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Silence stretched between them, and he knew she was troubled. He had not given her much comfort when it came to Helen, and he had only added to her worry by telling her about Zeus, but this was important. He had to at least attempt to play this game.
He brought his forehead to hers and spoke.
“Trust, darling, I will let no one—not king or god or mortal—stand in the way of making you my wife.”
Hades teleported to Mount Olympus, to his brother’s gilded estate, which rose higher than any other. Over the years, Hades had made a habit of avoiding the home of the gods, though he had his own palace there. His reluctance to spend time with the other Olympians had been interpreted by the media as rejection, and they enjoyed writing dramatic headlines that made it seem as though he had been banished from Olympus for his dour mood.
But Hades had been the one to reject Olympus even when his brother ordered him to appear.
The skies were not his realm, and the opulence left him feeling uncomfortable, especially in times such as these, when the world below their feet suffered. In some ways, Hades could not blame those who were swayed by Triad. They were right to feel abandoned by the gods. Even now, few Olympians remained on earth, and those who did were unwilling to challenge Demeter.
He entered Zeus’s estate, which was grand and everything gold, even the floor at his feet, but what gave him pause was Hera, who stood at the end of the staircase. She watched him, her head slightly tilted, her disdain evident.
“Why are you here?”
“I have come to speak with your husband. Perhaps you should join us,” he said. “It is about Persephone.”
He could feel her resentment, but she had trapped herself within this bargain, and she would have to see it through unless she wished for Zeus to know about her association with Theseus. Though Hades knew his leverage over the Goddess of Marriage was limited. It was only a matter of time before Theseus was ready to move against the Olympians, before whatever plan he had concocted with Hera and likely his father, Poseidon, was exposed.
But that was why Hades needed to secure Persephone’s hand in marriage as quickly as possible.
“I’d rather sit on a tack,” Hera said.
“Perhaps you should. From what I hear, Zeus will be out of commission for at least two years.”
Unlike her husband, who was notorious for hisinfidelity, Hera had not once strayed. Hades did not know why she remained so loyal.
Hera’s mouth hardened. “He will not let you marry her.”
“It is your job to sway him,” said Hades.
“Even if I speak on your behalf, he will only listen to his oracle.”
“I did not ask,” Hades said.
They glared at one another, and then she took a step down.
“He’s this way,” she said, and she led him into an adjoining room that was just as large and extravagant as the entrance. She crossed in front of Zeus where he lounged near a large set of windows.
“Your brother is here,” she said.
Zeus did not look his way, fixated on two swans floating idly on the lake. He sat with his legs spread wide, naked, save for a robe that hung open. A large bag of ice sat in his lap.
“In pain, Brother?” Hades asked.
It was likely not the best way to open their conversation, with a reminder of what Hecate had done to his balls, but it was more than deserved.
Hera, who lingered behind Zeus’s chair, glared at him.
“Have you come to witness my shame?” Zeus asked.
“I hope you are referring to the acts that got you here and not the fact that you have no balls.”
His brother was quiet, which was unusual, and Hades began to wonder exactly what Hecate had put him through.
There were few gods Zeus feared, but the Goddess of Witchcraft was one.
After a moment, Zeus asked, “Why have you come?”
