by S. E. Babin
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked me.
I shook my head. The answer to that might always be never. "There will be a new and final ruler of Olympus soon," was all I said.
Although Hermes was still technically in rule, Zeus had been poised to take it back. I knew he eventually would have. Hermes was too good of a person to fight so dirty. But now, as one of the only sons left, Hermes would officially step up and be recognized as King. Typhon was also an heir, but he was part Titan. His rule would never be recognized. Something I hoped to change soon. Although we'd avoided war for now, I didn't think there would always be peace between us.
"Who?" Ivy asked me quietly.
"Probably Hermes," I answered.
Her gasp of surprise turned my head.
"Do you not like him?" I asked.
Ivy bowed her head. "The dryads...we adore Hermes," she said. "It's just a surprise. That's all."
"A good one, I hope?"
A shy smile crossed her face. "A great one."
I closed my eyes and sank into the bath, the hot water soothing my sore muscles. "Good."
Ivy patted my arm once and stood. "I've left you a towel. Call if you need any assistance."
I nodded. As soon as I heard the wooden door click, the tears came back in full force.
I was alone, and I was carrying the heir of the Underworld. My mother was dead. My father was an enormous douche canoe, and I'd killed the undisputed ruler of the Gods. I'd also technically killed The Goddess of the Hunt, my best friend. I didn't think the Fates would be able to fix her. Apologies seemed too little for what I'd done.
There was going to be massive trouble over this.
Just another normal day in my world.
I stayed in the tub until I was pruned. I had nowhere I needed to be and nowhere I needed to go. Ivy appeared to be the only dryad left in the temple, and I'd worry about that later, but she seemed content to stay here for now. I would probably need to speak with her about that. The last time I'd been here there was a full staff. I guess if there was no mistress here to boss people around it could get boring, but it would be better than getting nabbed for service in Zeus' palace.
Maybe not. I was kind of a danger to be around, especially lately.
"Ivy?" I called.
She appeared out of nowhere and I almost jumped out of my damn skin. "Where is everyone?"
Ivy lowered her eyes. "Errmm, I...let them go."
My eyebrows went to my forehead, and I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. This chick was super ballsy. I couldn't help but like her. "And why did you do that?"
Her tanned cheeks reddened. "When I arrived, your temple was in a state of -" she paused and appeared to be searching for the words. "Complete disrepair," she finished.
I tilted my head. "How much disrepair?"
"Ahhh...there was an orgy going on in your bedroom, my lady."
"Abby," I corrected immediately, even as anger shot through my veins. "Really? Wow. That's a wee bit disrespectful."
Ivy looked at me like I'd grown three heads. "A wee bit?" she echoed.
I sighed. "I haven't been back here in months. I guess if you let the monkeys out, they play. How did you handle it?"
Ivy met my gaze head-on. "I killed them all."
I couldn't help it. I burst into laughter, thinking she was joking. But my laughter trailed off as her expression didn't change. My eyebrows shot to my hairline. "Wow," I said and cleared my throat. "That seems...extreme."
"There is no extreme more than betraying an ally."
Huh. I put my arm around Ivy. "I think we're going to be great friends."
A tiny smile peeked out from her face. "I would like that."
We walked down the cool stone corridors for awhile. "Do I have any coffee left in this place?" I asked.
"Rumor has it you have the addiction. I stole some from Zeus' palace after I woke up."
I snorted. "Very good friends, indeed."
Chapter 23
After some much needed fortification, I slumped at the old knotted hardwood table, my fingers curled around the mug. Thank the gods I was immortal and didn't have to worry about how caffeine would affect the baby.
My baby.
I set the mug down and let one hand creep over to rest on my stomach. Somehow. Someway we had done it. Generations without children and Hades and I had created one with only a few rolls in the hay. Really fun rolls in the hay, that was.
I had no idea how he was going to feel about this, especially after everything that had just happened. He had ridden in and saved me, but I wasn't sure why. It could be just that he cared for me, but I didn't think that was the entire reason. Some of it was probably political and some of it was probably his strong sense of right and wrong.
Regardless, the shit had hit the fan in a pretty extreme and permanent way today. I wouldn't ever be the same, and I didn't think my friends ever would be, either.
Things would change.
Every time something major shifted within Olympus, I lost people.
Today I'd lost several people.
I put my head down on the table and took a few shaky breaths. I felt Ivy pat my hand and leave me there. Perhaps she sensed I needed some time. Maybe she was tired of hearing me cry. I didn't know
"Abby."
The voice shook a sob out of me, but I didn't have the strength to lift my head. "How did you find me?" I hated how wobbly my voice was.
Clotho sighed. "You may be unpredictable, but sometimes you're kind of predictable." She reached over and took my hand. "Look at me, please."
I sniffed and raised my head.
She smiled softly. "Everyone is gathered back at the palace. They've sent scouts out to scour Olympus and Asheville. Perhaps you should come back."
A choked laugh escaped me. "But I'm already in Olympus."
"No one thought you'd come back here, although I suspect they'll figure it out in a little while." Her eyes were as normal as they could get, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. She looked young but very tired.
"I need some time," I told her.
"Child, you need your friends. This is no time to be alone. You..." she blew out a breath and looked up at the ceiling. She started over. "You saved us all today. It might not feel like it right now, but you did."
Hades’ words trickled back to me for the second time. But at what cost?
"Hecate has passed."
Clotho nodded. "She saved your life."
My bottom lip wobbled. "I didn't want her to."
"Mothers tend to do things we don't want them to. She knew you were destined for greater things. Hecate laid down her life for you so you could rise up and be the person we need you to be."
"I'm tired of destiny."
"We all are. Life is never easy, but those beautiful moments make them worth living." She sighed. "You have beautiful things coming your way, child. But you have to fight for them."
"I don't want to fight anymore. I feel like I'm always fighting."
"Even the darkest of nights are forced to eventually endure the sunshine, Abby."
"There's something I need to do first."
Disapproval was written all over her face. "I wish you wouldn't."
"I have to."
"You don't."
I stared Clotho down. "Would you let it stand?"
Clotho stared back, but she blinked first. With an annoyed growl, she stood. "You know I wouldn't. Be careful."
"Always."
She rolled her eyes at me. "Liar."
When she left, I finished my coffee and blinked out to visit the one person who needed to pay.
The doors didn't open this time, so I blew them open and strolled right in. Angels gave me cautious glances and a wide berth.
I found God the same place he was at last time. He was drinking tea and reading a biography. Like he didn't already know everything about the guy.
Only God would do something that egotistical.
I sat down
and helped myself to a cup of his tea. I hoped it was expensive and special, and I hoped I was drinking his last cup. I'd rather drink his tears but that could wait.
"Abby," God acknowledged.
"I'd really like to kill you, but I expect Hades wouldn't be too happy with me if I did."
He scoffed. "Like you hold the power to kill me."
I sipped my tea and studied the nails on my left hand. I would kill for a manicure. "Maybe I do or maybe I don't. Either way it would be satisfying to see you in pain."
Wariness flashed over his face.
"Why are you here?"
"I'm here to ask you why," I said.
"Why what?"
"Why you would do something like that. Why you would leave me to die."
"You aren't dead."
I bit my tongue so hard I tasted ichor. "Not by choice," I bit off. "People sacrificed themselves today to keep me alive."
"Pity for them."
The teacup shattered in my hand. Hot tea ran down my arm as I stared at him. "One day. You and I are going to rumble. You think you're the only game in town, but you aren't."
"The humans would be devastated," he said, his voice dry and amused.
"Well since you made them in your image, maybe they aren't all that smart."
He set his teacup down and rested a hand over his heart. "You wound me, fair maiden."
"One day -"
"Father!" The voice was harsh.
I spun in my chair. Hades stood there. His suit was torn and covered in dust. Ichor oozed from numerous wounds on his body and he looked like Death walking, but all I wanted to do was run my fingers through his hair and kiss his hurts away.
"I wondered when you would show up, all a bristle over Aphrodite's honor."
Hades' face turned blank and deadly. "You betrayed her. You left her to die."
God slammed his hand down on the table. "I left her to live! You cannot have a Queen who demands everyone else solves her problems. You need someone powerful, someone shrewd, someone deadly." His gaze flickered over me. "I no longer think she's that person."
A smile played over Hades' mouth. "Zeus has fallen."
God's eyes widened and a pleased smile lit his lips. "Good job, son. Very well done."
Hades’ mouth tightened with disappointment. "I didn't kill him."
God's eyebrows came together in confusion. "What? Who did? Typhon? I can't believe I left before that happened. I would have loved to have seen it."
I stood. "No, you hairy freak. I did."
Hades' eyes drank me in. I was bathed but all of my wounds hadn't fully healed yet. I suspected my body was overloaded with exhaustion and weird magic. I hoped it would balance out soon because I felt strange.
"Come back with me," he said in a low voice. "We have things to discuss."
I wanted nothing more than to take him in my arms and show him how much I needed him, but I wasn't sure he would let me. He still seemed a little standoffish.
I nodded, but first I smashed God's tea set. I gave him a middle finger wave and let Hades transport me back to the palace.
As soon as we blinked in there was total chaos.
"Abby! Oh my gods, we were so worried!"
"I thought you were dead!"
On and on until I finally barked at them to stop. The only one who hadn't spoken was Uranus. He sat with his massive body perched on the edge of the fireplace, his eyes weary. Our gazes met. "I owe you an apology," he said after a moment.
I nodded. "Probably more than one."
"Aye. I do." He stood, took a few steps toward me, and I had to crane my neck to look up. He was just that big. "I have six daughters born of the Earth's mother, but none of them have ever been as fierce as you today. I say this true, Aphrodite. You will always be welcome in my home and at my table. For few of the goddesses reach for right when wrong is easier, and none have ever stood up and made the choices they needed to without doubt."
"I doubted every second."
"But you did not falter. And for that, you will rise as a hero of the Titans."
Uranus didn't seem like a hug kind of guy. He gave me a nod and disappeared from the room.
"He didn't even give me a telephone number," I said with a short laugh.
"I'm sure that isn't the last time we'll hear from him," Typhon said. His green eyes swept over my body and not in the dirty way they usually did. He was concerned. "You are still injured," he noted.
I nodded. "I think it has something to do with all the magic my mom poured into me. It has to work itself out. I feel better, though."
"Perhaps we should have Asclepius examine her," Hermes offered.
"No!" That was a terrible idea. He'd know I was pregnant right away. Such was his gift for healing and medicine. In fact, I wanted to do nothing else but avoid that dude like the plague.
Hermes' eyebrows rose. "Oookkaay. Any reason why?"
"Yes. I'll see him later perhaps. I have other things to do right now."
No one seemed convinced by that but after some half-hearted arguing they dropped the subject.
"Where is Artemis?" I asked.
No one looked at me. In fact, they looked everywhere but at me. "I know," I whispered. "It was an accident."
Typhon's mouth softened in sympathy. "She's with Clotho. She hasn't woken up yet."
I bowed my head. "I will wait to see her."
"Probably for the best," Hermes said. "The Huntress is in good hands."
I sat down in the chair Hades pulled out for me. "What happens next?"
Typhon chuckled. "Well, we figure out a way to put out the magical fire you started before it destroys Olympus."
I winced. "Sorry."
"Then we get Hermes crowned as quickly as possible before people realized there's a massive power vacuum. Right now the only people who know is us."
My brow furrowed. "What about all of those people left in the stadium?"
Hades cleared his throat. "Ah, they perished."
My shoulders sank down, horrified. "Why wouldn't they leave?"
Typhon scrubbed his hands over his face. "Not quite sure. It was almost like they'd been compelled to stay. No one knows. But, as horrible as it is, the secret of Zeus' death is only with us. We can control how the news is spread."
"Gods," I muttered. I stood and headed over to Hermes. I dropped to my knees and gathered his hands in my own. "I am so, so sorry for what happened. I didn't want to kill him. I -" I stopped. I had wanted to kill him. We both knew it.
Hermes' whiskey eyes shimmered with wetness. "Abby, my father was not a good man. I might have loved him, but it didn't mean I liked him. He was not good for any of us. If anything, you did a huge service to Olympus."
I shook my head. "I killed your father."
"I would have had him executed as a traitor anyway."
I rested my forehead on his knees. "Please forgive me."
He placed his hand on my hair. "There's nothing to forgive. Hades is looking at me like he wants to rip my throat open. Can you please lift your head and maybe step away several feet?"
I snorted and released his hands. "Sorry."
I went over to Typhon next. He raised his hands and laughed, but there was grief etched on his face. "I can't handle any more ass kickings today, Abby. Please stay far away."
I sat beside him and put my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Typhon."
"Darling girl, sometimes things happen just the way they are supposed to. I've already forgiven you, though I expect it may be awhile before you forgive yourself."
"Where is Hera?" I asked. I didn't know how I was going to handle that one. She might not have agreed with Zeus on many things, but I don't think she wanted him dead. She'd been his most stalwart supporter for millennia.
Hermes shook his head. "I...would not, Abby. She is mad with grief. I expect when she wants to speak to you, she will come to you."
That did not sound good at all. Our gazes locked. I suspected we might be back to being enemies again.
She may have fought on my side, but none of us had ever expected it to go so far south.
Typhon snorted, although nothing about any of this was very funny. "You have such a way about you and the way you make friends. It's positively magical."
A surprised laugh sprang for me. "Sometimes you're such an ass."
"I know. It's a gift." He gathered an arm around me and brought me in for a tight hug. Since we were sitting down it was uncomfortable, but I still held onto him tightly.
"Will I see you again?"
His gaze flicked over to Hades. "That's up to the big, terrifying guy over there."
The way he was staring at us was way scary. I sent him a relax message with my eyes and with a snap of my fingers put up a privacy veil that covered the both of us.
Typhon’s eyebrows rose as he realized what I'd done. "Is this it? Are we finally going to make out?" He raised his hands up in the air. "Hallelujah and all that. Take your pants off. No. Your shirt. Take that off first. And for the god's sake, get that pretty mouth over here so I can kiss it."
I snorted and shoved his face away.
I leaned into his ear.
"I'm pregnant," I whispered.
He reared back and stared at me in utter shock. "No." Typhon blinked and recovered himself with an easy grin, but I could see the questions tumbling around on his face. "Is it mine?" he quipped.
"No, idiot. But it is a secret."
He glanced at Hades again. "He's a lucky bastard, Abby. Have you told him?"
I shook my head. "I'm not sure what he wants from me."
Typhon rolled his eyes. "Darling, that man is not stupid and from the way he's staring holes into this veil, he wants to gather you up and screw you senseless. He'd be an idiot if he let you go. Hades is not and never will be an idiot." He smiled at me. "But if he is, I hope I'm the first person you call. I can raise your baby up and teach him to kill people with his mind. Like a total Jedi."
"You’re mixing your fandoms. I don't think Jedi's can kill with their minds."
He chuckled. "I can."
I turned to stare at him. "Seriously?"
"Yup."
"Good gods, man. I wouldn't make that common knowledge."
