“I was gathering evidence,” she said defensively. “And if you think I let them get away with calling Persephone names, you’re mistaken.”
Hades waited, and Hecate finally explained.
“I…might have sent an army of poisonous centipedes to crash their picnic. The second time I sent blister beetles.”
“Second time? This has happened more than once?”
“What can I say? Minthe’s out of control,” Hecate said, ignoring the true nature of Hades’ question, which was why hadn’t she come to him earlier?
Hades turned from Hecate, swiping his mask off the table behind him.
“So,” Hecate hedged. “What are you going to do?”
“I will speak with Minthe,” Hades answered.
“Speak,” Hecate repeated. “You aren’t going to use this as an opportunity to…I don’t know…ban her from the Underworld?”
“Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear enough,” Hades said, and leveled his gaze with Hecate’s. “As you so…aptly pointed out in the beginning of this conversation. Trust, goddess, after I’m finished with Minthe, there will be no doubt in her mind of how she should treat Persephone.”
Hades moved to open the door, finding the nymph on the other side. Her hand was raised, as if he had caught her just before she was about to knock. She was dressed in emerald, and jewels hung heavy on her ears and neck.
“Oh,” she said, smiling wide, her eyes darting to Hecate, who still lingered in the background. They narrowed slightly before refocusing on Hades. “I…came to see if you were ready.”
“More than,” Hades replied, and before the nymph could react, he gathered his magic and teleported. They appeared in the Museum of Ancient Arts, just outside the ballroom where the dinner would take place.
“Favor fuck,” Hades said, as he secured his mask.
Minthe looked at him, a mixture of apprehension and fear on her face. “Excuse me?”
“Do you claim to not recognize those words?” Hades asked.
Minthe had nothing to say.
“The next time I hear that you have spoken ill of Persephone will be the last time you assist me,” Hades said. “Do I make myself clear?”
The nymph lifted her chin, eyes glistening with anger, but she remained silent, more than likely embarrassed and angry that she had been called out for her malicious behavior. Hades left the hall and entered the ballroom. He was greeted immediately by the sight of Persephone descending the stairs crowned with gold and dressed in fire.
He stared openly and hungrily. Her gown hugged her body, reminding him that he had seen her naked, touched her in the most intimate way, heard her breathe his name. He knew she thought similarly as her bottle-green eyes trailed his body, igniting him from the inside out, and then his thoughts became chaos and he wondered if she wore anything beneath that dress.
But as she stared, her eyes darkened. Hades stiffened as Minthe walked up beside him, and the rustle of her dress grated against his ears like a steel blade being sharpened.
He did not acknowledge the nymph, but it did not matter. He understood the expression on Persephone’s face. She had assumed what Hecate had predicted, that they had come together. Hades could hear Hecate’s smug voice.
I told you so.
Persephone downed her wine and then disappeared into the crowd, Lexa following close behind.
“I think you were just snubbed,” Minthe commented.
Hades’ mood darkened, and he skirted the crowd in an attempt to keep Persephone within sight. He wanted to explain before it was too late, but he found his way blocked by Poseidon. The god wore a flashy suit, and his hair appeared to have been gelled into something that resembled an ocean wave. Hades thought he looked ridiculous and wondered what Thanatos would think of his hair.
“Brother,” Poseidon said, and glanced over his shoulder to where Persephone stood with Hermes. “Am I keeping you from someone?”
Hades did not respond.
“She is beautiful,” he said. “I can tell even with the mask. Perhaps you’ll share when you tire of her.”
Hades narrowed his gaze, tilting his head as he took a step closer to his brother. They were equal in height, but not in size. Poseidon was bulkier, but Hades was stronger. If Poseidon needed a reminder, Hades was happy to oblige.
“If you so much as glance in her direction again, I will tear you limb from limb and feed your carcass to the Titans,” Hades said. “Do you doubt me?”
Poseidon had the gall to look amused, his aqua eyes sparkling, and he raised a blond brow. “Territorial much, brother?”