Persephone was a relatively new god, her powers untested, and in the end, she possessed a code of ethics that would never allow her to overlook injustice.
“So teach her,” Hecate said.
Hades met the goddess’s gaze.
“You want a queen,” she said. “So teach her to live within your realm.
Teach her to use her magic. Teach her to be a goddess, and stop trying to fight all her battles.”
Hecate was right, and he would let Persephone fight her own battles—just not against Apollo.
*
Hades did not sleep that night.
He stayed in his office and kept himself occupied with thoughts of the Graeae. He wondered if there was a connection between their abduction and the bombing of Acacius’s shop. He would have to see what Ilias discovered during his investigation. Outside of that and his inevitable encounter with Apollo, his greatest worry was still Hera and the labor he had not even attempted.
The murder of Briareus.
The last communication he’d had from the goddess was the note she’d attached to Persephone’s article about Apollo, reminding him that she had control over their future as husband and wife. Though something she had said intrigued him—that allies among the Olympians might influence Zeus’s decision. Hades knew his brother well enough, knew there was potential for that to be true, so how did he sway them to his side?
There was a knock, and he looked up as Hermes burst through the door.
“He’s coming,” Hermes said. “He’s angry.”
The God of Mischief didn’t need to specify. Hades knew he was referring to Apollo.
“I want you to watch Persephone,” Hades instructed. “Keep her occupied while I talk to Apollo.”
Hermes raised his skeptical brow. “Because you’re so good at conversing?”
“That’s a big word, Hermes,” Hades replied. “Have you been reading a thesaurus?”
Hermes narrowed his eyes. “Deflect all you want, King of Corpses, but I know you, and you aren’t a talker. What are you planning?”
“I’m talking to you, aren’t I?” Hades pointed out.
“Hardly, and I’m your best friend.”
It was Hades’s turn to raise a brow.
“Don’t deny it. Do you ask Hecate for fashion advice?”
Hades scowled. “Don’t make me regret my decision, Hermes.”
“Regret? Excuse me. Did you get laid in those gray sweatpants I suggested you wear?”
He rolled his eyes.
“Then you can’t regret it!”
“How do you know that was a yes?”
“Hades,” Hermes said, as if he were about to point out something very obvious. “Because I dressed you for sex.”
“Get Apollo, Hermes, and once he’s here, go to Persephone.”
“On it, best friend,” Hermes said as he headed for the door.
Hades left his office. As he started for the throne room, he changed directions and headed for his bedchamber, where Persephone still slept, swathed in silk. She hadn’t moved, still lying on her side, knees bent, hands curled near her face. He brushed a stray curl from her face, fingers lingering on her flushed cheek before teleporting to the throne room where Apollo already waited. He was like his mother, Leto, in appearance, crowned with dark curls and dark eyes that sometimes looked violet when he was frustrated enough, but that was where the similarities ended. Unlike her, there was no softness to his personality, nor his sister’s for that matter.
“I knew you wouldn’t let your little lover fight the war she started,” said Apollo.
“What’s the matter, Nephew? A few words have you ready for battle?”
“Her words were slander!”
“Is it slander if they are true?”
Hades noted the tightening of his fists. There was a part of him that wished Apollo would act against him in his realm. The affront would mean the god would be forced to end his pursuit of Persephone. While Apollo was often brash, he did not often challenge other gods, and it was likely he wouldn’t challenge Hades, knowing something far more lucrative waited for him if he maintained his composure.
“Truth has nothing to do with this slight,” Apollo replied. “Her blasphemy will be punished, Hades. Even you cannot stop divine retribution.”
Hades took a moment to speak, working to relax his jaw, and when he did, his words felt thick in his mouth. “And what if I offer to bargain?”
Apollo’s eyes flashed, and he lifted his chin, intrigued. Hades hated the slight twitch to his lips as Apollo implored, “Go on.”