For the Love of Hades (The Loves of Olympus) (5 page)

Would a man want another if Persephone was his wife?
He stiffened, angry with himself. He leaned his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes. He could see her hair in the sunlight, how her eyes sparkled when she smiled.

“Hades, I implore you. Come to my aid,” Hermes spoke. “Demeter thinks me a fitting husband for her daughter.”

Hades opened his eyes to find them both staring at him. “Is there a man worthy of her?”

He saw the widening of Demeter’s brown eyes, the quizzical turn of Hermes’ mouth. Had he uttered such words, aloud?

“You should be honored, Hermes, if Demeter thinks you are worthy of her.” He waited, watching Demeter smile with pleasure and Hermes sigh in defeat.

He relaxed.

“Demeter thinks you are worthy of who?” Poseidon asked, sauntering into the Council Chamber.

Hades stiffened, as did Demeter and Hermes.

Poseidon smiled. “I’ve interrupted a scheme? One you wish to keep from me?”

Hades knew his brother would not rest until he was answered. But Demeter was struck silent with shock and Hermes red with embarrassment. None would have Poseidon on Persephone’s trail or know that Demeter sought to wed her daughter.

“It is no business of yours.” Demeter’s eyes narrowed as she spoke. “Must you always meddle?”

Poseidon’s grin widened, enjoying Demeter’s frustration. And Hades’ chest tightened so that his breath grew short.

“A scheme that turns you ferocious, Demeter?” Poseidon asked.

“A nymph, wasn’t it?” Hades asked with disinterest. “She spotted fair Hermes and…”

“A nymph?” Poseidon was skeptical. “You discuss the worthiness of a nymph?”

“Young and untried, so it would seem.” Hermes was quick, thank the Fates.

Demeter spoke sharply, “An innocent. One in need of protection from you.”

Hermes laughed, albeit nervously. “I am flattered, to be sure.”

“And well you should be, for she is a lovely creature.” Demeter nodded eagerly. “Sappho was struck by Hermes when he visited.”

“Sappho?” Poseidon shook his head, staring amongst the three of them with narrowed eyes. He sighed, apparently losing interest, and took a cup of nectar before sitting on his throne. “Still dallying with nymphs, Hermes?”

Hermes laughed again, shrugging.

Hades watched closely, but could find no cause for worry. It appeared that Poseidon was satisfied, for now. And then Zeus appeared, followed by the rest of the Olympians.

It began as it always did, pointless bickering and endless boasting. There was never an end to it. Why they felt the need to compete amongst themselves, Hades knew not. The Fates had designed them to serve in harmony, one complementing the next.

But the Fates had been forgotten here, blurred in a haze of indulgence, nectar and ambrosia.

When Zeus finally brought all to order, talk of the war began. It was true, Greece struggled against their foe. Even now, troops of Persians invaded Greece’s countryside.

He saw a flash of Persephone, sitting peaceably in her tree.

This was taking too long.

“What can you share, Hades?” Zeus asked him, drawing every eye in the Chamber upon him. “Are the losses so great?”

Hades stood, confirming that Greece’s losses were staggering. He continued, “Between those brought by Chiron and Hermes I fear none will be left for Greece.” He shook his head. “If I had not seen the toll I would never have considered a reprieve.”

A murmur went up. He’d never offered a reprieve, never.

“You pardoned a soul?” Zeus was as astonished as the rest.

Hades nodded.

Again, a murmur filled the Council Chamber.

“Did you not feel it necessary to ask permission for such an act?” Poseidon regarded him.

He met the ice cold eyes of his brother and shook his head. “The Underworld is my realm. It is my choice.”

“Who is pardoned?” Zeus asked, waving a hand at Poseidon.

“Ariston of Rhodes. A mighty warrior, I hear. He served Athena in Athens, as well.” He continued, his voice calm. “He petitioned to return, to fight and serve. He asked only to be returned to his wife once the Persians are gone. I agreed.”

“It was a wise choice. He is an Ekdromoi. His skill will be needed at Salamis,” Ares nodded as he spoke. “If more could be returned, our odds would be greater.”

Hades shook his head at such a suggestion. He tested the Fates as it was.

Zeus mused, “A leader can make a great difference amongst men.”

Hades nodded. Had he not said as much to Persephone? Persephone, who waited for him in the tree… Alone.

“Then we must pray that Ariston is such a leader,” Poseidon spoke, taunting Athena with a smile. “Did he show such initiative while serving in the Temple?” Poseidon’s voice rang out, his enjoyment evident to all.

Hades watched them. Did Poseidon know Ariston? Did Athena? He feared he’d embroiled himself in something more. For Athena stared at Poseidon, her face flushed with unspoken fury. All waited, he thought, for her retort. But she said nothing; an odd turn of events, for Athena was never one to hold her tongue.

He cared not. He would leave.

“He had little chance to prove his prowess while playing caretaker,” Ares snorted. “But I’ve seen him fight. His death was
glory
. He will bring down the Persians.”

“Apparently he has the incentive to do just that.” Hera smiled. “A rare husband indeed.”

“It is, I think, rare to find such loyalty. Be it mortal or immortal,” Aphrodite said.

Hades silently agreed. Such loyalty, to a woman, was puzzling. He had yet to decide whether he pitied or envied Ariston.

“I, too, have seen this Ariston in battle,” Apollo’s words interrupted Aphrodite. “He resembles our Ares, only slightly less immortal.”

“You’ve done well, Hades.” Zeus praised his younger brother before all.

Hades face remained impassive, shielding his impatience. “Then I shall leave you,” he spoke softly as he rose.

Poseidon rolled his eyes. “You rarely venture to Olympus, brother. Why do you feel the need to quit it already?”

Hades refused to be baited by his brother. It would please Poseidon too much.

“Have you captured some nymph and stolen her away to the Underworld?” Ares teased.

“Not that I have seen,” Apollo joined in.

Hades stifled the urge to sigh. Were duty and honor so trivial? No nymph, no woman, had such a hold on him. He would never allow such trivial things to drive him.

“If the rays of your sun were as well-reaching as the cast of your eye, then Athens’ crops might fare better.” Demeter patted Apollo’s hand gently.

As gentle a rebuff as it was, her point was made. Duty trailed their pursuits for entertainment, their curious preoccupation with gossip. Hades applauded her silently.

“Can my brother be tempted with sins of the flesh?” Zeus asked, inspecting him with too much interest.

Could he? Green eyes flashed before him, making him rigid. He could not meet Zeus’s eyes.

“You tease him,” Athena snapped. “Is that not excuse enough to leave?”

Hades turned, startled by her exclamation. Indeed, all eyes turned to regard Athena.

She looked greatly troubled, more so than he’d ever seen. But her city was threatened and her people at risk. She had reason to feel troubled.

“May he prove himself worthy of your bargain,” Ares said. “Ariston, that is. I thank you for returning him to the living, Hades.”

“He was most persuasive.” He had never seen a man more desperate. It had startled him, and humbled him. Who was he to deny this man? He knew all too well the pain Ariston suffered…

“Love can be most persuasive indeed.” Aphrodite smiled.

“Or distracting,” Demeter added.

Hera shook her head. “Love can be dangerous, too.”

He held his tongue.
I know this, all too well.
But love was not his lot in life.

###

Persephone could not stop smiling. He was here.

He shook his head, but drew the horses up when they reached the meadow.

She jumped from the tree and ran to them. “You tarried.”

He turned to her, surprised. And she saw his smile before it disappeared. Oh, what a smile. She took a steadying breath as she drew closer, watching as he stepped down from the chariot car and began unlacing the team’s harness. “What of your hounds? Are they close?”

“The hounds are with Thanatos, hunting shades, or guarding Tartarus. They know their duty without my constant guidance.” He glanced at her as he spoke, but she refused to be chastened.

“Let me help.” She skipped about the chariot, sliding her hand along the flank of the horse. “And who are you?” she asked the animal.

“He is Nyctaeus, beside him stands Alastor.” Hades’ eyes met hers over the horses’ backs. “And you’ve met Orphnaeus and Aethon.”

She nodded, feeling her lungs tighten under the weight of his gaze. Her hands fumbled briefly before she managed to slip the straps from the harness. “You have the most beautiful horses I’ve ever seen.”

“They will run,” he warned.

She ran back, jumping into his chariot as he pulled the harness free.

They bolted. In a thunder of hooves and flying earth, the horses ran. She laughed, catching no more than a glimpse of their tails, streaming on the wind behind them. She narrowed her eyes but in the dusk of twilight, the animals were quickly lost to the shadows.

“They know these hills.” His voice startled her.

“You give them leave to run here?”

He shrugged. “Not often enough.”

She climbed down from the chariot and walked to him. “You should… You should bring them more often. Soon.” That she would delight in his company she kept to herself.

He regarded her, but said nothing.

She gazed back, smiling slightly. “How did they receive your news?”

And still he stared at her.

She swallowed.

“Your mother would see you married.” His words were low.

Her heart stopped and her lungs tightened in anticipation. How could he know such a thing? Unless… her heart began to pound… Had her mother asked Hades? She’d never thought her mother would consider such a match.

But why not? Where else would she be as safe? Her safety was all Demeter wanted. There was no place safer than the Underworld.

Her heart rejoiced. Never had she felt such joy.

She longed to place her hand upon his arm. Instead she clasped hands tightly together, saying, “Yes. She would.”

“To Hermes.” His voice remained even, though his gaze turned to the sky. “Tell me, do you know him well?”

She released her breath, fighting the sorrow that flooded her.
What a silly fool I am
.

“You know him?” he repeated.

She laughed, a nervous, breathy laugh. “He has always been kind to me. He visits mother often, for Zeus or matters of import.”

“Are you pleased with his suit?”

Persephone turned from him, walking through the tall grass to pluck a white lily. She had too little time with him to let her disappointment ruin it. She turned back to him and shrugged. “I suppose one is no different than the rest? At least Hermes is immortal. I could not bear to wed a mortal, to watch him fade before my eyes. Such pain would be unspeakable, I think…”

His face grew hard at her words.

She tried again. “I have not given Hermes much thought. I have no special affection for him.”

“Then why would Demeter be so set on the match?”

“She is a mother, sir, the mother to a daughter, no less. She worries over my safety. She fears I will fall victim to capture, abuse, injury, love, lust, passion, man,
or
… Poseidon.” She laughed, but saw his hands clench.

She moved closer, watching his face in the failing light. While he would not meet her eyes, his agitation was plain enough. His jaw was rigid and a slight crease marred his forehead.

“Is Hermes a friend?” She could find no other reason for his sudden mood. “I’ve not meant to offend you.”

He shook his head, holding himself straight. She could see the throb of his pulse in his throat. It seemed rapid to her.

She swallowed. “What of your soldier? Was his release met with praise as it should have been?” How she longed to take his hand in hers.

He glanced at her then. “It seemed to please them.”

She clapped her hands. “If they will not applaud you, then I will.”

His smile appeared again, and she matched it with her own. Her heart felt so full.

She handed him the lily, letting her eyes soak in his every detail. “I must leave you now. My mother will carry on if I am not there waiting when she gets home.”

He took the flower, holding the offering with care. “
She
will not tarry?”

“No.” She laughed, surprised at the hint of teasing in his voice. “
She
will not tarry.”