Page 16 of The Dread Queen's Bargain

“I think you’ll find that in cases like these, the Olympians—Zeus and Demeter, especially—tend to think they have purview over more than their assigned domains.” Hades stood and stormed towards a doorway, disappearing into what Persephone assumed was a closet. A ripple of power danced over the bedroom, and Hades emerged fully dressed.

For the second time that morning, Persephone found herself struggling to breathe. Hades looked even grander and more terrifying than when she’d first seen him. He was still wearing a black chiton, but it was elaborate, edged in thick silver embroidery in a meander pattern. A heavy leather belt was around his waist, clasped with a silver buckle in the shape of a human skull. The brooch at his shoulder was enormous, a cluster of onyx and rubies, and his hair extended down his back. His beard was thick, and he gripped his bident with an iron grip.

This was Hades Agesilaos—god of the Underworld, lord of riches, the eldest of the three brothers. Zeus had entered his domain, and it was clear Hades would not let him forget on whose soil he crossed.

“Subtle.” Persephone forced a smirk on her face, trying not to betray how overwhelmed she was at the sight of Hades in his finery.

Hades shrugged. “Zeus is the one with the eye for pageantry. The difference is he uses it in place of power while I have no such handicap.” Hades’s voice dropped to a growl as his expression tensed.

“Is it unusual for him to be here?” Persephone whispered. Hades nodded.

“Yes. Normally, he summons people to him. If he’s debased himself enough to come down to the Underworld, it’s for a reason.”

“Well,” Persephone sighed heavily, running her hand through her tangled hair, “what should I wear?”

Hades raised an eyebrow and studied Persephone. She grinned when she saw his eyes go dark with lust.

“Why don’t you wear what you came here in?” Hades’s voice was measured. “The moment we’re in the same room as Zeus, everything we do will be a message. It’s best for now to send one of neutrality.”

“You don’t want me to skip into your reception hall and greet Zeus dressed like a Minoan dancing girl?” Persephone chuckled, thinking of the Minoan tradition of topless dancers. Hades growled as a sudden surge of dark clouds appeared at his feet while lightning danced from the tips of his bident. The sudden outburst only caused Persephone to cackle with laughter.

“I’d gouge my brother’s eyes out,” Hades snapped. “Better yet, why don’t you wait here? Let me see what Zeus wants first.”

“It has to pertain to me,” Persephone argued, putting her hand on her hip and crossing the room to stand before Hades. “For someone who swore they didn’t see me as a child, you’re certainly acting like it if you want to keep me from the conversation.”

“I think we’ve proven by now how I think about you,” Hades raised an eyebrow, “but I will keep you from Zeus at all cost until we understand what sort of bargain he has struck with Demeter.” Hades went quiet and seemed to be deep in thought for a moment.

“In fact, yes, this is a better plan.” He nodded and gently kissed Persephone on the forehead. “You stay here, and I’ll have someone fetch you if an opportunity arises.”

Persephone opened her mouth to begin spewing her protests, but Hades was already shutting the doors to his bed chambers.

“Oh,” Persephone narrowed her eyebrows, “if that’s how you want to play it, game on.”

“How did this happen?” Hades asked no one in particular, scratching his beard as he walked towards his reception hall.

He couldn't remember the last time Zeus visited the Underworld. As Hades approached the throne room, he realized he didn’t remember Zeus having ever visited the Underworld. Zeus had always sent a proxy or spoken through fire or smoke instead of appearing in the Underworld.

This is about as fucked up as I thought, Hades mused to himself, steeling his expression before shoving open both doors to the reception hall.

Zeus was sitting on Hades’s throne with a relaxed posture, resting his chin in his hand while he stared at all the gemstones embedded into the walls.

Yeah, be jealous, you prick. Hades couldn't help but feel vindication at the apparent jealousy written all over Zeus's fate. Zeus had never realized the Fates had spoken to Hades about his appointment in the Underworld long before Zeus had ever “assigned” it to Hades. Only once the dust had settled, did Zeus realize how many riches were involved in being the lord of the unseen.

Zeus wore a white chiton with a deep purple sash stretching across his chest. It was finely embroidered, clearly something made for a god, but Hades still took delight in noting Zeus's lack of adornment and jewelry.

“Zeus.” Hades raised his voice, announcing his presence. Zeus cursed swiftly under his breath and stumbled out of Hades's throne. “You’re in my seat.”

Zeus straightened up and brushed some of the wrinkles out of his chiton.

“Yes, well, you were taking some time.” His tone was hostile, and Hades raised an eyebrow at Zeus’s defensive posture.

“You'll have to excuse me,” Hades’s voice was full of mock kindness as he took his time sitting down on the throne, “You didn't feel the need to send an emissary ahead of your arrival, and we haven't spoken in, what? Several months?” Hades forced himself to look relaxed and unbothered, even though he was boiling internally with the desire to kick Zeus out of his house without any further explanation.

“Does it matter?” Zeus mocked. “If you uphold the rules of xenia…”

“Don't you dare bring up the sacred hospitality laws to me.” Hades berated. “The foundation of xenia relies on respect, and we all know how little respect you have for this realm. The sooner you state your purpose, the sooner you can depart. A moment for which we all hold our breath in anticipation.”

“I’d hate to see you and your subjects suffer from a lack of oxygen.” Zeus reproached, rolling his eyes dramatically.

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