eyes at the uptight bitch. He hadn’t expected them to be happy about the idea, but hadn’t thought he’d have to fight them all. He’d offered a obvious solution to their problem. Did he have to think of everything?
“Hades ate of the food of the Underworld. Ancient law condemned all those who ate of the
food of the dead to remain in the world of the dead. There were no exceptions.”
Demeter started, but before she could protest, Zeus said, “Done.”
Thanatos tried to hide the grin. Yes, he’d condemned all the gods in the Underworld to
remain there. But he’d also accomplished the task Rhea had sent him here to perform and the Underworld could only benefit from Hades’ rule. Now if he could only facilitate the return of their Queen, but that was a battle for another day. One that was not his to fight.
The gods continued talking for awhile, but it was obvious they had finished their meeting so Thanatos released the warding on the door with a smile, watching Demeter, Hera, Ares, and Aphrodite rise from their seats and race for the door. It was good to know he could instill the same fear in these arrogant gods as he could mortals.
Prepared to leave, Thanatos noticed Hephaestus in the far corner glaring at him, and
sauntered over to the crippled god. Weaving a subtle spell around them so they couldn’t be overheard, Thanatos faced the Smith. “Hephaestus, I want to commission a set of crowns from you. One for Hades, and one for his Queen, when he decides to marry.”
The god glared at him. “Do you think that wise? You condemned the man to rule over his
prison.”
Thanatos liked the belligerent god immensely. He spoke his mind and didn’t fear the
repercussions. He was a god Thanatos respected.
“Hades is a practical daemon. He’ll come to understand the wisdom of the choice made for
him.”
Hephaestus’ eyes narrowed. “That’s wrong.”
“We can’t all have your honor, smith. Will you make the crowns for him?”
He nodded. “What would you have them look like?”
“Something simple. Use your artistic abilities and judgment. I trust you. Farewell, wise
smith.” He flashed out of the room.
Chapter 6
HADES CURSED himself a fool.
He swore not to return to this place and yet here he was again. Of course it wasn’t entirely his fault. He'd been in his room at Mount Olympus, dreaming of Persephone, and then a nymph
threw herself upon him. He flashed out of his room so fast he didn’t bring a stitch of clothing with him. And where did he think to go?
To Persephone’s valley.
He’d created clothes for himself and sat in the forest watching her, his eyes devoured her like a starving man offered a rare delicacy. He should’ve left well enough alone, but despite his best intentions, the sight of her kindled his need, awakening the sexual beast inside him.
Barely a day went by that he wasn’t here; watching her at her tasks, learning about her,
adoring the whimsical things she did, wanting her. Every thought of her drew him back to the forest.
By the gods, he must be the deftest daemon-god alive. He was a Phlegethon, pinning for a
goddess he was more than capable of killing in a moment of lust, and all he could think of was what she would look like naked and in his bed.
His mother would laugh to know her son was smitten innocent Persephone, a goddess who
could touch him in ways no woman had ever done.
Had his mother been standing beside him listening to his confession, she would have laughed in his face and then told him to take Persephone, bed her, and forget her. But he wasn’t his mother. Regardless of being Eris’ hell spawn, he refused to be like her.
He shook his head. He was a fool to think he had a chance with Persephone. Their lives were so different. She was all shimmering light, radiant warmth, and the joyful wonder of
inexperience. All aspects foreign to his base and questionable nature.
The insight only served to make him aware of how different they were. They
“Hades ate of the food of the Underworld. Ancient law condemned all those who ate of the
food of the dead to remain in the world of the dead. There were no exceptions.”
Demeter started, but before she could protest, Zeus said, “Done.”
Thanatos tried to hide the grin. Yes, he’d condemned all the gods in the Underworld to
remain there. But he’d also accomplished the task Rhea had sent him here to perform and the Underworld could only benefit from Hades’ rule. Now if he could only facilitate the return of their Queen, but that was a battle for another day. One that was not his to fight.
The gods continued talking for awhile, but it was obvious they had finished their meeting so Thanatos released the warding on the door with a smile, watching Demeter, Hera, Ares, and Aphrodite rise from their seats and race for the door. It was good to know he could instill the same fear in these arrogant gods as he could mortals.
Prepared to leave, Thanatos noticed Hephaestus in the far corner glaring at him, and
sauntered over to the crippled god. Weaving a subtle spell around them so they couldn’t be overheard, Thanatos faced the Smith. “Hephaestus, I want to commission a set of crowns from you. One for Hades, and one for his Queen, when he decides to marry.”
The god glared at him. “Do you think that wise? You condemned the man to rule over his
prison.”
Thanatos liked the belligerent god immensely. He spoke his mind and didn’t fear the
repercussions. He was a god Thanatos respected.
“Hades is a practical daemon. He’ll come to understand the wisdom of the choice made for
him.”
Hephaestus’ eyes narrowed. “That’s wrong.”
“We can’t all have your honor, smith. Will you make the crowns for him?”
He nodded. “What would you have them look like?”
“Something simple. Use your artistic abilities and judgment. I trust you. Farewell, wise
smith.” He flashed out of the room.
Chapter 6
HADES CURSED himself a fool.
He swore not to return to this place and yet here he was again. Of course it wasn’t entirely his fault. He'd been in his room at Mount Olympus, dreaming of Persephone, and then a nymph
threw herself upon him. He flashed out of his room so fast he didn’t bring a stitch of clothing with him. And where did he think to go?
To Persephone’s valley.
He’d created clothes for himself and sat in the forest watching her, his eyes devoured her like a starving man offered a rare delicacy. He should’ve left well enough alone, but despite his best intentions, the sight of her kindled his need, awakening the sexual beast inside him.
Barely a day went by that he wasn’t here; watching her at her tasks, learning about her,
adoring the whimsical things she did, wanting her. Every thought of her drew him back to the forest.
By the gods, he must be the deftest daemon-god alive. He was a Phlegethon, pinning for a
goddess he was more than capable of killing in a moment of lust, and all he could think of was what she would look like naked and in his bed.
His mother would laugh to know her son was smitten innocent Persephone, a goddess who
could touch him in ways no woman had ever done.
Had his mother been standing beside him listening to his confession, she would have laughed in his face and then told him to take Persephone, bed her, and forget her. But he wasn’t his mother. Regardless of being Eris’ hell spawn, he refused to be like her.
He shook his head. He was a fool to think he had a chance with Persephone. Their lives were so different. She was all shimmering light, radiant warmth, and the joyful wonder of
inexperience. All aspects foreign to his base and questionable nature.
The insight only served to make him aware of how different they were. They
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