Page 8 of The Dread Queen's Bargain

“Listen to the story.” Aeëtes playfully whacked Hermes upside the head.

Hecate and Nyx rolled their eyes but beckoned for Erebus to continue for Hermes’s benefit.

“Demeter went to Zeus and had Persephone engaged to Apollo. The Fates appeared shortly after—which nearly sent everyone into a spiral since they so rarely leave the Underworld—and declared Persephone would ‘never be a bride of light’ because ‘her blood was betrothed to the darkness.’ They heavily implied she would be the Dread Queen of the Underworld that was foretold. Demeter decided Persephone would never wed instead.”

Hermes squawked. “How did I not hear about this?”

“Zeus threatened everyone,” Nyx hissed, “but news got around the Underworld after the Fates returned.”

Hermes’s eyes got wide. “Then does Hades know…?”

Hecate nodded, sipping at her wine. “He does. I think he was scared to even hope of having a consort one day. When he was given the Underworld, Zeus made it clear to Hades that no Olympian would ever want to wed him.”

“Demeter has been ‘protecting’ Persephone for hundreds of years to keep her from coming to the Underworld. She wants to make sure the prophecy never comes true.” Erebus's lip curled. “It's disgusting if you ask me. She's spent her whole life without knowing there's another part of her.”

“Oh, she knows,” Hermes interjected. “I saw some of her power when she entered the Underworld. It's magic that matches yours.” Hermes pointed to the rest of the gods at the table. He looked over where Hades and Persephone were still flirting in the corner, already wholly engrossed in their little world. Hades was wearing a smile that Hermes had never seen on him before.

“She might know she has power she can't explain,” Hecate fumed, “but she doesn't know what it is.”

“Oh, fuck,” Hermes cursed. “Hades doesn't know that she’s actually Persephone.”

“No, he fucking doesn’t.” Nyx's lip curled. “Hades does not know that after centuries, you have walked right into Hecate's kitchen with Persephone on your arm. The goddess who's been prophecied to wed Hades and will become the Dread Queen of all the Underworld. Women are more discerning.” Nyx motioned to herself and Hecate.

Hermes looked terrified. However, he quickly brushed it off, stole Hecate's cup, and drained it of wine.

“Well, don't look at me like that. My job involves the boundary between life and death, and it sounds like Persephone is the line. I delivered a message just as I always do.”

Nyx scoffed. “You might as well have released the titans. Demeter is going to start calling for the end of the world.”

“My love,” Erebus smiled softly, “as much as I regret to say it, Hermes does have a point.”

“Ha!” Hermes cheered.

“Shut up.” Erebus leveled him with a look. “He does have a point, though. This was all inevitable. Demeter was a fool for trying to stop it. We all know the appearance of the Dread Queen is centuries overdue. The Underworld calls out for it. You've heard it.”

Nyx nodded slowly. Erebus extended his hand out across the table and grabbed Nyx's, running his thumb soothingly over her fingers.

“I hope you're ready for the Olympians to retaliate,” Hecate murmured, glancing over to Hades and Persephone.

Hades was blushing bright red, unable to look anywhere but Persephone's bare legs. Persephone looked equally besotted, running her fingers through her blonde hair before adjusting the brooch at Hades's shoulder.

“Should we kick them out?” Aeëtes bit back a laugh at the pair of besotted gods.

“Fuck no. Never turn down an opportunity to watch.” Hermes waggled his eyebrows.

“I’m getting you married off next. It's either that or I'm exiling you to Lesbos, where the nymphs will be immune to your charms.”

Hermes opened his mouth to respond when Persephone approached the table, and everyone went silent.

“Hermes,” Persephone smiled, “I’m going to leave with Hades if you don't mind.” Hermes’ jaw dropped open as he looked past Persephone at Hades, who was glaring at Hermes with a look that said, ‘You better not fucking mind.’

Hermes grinned, holding his hands out, and offered a short nod to Persephone. “Of course. Are you going for a little tour of the Underworld?”

“Hades has private gardens,” Persephone's expression was flushed, “and he's going to show them to me.”

“I bet he's going to show you—” Hermes was cut off as Aeëtes pulled him into a headlock.

“Don't listen to Hermes.” Aeëtes offered an easy-going grin. “Enjoy!”

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