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"I would like to reiterate that this is a bad idea," Thoth said from where he walked beside Hades.
"I heard you, and you are welcome to leave." Hades stopped walking and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to snap at you. I just need to know for sure that's where Persephone has gone. I can't handle..." Hades cut himself off before he could show weakness. It didn't matter. Everyone knew Persephone was his weakest spot.
Unless she's pregnant, Hermes thought to himself. He had seen the footage of Persephone outside the clinic and was surprised no one had considered pregnancy.
Hermes wasn't about to mention it to Hades, even as a stray thought. He might still be a little crazy, despite the curse Zeus put on him being broken, but Hermes wasn't a total idiot. Losing Persephone was already too complicated for Hades to process. Adding in the possibility that she could have a bun in her oven, Hades would tear the world apart to get her back.
"You are suspiciously quiet," Thoth said, stepping beside him. "You wouldn't be hiding anything, would you?"
"Me? Why would I do that?" Hermes asked, making his eyes big and innocent.
Thoth glared. "I hate how much you look like Kema when you do that."
"I know," Hermes crowed.
The sun was setting, and the humans were all piling onto boats as the temples and monuments began to be closed up for the night.
"How did Isis convince you to keep this island a secret for so long? Anubis is going to be pissed when he learns about it."
"Anubis has no reason to be. He knows Isis as well as I. He would rather die than break a promise to his mother. He will understand why I felt I had to do the same. She didn't want to be disturbed," Thoth replied.
Hermes cocked a brow at him. "So what you're saying is your magic isn't strong enough to break whatever wards Isis has around the island?"
"I know what you are doing, and it won't work," Thoth replied. The bristling in his shoulders told Hermes it absolutelywasworking. "I've never tried to disturb her peace, and Isis has a lot more than wards protecting her." Thoth glanced at the rising moon and away again. "Hades won't find his way there without trouble."
Hades was in front of them and ignoring them both. He stopped at a part of a temple with steps leading down into the dark water.
"She was here, and her trail ends," he said and sat down on the top step. Hermes sat down next to him and conjured three beers.
"There are worse places to be in the world," he said, handing out the drinks. They all needed one. The three gods sat and stared out at the water.
"Do you think she is okay?" Hades asked, his gray eyes troubled.
"Persephone can take care of herself," Hermes replied, looking at Thoth.
"Absolutely. She is strong and very resilient," Thoth hurried to add. "Also, Isis will welcome and adore her."
"But will Isis give her back to me?" Hades grumbled and drank a mouthful of beer.
"I am not keeping her away," a woman said from behind them. Hermes almost leaped out of his skin and spilled beer all over his hand. Isis was standing behind them. They scrambled to their feet.
"Hello, Isis," Hades said and bowed deeply. Isis held her hands to him, and Hades took them in his own. "Is Persephone with you?"
"She is on my island and is well, Unseen One. Enjoying the communion of the other goddesses in my care," Isis replied. She beamed at Hermes and Thoth. "I see you have brought trouble with you."
Hermes bent to kiss her cheek. "Nice to see you, gorgeous. It's been too long."
"It has been an age." Isis moved to embrace Thoth. "I have missed you. I hear you have finally found yourself a consort."
"Kema found me," Thoth replied with a smile. "I'm sorry that I couldn't deter these two from coming here to disturb you."
"I knew Hades wouldn't stay away for long." Isis let Thoth go. "Persephone is missing you and will return to you soon."
"Do you know why she ran from me in the first place?" Hades asked, poorly hiding his hurt.
Isis rested a hand on his cheek. "She was scared of herself, not of you. It's not my place to say more. She will tell you everything. She just needs to know what she's going to say."
Hermes bit his tongue to stop him from asking any inappropriate questions. If Persephone was going to be back soon, it would be better if he kept his mouth shut.
