‘You forget the court.’
‘Well, do you want to fill me in before I meet them all?’
‘Oh, I think it will be far more entertaining if I didn’t. Now, there’s one more thing,’ he says and from his pocket he pulls a cloth-wrapped package. He tugs on the cord and it unfurls to reveal, pooled in his palm, a thin gold chain with a large black stone in its centre. A metal frame twists round it like ivy.
‘Did you make this?’ I gasp, taking it and letting it hang from my fingers. The gem catches the light as it spins.
Hades nods, a little embarrassed. Then that smirk is back. ‘Did I not mention I’m also the god of riches? It comes withthe territory, apparently, anything under the world, such stones included.’
‘Fates, why did I turn down your first proposal?’
He laughs and gestures for me to turn. I hand him the necklace and hold my breath as his fingers brush the back of my neck. Suddenly, I realize that we only agreed to this ruse today. And we’ve been running around ever since.
Which means he … he already made this.
Did he make it for me? Or did he simply decide to give it to me? And, if the former, when? Why?
‘There,’ he says before holding his arm out for me. ‘Are you ready, my love?’
‘Oh, “my love”. Nice touch,’ I say.
‘I thought so, and what shall you call me?’
‘My lord, I suppose.’ The words leave a foul taste in my mouth. They are far too deferential but they are what would be expected. I’ve only ever called him that in mockery.
Hades apparently feels the same way. He scowls with disgust. ‘Absolutely not, not from you. None of this Lord Hades nonsense, either.’
We have two options with this performance: I’m either terrified but acquiescing, or I have quickly fallen in love with Hades and he in love with me. The former would better appease my father, but I’ll take the one that suggests I have some choice in the matter – and that positions me better for a crown.
‘Then I suppose you shall be “my love” as well,’ I say, taking his arm.
He smiles but it’s different from usual – smaller, more discreet. Almost hidden but not quite. I’m so attuned to hisface by now that I’m not sure he could hide the slightest shift in expression from me.
We are steps from the doors that lead to the megaron when they swing open of their own accord.
There are so many people in the throne hall I can hardly take them all in, so many gods of so many shapes and colours and sizes. Here I spot wings. There I see a tail. I had no idea there were so many gods of the Underworld.
As we cross the threshold, as people see us, whispers spread through the room.
I expected gasps and shocked cries.
But then I remember that no one even knows what I look like. To them, I am just the mysterious girl hanging on to the arm of the king of Hell.
Hades has summoned his illusions once more and we are shrouded in dark fog. It unfurls before us like we are rising from the darkness.
We walk the aisle slowly and I keep my eyes far ahead, on the throne at the end.
I will have my own when we are married.
The thought sends thrills shivering down my spine.
We part round the hearth in the centre of the hall and rejoin on the other side, our hands reaching before we are even close. When we climb the steps of the throne’s plinth, I stand beside Hades as he sits, an unsavoury act but a necessary one.
People drop to one knee as we pass and I think of Tempest saying Hades doesn’t care for false platitudes. Then I think of how important maintaining Hades’ reputation is – it’s the only thing giving him the privacy he needs for his art.I think maybe platitudes are necessary, like the swords that line the palace’s exterior. I wonder what else might be necessary too.
Hades looks just as powerful as he did the day I arrived: smoke crawling along his arms, twisted metal crown, black robes harsh against his dark skin, and the obsidian throne towering above the court. I hope that I look just as startling by his side.
I stand to the left of the throne. Hades takes my hand as I move to pull it away.
