PROLOGUE
Sing o Muse, of the new world birthed from the old.
Of death and rebirth Of old gods that walk amongst us, ready to face the world of men once more And of the new gods that are about to come into being
Persephonestumbledoutofthecool,air-conditionedclinicandintothehumidAthenianspringair.Sheclosedhereyesand tookthreedeepbreaths Magicwasswirlinginsideherveins,readytoattacktheinvisibleenemythreateningher She opened her eyes and named three things she could see and three things she could smell. And she could smell everything the flowers bloominginthe small garden, greasyfried food froma nearbyrestaurant, exhaust fromtraffic, the sunscreenonatouristwhowasbusytakingadistanceshotoftheParthenon
Persephone'svisionswirled.Shesatonabenchunderatreeandpulledherblondecurlsintoaponytailtogetthemoffher sweatingneck
This can't be real. PersephonehadgonetothedoctorsforaPapsmearandacheckupbecauseshe'dbeenfeelingoffand endedupbeingtoldthemostterrifyingofnews shewaspregnant
How had it happened? Persephone smirked despite her risingpanic as she thought ofthe manyways and positions that couldhavecausedit.Then,thepanicovertookheragain.
Persephone and Hades had been together for years Gods couldn't get STDs, and early conversations with Hades and Medusahadreassuredher thatthechancesofbecomingpregnantweresolow,theywerealmostnon-existent.Zeushadbeen themostfertileofthemall,whichwaswhyhehadanarmyofdivinebastards
Persephoneputherheadinherhandsandtriedtobreatheasanotherwaveofnausearockedthroughher.Sheplacedahand onthesoftrollsofhertummy ShehadgainedalittlebitofweightrecentlybutassumeditwasHades'scooking
Oh,fuck,howwasshegoingtotellhim?Didheevenwantkids?HewasalreadyasurrogatefathertoAsterion,Perseus, andHermes.NottomentiontheTitansandtherestoftheCourt.Hehadenoughtoworryaboutandlookafterasitwas.
Persephoneleanedbackonthebenchandlookedatthegreenleavesaboveher Everythinghadbeengoingsowell Thelast yearhadbeenpeaceful.
Thanks to Hermes, theyhad reconnected withthe gods inEgypt, and Kema and Thothhad beenstayinginStyxto sort throughallthebooksandartifactstheyhadrecoveredfromDariusDrakos'shorde.
PersephonehadbeenhelpingrunMorning Harvest andslowlybringingitand Acheron Industries together.Shehadenough todealwithaswell.
Persephonedidn'tevenknowhowshefeltaboutbeingamother.Itwasn'tsomethingthatshehadeverconsidered.Shehad a terrible relationship withDemeter, and she had always feared passingher powers onto a child Notthatitwas a problem anymore.WiththehelpofHadesandHecate,Persephonecouldnowcontrolherpowersperfectlyfine.
Wouldababyinheritthesameonesorbesomethingtotallydifferent?Shehadnoidea,anddemigodchildrenalwayshad somethingextra.SheonlyhadtolookatthemembersoftheCourttoseethat.Shewassofuckingfucked.Hernauseavanished, andherstomachgrumbledinprotest.
"Pastry.Allthepastry,"shewhispered.
Persephone walked through the twisting, colorful alleys of Athens until she came to a bakery she knew had the best chocolatemascarponebaklavainthecity
Persephonegotabagforher andonetotakebacktoStyxwithherbeforecontinuingherwalk.Thetripletsalwaysknew whenshewentthere,andifshedidn'tbringanybacktoStyx,therewashelltopay
Persephoneateherbaklavaandtriedtoletthesugarliftherspirits.Itdidn'twork.
ShethoughtaboutDemeterandwonderedwhatshehadbeenlikebeforePersephonewasborn.Hadsheeverbeenhappy? PersephonelovedherlifewithHadesandtheCourt Shehadfriendsandfamilywiththemthatshe'dneverhadbefore ShepulledoutherphoneandcontemplatedcallingHecate.Shealwaysgavesoundadvice,butsheneverhidanythingfrom Thanatos Assoonasheknew,Hadeswouldknowtoo
Sheneededtotellhimbutdidn'tknowwheretostart.HadesknewaboutalltheawfulshitDemeterhaddonetoher.Things
thatmeantPersephonestillhadtogettherapywhenshegottriggered.
Would she turn into her mother if she became one? Persephone tried not to choke on the pastry in her mouth. She felt so lost
I don't know what to do.
Asweetperfume floated throughthe air, and Persephone stopped chewing She could sense whenmagic was happening aroundher,andtherewassomethingstrange...
Sweet child, come to me I will give you refuge and guidance The island of lost goddesses is here for all who are weary, adeepfemininevoicewhisperedinhermind.
Who are you? Persephonereplied.
Come and see for yourself. Inhermind'seye,PersephonesuddenlysawanislandshroudedinmistandmagicinthemiddleoftheNile Now, that wasamystery.KemahadnevermentionedahiddenislandinEgypt,norhadThoth.ShereallyshouldtellHades. Persephone placed a hand onher stomachagain No, she wasn'treadyto talkto himjustyet Ifshe returned to Styx, he wouldinstantlyknowsomethingwaswrongandwouldn'tgiveupuntilshetoldhim.Sheneededtoknowhowshefeltaboutthe pregnancybefore she couldtalktoHades.He wouldnever force her todosomethingshe didn'twanttodo.She justneeded somespacetothink.
Persephonedidn'thavelongtoconsiderheroptionswhentwolargemenappearedbesideheronthestreet. "PersephoneAcheron,you'recomingwithus,"onegrowled,pullingagunonherandshovingitintoherlowerback Persephonetriednottosmile."Ohdear,ifImust."
Thebackofthevanwasscatteredwithfastfoodwrappersandsmelledlikeadirtygymbag.Persephonesatonthemetal floorwithherhandsandfeetzip-tied Herpalebluesundresswasgoingtobestainedfromthemessshewassittingin, anditwasjustanotherthingtopissheroff.Shehadgatheredenoughinformationfromthetwoidiotswhohadgrabbedher toknowtheywerenamedPiriandAlcides.
"Look,lady,wehavenointentionofhurtingyou,butweareinabindandneedmoney It'snothingpersonal,"Pirisaidfrom thedriver'sseat.Hehaddarkcurlinghairandpaleblueeyes.Helookedtiredandstressed.
"Youmustbeindeepshittothinktakingmeasahostageisagoodidea,"Persephonereplied
"Yeah,wearen'tstupid.Wedon'tbelieveyouandyourhusbandaregods,sothere'snopointintryingtoscareus,"Alcides gruntedfromthepassengerseat Hehadmessy,dirtyblondhairpulledbackinashorttail
Maybe Medusa had done too good of a job hidingthe footage of the dayStyxwas attacked and the Court had risento defendit.HowhadthesetwomissedDarius'sverypublicmurderofDemeter,whichhe'dbroadcastedalloverGreece?
"Youseemconfidentaboutthat"Persephonedidn'tmind Letthemthinkshewashelpless Itwouldmakeinfluencingthem somucheasier.
HadescouldtrackherifsheusedmagictogotoEgypt KemahadtaughthertomakedoorwaysasHermesdid Hadesand Hermes had tried to teachher before thatwithoutmuchluck. Thothhad tried nextbuthad givenher sucha longexplanation aboutthestructureofmagicthatshecouldn'tfollowanythinghehadsaid
Kematookpityonher,andtheywentoutinAlexandriaforafewdrinks.Bytheendofthenight,Persephonewasopening doorwaysforherself.Hadescouldtrackhermagicwherevershewent,sothetwodumbassesinthefrontwereasolutiontoa problemshedidn'tknowshehad
"Youknowyoucan'tkeepmeinGreece.Hadeswillfindme,"shesaid,lettingmagicseepintoherwords.Thiswasatrick shehadlearnedfromCirce Pirilookedatherintherevisionmirror Thegoldofherinfluenceflashedinhiseyes
"Weknow,andwecan'thaveHadesfindingusbeforewegetourmoney,"hesaidandfrowned."Wehaveaplanethatwill takeustoMykonos."
"Excellent,butIhaveabetteridea.Let'sgotoAswaninstead.EgyptwillbesaferforyoutwowhenHadesfindsoutwhat youhavedone,"Persephonereplied,pushingalittlemorepowerintoherglamor.
Alcidesnoddedandsaiddreamily,"Yeah Egyptwouldbecool I'vewantedtogoforages" "Great!Let'sgo!"Persephoneshiftedherweighttostopherbuttfromturningnumb. Was itridiculous to go alongwithher kidnappers to avoid a difficultconversationwithher husband? Probably Butshe was hormonal and terrified, and a mysterious summons to a magical island felt like a great way to avoid all her responsibilities.
Piri sang along to the radio all the way to an airfield outside of the city. It was for smaller planes that were used for farmingandlightcargo.Persephonedidn'tfightthemastheycarriedhertoasmallplanethatonlyfitfourpeople.Shefeared thelifegrowinginsidehermorethantheaircraft'ssize "Youcanfly?"sheaskedAlcides.
"Surecan Weusethisoneforsprayingcottonfieldsandthingslikethat,"hesaid,thegoldofPersephone'sglamorburning inhiseyes.Heopenedthedoortotheplaneandhelpedherinside.Heopenedasmallcoolerandpassedherabottleofwater. "Alittlehelp?"Persephonesaidandliftedher hands.Hepulledoutaknifeandcuther tiesfor her.Piri climbedintothe passengerseatwithacalmsmileonhisface Maybeshehadoverdonetheglamoralittle?Persephonesippedthecoldwater andsettledbackinherseatasAlcidesbuckledherintoaharness.
"Idon'tsupposeyouhaveasickbagonthisbird?JustincaseIneedit?"sheasked Piripassedhertwofromthefront."Herewego,Persephone.IalwayscarryextrawhenIflywithAl.Thesesmallerplanes
rockaboutinthewindalotmore."
"Goodtoknow.Thanks,boys."PersephonesettledbackandtriedtorelaxasAlcidesstartedtheplane.Itwasonlywhen theywereinthemiddleofashakytake-offthatajoltoffearforherlifeslammedthroughher Persephone? Are you okay? Hades'svoiceechoedinhermind,makingherfreeze. I'm fine. Just got a fright from something. Persephonedidn'twanthimtoworryabouther. Where are you? I can feel you moving awayand fast.
Don't freak out, but two idiots have kidnapped me I'm fine I have it under control and will be home soon Love you!she replied.
Hades'sangerandconfusionrockedthroughher,andshequicklyslammeddownherpsychicwalls,cuttinghimoff "Youbetter flyfast!" Persephone shouted over the noise ofthe plane. She was relaxingagainwhenshe feltanother god pushinghiswaythroughherpsychicwallsliketheydidn'texist. Persephone, where are you off to? Hermesaskedher.
None of your business. How are you even doing this?
God of liminal spaces here. You're on a plane. Figure it out. Are you okay, Aunty? Have they hurt you? Hades is freaking out.
Persephonesworeandrubbedathertemples.ShelovedalltheCourtbuthadasoftspotforHermes.Shehadbeentheone tosavehimfromthecavehehadbeenlockedin,whichcreatedaspecialbondbetweenthem.Unfortunately,itmadehimnosier thantheotherstoo
I'm fine, Hermes. I got kidnapped by some malakas after money. Well, kind of. I can get away when I need to. They haven't hurt me I just need some space
'Space' with some random kidnappers, not your husband and me, your favorite nephew. Hurtful. You're not the boss of me. Neither is Hades. I've got this. Trust me. Persephoneshovedhimoutofhermindandhopedhe wouldrespectherwishes Sheputherheadinherhands
Hades would getover it. She justneeded time to find the owner ofthe voice thathad summoned her. And how did they knowsheneededhelp?
Five hours and two sick bags later, Persephone stumbled off the plane in Aswan's hot, dry heat. She was sweaty and crumpledandthoughtshehadpossiblylosther mind,butthatwasn'tgoingtostopher Notmuchdidwhenshewasina stubbornmood.
Persephone could feel the magic linkingher to the mysterious voice, like a delicate silver thread attached to her chest tuggingherforward Itwasasirensonginherveins,minglingwiththeancientpowerofEgyptitself There,historyblewinthe sands,makingPersephone'sskintingle.
Ittookabitofglamorandasmilefortheairportstafftoignoretheappearanceofastrangeplaneandgettheguardstolet thempasswithoutaskingforapassport.
Persephonerecruitedoneofthemtotakeherandherminionstothedocksintheirair-conditionedSUVThere,theyfounda manwithasailboatgivingtoursoftheislands.Hewasdonefortheday,butPersephonepersuadedhimtotakethemoutinhis feluccaforasunsetcruise.Shehadusedtheeverydaymagicofwavinghercreditcardathim.
"Doyouknowwhereyouwanttogo,lady?"thecaptainaskedher Persephonepointed."Thatway."
Themanshruggedanddidashewastold Shesupposedhedealtwithfussier,moreeccentricpeopleinhisdayjob PersephonesatatthefrontoftheboatonacushionedmattressandtookinthebeautifulwateroftheNileandthedatepalms andliliesthatcrowdedtheedges ShehadonlybeentoAlexandriawithKemaandhadlongedtoexploremore Workhadkept herinGreece.Itwasn'tthatshedidn'tenjoythechallengeofrunningsuchalargecompany.Shedid.
Asmallpartofherwonderediftherewasabetterwayshecouldspendhertime.Shewantedtoseemoreoftheworld,and thatwasn'talwaysanoptionwheneverythinghingedonyourdecisions Ifshebecameamother,shewouldhavetomakesome changes.
Persephone rested her hand on her stomach and tried not to freak out all over again that life was growing in there Potentiallyimmortallife.Hermeshadconfirmedherownimmortality.Despitebeingahalf-human,herdemigodDNAensured thatshewasimmortal.Itoverpoweredthehumansideofhercompletely.
Wouldthebabybethesame?Orwouldshehavetowatchthemgrowoldanddielikeahuman?Wouldshebeabletolive throughthat?
Don't think about it just yet, she tried to tell herself and focused backonthe shimmeringlight of the dyingsunonthe water.
After a while, Persephone could make outancientstructures onanisland inthe middle ofthe Nile The thread ofmagic gaveaninsistenttug,andshehurriedwherethecaptainstoodatthewheel.
"Hey,whatisthatoverthere?"sheasked.
"Thatis Agilka Island. Itis where the temples fromPhilae were moved, brickbybrick, whenthe damwas builtinthe '70s,"herepliedinhissmoothlyaccentedEnglish.
Persephonepointedtothepartofastructurenearthewater Ithadtallstonepillarsthatopenedatthetoplikestonepalms "Canyoupullinoverthere?Ineed...Ineedtoseeit."
"Idon'tknowhowmuchyouwillsee It'sgoingtobedarkinanotherthirtyminutesorso,"hewarnedher Persephonewavedhisconcernaway."It'sfine.Ijustneedtogetthere."
PersephoneletPirihelpherdownontothesmalldockoftheisland.Themagicwasvibratingnow,andsheknewshewas gettingcloser PiriandAlcidesfollowedher,kidnappersturnedbodyguards ShealmostfeltbadforwhatHadeswoulddoto themifhegothishandsonthem.
Probably throw them into the fighting pits of the Labyrinth just to watch them suffer, she thought Hades could be reasonedwithformostthingsunlesssomeonewasfuckingwithhisfamily.Hewouldbeagoodfatherinthatway.Persephone
justdidn'tknowhowhefeltaboutbeingafather. His fatherhadeatenhim,afterall. You didn't even ask him how he felt before running away,anunwelcomevoicesaidinherhead.
Persephone would askhim She just needed the right words first and to find out the owner of that damnvoice that had brokenthroughhermentalwardsliketheywerenothing.ShecouldkeepHadesandHermesout,butnotthemysteriouswoman whowassummoningher
Persephonewalkedupthedustypathtowherethesmall,temple-likebuildingstoodonthewater.Thestoneswerehumming aroundher
"Curiousandcuriouser,"shewhispered.
"Mylady,it'sgettingdark,"Alcidessaid,lookingaroundnervously.
Persephoneignoredhim Therewassomethingoddaboutthetemple Somethingdeeplymagicalthatshecouldn'tsee The lastraysofthesundied,andthestarsbegantotwinkleabovethem.Persephonewalkedtotheedgeofthetemplebeforeithit thewateroftheNile
Where are you? shewhisperedtothedarkwater.AsuddenmistbegantorisefromtheNilebeforeaboatmadeofreeds driftedtowardstheshoreline Atallwomanstoodontheboat,dressedinasimplekaftanofwhitelinen
Persephonewalkeddownthestepstothewater,herheartthrummingasthestrangerapproached.Shehadlargedarkeyes andstraightblackbangs,therestofherhaircutattheshoulders.Theboattappedsoftlyagainstthestoneofthetemplesteps.
"PersephoneAcheron,itisapleasuretomeetyouatlast,"thewomansaid,herwidemouthstretchingintoasmile Shewas theownerofthemysteriousvoice."Pleasecomeaboard.I'msorry,butyourmalecompanionscannotcomeanyfurther."
"Theyweremykidnappers,notmycompanions,"Persephonesaid Sheturnedtodismissthem,butPiriandAlcidesstared at the woman on the boat and back to Persephone. She realized too late that golden power was circling her left hand and shadowsaroundherright.Herdivinitywasshowing.
"What... What are you?" Alcides asked, loweringhimself to his knees. The womanonthe boat laughed softly, and Piri droppedbeforeher.
"Looks like someone didn'tbelieve the gods still walked amongstthem," she said before offeringa hand to Persephone Shetookitandsteppedontotheboat.Sheimmediatelysatdownbecauseshefeltitwasthewisestcourseofaction.Ithadbeen aweirdday,anditwasgettingmorebizarrebythesecond
"Whydidyousummonme?Whatisthisplace,"Persephoneasked.Theboatglidedthroughthemist,andanother templelike buildingonanisland appeared. Huge braziers burned bright oneither side of the stairs that led fromthe water to the beautifullydesignedcomplex.
"Iheardyourcry,child.Ifelthowlostandconfusedyouwereandwantedtoinviteyoutothissecretplace."Thewoman smiledather,andPersephone feltthe ancient,deeppower radiatingoffher "This islandis a refuge for all ofthose like us Welcome,Persephone,totheIslandofLostGoddesses."
Persephone'smouthwentbonedry "Who Whoareyou?"
"Iamthegoddessoftenthousandnames,"thewomansaid,hereyesglowinggoldenwithpower.Delicate,ghost-likewings ofindigoandpurpleunfurledfromhershoulders."ButyoucancallmeIsis."
Hades waited until sundownbefore he lostthe lastshred ofhis patience. Hermes had tried to tell himPersephone was fine Itdidn'tmatterbecauseHadesknewdeepinhiscorethatshewasn't Persephone hadn'tbeenbothered bythe humans who had kidnapped her. Thatwas anannoyinginconvenience, and shecouldhandlethem.Itwassomethingelse.
Forastart,Persephonehadneverpurposelyshuthimout Asarule,theydidn'tusetelepathyunlesstheyhadto Persephone hadcompletelylockedherselfofffromhimforthefirsttimeintheirrelationship.
Whathadhedone?Hadeswentoverthepastfewdaysandweeks,buttheyhadbeenfine Apartfrombeingbusywithwork andThothandKema'svisittohelpthemcatalogtheirnewlibrary,theyweregood.SowhathadPersephonesospooked?
HadestookhisphonefromhispocketandcalledMedusa "What'sup,boss?"sheansweredbrightly.
"MakesureyouandPerseushaveclotheson.I'llbethereinfiveminutes,"Hadesrepliedandhungup.
Insteadofopeningamagicaldoor,HadeswentslowlyfromhisofficeatthetopofAcheronTower,downwiththeelevator, and across to Serpentine Tower. By the time he got to Medusa's penthouse, he only needed to knock once, and Perseus answeredthedoorinapairofpaint-splatteredjeansandaT-shirt
"Uncle,areyouokay?"heasked,hisscarredfacegoingfromwelcometoworried.
Hades couldn'tlie tohim Perseus was legallyblind,buthe couldsee auras clear as day,especiallythose ofimmortals Hadesdidn'tknowwhatwasgivinghimawayanddidn'tcare.
"No, I'mnot. Somethingis happeningwithPersephone, and Ineed Susa to help me find her," Hades explained, stepping inside
"Yeah, Hermes mentioned it. He's here too," Perseus warned him. He and Hermes had started paintingtogether once a week ItwasstrangetoseetwoofZeus'ssonsnottryingtofighteachother TheybothgotalongwithAsteriontoo,whichmeant Hades'ssuspicionaboutZeusalwaysbeingtheproblemwiththefamilyhadproventrue.
Hadesrealizedtoolatethathewasinterruptingsomethingmorethanpaintingnight.ThothandKemasatwithMedusaather hugedeskinheroffice.Thothwasfrowningatthescreens,hisbronzeeyestroubledandhisshoulder-lengthdarkhairamess frompullingonit.
"Let me guess, you're trying to convince himthat digitization of the new library is a good thing," Hades said, smiling despitehisworry.
"Ohh,don'tgetFeathersstarted,"Hermesreplied,appearingbyhisshoulder "Thisisaboutcategorization,notdigitization ItakeitPersephonehasn'tturnedupyet?"
Hadesshookhishead."No.Medusa,Ineedyoutoputapininthisandhelpme."
"It'sgoodtiming.Ineededabreak,"Kemasaid,stretchingherarmsoverherhead.
"Istilldon'tseewhythisisnecessarywhenIhaveaphotographicmemory.Wedon'tneedacatalog.Iknowwhatbooksand relicswenowpossess,"Thothargued Kemagottoherfeetandkissedherconsortontheforehead."Becausewedon'thaveyourbig,beautifulbrain.Weneedthe catalogsoeveryoneelsecansearchforthings Comeon,let'sraidMedusa'sfridgeforasnack"ShetuggedagrumblingThoth tohisfeet.
Kema was a new niece to the family, and Hades found her delightful. She could lightanyroomshe wentinto, just like Persephone Itwasprobablyoneofthereasonstheygotalongsowell Kemapattedhisarmonherwaypast "Don'tworry,UncleH.I'msurePersephoneisfineandworkingsomethingoutinherhead."
"Thanks,Kema TakeHermeswithyou IneedtotalktoSusa,"Hadessaid "Hey,don'tberude.I'mhereforemotionalsupport,"Hermescomplained.
Kemajusttookhishand."Comeon,Grandad.It'stimetomakemesomethingtoeat."
Hermes'sfacescrewedupinhorror."WhatdidIsayaboutcallingmeGrandad?"Technically,Hermeswashergrandfather manytimesover,butitgottoocomplicated
"Well,IcallThoth'Daddy,'soyou'rejustgoingtohavetodealwithit,"Kemasaid,wagglinghereyebrowsatherbeloved. Thothlookedflusteredandembarrassed,butHermeswastoobusymakinggaggingsoundstoteasehimaboutit
"IfMedusacan'tfindPersephone,Ihaveafew goodtrackingspellsIcantry.Shewon'thavegonefar enoughthatIcan't findher,"Thothtoldhim
"Thankyou.Iappreciatethat."Hadesstillcouldn'tbelievetheancientgodhadfinallybeenbroughtbacktoGreece,buthe had reconnected withSetand Anubis, and bothofthemwere makingsure Thothdidn'tbecome too anti-social again. Hades suspectedthetruelurehadbeenthepromiseofthelibrary'scontentsandwantingtopleaseKema
Medusa rubbed her hands throughher curlingred hair. "Stop lurkinginthe doorway, Hades. Tell me what is goingon. HermesonlysaidthatPersephonehadkickedyoubothoutofherheadbutdidn'tsaywhy"
"Idon'tknowwhyeither,"HadessaidandsatinKema'schairbesideher.Medusahadbeenhisfriendforalongtime,sohe tookashakybreathbeforeadmitting,"Idon'tknowwhatIdidtomakeherwanttoleaveme"
Medusa'ssnakeshissedinalarm."Hey,woah.Persephoneisn'tleavingyou.She'sjust…havingamoment.Ithappenstothe bestofus."
"ShewasfinewhensheleftforAthensthismorning Nothingseemedoff Shesaidshehadsomemeetings Ineedyoutoget intohercalendarandfindoutwhotheywerewith,"Hadessaid,crossinghisarms.
Medusa tapped away on her keyboard "She shared her calendar with me ages ago, so let's look Hmmm, not work meetings. She did have anappointmentwitha gynecologistfor her yearlycheck-up around lunchtime. One second, I'll bring theirdetailsup.".
Hadesfailedtokeepupassheplungedintoherdigital world.ToMedusa,theinternetwasanotherkindofcave,andshe wasathomeinitsshadowycrannies.
Inlessthanfiveminutes,shehadhackedintotheCCTVontheclinic'sstreetandwasscrollingthroughtheblackandwhite footage.
"There she is! Freeze it," Hades said, pointingat the screen His sunshine girl was standingoutside the clinic, looking unwellandafraid.Hadesfoughtbackthefranticfeelingscoursingthroughhim.Whatwaswrong?Whathadtheydonetoher?
"Okay, so you're freaking out, but as a woman, let me tell you, no one likes going to the gyno. We all feel like shit afterward,"Medusasaidquickly.Shezoomedinastwomenappeared."Let'sseewhotheseguysare."
"Whocares?Theyarefuckingdeadmenwalkingforputtingtheirhandsonmywife,"Hadesgrowled.Hewouldwatchthe lightdieintheireyes,and Hepeeredcloser "Didshejustglamorthem?Lookattheirfaces"
"Itlookslikeshe'susedthemfor alift,"Medusasaid,chokingbackher laughter."Sheisresourceful.Makesyouwonder whoiskidnappingwhointhissituation Let'sseewheretheygo"
Medusagottheirlicenseplatenumberandbegantotrackthem,usingthetrafficcameras.Hadesresistedtheurgetopullhis hairoutinfrustration.Whyhadn'tPersephonecometohim?Hewasn'tangrysomuchashurt.Theycouldalwaystalktoeach otheraboutthings Herubbedatthepainbloominginhischest
"They are at the airfield, and it looks like they used a light aircraft to leave Greece. Damn, their flight path wasn't recorded"Medusa mutteredunder her breatha few times,screens andmaps changingsoquickly,itmade Hades dizzy "All planes can be tracked with PSR and SSR, so by the looks of things, they went to..." She made a few more quick clicks. "Aswan,Egypt"
Hadesrubbedhisfaceinfrustration."Whytakeaplanewhenshecouldjustopenadoorwaytoit?AndwhyEgypt?"
"Youcantrackher ifsheusedmagic,butitwill takelonger totrackher byhumanmethods,"Thothsaid,returningtothe office "Medusa,canyoufindwhereshewentaftertheairport?Wasittoaboat?"
"I'll try and find out, but I don't have the same kind of access outside of Greece," she said and focused back on the computer
HadesfrownedatThoth."Whydoyouthinkshegotontoaboat?What'sinAswan?"
"Ifmyhunchisright,she'snotstayinginAswan She'sheadingfurtherdowntheNiletoAgilkaIsland,"Thothreplied Hadesglared,andThothfrownedback.HewastoooldtobeintimidatedbythelikesofHades.
"Ihavehergettingonadaycruisefelucca,andthat'swhereIloseher.I'llfindtheidentityofherkidnappersandseeifthey managed to keep hold of their phones If Persephone didn't want to be found, she would have gotten themto dump them," Medusasaid,notlookingupfromherscreens.
"Please,Thoth,tellmewheremywifehasgone,"Hadesasked Itwasasclosetobeggingasitgot Hewouldbegifhehad to.ForPersephone,he'ddoanything.
Itwas frustratingbecause unless Thothfeltina sharingmood, no one could geta damnfuckingthingoutofhim. Thoth seemedtobefightinganinnerbattlebeforefinallyblowingoutafrustratedbreath."IthinkshehasgonetoseeIsis."
"Woah,Isis?Ithoughtyouguysdidn'tknowwhereshewas?"Hermessaid,pushinginbesideThothtogetintotheoffice.
"I'vealwaysknown,butI'verespectedherrequesttobeleftalone.Sheseparatedherselffromtheworldforareason,andI wasn'tabouttogoagainstherwishes,"Thothreplied.
"ButwhywouldPersephonegotoher?SheneverknewIsis,"Hadesreplied,scratchinghishead HermespokedThothintheribs."Outwithit,Feathers.Thisisafamilymatternow."
"CallmeFeathersagain,andIwillfeedyoutoAmmit,"Thoththreatened Thesnaketattooonhisarmcamealivetohissat Hermes.ThothturnedbacktoHades."Isisrunsasanctuaryforgoddesseswhoneedhelporguidance.IfPersephoneheardher call,it'sbecausesheneededoneortheother"
Hermes rubbed athis bearded chin. "IfAuntyheard a call like that, she would have investigated. She's too curious and fearlessforherowngoodwhenshewantstobe.Whatdowedo?Orshouldwedoanythingaboutit?"
"Iwillgotothisislandandseeformyself,"Hadessaid,gettingtohisfeet Thothshookhishead."Notpossible,evenforthelikesofyou."
"Explain"
"Firstly,it'sgoddessesonly,andyoudon'tqualify."Thothshrugged."Secondly,it'snotinthephysical planeofexistence. YouwillneverfinditwithoutIsis'sblessing"
Hades's shoulders dropped as his worryand fear for Persephone knocked the air outofhim. "So whatdo yousuggestI do?"
Thoth'seyesglowedbronze "Doyouloveandtrustyourwife?"
"Yes,"Hadesansweredwithouthesitation.
"Thenleaveherthefuckalone Shewillcomehomewhenshewantsto" Itdidn'tcomfortHadesintheslightest.Hedidn'tlikefeelingsopowerless.
Persephone, please, sunshine, come home,hesentout,butallhegotbackwassilence.
Persephone crashed as soonas she stepped into the temple the previous evening. Isis had promised her answers inthe morningandshowedhertoasetofrooms Persephonehadfallenfacefirstonherbedinherdirtydressandhadn'tmoved allnight.
Brightsunlightthroughthegauzywhitecurtainsfinallybroughtheroutofherdeepsleep.
ThefirstthingPersephonenoticedwasthequietness Sheheardwavesandafewbirdschirpingbutnocars,boats,people, orplanes.Itwasatrueandeeriesilence.ShehadonlyexperiencedsomethingsimilarwhenshewenttoElysiumwithHades. Herstomachgrowledhungrily
"Yeah,yeah,baby,Ihearyou.Weneedtogetcleanfirst,"shegrumbledbackandthenfeltlikeanidiot.Shefoundadark fuchsia maxi dress leftfor her over a chair, witha beltand a pair ofsandals The dress was made ofthe softestcottonthat wouldbattleagainstthewarmEgyptianheat.
Were theystill inEgypt? Persephone wasn'tso sure. She feltcutofffromHades and everyone else. She cringed athow angryhewasgoingtobeather Shehadbeensoscaredandshockedthedaybefore,sheknewshehadn'tbeenthinkingclearly Persephone found a bathroomand had a longshower. The soaps smelled ofblue lotuses and roses, and the sweetscent relaxedher
ShehadfoundIsis,orIsishadfoundher.Tahirah,Anubis'sconsort,hadsaidthatIsiswasmissingandhadn'tbeenseenin Egyptforcenturies
HowhadIsisremainedhiddenonherislandallthistime?Shetriedtorememberwhatsheknewofthegoddess.
PersephoneknewthestoryofhowIsishadbeentheonetoputOsirisbacktogetherandresurrecthim.Shewasthemother ofHorusandhadraisedAnubis Shewasthegoddessofmagic,aswellasmanyotherthings
Persephonehadfeltthepowerradiatingfromherthepreviousnight.OnlyThothandSetfeltsimilarinstrength.Itwasso deepandancientthatitmadePersephonenervousandalittleawe-struckatthesametime
Onceshewascleananddressed,Persephonefeltsteadier.Shetriednottotouchherstomachagain.Apartfromthenausea andtiredness,shedidn'tfeelanydifferent.MaybeIsiscouldadviseherbecauseshewasamotherandhaddoneafinejobwith Anubis.
For the first time, Persephone wanted to talk to her mother. That feeling lasted long enough for her to remember how Demeter always used to tell her that having Persephone had ruined her body during and after pregnancy She stopped her shouldersfromcurlinginwardsasthememoryslicedintoher.
Persephonehadknownfromthecradleshewasn'tthedaughter Demeter hadwanted Shecouldnever figureoutwhyshe hadhertobeginwith.
It's okay Demeter's dead and can't hurt you anymore, she told herself. She missed Hades. He would always hugher whenshefelthermother'sshadekickingherass.Tentatively,shereachedoutforhimandfoundapsychicwallintheway.The wardsaroundtheislandkepttheworldout.Shewasonherown.
Persephonetookadeepbreath "Okay Breakfastfirst,thenfindIsis"
Persephone walked throughthe stone halls ofthe complexand marveled ateverythingshe saw. Itlooked like one ofthe ancientstonetempleshadbeenfullyrestoredorhadneverfallenintodisrepair
The tall pillars were carved withscenes ofanimal life alongthe Nile. Onthe walls were carved and painted stories in muralsandhieroglyphsshecouldn'tunderstand.Thereseemedtobenoendtocorridorsandrooms.
Itwasthesmell ofhotbakingbreadthatPersephonecaughtontoandendedupfollowing Shecouldeasilygetlostinthe templeforhours,butherstomachwasmissingHades'scooking.
Persephonehopedhewouldunderstandwhenshefinallytalkedtohim Shehadbeenscaredafter theclinic,andthefear wascreepinguponheragain.
Feminine voices joined the smell ofcookingfood, and Persephone stepped into a large kitchenarea. Two womenwere sittingonwoodenbenchesnexttoalongtable.Athirdwaspullingbreadrollsfromawood-firedoven.Sheworeashiftdress, thecolorofoxblood,andhadaleatherbeltaroundherwaist Darkhairhunginabraidoverhershoulder,andwarmbrown eyeslitupatthesightofPersephone.
"Ah,hereisournewcomer IsissaidoneoftheGreekshadjoinedus,"thewomangreeted "Hadesisgoingtobeshittinghimself,"atallblondewomansaidfromherplaceatthetable.
Persephoneraisedabrow "Youknowmyhusband?"
"We have met. I'mBellona," she replied before pointingto the leanbrunette onthe opposite side of the table. "This is Laverna,andthat'sAshirah.Sitdown,princess."
Persephonedid,andthenthenamestartedtoringanalarminher head "Wait,youareBellona,Set's friend?TheRoman wargoddess."
Bellona laughed,a huskysoundthatwouldbringa mantohis knees "Iamher,butI'mnotRoman I'mmore Sabine than Roman.LavernaispureRoman."
"Andproudofit Goddessofthieves,cheats,withadashoftheUnderworldjustforfun,"Lavernasaidwithamockbow "It'snicetomeetyouboth,"Persephonerepliedwithasmile."Wait,whataboutMinerva?Wasn'tsheawargoddess?"
Bellona'seyesnarrowed."Minervawasagoddessofwisdom.TheRomansslappedthewartitleontoherwhentheytried tosynchronizeuswiththeGreekgods,andshegotlandedwithAthena"
"PoorMinerva,"Lavernasaidandclickedhertongue."Thewartitleneversatwellwithherbecauseifoneiswise,there isnoneedtostartawar"
Bellonawavedherhanddismissively."Itookcareofthewarsideforher.Enoughofthepast.IwanttoknowwhatliesSet hasbeentellingaboutme,"shesaidandrefilledhercoffee.
"ThestoryofyoufightingnakedinBeirutbecauseyoulostabetisn'ttrue?BecauseIlikedthatstory,"Persephonesaid. Lavernachokedonherjuiceasshestartedtocackle."Titsout,gunsready.Soundslikeyou."
"Thatstoryis true,buta betis a bet Whatcanyoudo?"Bellona onlyshruggedbefore her smile turnedwicked "Ican't believeHadesfinallygothimselfaconsort.Itwasalongtimecoming.Howdidhefuckitupsobadlythatitmadeyoucome here?"
Persephone blushed. "Hades didn'tdo anything. This was all onme. Ipanicked and heard Isis callingto me, and thenI wantedtoinvestigate."
"Here,eatsomething.Youneeditforthebabies,"Ashirahsaidgently,puttingfreshrollsandhoneybeforeher. "Babies?!"Persephonesqueaked.
"Well,thatexplainsit,"Lavernasaid "She'sfreakingout"
"Ithoughttherewasonlyone."Persephoneputherhandonthebumpofherstomach."Therecan'tbetwointhere." "Iamamothergoddess,mydear Trustme,youarehavingtwins,"Ashirahsaidandpattedherontheshoulder "Eat You willfeelbetter."
Persephonepusheddowntherisingpanic,bitintothefreshbread,andgroaned."Youmustbeagoddess.Holyshit,thisis good"
"I'mgladyoulikeit.There'splentymorewherethatcamefrom.Immortalchildrengrowquickly,soyouwillspendthenext fewmonthseatingnonstop,"Ashirahsaid,puttingaplateoffoodnexttothebread "Fewmonths?"Persephoneaskedaroundamouthful.
"Yes Your pregnancy will only be about three months because of how quickly gods mature" Ashirah frowned at Persephone'sapparentconfusion."Youknownothingaboutthis,doyou?Wasn'tyourmotherimmortal?" Persephoneswallowed."Shewas,butshedidn'tpreparemefor anyofthis.Theonlytimeshementionedbeingpregnant withmewastofollowitupbysayinghowmuchsheregrettedit"
Bellonaclickedhertongueinirritation."Demeteralwayswassuchafuckingbitch.It'sasurpriseyouturnedoutsogood." "Let'snotbereducedtoname-calling,"Ashirahchidedgently ShelaidahandonPersephone'sarm "Youareherenowand canaskmeanythingyouwish."
Persephone didn't want to bringup the pregnancyagainwhile eating The shocks kept coming, and she would lose her appetitealtogether.
"WhydidIsisrefertoyouastheLostGoddesses?"sheaskedinstead.
"We aren't lost, baby goddess," Bellona huffed "We are hidden safely in the hearts of all women, just waiting for the momenttheyneedus.Theyonlyneedtoreachinsideandpullusfree."
PersephonestudiedthesilveryscarsonBellona'sstrongarmsandhands "Youaretherewhenawomanneedstowagewaronsomeone?"sheprompted.
"Womenunderstand war better thanmen."Bellona drained her espresso ina quickshot. "Menfightfor misplaced glory. Womenhavetofightfortheirfuckingliveseverygoddamnedday."
Persephonecouldn'targuewiththat.
"Womenknowwhat'sworthfightingfor,"anewvoicesaid,makingPersephoneturn.Thenewcomeralsoworered,though abrightershadethanAshirah's.Herblackhairwasoutinflowingringlets.ShekissedAshirah'scheekbeforesittingdown.
"This is Miriam,butwecall her Magdalena Shelikes tomeddle,"Bellonasaid,butnotunkindly "Watchher Sheis all peaceandloveandpatheticallysappy."
"Loveistheonlythingworthhavingandworthfightingfor,"theothergoddessrepliedwithaslightshrug "WewerejusttellingPersephoneherewhywearen'tlost,"Lavernasaid,refillinghercup."Ionlycomehereforthepeace andquiet,notbecauseI'mlost Also,thefoodisgood"
Ashirahblew her a kiss. "This feels right, all ofus here inthe kitchens where womenhave always gathered. Ithelps to reiterateourpointaboutnotbeinglosttoo.ManythoughtIwaslostwhenthefanaticalkingsdestroyedmytreesandleftonly theirstonepillarstoYahwehattheirtemples Whenmyartifactsandworshipwerewipedcleanfromtheirscriptures Iwasn't gonethen.Ijustmovedfromtemplestotheopenskyinthehighplacesandawayfrompryingeyes.
"Yahwehbecamefaceless,confinedtoastoneroominatempletoonlytalktoasinglehighpriest Me?Iwasinthehomes, inthekitchens,aswomenbakedeffigiestohonormeandprayedtomewhentheirbirthpainsbecametoomuchtobear.I'mstill thequeenofheaven I'msacredwisdom,andallIneedtodoiswaitforthepatriarchalreligiontoburnitselfout,andtheold wayswill return.Theyalreadyarebecausethehumansarepullingtoomuchevidencefor meoutoftheground.Theoldlies can'tholdupanymore."
Persephonestaredatthepowerfulwomanbesideher,thefaintthreadsofherdivinityglowinglikerubiesinhereyes "Ibelieveyou.IsupposeinGreece,it'salittledifferent.HadesandtheCourtdidn'twanttohideanymore,"shesaidbefore eatingapieceofmango
"Whichbegsthequestion,whydoyou?"Lavernaasked,toyingwithathin-bladeddagger.
"I'mnothiding.Notreally.Idon'tknowhowIfeelaboutthebaby babies ohshit,whatamIgoingtodo?"Persephone said,herappetitevanishingoncemore.
Ashirahputanarmaroundher."Whateveryoudo,it'syourbodyandyourchoice.Youdon'tthinkHadeswouldbehappyor agoodfather?"
"Hewouldbeagreatfather.Haveyoumetthetriplets?That'snotmentioninghowhelooksafterallofZeus'sbastardsons. Hades is alreadyanamazingfather" Persephone swallowed backher unexpected tears "I worryabout whether or not I'm goingtobeagoodmother.Demeterresentedmesomuch.Shefuckedmeupinsomanyways.Ineverwanttomakeachildfeel likethat."
"Youwouldn'tbelikeher.Notinamillionyears,"Bellonareassuredher."Youcareaboutothers.Settoldmeyousaved Hermes'scrazyassinthemiddleofafightandwouldn'tleavewithouthim.Demeterneverwouldhavedonethat.Youhavea kindheart Icantell"
"Ah,yousee.Evenawargoddesscansenseit,"Magdalenateased. "Iunderstandkindness,"Bellonareplied,herfulllipscurvingintoasmirk "It'speaceIdon'tunderstand"
"Andyet,Iknowforafactthatyouoncefeltpeaceinasinglekiss,"Magdalenareplied,calmandknowing."Lovealways wins.Especiallywhenthekissofanangelisinvolved."
"Ishouldneverhavetoldyouthat!Itwasonestupidkiss,"Bellonahissedlikeanembarrassedcat "That'sthelasttimeI'm gettingdrunkwithyou.Youcan'tletanythinggo."
Magdalena'ssmilewidened "Somethingsshouldn'tbeletgoof"
"Hmm,thisconversationcanbe."Bellonagottoherfeet."Ihaveasextraffickingringtobreakup.Goodluck,Persephone. StandyourgroundwithHadesandfightforwhatyouwant Don'tletMagdalenafillyourheadwithanymoresappynonsense" Bellonaheadedforthedoor,herdressshiftingintoblacktacticalgear. "Staysafe.Iloveyou,sister,"Magdalenacalled. Bellonalaughedlikeitwasathreat "Fuckyou"
"Nicetomeet "Persephonesaid,buttheSabinegoddessofwarwasalreadygone. Ashirahsighed "Iwishyouwouldn'tprovokeherlikethat,Miriam" "Someoneneedsto.Otherwisehewillbedead,andshewillregretitforever,"Magdalenarepliedunapologetically. Dazed bythe goddesses interactingand the revelationthat she was havingtwins, Persephone could do nothingbut take whateverhappenednextinstride.
Persephoneateanotherroll,andthechurningfeelinginherstomachfinallyeased.Minuteslater,Isisappearedandgestured toPersephone "Comewalkwithme"
IsisledPersephoneoutofthekitchensandalongtheshadedwalkways.Thedaywaswarm,withalightbreezeoffthewater. ThereweregardensandorchardsplantedbetweenthebuildingandthegreenishbluewateroftheNile "CanIaskyouaquestion?"Persephonesaidastheywalkedthroughthelinesofdatepalmsandpomegranatetrees.
"You can ask me anything you like, Persephone. It is why I brought you here," Isis replied, reaching up to stroke the ripeningfruit
"Why have you hidden yourself away on this island? Anubis misses you, and after his trials, he could have used his mother,"Persephonesaid Isisstarted."Whatdoyoumeanhistrials?"
Uh oh Now, you put your foot in it PersephoneendeduptellingIsiseverythingastheywalkedthroughthegardens ShetoldheraboutPandoracreatingPithostouseagainsttheCourtandofDariusDrakoswantingtobecomeagodhimself. ShespokeaboutSetfindingAylaandthenreunitingwithThoth.IsislaughedlongandloudwhenPersephonetoldherthat ThothhadfalleninlovewithoneofHermes'sdescendants Together,theyfoundAnubisandrestoredhis ka Isis had no more smiles whenPersephone explained aboutthe Duatcrumblingand souls and other creatures escapingin Anubis'sabsence
"AndwherewasOsirisinallofthis?"Isisasked,hervoiceverysoft.
"Fromwhat Tahirahhas told me, Osiris did fuckall to help the Duat Anubis was so furious that he confined himto a palace inAaru." Persephone hesitated before adding, "Osiris wanted Anubis to find youand convince youto returnto him. Apparently,oneoftheexcusesheusedtolettheDuatcrumblewasthathethoughtitwouldforceyoutoreturn."
Isisheldupahandforhertostop "Ineedaminute"Shesatdownonastonebenchthatlookedoutoverthewater There wassuchsadnessandrageinhereyesthatPersephonelookedaway.
"Ihadnoideathiswashappening Ididn'tfeel "Isisbrokeoffandclearedherthroat "Ihaven'tscryedinalongtimeto seewhatwashappeningintheworld."
Persephonesatbesideherandtookherhand."Noneofitwasyourfault.Youhadyourreasonsforwantingtohideyourself here."
"They don't seemlike good ones now." Isis brushed a stray tear off her cheek. "I was so tired. You are such a young goddessinyearsandpower IwasstillheartbrokenoverOsiris'sbetrayalwithmysister IwassoangryathowEgyptfellto theRomans.Iwasnousetoanyone.Idecidedtoretreat.ThatwaswhenIrealizedtherewereotherslikeme.Goddesseswere beingforcedfromtheirsacredtemplesandgroves Oneswhohadbeensomistreatedbythosewhousedtolovethem Ifounda newpurposeherebecauseofit."
Persephonedaredtosqueezeherhand."Itisawonderfulplace.Noone,leastofallme,wouldevertrytomakeyouleave it. Ijustwantyouto know the world has changed so muchsince the Romans. There are manynew wonders thatyoumight enjoy, and I know for a fact Anubis, Set, and Thothwould all like to see youagain. All three of their consorts are lovely women"
"Iwillthinkaboutit.I'mhappyforallofthem,asIamhappyforHadesfindingyou,"Isisreplied. "Findingme,kidnappingme,eitherone,"Persephonesaidwithasoftlaugh "Ididn'tthinkanyonewouldlovemelikehe does."
"Thenwhywereyousoscared?"Isispressedgently.
Persephoneplacedherhandsonherstomach "I'mnotscaredofHades I'mscaredofme" SheshowedIsisherhands,lettingmagiccurlblackandgoldaroundthem.
"Lifeinonehandanddeathintheother WhatifIlosemytemperandaccidentallykillmybabiesbygrabbingthemwiththe wronghand?Whatifmymagichurtsthembeforetheyareevenborn?IknowHadeswillbeagoodfatherandthathewillrise
tothechallengelikehealwayshas.Butme?Iwouldn'tknowwheretostart."
"Allmothersfeelthisway."IsistookPersephone'srighthand,andthedarknessswirledaroundherfingers."Youwouldn't harmanyone withthis simplybylosingyour temper Youknow the costinvolved intakinga life, and youwouldn'tdo itby accident.Childrenhaveawayoflettingusfixthehurtsofourpast.Yourmotherwoundissodeepthatyouarelettingitcloud yourjudgmentonthematter"
"Iknowthat,butIalsodon'tknowhowtofixit,"Persephoneadmitted.
"WhenNephthys leftAnubis to be eatenbyjackals, Ihad a choice Did Iletmyrage and paintowards myhusband and sistercostthelifeofaninnocentchild,ordidItrytohelphim?"Isisletherhandgo."WhenIfoundhim,Ihadamoment,the briefestflashof'ShouldIkillhim?'Itwasoneoftheworstmomentsofmylife.Then,thisfilthy,half-wildboysmiledatme, andIknew Icouldnevergothroughwithit Anubiswashow Ihealedmywound Hewastheblessinginthewholehorrible mess.I'mnotsayingitwouldhelpyoutohavethesechildrengrowinginyou,butitmight.Borngodsaresorare,andwhenthey comeabout,itisbecausetheworldwillneedthemandwhateverabilitiestheywillhave AllofZeus'ssonsyouhaveinyour Courtareblessings,aretheynot?Andtheyweretheonesheneverwanted."
PersephonestaredoutatthewaterandtriedtoprocessIsis'swords "Ashirahsaidthattheywillgrowfast HowcanIkeep upwithchildrenthatmaturesoquickly?"
"Youaskfor help. Theywill have a village ofgods to help raise them. Hecate and the others will ensure thattheycan harnesswhateverpowertheywieldastheygrow TherehasbeensomuchhurtwiththegodsintheCourtthatchildrenmight bringjoyandnew beginnings,"Isis said,her eyes flashingwithmagic.Thehair roseonPersephone's neck.Hadshemadea prediction?
WhenIsis said no more, Persephone tried to imagine two younggods runningaboutwiththe Courtwatchingover them. Hermes would teachthemall sorts ofmischief, and Medea, Circe, and Hecate would show themhow to wield their magic. CharonwouldshowthemhowtodriveandMedusahowtousetechnologybetterthananyofthem.Erebuswouldteachthemto cheatatcards,andThanatos wouldshow themhow tofighthonorably.AsterionandAriadnewouldundohis hardworkand showthemhowtofightdirty
ThemorePersephonethoughtaboutit,themoresheknewIsiswasspeakingthetruth.EventheEgyptiangodswoulddote onthemlikeunclesandaunties
"Youareright.Ialreadyhaveavillagethatwouldhelpthem,"Persephonesaid,hereyesfillingwithtears."Theywouldn't growupaloneandscaredofwhotheyarelikeIdid.I...IthinkIwantthem.Ijustneededtogetusedtotheidea.Ineedtotalk toHades.Ah,hells,he'sgoingtobesomad."
Isis laughed. "Nota lotmakes Hades mad. He will be shocked butwill rise to the occasion. He always does. Restfor tonightandlookatgoinghometomorrow SpeakwithAshirahandtheothersifyouareworriedaboutthepregnancy Youhave supportheretoo."
Persephonewashuggingherbeforeshecouldcheckherself Tohersurprise,Isishuggedherback "I'msogladyoucametome,Persephone.Alwaysknowthatyouarewelcomehere,"Isissaid,strokingherhair."Thereare plentyofmothersthatcantakecareofyoutooandhelpmendwhathasbeenbroken."
Persephonesniffed "Hadessaysthatyoumakeyourownfamily" "Hewasalwaysthewisestofhisbrothers,"Isisrepliedfondly."Hemarriedyouafterall."
HermeshadalwayslovedEgypt.Helovedthemagicandtheheatandtheexcellentbeer.Heneverconsideredgoingthere abadidea,especiallynowthatheknewthatThothwouldn'tsmitehimforfun Well,Thothwouldthinktwiceaboutitin anycase.
Goingto Agilka Island to tryand find Persephone seemed like a bad idea. Hades wouldn'tbe satisfied until he verified whetherhecouldreachIsis'sislandornot Hermeswasn'tabouttolethimgobyhimself HewassurprisedThothdecidedto comethough.
Theyhad left Kema and Selene at the house inAlexandria If Hades did incur Isis's wrathbytryingto tread where he wasn'twelcome,bothThothandHermeswantedtheirbelovedsfarfromthere.
AgilkaIslandwasfullofbeautifuloldtemplesthatmadeHermesfeelhisage Herememberedwalkingamongstthemwhen theyhadbeenintheirglorydaysandintheiroriginalpositions.Still,itwasnicetoseewhatwasthere.Hadesdidn'tseemto noticeanyofit.
"Iwouldliketoreiteratethatthisisabadidea,"ThothsaidfromwherehewalkedbesideHades "Iheardyou,andyouarewelcometoleave."Hadesstoppedwalkingandpinchedthebridgeofhisnose."I'msorry.Idon't meanto snap atyou Ijustneed to know for sure that's where Persephone has gone Ican'thandle " Hades cuthimselfoff beforehecouldshowweakness.Itdidn'tmatter.EveryoneknewPersephonewashisweakestspot.
Unless she's pregnant, Hermes thought to himself He had seen the footage of Persephone outside the clinic and was surprisednoonehadconsideredpregnancy.
Hermeswasn'tabouttomentionittoHades,evenasastraythought.Hemightstillbealittlecrazy,despitethecurseZeus put on him being broken, but Hermes wasn't a total idiot Losing Persephone was already too complicated for Hades to process.Addinginthepossibilitythatshecouldhaveabuninheroven,Hadeswouldteartheworldaparttogetherback. "Youaresuspiciouslyquiet,"Thothsaid,steppingbesidehim "Youwouldn'tbehidinganything,wouldyou?" "Me?WhywouldIdothat?"Hermesasked,makinghiseyesbigandinnocent. Thothglared."IhatehowmuchyoulooklikeKemawhenyoudothat."
"Iknow,"Hermescrowed.
Thesunwassetting,andthehumanswereallpilingontoboatsasthetemplesandmonumentsbegantobeclosedupforthe night "HowdidIsisconvinceyoutokeepthisislandasecretforsolong?Anubisisgoingtobepissedwhenhelearnsaboutit."
"Anubishasnoreasontobe HeknowsIsisaswellasI Hewouldratherdiethanbreakapromisetohismother Hewill understandwhyIfeltIhadtodothesame.Shedidn'twanttobedisturbed,"Thothreplied. Hermescockedabrowathim."Sowhatyou'resayingisyourmagicisn'tstrongenoughtobreakwhateverwardsIsishas aroundtheisland?"
"Iknowwhatyouaredoing,anditwon'twork,"Thothreplied.ThebristlinginhisshoulderstoldHermesitabsolutelywas working "I'venevertriedtodisturbherpeace,andIsishasalotmorethanwardsprotectingher"Thothglancedattherising moonandawayagain."Hadeswon'tfindhiswaytherewithouttrouble." Hadeswasinfrontofthemandignoringthemboth Hestoppedatapartofatemplewithstepsleadingdownintothedark water.
"Shewashere,andhertrailends,"hesaidandsatdownonthetopstep.Hermessatdownnexttohimandconjuredthree beers "Thereareworseplacestobeintheworld,"hesaid,handingoutthedrinks.Theyallneededone.Thethreegodssatand staredoutatthewater
"Doyouthinksheisokay?"Hadesasked,hisgrayeyestroubled.
"Persephonecantakecareofherself,"Hermesreplied,lookingatThoth. "Absolutely.Sheisstrongandveryresilient,"Thothhurriedtoadd."Also,Isiswillwelcomeandadoreher."
"ButwillIsisgiveherbacktome?"Hadesgrumbledanddrankamouthfulofbeer
"Iamnotkeepingher away,"awomansaidfrombehindthem.Hermesalmostleapedoutofhisskinandspilledbeer all overhishand Isiswasstandingbehindthem Theyscrambledtotheirfeet
"Hello,Isis,"Hadessaidandboweddeeply.Isisheldherhandstohim,andHadestooktheminhisown."IsPersephone withyou?"
"Sheis onmyislandandis well,UnseenOne.Enjoyingthecommunionoftheother goddesses inmycare,"Isis replied. ShebeamedatHermesandThoth."Iseeyouhavebroughttroublewithyou."
Hermesbenttokisshercheek "Nicetoseeyou,gorgeous It'sbeentoolong"
"Ithasbeenanage."IsismovedtoembraceThoth."Ihavemissedyou.Ihearyouhavefinallyfoundyourselfaconsort." "Kemafoundme,"Thothrepliedwithasmile "I'msorrythatIcouldn'tdeterthesetwofromcomingheretodisturbyou" "IknewHadeswouldn'tstayawayforlong."IsisletThothgo."Persephoneismissingyouandwillreturntoyousoon." "Doyouknowwhysheranfrommeinthefirstplace?"Hadesasked,poorlyhidinghishurt
Isis rested a hand onhis cheek. "She was scared ofherself, notofyou. It's notmyplace to saymore. She will tell you everything.Shejustneedstoknowwhatshe'sgoingtosay."
Hermes bithis tongue to stop himfromaskinganyinappropriate questions IfPersephone was goingto be backsoon, it wouldbebetterifhekepthismouthshut.
"Anubismissesyou,"Thothinterruptedthem "YoushouldseehimwithTahirah Itwouldmakeanymother'sheartglad" Isisletoutasmallsigh."SoPersephonetellsme.Iwillcomeandvisitallofyousoon.It…Ithasbeentoolong." "AsmuchasIhatetoadmitit,maybethehumansneedyouagaintoo,"Thothcommentedandrubbedhischin."Theyneed somethingtobelieveinagain,andyouwerealwayssoeasytobelievein.Theyareforgettinghow tocope,how tolive,and howmuchmagicisintheworld.Thestarsaremoving,andtheageofPiscesisending.Itwouldbeagoodtimetoreturn.The birthofanewageisalwaysaninterestingtime"
IsisconsideredThoth'swordsevenasHermestriedtoimaginehowweirditwouldbeifhumanswereopenlyworshipping themagain Hades and the Courthad their ownkind ofstrange celebrity, butThothwas right Itwas anexcitingtime to be alive.
"Please don'tcamp here for the night, Hades," Isis said. "Persephone will returnto youinthe morning. Ihave no doubt aboutit.GowithThothandHermesnow.TrustmewhenIsayPersephoneissafeinmycare."Shekissedthemallbeforeher iridescentwingswrappedaroundher,andshewasgone.
Hadesstaredatthewater,andHermesputanarmaroundhisshoulders "Comeon,uncle Let'sgoandseewhatexcellent alcoholThothhasinhiscellars."
"Imightevenletyoudrinksome,"Thothsaid,openingadoorwaytoAlexandria HermeshadtophysicallyturnHadesawayfromthewater.Hewentthroughthedoorwayasenthusiasticallyasamangoing tothegallows.
Hermesglancedacrossthewater Come home soon, Persephone Or we will all suffer for it
KemaandSelenesatinThoth'skitchen,drinkingginandtonicsandeatingpistachiocookiesthatthehouse'smagicalways offeredKemawhenshewasstressedout Sheshuffledherdeckofcardstokeepherhandsbusy Thothstillwasn'tback withHadesandHermes,andshedidn'tlikeit.
"Theyaregoingtobefine,"Selenesaid,readinghertooeasily.Shefinishedbraidingherhairandtieditoff."Hermeswill makesureHadesdoesn'tdoanythingtoorash"
Kema stopped shuffling. "Have youactuallymet Hermes? If Isis has managed to hide herself onsome kind of magical island,youknowbothHermesandThothwillwanttoknowhow Theywon'tbeabletohelpthemselves"
"Iwasn'tworrieduntilyousaidthat,"Selenecomplained.Herbraidfinished,shesippedherginandtonic."Areyougoing topullsomeofthosecardsorjustkeepplayingwiththem?"
"I'mdebatingthemeritsofit.Ihavesuspicions,andiftheyareconfirmed,Idon'tknow how Iwill keepmymouthshut," Kemareplied.Shereshuffledthedeck.
EversinceshehadbeenlearningmoreabouthermagicwithHermesandThoth,hercardshadbeendoingstrangethings Thepictureswouldchangeastheypleased,andsometimestheytoldherthingsshewasbetteroffnotknowing.
Kemascrewedupher eyesandflippedthetopcard TheEmpress Shewassittingonathroneinaflowinggownwitha crownofflowersonhergoldenhair.Shehadaroundedbellyandbreastsandacornucopiaofrichesatherfeet.
"Well,shit,"shemuttered
"What?What'swrong?"Seleneasked,peeringacrossthetableatthecard."Oh.Thatlookslike..." "Persephone.Iknow.Shit.Noticeanythingelse?"Kemaheldupthecardtoher.
"She'spregnant,"SelenegaspedandthenlookedaboutherincaseHadessomehowstoodbehindher "Holycrap" "Yousee?ThisiswhyIwasreluctanttopullacard!"Kemasaidandquicklyshovedthecardbackintothedeck.
Selenechewedonherlip "Wecan'ttellanyoneuntilshedoes Darkhells,it'sstartingtomakesensewhysheran Iwould havedoneitaswell,justtothinkthingsthrough."
"Yousaythatlike Hermes wouldn'ttrackyoudowninstantly.He could've foundPersephone andgone straighttoher.He didn'tbecausesheaskedhimtogivehertime."Kemadrainedhergin."Thothtoldmeit'sHermes'swayofbeingpolite."
"Hermeswouldknow ifIwaspregnantstraightaway.Thecaduceuswouldtell him.PoorPersephone.Iwonderwhyshe didn'tcometomeorAyla Wearethemedicalprofessionalsinthefamily!"
Kema shookher head. "Yousaw that footage ofher outside the clinic. She was freakingout and obviouslynot thinking clearly Besides,thisfamilygossipsworsethanabunchofaunties Sheleftbecauseshedidn'twanteveryoneinherfacewhile processing.Shewassmart."
Selenegotuptorefillherginandtonic."Weneedtokeepthistoourselves."
"Agreed.I'mnotgoingtotellHades.IlikeAlexandriathewayitis…"KemastoppedtalkingasshesensedThoth'smagic burningthroughtheair.Thefeelofitstillmadeherheartbeatfastandherbreathcatch.
HadesappearedthroughthedoorbeforeHermesandThoth Herlovergaveheraconcernedlook Healwaysknewwhen shewashidingsomething.Shegrinnedathimandlookedhimoverwithinteresttodistracthim.Notthatshehadtopretend.It wasn'tjustThoth'smagicthatstillmadeherbreathcatch Atinytickinthecornerofhismouthwasenoughtotellherthathe knewittoo.ShetorehereyesawayfromhimandlookedbackataforlornHades.
"Whatwentwrong?Youlooklikeyou'vebeenkickedintheballs,uncle,"Kemasaid. "Somethinglikethat I'mgoingtohaveashower,"Hadesreplied,hisvoicelowandsubdued "Youknow where your suite is. The house will have freshclothes for you," Thothsaid, and inanawkward displayof affection,hepattedHadesontheback Kema'smildconcernforhimratchetedup Thothmusthavebeenreallyworried "Don'ttaketoolong.YouneedtohelpmeraidThoth'scellars.Whoknowswhatmonstershehasprotectingthem?"Hermes
called after him. He grabbed another two beers fromthe fridge, and theyall waited until Hades had gone before turningon eachother.
"Whathappened?"Seleneasked,tuggingHermesintotheseatbesideher Sheranherhandsoverhim,checkingforwounds She had givenup full-time nursingyears ago, butKema figured there were some things thatnever changed. Selene was the nicestpersonyoucouldevermeetuntilsomeonetriedtofuckwithHermes "I'mfine,LadyMoon,"Hermessaid,kissingherforehead."Isiscametoseeusontheisland."
ThothsatdownnexttoKemawithatiredsigh Underthetable,hishandtookhers "Whatdidyouseeinyourcards?" Kema leaned over to check Hades wasn't lingering in the hallway. "I pulled the Empress, which had changed to Persephone'slikeness."
"Andshewaspregnant,"Selenesaid,slappingherhandoverhermouth "Iknewit,"HermesandThothsaidatthesametime.
"Youknew?"Kemademanded
Thothshrugged. "Itwas justa guess. Isis is a mother goddess. Persephone had a bad relationship withher own, butshe wouldhavewantedapersonwiththatenergytotalkto Itwasn'thardtoputtwoandtwotogether"
Theroarofamotorcycleechoedfromthebackofthehouse,andKemarosetogetanextratwobeers.SetandAylacamein withsmilesontheirfacesuntiltheysaweveryonesittingaroundthetable.
"Whythegrimfaces?SomethingtodowithPersephonerunningoff?"Setasked,takingthebeerfromKema Hehuggedher, enclosingherinhisscentofspicydesertair,leather,andatouchofgrease.HeworehisusualT-shirt,jeans,andscuffedboots, hislonghairpulledbackinalazyponytail
Ayla lookedwindsweptandgorgeous,as usual.How she managednottogethelmethair frombeingonthe backofSet's bikeneverceasedtosurpriseKema.Sheneverlookedsweatyordirty.
TheonlytimeKemadaredtogetonthebackofSet'sbike,shereturnedwithsnarlsinherhairandthefeelingofsandygrit inherteeth.IthadbeenlotsoffunjoyridinguntilshefoundanirateThothwaitingforher.
"Youreallyshouldn'tphraseitthatway,love Persephoneisupset,butshewillbeback,"AylachidedSetgently,takingher beer.
"Howdidyoutwofindout?"HermesaskedandsentaglareinThoth'sdirection "Ineversaidaword!"Thothshotback.
Setgrinned."Bellonacalledme.SaidshehadmetPersephoneinEgyptbutwouldn'tsaywhere."
"She's with Isis on a magical island no one but lost goddesses can get to," Hermes said. Set's bottle slipped fromhis fingers,andThothcaughtitwithhismagicbeforeithitthefloor.
"Isisisback?WeneedtotellAnubis,"Setsaid,takingbackhisbeer
"SheneverleftEgypt,"Hermesreplied,andKemakickedhimunderthetable."What?EveryoneelseknowsthatThothkept itabigsecret"
"Whyareyoulikethis?"ThothsnappedatHermes."DoyouneedmetocheckifZeus'scurseisback?Becauseyouseemto bemoreinsanethanusual."
"Justtellhim,Feathers"
KemasqueezedThoth'shandtokeephimfrombootingthemall outofhishouse.Thothgaveinwithagrowl ofirritation andtoldSetandAylaaboutIsis,theisland,andPersephone
Bytheendofit,Setwasrubbingathistemples."IhopethismagichouseofyourshasafullystockedfridgebecauseI'm goingtoneedtocooksomethingtodealwiththisstress"
"YoubetterplanoncookingforacrowdbecauseIthinkweneedtogetAnubisoverhere,"Aylasaid,chewingonherlip. Setnoddedandpulledouthisphone."I'llcallhim."
"Shouldwebringmorepeopleheretonight?WearegoingtooverwhelmHades,"Thothargued Kemacouldseehissocial batteryvanishingbeforehereyes.
"Hadesisaheartbroken,volatiledeathgodrightnow Ifhedecidestoloseit,onlyAnubishasthepowertocontainhim," Setsaid,gettingtohisfeetandheadingintothecourtyard.Heputhisphoneuptohisear."Hey,Tahirah,areyoutwobusy?We haveasituation "
Kemagotupagain.ShecouldseethetwitchinThoth'seye,whichwasneveragoodsign."Hey,handsome,canyougive meahand?Iwanttomakesurethehousehasbuiltenoughroomsforeveryonetonight,andthemagicfeelsabitfunny."
"Whatdoyoumeanfunny?"Thothasked,butKemawasalreadytugginghimtohisfeet "I'llshowyou.Comewithme,"sheinsisted."Thislotwillbefineontheirownforabit."
Thothfollowedwithaconfusedlookonhisface "Iwouldfeelifthemagicwasn'tworkingproperly,Kema"
KemadraggedhimthroughadoorthatendedupbeingacupboardofbooksThothhadprobablyforgottenaboutstoring.She pushedhimupagainstthedoorandkissedthenoiseofsurpriserightoutofhismouth.Thoth'shandsslidaroundherwaistand pulledherupagainsthim.Kemadidn'tstopkissinghimuntilthetensioninhisbodysoftened.
"Youokay?"sheasked,pullingbackfromhimtocatchherbreath.
Thothrestedhisfaceonthesoftslopeofher neck."Theynever stoparguing.EveryoneisactingsooffendedthatInever toldthemaboutIsis.Icouldn'tbreakmypromisetoher.Theydidn'tseehowbrokenshewasbeforesheretreatedtothatisland. Ithoughtshewasgoingtodestroyherself Ididn't "
Kemapressedakissonthebloominglotustattooonhisfirmbicep."Youwereworriedaboutherbecauseyoucare.That's nothingtobeashamedof Theothersareshocked,asAnubiswillbe Theywillgetoverit"
"Andiftheydon't?"Thothasked,liftinghisbronzegazetohers.
"Thentheypoutfor a bitandleave us alone for a few months,"Kema said,nippinghis bottomlip "Come tothinkofit, theremightbesomebenefitstohavingyoualltomyself."
Thoth'shandsslidtoherassandgaveitafirmsqueeze."Don'tturnmeonbeforeafamilydinner.It'sacruelandunusual punishment"
"Youlove that about me. Youwill really love what I have inmind to do to youlater if we canget throughthis dinner withoutanyfights,"Kemasaidandwaggledherbrowsathim
Thothhummedandranhislipsoverhers."Depends.Whatdoyouhaveinmind?"
"Getthroughdinner,andyou'llfindout,"shereplied
"Cruelandunusual,"herepeated,kissingheragain."ThankyoufordistractingmeandpullingmeintoastrangecupboardI forgot I'vebeenlookingforthat!"Hepulledabookofftheshelfbehindher."ItbelongedtotheHouseofWisdominBaghdad and "
Kemalaughedsoftlyandputahandoverhismouth."Don'tgetdistracted,mylove."
Anechoofpowershudderedthroughthehouse,andKemaknewAnubishadarrived Thothtuckedthebookunderhisarm sohedidn'tmisplaceitagain.
"Iloveyou,youknowthat?"hesaid,runningathumboverhercheek. Kemagrinnedwickedly."Sucker."
"Move,"hesaidandgaveherassatap."Let'sgetthisoverwithsoIcantakeyouupstairsandmakeyouorgasmuntilyou cry"
Kema'shandpausedonthedoorknobasherbrainstoppedworking."Youknowwhat?Ichangedmymind.I'msuretheycan livewithoutus"
Thothnudgedherforward."Toolate.Theyareyourfamily."
"Andyours!"
"Youinvitedthemhere.Seewhathappenswhenyoutellpeoplewhereyoulive?NowonderIsisstaysonanislandnoone cangetto,"Thothsaid,andtwistinghisfingerswithhers,theyreluctantlyleftthecupboard.KemacouldonlyhopePersephone cametohersensessoon,orshewouldgotoIsis'sislandandbringherbackherself
Persephonestrolledthroughthelibraryandlightlytouchedthebooksandscrollsstackedontheshelves.
What Thoth wouldn't give to get his hands on these? shethoughtwithagrin Maybehealreadyknewtheywerethere "Areyoulookingforanythinginparticular?"Isisasked,appearingunobtrusivelyatherelbow.
"Iwouldn'tknowwheretostart.Wheredidallthesecomefrom?"Persephoneasked.
Isisranherfingersoverthesmooth,darkwoodoftheshelves "SomeofthesecamefromEdfu,othersfrommytemplein Philae.ThoseolderstillwerewrittenbymeaftertheGreatFloods.Ma'atandThothwroteapartofthecollection.Thereare fewwrittenbyauthorsandphilosopherstheworldhaslost Ashirahhaswrittenaboutherworship,becausesheknowsallher sacredbooksandhistoryhavebeendestroyedbymenseekingtocontrol thenarrative.Asisthewaythroughall ofwomen's history"
Persephone'sheartached."I'mgladsomeofitsurvived.Maybeatimewillcomewhenhumanityneedsitoncemore." "Thatismyhope."IsisslidherarmaroundPersephone'sastheywalkedthroughthestacks."Now,doyouhavequestions formeaboutthebabies?"
Persephonehadbeenthinkingaboutitallnight."Howlongdoyouthinkthepregnancywilllast?"
"FromwhatIhaveseeninothergoddesses,aboutthreemonths Divinechildrengrowfast Itcanbecatastrophiciftheyare notguidedasmuchaspossibleduringthistime."
Persephonedidn'tlikethesoundof'catastrophic'"Howdoyoumean?"
"Imagineateenagerhavingatantrum,andtheyhavethepoweroverwater.Theydon'tgettheirway,andsuddenly,theNile hasfloodedandkilledthousands,"Isisexplained."Guidance,Persephone.Theymustbeincontroloftheirabilities.Myadvice istokeeptheminElysiumuntiltheyhavethatdiscipline ThehumansaredoingenoughdamagetotheEarthwithoutthehelpof agod."
"Whenyousaytheywillgrowfast,howfast?"
Isisshrugged."Atleastthreetimesfasterthanahuman.TheCourtwillbeabletotellyoutheirindividualexperienceswith it.Theycandiffer."
"PerseusandIarehalf-humananddevelopedatanormalspeed.Imean,IgotbreastswhenIwasabouteleven,butIwasn't suddenlyinafullyadultbody,"Persephoneargued.
"Thesechildrenofyourswillonlyhaveasmallamountofhumanityinthem YourpowerhasonlygrownsinceHadesmade youhisconsort.Yourabilitiesaredualisticandextraordinary.Idoubttherewill beasingle'normal' thingaboutthechildren youcreate Theywillbeutterlyunique"
Persephone rubbed her tummy. "Utterlyunique. Do youhear that, babies? Beingunique doesn'tmeanfiftyheads like the Hekatonkeires."
Isislaughedsoftly."Idon'tseeachanceofthat.I'mgladthatyouhavedecidedtokeepthem."
"I'mscaredshitless,butIknowpeoplewillhelpme.I'mnotalone.Theywon'tgrowupbrokenandunlovedlikesomanyin the Courtdid," Persephone said She had stayed up late the previous evening, watchingthe moononthe water and thinking throughalltheprosandcons."TheonlythinglefttodoistalktoHadesaboutit."
"Hemissesyou,"Isissaid,andseeingherconfusedexpression,sheexplained "HewasatAgilkalastnightwithHermes andThoth."
"Ohno.Weretheypolite?Hermesdidn'ttrytoundoyourwardsoranything,didhe?"
Isissmiledandshookherhead "No FromwhatIgathered,theywerethereforemotionalsupport" Persephoneswallowedthehardlumpinherthroat."HowmadisHades?"
"Hedidn'tseemmadatall Justworriedandmiserablewithoutyou"Isistouchedthesilverbluelotusflowerpendanton hernecklace."Ican'trememberwhatitfeltliketobelovedlikethat."
Persephonedidn'tknowwhattosaytomakeherfeelbetteraboutthat.Sheknewwhatshehadtodothough."Willyoutake metohim?"
Isisnodded "OfcourseIwill"
Timedidn'tworkthesamewayontheisland.PersephonehadsaidgoodbyetoLaverna,Ashirah,andMagdalenainthesun, thenshegotontoIsis'sreedboatandsailedintothedusklight
AgilkaIslandlookedabandonedastheycamenearit.Persephonespottedonelonefigureleaningagainstastonepillarwith hisarmscrossed Herheartdouble-timedasHadeswalkedtothewater'sedgeandheldahandouttoher Persephonetookit, andhehelpedherfromtheboatbeforeassistingIsis.
"Ipromisedtobringherbacksafeandsound,"Isissaid,breakingtheawkwardsilence.
"Thankyou,IsetemRenuNebu,"Hadesrepliedandbowedtoherformally IsisturnedtoPersephone."Isthereanythingelseyouwishtoaskme?"
Persephone quicklyleaned inand whispered inher ear Isis tilted her head backand laughed so loudlythatPersephone blushed."Oh,that'sperfectlysafetodo."
Stillchuckling,IsistookoffhersilvernecklaceandheldittoPersephone "Takethiswithyou Ifyouhaveproblemswhen your time is upon you, snap the pendant, and I will come to you. Good luck to you both. Treat your wife well, Hades. Otherwise,nexttime,Imightkeepher."
"Mywifewill beluckyifIever lether outofmysightagain,"Hades replied,his voicelikegravel Isis grinned,kissed Persephone'scheek,andreturnedtoherboat.
"Whatdidshemeanaboutyour time?"Hadesasked,finallyturningtolookather Persephoneswallowedandshiftedherfeet.Hadesliftedherchinwithhisfingeruntilshehadnowheretolookbuthiseyes. Herownstartedfilling.
"I'mpregnant,"shewhispered."Withtwins."
PersephonehadneverseentheexpressionthatcrossedHades'sface.Hewasshockedtohiscore.Itseemedtopassinthe blinkofaneyebecausehesuddenlygrabbedhertight Shadowsexplodedaroundthem,andPersephonebarelyhadtimetorealizewhatwashappening.
Theyfell throughadoorwayintonothingness,andthenshewasstandinginHades'sbedroominthepalaceinElysium A table and chairs were in one corner, and a large bed was covered in blue and black linen. Soft rugs of the same colors decoratedthestonefloors.
Hadessatheronthebedbeforecarryingachairfromtheothersideoftheroomandsittinginfrontofher.
"Saythatagain,"hesaid.Gonewasthehumanguisethatheregularlywore.Helookedthewayhedidwhentheytookon DariusDrakos,fullydivineandfullypissed Hewasn'twearinghisarmor,buthishairwaslongeraroundhisshoulders,andhe waswearingablackandsilver exomis withshadowscurlingabouthisfeet.Persephonewasscaredandturnedonatthesame time Itsuckedhowmuchshewantedtocrawlintohislapandstaythere
"Iampregnantwithtwins.Ifoundoutafewdaysago,andIfreakedthefuckout,which,tobehonest,Istillam,"shesaidin ahurriedburst."IheardIsissummoningmetoherisland,soIconvincedthetwo malakas whotriedtokidnapmetotakemeto her"
"Whydidn'tyoucometome?"Hadesasked,histonehurt.
"BecauseIneededtofigureouthowIfeltaboutitwithoutyouoranyoneelseintheCourtgettinginmyfaceaboutit!It'smy bodyandmylife.Youknow how Ifeel aboutmothers,andIhadtofigureouthow Ifeltaboutbecomingonemyself.You..." Persephonetookadeepbreathandtriedagain "Youmakemewanttogiveyouwhateveryouwant IloveyoumorethanIlove myself,Hades,butinthiscase,Ihadtochoose me. "
Hadesleanedbackinhischair."Iunderstand.Sowhatdidyoudecidetodo?"
"Iwanttokeepthem Iknowit'snotwhatyouexpectedandthatit'sgoingtochangeourentirelives I'mstillterrifiedfor themandme.ButIwantthem,"Persephonereplied,herhandscrumplingtheskirtofherdress."Willyousaysomething?"
Hadesreachedoutandbrushedthetearsoffhercheekswithhisfingertips
"I love youmore thanI love myself as well, baby," he said, restingher forehead against hers. "I'mscared too. I never thoughtthiswouldhappentome,butI'mhappyaboutit"
Persephone looked up insurprise and saw that he was smilingat her. "Mybeautiful sunshine girl, how could Inot be? Anythingyoubringintomyworldisablessing,andthesechildrenwillbethesame."
"Ithoughtyouwouldbemad,"shereplied,runningherfingersthroughhishair
His eyes narrowed. "Oh, I'mfurious about yourunningawayand hidingfromme, evenifIunderstand. The babies, I'm happyabout Ithoughtyouwereleavingme"
ItwassorareforHadestoshowhowvulnerablehewas,eventoher.
"I'msosorryImadeyoufeelthatway.Itwasn'tmyintention.IbarelyknewwhatIwasdoinguntilIhaddoneit.Youare thebestthinginmylife,"Persephonesaid,wrappingherarmsaroundhimandpressingherfaceintohisneck.Hadesliftedher offthebedandsettledherintohislap,whereshebelonged.
"IfIevermakeyouunhappy,youwilltellmesoIatleasthavetheopportunitytochangemyways,"hemurmuredagainst herhair."Youscaredmehalftodeath.IapologizeinadvanceforthetyrantI'mabouttobecomeforyoursafety.Ican't…Ican't loseyou,Persephone"
"Whatifthebirthisbad,andyouhavetochoosebetweenmeorthem?"shewhispered.
Hades'sgriponhertightened "Thatwon'thappen Ifitdoes,theanswerisalwaysyou Always Icanlivewithoutalotof things,butnotyou.Iwouldn'tevenwantto.I'vedoneitbefore,forsoveryfuckinglong,andIwon'tdoitagain."
Persephonepressedherselfclosertohim,herheartsofullitmadeherspeechless Healwayshadawayofmakingherfeel morecherishedthansheeverhadinherlifebefore.Therewasnothingshewouldn'tdotokeephisheartsafeandinhercare.
"I love you so damn much." She kissed himuntil they were both breathless. Then she took his hand and put it on her stomach "Areyousureyouareokaywiththis?Iknowyoualreadylookaftersomanypeople TheCourt "
"Are all old enoughand smart enoughto lookafter themselves. They will see these childrenas theirs too, just so you know,"Hadesgrumbled "Theywillinterfereasmuchaspossible"
Persephonelaughedsoftly."Iknow.Ittakessomeofthepressureoffus.I'llhavetodecidewhattodoaboutwhowillrun thecompanieswhenwearen'tthere"
"Wewillfigureitout.I'veprobablybeenhangingontoitmuchlongerthanIneedto.Styxissafeandstableenoughforme totakemyhandsoffitforawhile,"Hadessaidandnibbledonherear."I'llhavetofindotherwaystokeepthembusy."
Persephonehummed,herbodyclenchingupinthemostdeliciousofways "Likechangingnappies?"
Hades chuckled. "I'll assignthattaskto whoever is pissingme offthatday. The babies will be outofthatstage quickly anyway"
"IsisandAshirahtoldme.I'mscaredofhowfasttheywillgrow."
"Theywill,butwewillhandleit.WhatelsedidIsistellyou?"heasked,aglimmerofheatinhisgrayeyes. "ThatIcanstillfuckyourbrainsout,"Persephonereplied,makinghimsmilewickedly.
"Youalwaysaskthemostimportantquestions,"Hadessaid,twistingherhairaroundhisfingersandgivingitaslighttug. "Agoodthing,too,becauseIneedtoremindyouwhoyoubelongtoandreinforceexactlywhyrunningawayfrommeisavery, verybadidea."
Hades's hands were shaking; theyhad beensince he had gottenPersephone back, and he couldn't make themstop. The relieftohaveherinhisarmswassopalpablethathecouldbreatheagainforthefirsttimeindays
He kissed his way down her soft throat, smiling as she squirmed against his stubble but didn't move away. She smelledofflowersandtheincenseofIsis'stemple.Hewantedtorubhimselfalloverhertogethisscentonheragain,likehe was some kind of beast That's what his fear had reduced himto Hades moved his hand up her smooth, round thigh, and Persephoneshiftedtostraddlehim.
Despiteherwordsthatshewasn'tgoingtoleavehim,thefearandshockofitwasstillridinghim Heneededtotouchher everywhere,tobeinsideofher,andtofeelherheartbeatingnexttohis.
"Idoloveitwhenyoudon'twearpants,"Persephonesaidwithanaughtylittlegrinthatheadored Herhandswerealready doingsomeexploringofherown.Hewashardbeforeherfingerswrappedaroundhim,andhenevergottiredofhertouch.
"Ishouldfuckyourprettythroathoarseforthestressyou'vecausedme,"heonlyhalfteased.
"WhatacoincidencebecauseIwantyourdickinmymouthrightnow,"shereplied,slippingoutofhisgrip Hewidenedhis legsasshemovedbetweenthem.
Hadescouldn'tstopthesmugsmilethatdancedover hislips Nothingmadehimfeel likeakingasPersephonedidwhen she was onher knees before him. She licked her full lips, knowingpreciselywhat to do to tease him. Her hand wrapped aroundhisdickatthebaseandgaveitahardsqueeze
"Imissedyoutoo,"shesaidwithawinkandsuckedhiscrown.
Hades'sfingerstwinedinherloosehair,hisbodyburninginseconds."Mybeautifulqueen."Herfreehandwentunderhis clothestostrokeoverhischest Impatientbytherestriction,Hades'smagicmadetheirclothesdisappear Persephoneliftedhermouthlongenoughtowhisper,"Showoff,"beforereturninghermind-alteringassaultonhim.
Withinmoments, Hades's self-control was hangingonbya thread He looked over her gorgeous body;her breasts were fuller,andherbellyhadthesweetestlittlebump.
Shesqueezedhisballsjustenoughtomakehimgroan.Hethrustharderintohermouth,hishandsgrippingherhairtight.He hadforgottenwhowasmeanttobepunishingwhombecausehermouth,tongue,andteethweresinitself.
"Fuck, Persephone," he stammered, his breathragged. She flicked her tongue againsthimbefore deep-throatinghimand turninghisbloodtofire Hewascomingbeforehecouldwarnher Persephonedrankitdown,suckinghimuntilhebecametoo sensitive.Shekissedhisstillquiveringstomachmuscles.
"Forgivemeforrunningawayyet?"sheasked,andhepurposelynarrowedhiseyesbecauseshelookedlikethecatwhogot thecream.
"Notevena little," he said, haulingher offher red knees and onto the bed. She letouta delighted giggle. She knew he wasn't angrywithher. He never could be because she was his everything. He ranhis hands possessivelyover the rounded curveofherhipstoherfullbreasts.
"Careful Theyareabitsensitive,"shewarnedhimwithasparkleinhereyes Hadeswasn'tinamoodtobemerciful He loweredhismouthtotheirsoftcurves,hislongfingersgentlysqueezingharderandharderuntilshewassquirmingandpanting. Hesuckedonhernipplesandbreastsuntiltheywerecoveredinhismarksagain Onlythendidhebegintofeelalittlebetter
Possessive, old monster that you are.Hedidn'tcare.Shewashis,andheneededthembothtofeelit.Hepushedherfeet upandspreadherthighs.
"Sofuckingwetalready,"hepurredwithapproval Hekissedhersoftmoundoncebeforerunningthetipofhistongueover her.
"Hades "Persephonewhimpered,herhandsgrippinghisdarkhair Darkhells,hehadmissedthatsound,hertaste,thefeelofhersoft,sensitivepussyagainsthismouth.Hadesfeastedonher,
unable to containeverythinghe was feelingand wanting. His hands gripped her silkythighs, holdingher wider for himand stoppingherfromwrigglingaway.Hethrusthistongueintoher,needingmoreofthemuskysweetnessthatwashersalone.
Persephone His immortal love His perfectsunshine girl She beganto shake, and he looked up longenoughto see the brightflushthatracedalongherskin.Shecamewithastrangledshoutofhisname.ThiswashisElysium.
Persephone'sbodywasthrumminglikeshewasonelongpulseofenergy.Hermagicwasleakingeverywhereinhazygold andblacklight Hadescurledafingeraroundoneofhershadowsandgaveitaplayfultugthathadherwhimpering This wasthechaoticdarkgodshelovedbest,theonewhonooneevergottoseebuther.
Hadeskissedhiswaybackupherbodybeforetakingherpantingmouthinasearingembracethatleftherdizzy.Hemoved backfromherwithadarkgrin,grabbedherbytheankles,andliftedthemoneithersideofhisneck Heslidhisharddickinto herslowenoughtomakehergasp.
"Oh,fuck,Imissedyousomuch,"shesaid
Hades held her hips tight to him, letting her adjust. He gazed down at her with such love and longing that she almost couldn'ttakeit Hekissedtheinsidesofbothherankleswithasweettendernessthatvanishedsecondslaterashethrustharder andharderintoher.Hehadherlegslockedtohischestsoshecoulddonothingbutliethereandtakewhateverhewantedto giveher.
"Promisemeyouwon'trunawaylikethatagain,"hegrowled "Don't…Don'ttellmewhattodo,"Persephonegasped.
Hades snarled wordlessly, pullingoutofher and flippingher onto her knees Persephone gripped the sheets to keep her headupasheplungedintoherhardenoughtomakeagutturalcryburstoutofherthroat.
Hadesgrippedherhair "Promise Me"
"Ipromise...thatIwill alwayscomeback?"Persephonepanted.Ahardhandcamedownonher ass,andshesqueakedin surprise.
"Tryagain,"hesaid,smackingherothercheekbeforesqueezingithard Persephone'spussyclenched,andshewascomingwithashakingsobbeforeshecouldsayanythingatall.Hadesbrushed thehairbackfromherface,holdinghimselftighttoherassheshookaroundhim "HowaboutIpromisetotellyouwhereI'mgoingnexttime?"shesaid.
"Youdowanttomakemeinsane,"Hadesmutteredandnippedthebackofherneck.Hebeganmovingoncemore,slowand deep,whichmadehergladtheywereinElysium,wheretherewasnochanceofanyoneaccidentallyhearinghergroanlikea whore.
"Hades,"shesaid,grabbinghimbyhishandsthatwereoneithersideofherhead "NeverdoubtthatI'myours Nomatter whathappens.I'mnotgoinganywhere."
Magicinfusedherwordssohewouldknowjusthowmuchshemeantthem Heturnedherheadsohecouldkissherashe camehotinsideofher.Hisbreathwaspantingagainstherlips,andhiseyeswereallsilver.
"Myqueen,myperfectfuckingsunshine,"hewhispered,hisvoicefillingwithhisdivinepowerthatleftherheartandbody searedwithmagic,bindingthemcloserthananytwobeingscouldbe.
Afterward,PersephonelayonherbackwithHades'sheadonherchestasshetoldhimaboutIsis'sislandfullofgoddesses andalltheyhadsaid Shestrokedhissofthairandfinallyfeltatpeaceforthefirsttimeindays Hadesrestedhishandonher belly.
"Ihopeyoutwoaren'tgoingtobeasmuchtroubleasyourmother,"hewhispered Persephonesmiled."Yes,youdo."
"Better youthanme."Hades lifted his head and kissed her ribs over her thrummingheart. "Ihave a request, and I'mnot playing"
SomethinginhistonemadePersephoneriseontoherelbows."Whatisit?"
"Idon'twanttobeatyrant,butIwouldlikeyoutostayforthelasttwomonthsofthepregnancyhereinElysium AsIsis said,mypowerhereisthestrongest,andI...Ican'trisklosingyou.Ihaven'tseenyoufortwodays,andIalmostlostmymind."
