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Bertha ground her teeth together, belatedly realizing why Hades had been so confident that the goddess would agree to see him. Gaia obviously wanted a relationship with Hades. It was visible in the hunger that burned in her eyes and the potent desire that spiced the air.
The urge to leap to her feet and give the goddess a good headbutt trembled through Bertha. Hades was never ever going to belong to Gaia. Not if she had any say in the matter.
Thankfully, she managed to suppress the instinct. For one thing, Bertha had promised herself she would never fight over a male. Why bother when there were so many to choose from? And for another, Hades was a god. He didn’t need her to fight his battles.
Remaining in her kneeling position, Bertha forced herself to take a deep, calming breath. It helped to concentrate on the stiffness in Hades’s body and the way he leaned back, as if trying to put space between himself and the beautiful goddess. Whatever Gaia’s interest in him, it wasn’t reciprocated.
Or at least, that’s what Bertha was going to tell herself.
“I’m certain your dreams are fascinating,” he assured the goddess.
“More than fascinating, they were glorious.” Gaia reached out to trail her fingers over Hades’s platinum hair. “And you were a part of them.”
“I’m honored.”
“Yes, you are.” Her fingers moved to cup his chin, tilting his face so her ravenous gaze could admire each perfect feature. “Do you wish to know what we were doing?”
With a calm expression, Hades stepped back to dislodge her hand. At the same time, the glow she’d wrapped around him started to dim. As if he was using his powers to push it away.
“Perhaps later.”
Gaia’s face hardened at the subtle rebuff. “Now.”
“Okay.” Hades quickly soothed the female’s temper, although he kept his distance. “What were we doing?”
Gaia tossed her golden curls, the movement impossibly elegant. “Conquering worlds. I’ve told you over and over that it is our destiny.” She pinched her lips. “I do not know why you have been so stubborn.”
For a single second, Bertha was in complete agreement with the goddess. Hades was stubborn. Even more stubborn than a goblin. Still, Gaia had no right to criticize the god. That was Bertha’s prerogative.
“The underworld offers enough headaches,” Hades said, an edge of sincerity in his rich voice. “Why would I want more?”
“Power.” The goddess narrowed her eyes. “To please me.”
“I’m sure another of the gods would be interested in your offer,” Hades assured her.
Gaia released a pulse of golden light that flared through the cavern. Bertha hastily squeezed her eyes shut, sensing the glow would blind her.
“I don’t want another god,” she heard Gaia complain. “I want you.”
“I’m content where I am,” Hades insisted.
“Content?” Bertha cautiously opened her eyes in time to see Gaia stomp her foot, as if she were a human child and not a goddess. “Such a small word. You are not small, Hades. You are fated for greatness. Just like me.”
Hades shook his head. “That isn’t why I’m here, Gaia.”
With a flounce, Gaia turned away, almost stumbling over Bertha, as if she hadn’t even noticed she was there.
“Who are you?” she snarled.
Hades was swiftly moving to stand between Bertha and the goddess. “My handmaiden,” he said.
Handmaiden? Bertha grimaced, but wisely kept her mouth shut. Not because she was afraid. Okay, maybe she was a little afraid. She was, after all, in the presence of two gods. But if she was going to save Levet, she had to let Hades convince the goddess to offer her assistance.
A task that seemed more difficult by the minute as Gaia pointed an accusing finger at Bertha.
“Why is she in my lair?”
“She is seeking your assistance.”
