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Authors: Mina Lobo

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BOOK: That Fatal Kiss
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“And what of Demeter?”

Hades gave a biting laugh. “She is only a female, what can she possibly do to harm us?”

The younger god gave a deep sigh and his shoulders slumped. “I should have known not to come. When Hermes arrived with your missive requesting an audience, I should have
known
not to come.”

Narrowing his eyes at this shift in Zeus’ demeanor, Hades asked, “Then why did you?”

“Well…” Zeus rubbed his chin. “I wanted to see how…how you’d fared down here, all these years since we…” The god contemplated his drink. “It wasn’t my idea to cast lots for rule of the three kingdoms, you know.”

Hades felt his tenuous hold on his temper falter. “I remember what happened very well. I especially recall the alacrity with which you
agreed
that we should gamble for our domains.”

“What should we have done instead? Attempt to castrate one another, as our Father Cronus did, when he usurped Grandfather Uranus’ reign?” Zeus snorted loudly. “What a bizarre method of wresting control, separating one’s father from his balls.”

“Though not as bizarre as Cronus cannibalizing his children to maintain it,” Hades said. “Those unlucky enough to avoid consumption, that is.”

Zeus’ expression hardened. “I don’t know why Rhea saved
me
and not the rest of
you
, but thank the Fates she did, else you’d all still be in Cronus’ stomach. As would I.”

“Cronus overthrew our grandfather and we overthrew Cronus. Then
you
tricked me out of my rightful inheritance and here we are.” Hades shot Zeus a glare that could have immolated the god. “Now, since you’re not about to abdicate your throne, will you at least endeavor to make amends for stealing it?”

Zeus’ chest seethed, as though he battled mightily with his own temper. Then he cast his eyes to the floor. He took some moments to compose himself before asking, “You will accept my rule, once and for all, if I aid you in obtaining a wife?”

“Yes, once and for all, but not for just
any
wife.”

“You must have Persephone?”

Quietly expelling his unwittingly bated breath, Hades said, “Yes. I
must
.”

“Bleeding Uranus,” Zeus swore. He tossed back the remainder of his nectar and refilled his cup. “Well, then. There’s nothing else for it.” And, as was the way of the gods, Zeus nodded to assent to the plot. “Fine. I give you my daughter Persephone for your lawful wife.”

“I’ll take her.” Hades reached for his own cup and saluted Zeus with it. “How very good of you to oblige me.”

Zeus rolled his eyes at that and took another sip of his nectar. Regarding Hades once more, Zeus’ disgruntled expression turned to one of amazement. At the questioning sweep of Hades’ brow, Zeus said, “The smoothness of your skin astounds me. How is it that you are my senior by decades and yet you appear so much more youthful than I?”

Hades drank from his goblet and set it down with slightly more force than was necessary. “I stay out of the sun.”

II.

Mount Etna, Sicily

 

“COME, SISTER! YOU
idler, sitting there gathering flowers, come! Join us in the hunt!” cried Artemis as she ran to Persephone and threw herself down upon the lush green meadow.

Persephone looked up from the fragrant blooms she held in her hands. “Artemis, your arrows could be put to better use.”

“How?” the platinum-haired goddess asked.

Her sister’s smile should have warned her. “By using them to slay yourself a lover, rather than a stag.”

The Huntress gasped in shock and shoved Persephone. “For shame, girl! What if your mother heard you say such things?”

Persephone’s hearty laughter shook her, causing her long golden-brown curls to sway about her bare shoulders. “Who do you think taught me to say such things?”

Artemis clicked her tongue in disgust. “Truly, how Demeter finds time to give life to the grains and fruits of the Earth in between her trysts is beyond my imagination.”

Persephone shoved Artemis playfully back as she teased, “That is simply because your virginal imagination wants—ahem—practical inspiration.”

The other goddess reached threateningly for Persephone, who jumped to her feet and emptied her basket of flowers over Artemis’ head. Persephone laughed as her sister sputtered, then yelped as the Huntress got up and reached for her quiver. Persephone let out another shriek, this of delight, and sprinted away. Her feet flew swiftly across the mountainside but still she felt Artemis close behind. Persephone noticed Athena and the daughters of Oceanus down below and thought up more mischief. She dropped to her knees, causing the Huntress to run into her and fall. The two tumbled down the mountain, white arms mingling with colorful gowns as they spun giddily together. The nymphs put a halt to their descent, laughing as they helped the goddesses to their feet.

Athena chastised her sisters, though the smile in her charismatic gray eyes belied her severity. “You’re no better than a mortal child, Persephone, making a fuss like that. How undignified.”

Persephone drew herself up haughtily, imitating the Goddess of Wisdom’s disapproving manner. “If you find me so disagreeable, perhaps I’d best take myself off.” She caught sight of the aegis-shield their father Zeus had given Athena and snatched it from her sister’s unsuspecting grasp. She took to her heels once again, calling out, “Come, catch me if you are able!”

Artemis and Athena bolted as one after their sister, leaving the Oceanides behind. They caught up with her at a pond not far away. Athena’s shield lay on the ground, as did Persephone’s gown; the goddess herself swam gracefully in the cool water. Seeing her sisters, Persephone said, “Join me, the water is lovely! Refresh yourselves!”

Grinning at her enthusiasm, they removed their own clothes to join her. Athena floated dreamily on her back, while Persephone and Artemis played at dunking each other beneath the water. When they’d swum to their hearts’ content, the goddesses took themselves back onto the grass to dry in the warmth of the solar chariot.

Supporting her head with damp arms, Persephone exhaled luxuriantly. “What a gloriously beautiful time of day it is to be upon the Earth.”

“Indeed, and why is your mother not here with you to enjoy the fruits of her labors?” asked Athena as she donned her gown.

“She’s wasting the day receiving offerings at one of her shrines, no doubt. I don’t know why she traps herself inside a musty old temple, when she could be out here, lying in this splendor with us.”

Artemis, who had also put on her simple dress, frowned down at Persephone. “For Zeus’ sake, Sister, clothe yourself. Have you no concern for your modesty?”

“Why should I fear for my modesty? There are no males here, mortal or divine.”

“Oh, leave her in peace, Artemis, if she chooses not to follow your prudish example,” Athena said.


My
prudish example? And what of yours?” Artemis asked.

“My dear, you confuse resignation with resolve,” said the Goddess of Wisdom, smiling as she bound her tight black curls high upon her head.

“What?!”

Persephone chuckled as she rolled onto her white stomach. She rose up on her elbows and cradled her chin in her hands. “I believe Athena would not abstain from the delights of the marriage bed if she could find a worthy male to warm it.” She hooted with laughter at Artemis’ look of horror.

“Don’t be so gullible, Artemis,” said Athena. “And close your mouth; you look more like a fish gaping for water than an immortal lady.”

“But is what Persephone says true?” asked the Huntress.

Athena’s lips twitched slightly as she replied, “Probably not.”

Artemis blanched at the incomplete disclaimer.

Athena stretched herself along the grass across from Persephone. “Be at ease, Sister; I’ll no doubt continue on the path of chastity. Though I must say, I fail to see the nobility in shunning pleasures one has yet to sample.” She took up her shield, examining it thoughtfully.

“But Athena—”

“But what?” the Warrior Goddess asked softly, meeting the other’s gaze.

Artemis huffed and asserted, “Well, I, for one, have no intention of giving myself to any male, worthy or not.”

“What do you mean by
giving yourself
?” asked Persephone, sitting up. “I fully intend to gain as much as I give.”

“Oh?” Athena turned lively eyes to her younger sister. “And do you have a potential husband in mind?”

Now Persephone’s face lost some of its humor. “No, not yet. Mother is being very—”

“Forbidding?” Artemis cut in, as if hopeful.

“No, picky,” Persephone snapped, rising and willing her clothes to cover her once again. “She wants my future husband to be so exceptional that I despair of ever getting married.”

Athena raised a fine dark eyebrow. “You hunger for the tender solace of marriage, do you?”

“Well, I hunger for everything, Pallas,” Persephone winked as she used one of Athena’s epithets, then fussed with her complicated dress a bit before sitting again and picking daisies to make a wreath. “I want someone with whom I may share things.”

“Don’t you share things with us?” asked Artemis, making short work of braiding her shining tresses.

“Artemis, it isn’t at all the same thing. As perfectly charming as you, Athena, and Mother are, you can’t give me what a husband can.”

“I should say not!” the Huntress said, blushing. Persephone emitted an unladylike chortle and Artemis glared at her. “Besides, males bring nothing but grief to their mates.”

“Do they?”

“You know well they do. Only recall how father Zeus and Uncle Poseidon bring sorrow and shame to their just wives with their infidelities. I only wonder that Hera and Amphitrite allow them to behave as they do.”

“Not all males follow their example,” Athena said, polishing the edges of her aegis with a soft cloth.

“And it is not only males who prove themselves inconstant,” Persephone added. “I present as my example the Foam-Born Goddess. Aphrodite gives Hephaestus as much pain as our father and uncle give our aunts.” Though she’d begun confidently, her voice faltered after she named their brother, realizing too late she might upset Athena. The goddess, however, betrayed no distress.

“Enough of this talk,” the Warrior said, tucking away the cloth and rising. “I see the Oceanides running after some deer. Why don’t we join them in the hunt before it is too dark to see our prey?”

“I’m for that!” said Artemis, bounding to her feet and throwing on her quiver while simultaneously selecting an arrow. “Persephone?”

Persephone made a face. “No, I’ll just stay here and gather flowers for our feast this evening. I deplore all that bloodshed and death upon which you two seem to thrive.”

Artemis shrugged and ran off to join the hunt. Athena regarded Persephone affectionately and said, “You really do enjoy being on the Earth, don’t you?”

“I do. Being here in the meadows amidst the gentle hum of life is, for me, far better than lounging about in the cold, hollow Heavens. I wouldn’t want to leave this for anything.” Persephone tossed the completed wreath up to Athena and eyed her sister before venturing, “I imagine you too may be feeling the chill a bit more forcefully.”

“And what is meant by that provocative comment, young one?”

“Only that I do not believe myself to be the only one who longs for a mate.”

“You may certainly believe what you wish.”

“You mimic our father’s evasiveness too well, Pallas.”

The Warrior bowed. “Thank you.”

“Why do you not take a mate?” Persephone asked, abandoning all subtlety.

“Persephone,” Athena began, fingering the soft petals of the wreath gently, “that is not a matter I care to discuss.” She gave Persephone a level look, adding, “And well you know it.” The goddess’ eyes took on a speculative gleam. “Besides, I find your thus far fruitless quest for the ideal husband a more intriguing subject. Knowing you as I do, I cannot suppose your mother capable of keeping you from obtaining your true heart’s desire.”

Persephone’s loosely gathered curls shook as she gave a brusque nod. One lock fell down across her cheek and she pushed it back as she said, “You’re quite right. Gleefully would I endure my dear mother’s displeasure, if only my heart could find its other half.”

“Then there is no one who enamors you?”

The younger goddess shook her head, dispiritedly tearing the petals from the narcissus she held. “Not a one. Mother has made several suggestions but they are too old or too young, too foolish or too mean. I do believe I’ve yet to make the acquaintance of one who moves my soul, one who inspires the thought, ‘
Ah, this is the one for me!
’”

Athena thought for a moment. “Have you considered Hermes? You two are of an age and he seems fond of you.”

“And of virtually every other female he encounters!” Persephone said. She smiled sheepishly at her sister. “I am afraid I am a very jealous sort of lover. I cannot bear even the
thought
of a flirtatious husband. I must be the only one in my beloved’s eyes, and he must be able to prove it is so, both by word and by deed. How strange that you mention him, though. Mother likes him for me.”

BOOK: That Fatal Kiss
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