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I don’t ask about Andres. When Hades found out that the man who’d been a stand-in father for him had lied about his biological father’s death, he’d sent the old man away. Because he’s Hades, he didn’t cast him out with nothing to his name. He ensures Andres is taken care of, first with an apartment of his own, and then when his health declined, in a home where he receives the best care money can buy. Hades hasn’t gone to visit him, but Charon goes every week.
It’s one of the few things we don’t speak of. An old wound that was just starting to heal when it was ripped open again. He’ll talk to me when he’s ready. In the meantime, I don’t push.
I smile up at him, determined to keep this light. “I would like to do some decorating. Will you come to Winter Market with me?”
“I wish I could.” He sounds like he means it, regret lacing every word. “I have a meeting with Zeus, and I can’t reschedule.”
I search his face. This Zeus is not the last one, but so many wounds of the past go deep. Especially what recent events have brought... “Do you want me to come with you?”
“That’s not necessary.” He gives me one last squeeze and releases me. “Take Medusa with you to the market. It’s still not safe.”
I don’t argue with him about the necessity of having a guard. I’ve learned the hard way that it’s entirely needed, even in the lower city. “Okay.” I hesitate. “Do you want to know my plans?”
The first and only time I surprised Hades, I learned the hard way that my husband hates surprises. I sent a leading text and arranged myself artfully in a set of brand new lingerie that Juliette had designed especially for me. Suffice to say both Hades and I scared about ten years off each others’ lives when he burst in, guns drawn and his people at his back.
Not quite the romantic interlude I had been hoping for.
After that, we developed a compromise. If I want to plan something special for Hades, I give him a heads’ up. In return, he allows me to “surprise” him whenever I like. It works for us.
Hades smiles. “I know what the holidays mean to you, little siren. Don’t hold back on my account.”
“You say that, but...”
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.” He presses one last kiss to my temple. “Have fun.”
“Call me when you’re done with the meeting?” I won’t fully relax until he’s back in the lower city, and we both know it. The first year of our marriage has been tumultuous to say the least. Not between me and my husband, but between the rest of the city and, well...
No. No use thinking about that. It’s behind us, and if we have to deal with implications of the greater events at a later date. We promised each other that these holidays were a chance for normalcy.
“I will. I promise.”
I meet Medusa in the foyer. She’s been working for Hades for some time now. Like me, she found refuge in the lower city. It’s a kinder place than the upper city in so many ways.
“Hey, Persephone.”
“Medusa.” I smile as our trio of dogs course around me to greet her. She’s an imposing white woman who’s as tall as Hades and built like she used to, well, kill people for a living. Which she did, all at Athena’s behest.
She crouches down and takes the time to greet each dog, her strong features relaxed in a grin. “Hello there, loves. Who’s a good baby? You are. All of you are.”
I smile. “You spoil them.”
“All dogs deserve to be spoiled.” Medusa gives them one last pet and then rises. “Are you ready to go?”
“I am. I just have to grab my coat.” It’s been a milder winter than normal, and pregnancy makes me overheat quickly, but it will worry Hades if he finds out I’ve left without at least a jacket. And he will find out. If there’s one thing people will do, it’s gossip, and Hades’s overprotectiveness has extended through everyone I encounter in the lower city. Most of the time, it’s nice to know they’re looking out for me.
We leave a few minutes later and head down the sidewalk toward the Winter Market.
“We’ll have Charon pick us up.” Medusa easily matches her pace to mine without seeming like she’s doing it. I’m nowhere near as fast as I used to be, not when I’m lugging around this belly.
“You know, walking is good for me. I even have a note from the doctor saying so.” Hades has been a bit...overprotective since we found out I’m pregnant. He tries his hardest not to smother me, but there’s no changing the fact that this is bringing up a lot of baggage for him.
I understand where he’s coming from, but that doesn’t change the fact that I refuse to let him bottle me up in the house, surrounded by a small army. I know it would make him feel better, but I can’t live like that.
Another compromise.
Life seems to be a series of them, but isn’t that always the way?
“Are you and Calypso doing anything particular for the holidays?” I tuck my hair behind my ears. “You’re more than welcome at the house to celebrate with us.”
