Page 6 of The Dread Queen's Bargain

“The Arcadians call me Despoina,” Persephone shrugged, “Will that work?”

Hermes looked startled. “Despoina? Yes, yes, that will work rather well. That’s a chthonic name.”

“Is it?” It was Persephone’s turn to look startled.

“Yes.” Hermes waved his hand like he was shooing a fly. “But never mind. We can discuss that another day.” He gave a little bow and indicated towards Hecate’s house again, then offered Persephone his elbow.

“Shall we, Despoina?”

Persephone laughed, looping her arm through Hermes’s as they set off again for Hecate’s homestead.

“Lead the way, messenger.”

Hermes did, telling Persephone all the stories she’d never heard before and giving her a rundown of the Chthonic gods—including Minthe, the nymph who was always trying to sleep with Hades, and Thanatos, who was the closest thing to a friend Hades had.

Persephone mentally filed away all the information for later, trying not to focus too hard on the fact she’d finally run away from Demeter.

3

The comfortable estate where Hecate lived didn’t look like Persephone thought it would. It was a two-level home with a peristyle in front. The center of the courtyard was decorated with elaborate gardens and what was undoubtedly an altar in the middle of it. Persephone watched as Hermes dropped to one knee, lit a stick of incense, and quickly stepped backward as if he didn’t want anyone to see.

Persephone wasn’t sure who the altar was dedicated to, but she noted the constellation and crescent moon mosaics in the tiles.

She could sense by the magic and power in the air that there was a gathering happening inside—there was more than one magical signature rippling through the breeze. Hermes turned around and gave her a soft smile.

“Despoina,” he waggled his eyebrows, “remember your cover?”

“I’m a nymph,” Persephone giggled. “The prettiest one you’ve ever seen, so obviously, you picked me up on your way here.”

“I don’t remember the latter, but I certainly wouldn’t disagree.” Hermes winked. “No one will suspect a thing.”

“Is showing up uninvited to parties with an beautiful, unknown person on your arm something of a habit for you, Hermes?”

“Me? No, never.” Hermes laughed. “I couldn’t imagine such a thing. Ready?”

Persephone smoothed her hands down the front of her tunic—still slightly self-conscious about the length, but Hermes had assured her it would be fine—and nodded.

“Then let’s go.” Hermes grinned and entered the house first, with Persephone close behind, while Cerberus trailed them. The small entry hallway opened not into a dining room or a reception hall, but into a large kitchen. Persephone was immediately overwhelmed by the power of the gods in the room.

She could only judge based on their appearances, but she quickly identified Hecate, Aeëtes, Nyx, and Erebus—all sitting around a wooden kitchen table. Judging by the amount of wine glasses on the table, someone had stepped away. There was a massive hearth with a roaring fire, and two black dogs jumped up to greet Cerberus.

“Hermes!”

“Oh, trickster!”

“You always know when someone is throwing a party.” A chorus of voices cheered when Hermes and Persephone walked into the room, her body momentarily obscured by Hermes’s more oversized frame. Persephone identified the last voice as belonging to Hecate. She grinned quickly, pushing some auburn hair off her shoulder.

Everyone looked to be in the pleasant, early stages of getting drunk. Hecate was leaning back in the arms of her consort, her complexion flushed.

“I’m mortified you didn’t invite me, my sweet night terror,” Hermes cooed in response to Hecate. She rolled her eyes, and to Persephone’s surprise, even Aeëtes laughed.

“I didn’t sense you in the Underworld.” Hecate shrugged. “I knew you’d find your way here anyway if you showed up.”

“Who is your friend?” Nyx spoke up, sitting up straighter at the table. Persephone nearly fell to the floor in awe. The goddess, the most ancient of them all, moved like water. Silky, black hair blanketed her features and nearly fell to her waist. Her words were not unkind, but Persephone felt Nyx sizing her up.

“Ah, apologies, my dear friends,” Hermes turned up the charm and stepped to the side, “This is Despoina.”

All the gods fell silent. Even the dogs stopped sniffing and barking at one another. Persephone had been on the end of some pretty intense glares in her life, courtesy of Demeter, but she suddenly wished the ground would swallow her whole. Hermes seemed unperturbed by the sudden scrutiny.

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