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“Those,” Hecate grumbles. “Yes, those damnable rivers are full of lost souls.” She leads him to a desk where primitive office tools sit—scrolls, inkwells, beautiful antique fountain pens, and sealing waxes. “As you can see, Hades has a certainaestheticthat is counterproductive and doesn’t meet our needs.”
“Yeah,” Kore agrees, biting back an amused grin. “Even Demeter uses digital tablets.”
“If you can fuck that idea into Hades, I’ll crown you king myself,” Hecate declares. Kore knows she’s half-joking. Hecate would probably love for him to make her life easier, but he can tell she’d never betray her devotion to Hades. From the way they all watch him—wary eyes tracking Kore’s movements—he can tell they all love Hades. They willingly give Hades the undying loyalty her brother so desperately desires.
“No thanks. I don’t want the burden of a crown or a realm.” Kore smiles as he lifts one of the silver-tipped pens, “I love the look, but I’m going to get us some tablets.”
“She’ll riot,” Alecto warns from another ancient desk. She’s pouring through a massive book, searching the tiny print for something she’s cross-referencing on a scroll.
Kore laughs, “I’ll fuck her quiet at that time, deal?”
He doesn’t miss the way Minthe’s shoulders tense at his words, nor does Kore miss the way Minthe tightens his jaw.
Interesting.
18
Zeus
Demeter storming into his office at the crack of dawn is not how Zeus likes to spend his morning, especially not when he’s nursing a hangover.
With a groan, he glances up from his open laptop. “What is it this time, woman?”
Demeter always has some bothersome hair up her ass, and she tends to make her grievances Zeus' problem. He’s not in the mood after his latest spat with Hera over Hades' forced marriage. For a woman who claims to hate his sister, Hera bats hard for Hades' autonomy.
“I need you to take Kore back from Hades,” Demeter begins, her tone cold.
Zeus wonders how she managed to convince mortals she’s a kind soul. She’s the biggest shrew in his realm.
She probably feeds them pounds of that kush she grows.
“I can’t do that. Hades chose him and he volunteered to go. It’s a done deal.” Zeus doesn’t want to poke the proverbial three-headed beast. He knows his sister will send the real one to eat him if he sticks his nose in her businessagain.
“I did not sanction the union, and that boy is under my rule, Zeus,” Demeter insists. Of all the goddesses who storm into his office to make demands, Demeter is the worst.
“I don’t give two fucks about you sanctioning anything.” Zeus rumbles, the sound of thunder pouring from his throat. “I am the King of Gods, Demeter. Your annoyance is outweighed by my ruling. Run along, back to your greenhouse to terrorize your nymphs. One left you. Get over it.” He’s cruel when he adds, “I promise you, with the way you act he won’t be the last.”
Demeter doesn’t budge, and he’d admire her if she weren’t on Zeus' last nerve.
“I will not give my blessing.” Her gaze is steely, full of rage that could match Hera’s.
For a second, Zeus hesitates.
Then, blue eyes narrowing, Zeus stands. He towers over Demeter and she holds her ground. Zeus, too annoyed to be impressed with her this time, glowers.
“Go home, Demeter,” he says. “Before I do something you regret.”
“I’m leaving, Zeus. But you will bring Kore back to me before the year’s end.” Demeter keeps her back straight as she leaves; her heels click against the marble floor. Each step aggravates the headache pounding behind his eyes.
* * *
Zeus doesn’t lingeron Demeter’s threat. In fact, he forgets that morning in his office. For months.
Until one evening, when Ares joins him and Hera for dinner.
They don’t typically speak. Ares is a disappointment to Zeus—of his war god children, Athena is his favorite. Ares also hates him, for many things, the most prominent reason being that he gifted Aphrodite to Hephaestus. That move nearly cost Zeus his throne—a war that bled Zeus of his pride. But Ares shows for dinners when Hera invites him. Of their sons, Ares is Hera’s favorite. Zeus often wonders if that’s because of the discord between him and his eldest son.
Zeus is genuinely surprised when Ares speaks to him.
