‘Care to explain?’
‘You’ll see,’ he says.
‘Fine.’ I shake my head before resting it back on Hades’ chest.
‘I forgot how much I hate all that – the gods clubbing together and trading tales of their conquests. It’s disgusting.’
‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘Of course it does,’ he whispers. ‘It’s all part of the reason you’re here, isn’t it? The way they talk about women is terrible. I know it’s not as bad for me as it is for you, but the pressure it puts on men … We don’t get feelings, we don’t get anything but lust – and not even desire, really, just bragging rights. And if you abstain it’s because you’re weak and unworthy and –’
‘Hades, I know. I know it’s terrible and we can discuss it later. But we really need to focus,’ I say. Though, to be honest, I’ve never really thought about what tying masculinity up with sexual conquest does to boys. I’ve only thought about what it meant for me, trapped on an island away from the leering eyes of the gods. I was always told that there was no stopping it, that it’s just what boys do and all I can do is try to dissuade them from choosing me. I want to hear more about how this world hurts men too – but not when there are so many gods watching us.
‘You’re right. Our conversation with Hermes went well at least,’ he says.
‘But how many of these won’t?’
‘They will all be fine. We’re too good at this.’
He has a point. It’s almost too natural to lean on him, to have him turn to me. And there was already enough tension between us, at least as far as I’m concerned. With us both working to create more, there are so many sparks flying I worry something might catch fire.
‘Very true. I’m going to get a drink,’ I say, pulling away from him. ‘Do you want anything?’
He shakes his head. ‘Best not to let them see you serving me –’
‘I’m not serving you.’ I frown.
‘Zeus and Ganymede,’ Hades says.
And that’s the only point needed to have me nodding and moving to fetch just one drink.
Ganymede, that poor boy Zeus dragged to the Heavens and made his cupbearer. Zeus disguised himself as an eagle and paid the boy’s father in horses as compensation. Whether he was enslaved, blackmailed or infatuated – as Zeus insisted – Ganymede was made immortal so he could serve the king of the gods forever more, in whichever way Father saw fit.
No, I definitely don’t want to be seen as Hades’ Ganymede.
I select a chalice of plum wine and am set to return to Hades when a woman appears by my side. She is young but her hair is the silver of the moon and her eyes seem older than the stars. They’re eyes I recognize.
‘I spoke to your mother,’ Hecate says.
I smile blandly. ‘I’m so sorry. I don’t believe we’ve met.’
‘No, we have not. But we need no introductions,’ she says. She’s standing close to me and edging closer with every word.
‘I –’
‘And I need none of this simpering pretence,’ she snaps.
I blink at her before scanning the room. It’s too busy. ‘Perhaps we could talk somewhere more private?’
Hecate nods. ‘Very well, Persephone. If that’s what you wish.’
I catch Hades’ eye and gesture to Hecate and he nods. The last thing I need is him sounding the alarm because I’ve disappeared.
I take Hecate through to a small antechamber off the megaron, full of plush lounge chairs and dishes with spiced nuts and olives – the perfect place to break away from the main party. I’m sure later it will be filled with gods but for now we’re the only ones here.
‘You watched me in the Lake of the Five. Do not pretend otherwise,’ she says.
‘I would not pretend anything with you,’ I say. What would be the point? I saw how she played my mother.
