the shining example of masculine power he believes me to be, not a threat in the way only a man could be – he’d take the crown back. And being a king is the only thing that gives me the security to do all this in peace. Even the other gods of the Underworld don’t know about this. That’s why it’s hidden.’
‘But Hephaestus crafts.’
‘He builds machines, not jewellery – unless Aphrodite insists upon it.’
He’s right. Hades’ metal shop is full of delicate, stunning sculptures and jewels. Nothing built for use but for aesthetic. Art for art’s sake.
‘Apollo, he –’
‘Strums a lyre – it’s not the same.’
I understand. The muses are women. Men can be artistic but not like this, not with thread and paint. I realize what he means, why he expected my scorn. I can almost hear the nymphs giggling, the insults they’d throw his way. Mother, gods, Mother – how often has she ranted about the Underworld being given to Hades? How much worse would it be if she knew this is what he does with that power? She would be so cruel. This is not what men do.
Everything my mother has ever forced me to do to improve my marriage prospects is apparently something Hades loves. But how is this any different from me climbing out of mywindow when I should be weaving? Having to keep my true interests hidden because I’m not supposed to want those things?
Hades leans against the wall but his arms are folded, like even with my reassurances he’s still scared I’ll be harsh. Hades has never seemed vulnerable to me. But now it’s taking his every effort to even meet my eye.
I don’t think I’m the only one suffering under Zeus’s order. I don’t think it’s just us girls chafing under its restraints.
‘Besides,’ he continues, ‘I don’t care for being the best like they do. I just enjoy it. I would never be allowed all this if everyone knew.’ He’s so rigid it’s like every strand of his body is tensed.
‘That’s why the palace is covered in swords,’ I realize. ‘It’s a disguise.’
‘They think I’m the dark, brooding god of the dead, vanquisher of the Titans who longs for nothing more than isolation in the gloomy depths of the Underworld,’ he says. ‘It stops them from looking too closely at what I’m really doing.’
‘Which is this?’
‘Which is this,’ he confirms.
‘And that’s why you wanted me gone? In case I found all this out and used it against you?’
‘Yes. I’m sorry.’
‘I’m not blaming you.’
‘I was terrified. If you were sent by Zeus, like I thought, then you stumbling into the wrong room could have destroyed everything. You had such incredible power to ruin me.’
