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“Just a few more things,” I say sweetly. I may technically be queen or co-ruler of the lower city, but it seems like every single person, from Matthew who runs the greenhouse my husband loves so much, to Charon and everyone else on the staff, has made it their personal mission to babysit me.
I know it’s done out of caring, but there are times when it’s all a bit overwhelming.
“I am going to finishs hopping,” I continue. “Only a little more now.”
Medusa snorts, but conveys that to Charon. Whatever he says makes her roll her eyes. “You know, you could just meet us at the house.” She doesn’t say it strongly, though. The events of the last year have left marks on us all. The danger may technically be passed—as much as it ever is—but that doesn’t mean we’ve let our guard down. Not really. Maybe not ever again.
Medusa hangs up and slips the phone into her pocket again. “He’ll be herein fifteen, and he’s not happy.”
Of course. He was just visiting with Andres, which means he’s full of conflicting emotions. He’s too much a professional and loves Hades far too much to ever let that overspill...at least most of the time. He knows what Andres did was wrong, but that’s still his uncle, and still the man who raised him.
Family is endlessly complicated.
We wrap up shopping relatively quickly after that. Truth be told, I am already tired. My stamina isn’t what it used to be, and my feet swell as the smallest insult. They’re aching something fierce currently, even with the comfortable boots Hades bought me, half a size larger than I normally wear.
Just one more change in a long line of them.
Medusa gives me a look that’s obviously trying to be casual, but there’s nothing casual about it. “Does Eurydice plan to attend the holiday stuff with Charon?”
I have to concentrate not to grimace. It’s not Charon who’s the problem with that relationship. It’s Orpheus. Where Charon and my sister go, Orpheus always follows. I will be happy for my sister because she’s happy, but if she’s forgiven her ex—now partner—for what he did to her...
I haven’t.
“I believe so,” I say finally. If I dislike Orpheus, the rest of my family would see him dead. Even now. But if the choice is losing Eurydice or finding a way to stomach being around the man who hurt her... It’s no choice at all.
I love my sister. I’ll do anything for her. Even this.
Charon meets us outside the market. He’s a broad-shouldered white man with dark hair and blue. Normally, he’s got a calm energy that all people of incredible competence share. Today, his shoulders are too tight and he’s looking around as if he expects someone to attack at any moment.
He catches sight of me and nods. “I think it’s best we head back now. Hades will be crossing the river soon.”
“Yes, of course.” I want to be home before Hades is. He’s never in a good mood after meeting with Zeus, and if he arrives to an empty house, he might worry.
Medusa clears her throat. “I need to make some calls to have one of our people pick up what was ordered today.”
“Go ahead.” He looks at me. “Do you want to walk, or should I call a car?”
Pride says walk, but if I’ve learned one thing in the last year, it’s that pride is often enough to get me into trouble. My feet hurt, and there’s an ache starting in the small of my back thatwill become excruciating if I’m not careful. I know what my husband would say, and another time, I might play the part of the brat to entice a response, but these days his “punishments” are things like rubbing my feet or cocooning me with blankets on the couch in his study while he works...which invariably leads to me napping despite my best efforts.
“A car would be wonderful.”
He motions to the black sedan idling at the curb. Cheeky asshole.
It takes time to get home, and more time to direct where I want my purchases to go once they start arriving at the house. I’m tempted to start decorating, but exhaustion wins out.
Not a moment too soon, either.
Hades stalks through the door, his black jacket sweeping behind him. Anyone looking might assume him a villain in a movie, but I know better. I’ve always known better.
His shoulders drop when he sees me, his expression relaxing into a smile. “There you are.”
“Did you think I’d run off?” I start to rise, but the belly gets in the way. My center of gravity is off these days, and it’s never more apparent than moments like this, when I flounder like a turtle on its back.
Hades is at my side in an instant. “Don’t rise on my account.” He kisses me lightly. “Or at least ask for help.”
I place my hand in his, and let him leverage me carefully off the couch. He looks tired; significantly more so than when he left this morning. “It went badly?”
“Quite the opposite.” His hand drops to the small of my back, his fingers unerringly finding the spot that started aching about an hour ago and has now reached screaming intensity.
