That Fatal Kiss (36 page)

“By the Fates, your husband is prompt!” Athena commented admiringly.

Persephone looked up from her huddled position. “Quite.”

The Witch Goddess offered her a hearty slap on the back. “Well, come on then. I haven’t been so greatly entertained since the last time Zeus and Hera fell out!”

Reaching to soundly smack Hecate’s arm in return, Persephone rose to her feet, squaring her shoulders once again. “This ought to be pleasant.”

The Underworld

HADES SLAPPED THE
reins lightly against Thunder and Lightning as they flew through the Underworld, urging them up toward the crack in the Earth that opened out onto Mount Etna. The horses obeyed him instantly, hurtling toward the dim light.

While he awaited his chariot’s return, Hades took himself to the Viewing Mirror. He hoped Hecate had removed the enchantment, so he could see how Persephone fared above. The god was relieved to find his wife once again visible in the charmed Mirror. He caught her at the conclusion of the evening meal and saw how badly Demeter took the news of her daughter’s decision to return below ground. Hades chaffed against his inactivity, ached to run to Persephone and take her into his arms, shield her from this distressing situation, but had to wait until his chariot was returned.

Thankfully, Hermes did not remain below for long after Hades gave him the message for Zeus. Hades was sorely tempted to tear the younger god limb from limb for having taken his wife away but Hermes did not give him the opportunity to act upon his anger. Hermes’ smug look changed to one of dismay when his uncle informed him of his intent to reclaim Persephone and he departed at once to spread the news.

Hades wondered at Hermes’ bluster. He knew his nephew bore him no love but could not fathom why such hatred now lurked behind the Messenger’s eyes.

As the chariot broke through into the Upperworld, Hades remembered to look down, for even the receding light from Apollo’s chariot was painful to him, and he gave his steeds free rein as they bore him upward. He turned his mind to the problem of how to mitigate matters with Demeter. He himself did not give a jot for her dissatisfaction but knew Persephone would be pained if things weren’t put to rights between them all.

The image of Persephone’s face when she stated that he would come for her again appeared in his mind. She had almost seemed to be asking him if he would. Hades felt a tremor in his stomach at the memory and his own love for her swelled, nearly causing him to lose his grip on the reins. Swearing, he pulled back on them sharply as the chariot dropped, and soon the horses soared through the clouds which encircled the peak of Mount Olympus. Gritting his teeth against the bitter chill of the wind, he forced himself to concentrate on devising a plan.

Hades wanted to improve matters between himself and Demeter, for Persephone’s sake, but could not bear to part with her, for his own. As trepidation reared up within him once again, Tisiphone’s warning came to mind, and the solution to his dilemma suddenly manifested. Hades’ mind grasped the kernel of hope until it flowered. It wasn’t perfect, from any angle, but Demeter should agree to it.

“And damn the female if she doesn’t,” Hades grumbled aloud, guiding the horses down toward Zeus’ stables. “Persephone has chosen me and I shall be tenacious in the enforcement of her will.” Allowing himself a grim smile, he added, “As well as my own.”

XXIII.

Zeus’ Palace, Mount Olympus

PERSEPHONE PRACTICALLY FLEW
into the vast, opulent throne room in Zeus’ palace. She cast her eyes about, searching for Hades’ tall, dark form, and noted with disappointment that he had not yet arrived. Nearly all of the Olympians, however, were already assembled. The goddess saw her father seated at his shining golden throne, tugging at his beard as Hera nattered quietly into his ear. Bejeweled golden chairs occupied either side of the chamber, leaving the center bare. As Persephone looked, she saw Demeter and Hestia seated to her left, near the passageway to the palace’s grand banquet chamber. She met her mother’s eyes and saw that Demeter was not yet in an approachable frame of mind.

Staunching the rise of apprehension in her stomach, Persephone continued to look about and saw that Ares sat not far from her mother. A sneer of contempt twisted her features, but it did not deter him from shooting her a wanton look in return. Aphrodite and Hephaestus sat near Ares, which surprised Persephone, given their history. She gave Aphrodite a good glare when the blond goddess looked her way, frightening her not one whit if Aphrodite’s smirk were any indication. But when Persephone’s eyes fell on the Lame God, they softened with compassion, though he would not meet her gaze. Hephaestus must be guilt-stricken over the small part he played in her captivity, but Persephone was not wroth with him and planned to tell him so soon. Only now she had more worrisome matters with which to contend.

Casting her eyes to the other side of the throne room, she saw Apollo and looked for the handsome god’s twin before she remembered that Artemis would at that hour be preparing to ride her lunar chariot across the Heavens. At least Persephone would not have to endure Artemis’ company at this crucial juncture. She noted the particularly fine attire Apollo wore and took another look at those assembled. Regardless of the late hour, all were clothed in their finest garments, for this was, indeed, a rare event. It wasn’t every day that the Lord of the Underworld graced Mount Olympus with his formidable presence.

The empty seats on either side of Apollo signaled the absence of both Dionysus and Poseidon. Persephone’s lips quirked in a smile as she assumed that Hades had a hand in their absence. Thinking of her husband, Persephone said to Athena and Hecate, who flanked her, “He is not yet here.” Then she was embarrassed by the telling wobble in her voice.

“Take heart, Kore, he soon will be,” Athena said. “Now I must go sit by Apollo and learn his thoughts on the matter, to ensure they match my own!” She gave Persephone an unexpectedly comical wink before leaving her.

Both Persephone and Hecate jumped when Hermes bounded up behind them, placing a hand on either’s shoulder. “Forgive me,” he said, his breathing labored from his exertions. “I have finally reached everyone, but there is a problem.”

“What’s that?” Hecate asked distractedly. She too had noticed Ares’ presence and seemed to be appreciating the way his short robes fell against his hard, sinewy body. Noting the regard, Ares returned it in full measure. It was clear from his expression that he expected to be putting his sandals under Hecate’s bed that evening. It was equally clear from hers that she intended to let him.

“It’s Artemis,” Hermes said. “She must be present to cast her vote, or we cannot proceed.”

Vexed that she would have to endure her sister’s censure after all, but knowing that her presence was a necessary evil, Persephone asked, “Is there no one who can take her post for her?”

Hermes shook his head. “She’s been waiting at her stables while I’ve searched for someone but either the gods are away or needed here.”

Then the happy thought struck Persephone. “Hecate!” she exclaimed, “You cannot cast a vote, not being an Olympian.
You
can drive Artemis’ chariot for her tonight!”

“What?” Hecate muttered, her eyes running down the length of Ares’ well-made form with lecherous scrutiny.

Recognizing the nature of Hecate’s preoccupation, Persephone gave the white-haired goddess a pinch. “Save your salivating for another time, Witch. I need you to take your cousin’s place so she can come vote.”

“Hera’s horns, did you have to pinch me so hard?”

“Please, Hecate!”

Giving Ares a leer, Hecate answered, “Fine. But not before I’ve made some… arrangements.”

The Witch sidled over to the God of War. At the looks of unbridled lust the two exchanged, Persephone and Hermes cast their eyes down, each smiling somewhat self-consciously, and waited until Hecate slinked back to them.

Observing her beam of satisfaction, Hermes said with a grin of his own, “Go now, Artemis is due to embark on her nightly ride at any moment.” He cast a quick glance over at Ares and then looked back at Persephone. Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed it, as he had done before. “Fret not, little one; all will soon be well and you will find yourself wed to an eminently suitable god.” Then he hastened over to Ares’ side to learn what sorts of arrangements were responsible for the exultant look on his face.

“I already am, you unmitigated twit,” Persephone said under her breath.

“Oh, dear,” Hecate said. “So he fancies himself your hero, does he?”

“Evidently. I suspect he plans to challenge Hades to a battle for my hand.”

“Not likely. For all that bravado, there’s little courage supporting it.”

“I hope you’re right, I’d hate to have to watch Hades beat him to a pulp. Only think of the mess.”

“Aye,” Hecate agreed. “That is, if your mother doesn’t beat Hades to a pulp first!”

Reminded of the reason for the assembly, Persephone sighed and looked around the room again. The bright-haired goddess took Persephone’s hand. “But never mind all that! I must go now, but be of sound heart and will. You have done as your mother commanded for your entire existence—now it is time for
you
to take command and please yourself, as well as the one being who was created solely to love you.” Deeply touched by Hecate’s words, Persephone felt her eyes fill with tears and could only nod. The Witch went on to say, “Besides, your fate is assured! You have permanently attached yourself to Hades. How can Demeter possibly undo those bonds?” She gave Persephone a quick, bracing hug and then withdrew to find her cousin’s stables.

Persephone looked around the room again and noted with some amazement that Hera had left her place by her husband to sit with Demeter and Hestia. Persephone strongly suspected Hera had some ulterior motive for the unprecedented overture. She saw Zeus’ warm gaze turned in her direction and gave her father a smile as she advanced to speak with him. He held his arms out to her as she climbed up the steps to his throne to embrace him.

“You are angry with me?” he asked.

“No longer.”

Giving her a playful smile, Zeus admonished, “The prudent, respectful answer would have been, ‘Not ever.’”

“But when have I ever been either prudent or respectful?”

His laughter boomed through the hall, causing heads to turn their way. Zeus nodded in Demeter’s direction. “Your mother looks fit to be tied.”

“That’s because she is.”

Zeus’ smile flashed, then faded as he said, “So tell me, Kore…what was it like down there?”

Persephone wanted to laugh at the way her father’s voice quieted down to a near whisper as he neared the end of the question. She considered her response gravely and at length, and the longer she took to reply, the more concerned grew Zeus’ expression. Just as Persephone saw anger replace worry, she replied, “It was uncommonly dark, actually.”

Zeus’s eyes widened, then he laughed again. “You’re more of a minx than ever.”

“So my husband tells me.”

“And are you happy to call him husband?”

“How do I seem to you?”

Now Zeus appeared annoyed. “You seem to have grown incapable of giving a straightforward response. Much like your husband.”

Persephone smiled mysteriously. “How pleased Hades will be to learn you’ve said that.”

“Kore!”

Persephone looked to the doorway and cried with delight, “Eros!” She turned back to her father, waiting to be dismissed. Her ready smile only broadened at his look of exasperation. Then, as if he conceded defeat, Zeus chuckled. At his nod, Persephone ran down the steps to greet her nephew.

Eros met her halfway, sweeping her up in an embrace that lifted her clear off the marble floor. Laughing, Persephone asked, “And where is your beautiful wife?”

Eros set her down. “Resting.” The lift of his eyebrow and the tone of his voice left no doubt as to what had exhausted Psyche.

“Lucky girl!” Persephone observed, tweaking his earlobe.

“As are you, if my interpretation of the recent bout of earthquakes is accurate,” Eros said, hooting with amusement as a flush stained his aunt’s cheeks.