by Marie Medina
She nodded. “I think he frightens almost everyone.” She smiled a little. “Maybe not you.”
“I get frightened at times.”
She didn’t turn her head. She knew if she looked into his eyes she’d kiss him. That wouldn’t be fair to him. “We all do.”
“I have to tell you something else.”
“What?”
“It might have been a mistake, but something about this situation made Ares want to talk about the three of us. He wanted to clear the air.”
She turned to look at him. “So you did? That’s good. I don’t want you to resent him. I should never have come between you.”
“I told him.”
She stared into his eyes. “What did you tell him?”
“That I love you and want to marry you.”
“We’re already married. Did you tell him that?”
“No, and we’re not married in the true sense of the word.”
“Why did you do it?”
Hephaestus sighed. “It happened, okay? It’s amazing we both kept this secret for so long.”
Aphrodite saw no harm in confessing that she’d told Alala. He couldn’t very well get angry with her. “Things could get interesting. Alala and I talked about some issues of our own recently when she first became concerned about Persephone. I told her the entire story. She knows we’re married.”
“So Ares and Alala know?”
She nodded.
“Why did you tell her?”
“I had to tell someone. It was driving me mad.” It was the truth. Keeping their secret had been weighing on her more and more since he’d told her he wanted her back.
Hephaestus sank back against the couch, releasing her hand and drawing his arm away. “Driving you mad? I see.”
Aphrodite regretted the words she’d chosen. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
“You wanted me once.”
“Of course I did. I never said I didn’t care for you.”
“Ares said my words hurt your feelings. You told him that? That I’d hurt you with what I said during our fight that day?”
“What?” Ares had told him about that? What had he said?
“He said the things I said when this all ended before, when you were pregnant with Eros, hurt you.”
“Of course they did! I cared for you and you insulted me.”
“I spoke out of anger. I offered you all my love, and you still wanted to chase other men.”
“You forced me to marry you. I wanted my freedom.”
He leaned forward, very close to her, and touched her cheek. “I did force you to marry me. I could think of no other way to keep you. You’re the only thing I’ve ever wanted.”
She turned her head so his hand fell away. “I’ve told you I don’t love you.”
“I know.” He pulled her against him. “I haven’t touched you since that day. Tell me if you still desire me.”
She closed her eyes, but she didn’t push him away. She wanted to let him hold her. She knew how good it would feel. “It wouldn’t be fair. I’m upset and scared.” She opened her eyes. “It would be just like leading you on. I’ve done enough of that. We’re friends. I want my friend back. He’s been gone since you said you wanted me back.”
“Do you want to leave and go to the others?”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid of seeing Hera.”
He nodded. “I see. Let me comfort you then.”
“We can’t make love. The way you feel changes things.”
“I’m not trying to seduce you. That’s the difference between love and lust. I want to show you love, make you feel loved.”
She pulled out of his arms and stood up. After walking a few feet away, she said, “Do you know how much it hurts when you say things like that?”
“As much as when you tell me you don’t love me, perhaps? I simply don’t want you to forget. I don’t mean them to hurt you.”
“They do though. Do you think I get a thrill out of you wanting me so much? Do you think it’s this romantic fantasy that makes me smile and feel special?” Tears pooled in her eyes and soon began to spill down her cheeks. “Do you know how much I wanted to love Hermes because I admired him so much? How much I tried to fall in love with Ares because we were so close and had such amazing sex? I’m incapable of love! You’ll only get hurt.”
He stood and went to her. She didn’t resist when he pulled her close.
“You love more than any other being. It overwhelms you. You feel so much.”
“That’s what Ares says,” she whispered.
“He’s right.” He swept her into his arms and went back to the couch, settling her in his lap as he sat down and wrapping his arms around her.
She rested her head on his shoulder and wiped at her tears. “Can we stay like this until someone calls for us?”
“Yes.”
After a few moments, she said, “I never told you if I tried to love you or not.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I didn’t. I thought we weren’t right for each other, so I never tried. I never even considered it until the day you asked me to marry you.”
He rubbed her shoulder and turned his head a little to press his cheek to her forehead. “Does it make any difference?”
“I don’t know.” She sighed and wrapped one arm around his chest, snuggling closer on his shoulder. “I only wanted you to know. It’s not that I couldn’t love you. I never tried.”
She listened to his heart beating as he remained silent. His silence often frustrated her, but sometimes his still, silent strength was very comforting. Things would be different after this, but even she wasn’t sure yet what that might mean for any of them.
* * * *
Persephone rolled her eyes. “You’re doing this all wrong. You need to work on your ‘reveal my evil plan’ speech.”
Thanatos gripped the footboard of the bed and leaned forward. “I am trying to tell you something you should already know. Once I have power, others will be willing to admit they don’t like being ruled by the likes of Zeus and Hades. They drove out the Titans, so I’ll drive them out.”
“No one rules here. The Titans chose to leave after they got tired of the conflicts. Come on. If someone is really upset they run to Zeus or Hera, but we all live and work together.”
Thanatos shook his head and smiled. “Not down here, little one. The Underworld is still a kingdom. Once I have it, I can take Olympus.”
“Zeus will kill you first.”
His smile broadened. “You keep telling yourself that.”
Persephone was beginning to wonder where Zeus was. He could enter the Underworld. She knew he and Hades couldn’t enter the Chamber of Darkness, but what about Hypnos? Hypnos was now her best friend after Alala. She knew how much he cared for her. Now she understood why he and Thanatos were not close. It had also become very clear why he’d warned her to avoid his brother. She wished her thoughts could penetrate the room and reach him. Even though she was cut off, she could almost feel Hypnos’ sense of guilt. He’d warned her, and then that very day he’d let her be taken. She knew he would see it that way. Hades would also see it as a way in which he had failed. He had no idea she’d been able to protect herself from being raped by Thanatos. What would he be feeling if he thought that was what she was enduring right now?
“You look sad, little one. Once this is over, I won’t harm you.”
His voice sounded sickeningly sweet. He was enjoying torturing her the only way he could.
“Why do you want to rule? The work Hades does seems like a burden at times.”
“The Olympian aristocrats are spoiled brats. They need to be overthrown. Hades will still judge the dead, if I let him live.”
She glared at him, but didn’t react. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“And you’ll be one of my consorts. Dreadful shortage of blondes here. Aphrodite’s a stupid bitch. Eris may be right to be my queen. Nice and feisty.”
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nbsp; Persephone could not stop herself from laughing. “Now I know how insane you are. Eris would rip your heart out if you tried to touch her. Ares would resurrect you so he could have the pleasure of doing it too.”
“You need to start changing your tune, little one.” He came and sat on the bed, but she noted he didn’t touch her.
“And why is that? All of Olympus is going to be against you for this.”
“I cannot die.”
“Yes, you can. If Zeus can die, so can you.”
He shook his head. “No, I can’t. I am the god of death. How can I die?”
When it was put like that, it made enough sense to make Persephone nervous. “But Zeus is more powerful.”
“Zeus has grown lazy and comfortable. I can take him.”
“No, you can’t.”
Thanatos slapped her hard. He lost some skin, but as he stared at his hand he looked like he was enjoying the pain.
Persephone backed away as much as she could.
“I really don’t like that dress,” he said. He reached for her, but a crash made him jump up.
The doors of the room had splintered into a million pieces. Zeus stood there in full armor carrying a sword.
Thanatos laughed. “All the theatrical crap does you no good if you can’t get to me.”
Zeus threw a metal ball into the room, but Thanatos dodged it easily.
“Missed.”
The ball broke and blue smoke filled the room. Persephone felt her chains fall away. She glanced quickly between the two men. Thanatos was looking at Zeus. She inched toward the edge of the bed. She saw Zeus tilt his head to the side without looking at her, as if he meant for her to run from the room. She hoped he knew what he was doing.
She bolted up, but Thanatos grabbed her. He wrenched her arms behind her, and she felt a snap in her right shoulder. She screamed as the pain spread, and she realized both that he’d pulled her arm out of socket and that she wasn’t burning him.
“You seem to have lost your powers, little one.”
“Let her go!” Zeus’ voice boomed and shook the chamber. Behind him Cerberus growled.
“She’s mine now. There’s nothing you can do about it. Not a very clever trick, dissolving her chains. That the best all of you could come up with? Maybe you’d enjoy watching me make her a woman? I know how much you love her, Zeus. I’d love making her scream for you.”
An arrow came out of nowhere and hit Thanatos in his shoulder. He screamed and grabbed at the arrow. Persephone kicked at him several times and then dashed for the door when he released her. She ran behind Zeus, throwing her uninjured arm around him as her heart pounded with fear.
Zeus squeezed her hand tightly and kissed it. “I’ve released her from Hades’ spell so she can leave the Underworld. Take her to Apollo. She’s in a lot of pain.”
She looked around, but she only saw Cerberus. Then Hypnos appeared, removing the Helm of Darkness. She tried to move toward him, but suddenly every muscle in her body throbbed.
Zeus helped her into Hypnos’ arms. “Using Hephaestus’ powers has weakened her. Find Apollo. Now.”
As Hypnos carried her away, she heard Thanatos yelling after them.
“Yes, run away, as always! She doesn’t love you. She will never love you! Pandering to these fools gains you nothing! You could have everything!”
She felt weak and dizzy. “It hurts,” she whimpered as she clung to him.
Hypnos kissed her forehead. “You will sleep. Apollo can help you.”
Everything began to go dark, but she managed to say. “He’s the fool. I do love you. You’re my…friend.”
Hypnos held her closer as he moved up toward the surface. “I know, Persephone. Sleep now.”
She closed her eyes, hoping Hades would be the first thing she saw when she opened them again.
* * * *
Zeus stood glaring at Thanatos. The only thing preventing him from taking the scum’s head off was the protective barrier placed over the door. The Chamber of Darkness was Thanatos’ refuge, the one place he could change from his corporeal form. Hypnos could change into a mist anywhere, but then dreams couldn’t hurt anyone. Death could.
“I know what a coward you are, so I’m assuming you won’t come out.”
Thanatos gave him a smug look. “I could and would. Don’t feel like it now.”
Zeus threw his sword down. “What if I’m unarmed?”
“Doesn’t matter much either way.” He smirked. “You think your get up is scary?”
Zeus snapped his fingers, and his armor was replaced by black pants and a green sweater Hera liked. “I can’t say I was thinking about my appearance. I was thinking about saving someone I love. You can’t understand something like that.”
Thanatos crossed his arms. “Nope. Not one of my problems at all. Aphrodite has turned all of you mad. Everyone’s going at it, falling in love and trying to be human. Too stupid to admit marriage is little more than guaranteed sex.”
“I’m done talking. Nothing you say matters. I’m challenging you. Tomorrow at dawn.”
“I didn’t fuck her. Check for yourself. You know you want to.”
Zeus stomped his right foot, and everything around them shook. He smiled when Thanatos fell back against the fireplace.
“Judging by those burns, you tried to, you piece of filth. I’ve treated some women very badly, but I openly admit it and dare anyone to say I haven’t changed over the years. Any man who could harm that sweet child is no man at all.”
Thanatos rolled his eyes. “But the fact is I didn’t succeed. You can’t challenge me for kidnapping her. Hades is basically guilty of that, and you chose not to act then. Sets a bit of a precedent.”
“I’m the king of the gods, and I do as I please. You will come with me, and the six of us shall vote as to whether you live or die. If you choose to protest, you must fight me.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Your plan was to overthrow Hades and rule the Underworld, was it not?”
Thanatos didn’t answer.
“I’m sure you didn’t sit here in silence. I can tell by your response you told Persephone enough for us to prove it. You were warned the first time. This time you will be judged.” He took a small bag out of his pocket. It had been a present from Ares a long time ago. He removed ten metal pellets and dropped them to the ground. Each one burst into flame, and from the smoking metal arose ten Greek warriors. “You will come with us. These men cannot be killed by your touch, but it doesn’t truly matter. As soon as you step from that room, I will bind your powers.”
“You can’t make me.”
Zeus rolled his eyes this time. “You are an idiot. Your own estimation of your worth has really gone to your head. Now that Persephone is safe I’m not afraid to do this.” Zeus cleared his throat. He hadn’t used this power on anyone in a long time, but he was sure it still worked. “I, Zeus, command you. You will come with us!” His voice made the ground shake.
Thanatos walked out of the room very quickly, stumbling awkwardly as if he’d been pushed across the threshold. He lunged for Zeus, who held up his hand. Thanatos stopped and watched Zeus make a fist. Zeus smiled as he opened his hand to reveal a black marble.
“Your powers are bound here. It will be placed in your brother’s keeping. It will be his if you lose.”
Thanatos grabbed Zeus by the shoulders. Nothing happened.
“Tyrant,” he whispered as two warriors pulled him away.
Zeus followed behind as the men led Thanatos up toward the surface. Tomorrow they would meet and pass judgment, something that had not been done for nearly four hundred years. As long as the Fates didn’t intervene, he felt assured Thanatos was going to get what he deserved.
Chapter Ten
Persephone groaned. Her arm ached. She opened her eyes and saw Apollo sitting beside her, massaging her arm.
“Hi,” she said weakly.
“Hello. How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
“We were afraid you might be in shock. You should have woken up a while ago.”
“I’m not in shock. I was scared, but it wasn’t…um…” She felt very flustered suddenly, blushing under Apollo’s gaze. She looked into his eyes and quietly said, “He didn’t.”
“I know.” He placed his hand on her abdomen. “I was able to check without being, well…invasive.”
She smiled because she thought he was blushing. Wasn’t he supposed to be worldly and roguish now? She touched his hand as she remembered the silly stories he’d told her so long ago when she a little girl. She wondered how many other people in Olympus she had the wrong impression of. “Thank you. He didn’t hurt me at all until Zeus arrived. Then he got scared. He knew it was all over.” She looked around. “Where is Zeus? Where is Hades?”
He squeezed her hand with genuine affection. “Zeus has not yet returned, and Hades is outside. Shall I get him for you?”
“Yes! Who else is here?”
Apollo smiled. “Lots of people. Alala and Ares, Hera and Hypnos. And your mother.”
Persephone took a deep breath. “Let me see Hades first. Then the others can come.” She tried to smile. “I’m surprised my mother hasn’t burst through the door.”
“Hera convinced her you needed rest. I’ll bring Hades in.”
Hades burst in as soon as Apollo opened the door and said his name.
She sat up, trying to think of the very best thing to say to let him know she was all right, but he stopped her with a deep kiss. She gave in to it, and as she did so she wished they could be alone much longer.
He looked deep into her eyes when he released her. “I swear no one will ever hurt you again. Ever.”
“He didn’t hurt me.”
Hades held her face in his hands, then ran them down her neck and over her body before cradling her head in his hands again. He couldn’t seem to touch her enough. “I was going mad when I thought of what he wanted to—”
“Don’t think of things like that,” she said as she placed her finger on his lips. “He didn’t, and that’s what matters. I was scared, but the Fates protected me. He’s so much stronger than me. He didn’t have to chain me. He did though. Hypnos explained it all to me while I was sleeping.”
