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"Persephone isn't in the right frame to decide that," Hermes replied.
Hades grinned. "I dare you to tell her that."
"Hermes is right," Circe said, and they all stared at her. "I know, I know, words I never thought would come out of my mouth. Persephone is all messed up by Demeter, and in her mind, she doesn't want to be a burden to the new mother figure in her life."
Hades put his drink down before he dropped it. "I haven't even thought of that."
"You're excused from not thinking straight right now," Charon said. He kissed Circe's temple. "My lady love is right though. Go and summon Isis, Hades."
Hades didn't want to disturb Persephone, but a few minutes later, Medea appeared. She looked as exhausted as Hades felt.
"She's awake and asking for you," she said. Erebus held out his arms to her, and she all but collapsed into them.
"Rest for a while," Hades suggested.
"Just close my eyes for a second," she murmured against Erebus. He gave Hades a stern look, and Hades knew they were all right. He kept his whiskey and headed back down to the nursery. Hecate had moved Persephone into a deep clawfoot tub.
"I'll stay with her. Go and eat something," Hades suggested.
Hecate nodded. "Call me if you need me."
Persephone had her eyes closed, her head leaning against the lip of the tub. Tears were falling down her cheeks.
Hades sat on a chair beside her and soaped up a cloth. He began to wash her arms, and when she leaned forward, he went to work on her back.
"I'm s-sorry," Persephone said, her tears becoming sobs. "I thought I could do it. It's taking so long, and I'm doing it wrong."
"You're not doing anything wrong, my love." Hades ran his fingers lightly over her face. "Don't apologize to me about something that is beyond your control. They are just being stubborn. I told you that they will take after you."
Persephone opened her eyes to glare at him and then managed a pained laugh. She winced. "Oh, fucking shit, damn it. Don't make me laugh." Hades used the distraction to unclip the necklace from her throat.
"I'm sorry. We aren't waiting anymore," he said, snapping the pendant in half before she could protest.
15
Hades was connected to the Underworld, so he felt the moment Isis approached its boundaries.
"Hold on. She's almost here," Hades told Persephone. She hadn't fought him about the pendant because she was too exhausted. He was sure Persephone would later.
Hades lifted her from the bath, dried her with a soft towel, and wrapped a robe around her. Hecate had returned and had stripped the bed again.
"I can feel Isis moving towards us," she whispered to Hades. "Others will feel this birth too, Hades. You must be ready to meet anyone who arrives. There hasn't been the birth of any gods for so long. You might end up with more than just the Egyptians."
"Fuck, I hadn't thought of that. It's never something I had to deal with," Hades replied, pushing his hands through his hair.
"Go and greet Isis because I can't," Persephone said from her nest of pillows. "I'm okay, Hades. You don't need to hover."
Hades leaned down to kiss her softly. "I will return soon. I love you, sunshine."
"I know you do," she replied, a spark of her usual mischief amongst her misery.
Hades returned to their adjoining rooms for a quick shower and a change of clothes. If other gods were coming, he had to make sure they were ready for them.
Hades sent a silent summons to the triplets, and by the time he finished dressing, they were waiting outside his chambers.
"We need to prepare for the arrival of other gods," Hades said, and they made their way through the villa.
"I expected the Egyptians, but who else?" Charon asked.
