Page 106 of The Duplicity of Thieves

The room stills and the atmosphere is devoid of oxygen, waiting on her sister’s reaction. Josie said she would be happy, but the hesitation is still there.

“Is this a joke?” Bella asks Vivian with wild eyes.

“Josie would never…” Vivian trails off with uncertainty. “Would you?”

“There’s more,” Josie says indifferently.

Vivian squeals. “Spit it the fuck out Josie!”

She takes her time taking a few more puffs and checking on the food before she returns. Vivian is bouncing in her seat with anticipation.

“He’s the prince of the Underworld.”

“I fucking knew it!” Bella exclaims.

I can’t see Vivian’s face from this angle, but with the way her body goes rigid and Josie smirks, I can tell she got whatever reaction she was hoping for.

“You’re a fucking princess?” Vivian whispers. “You? You of all people are a princess? The future queen of the Underworld? You married the prince? You knew and didn’t tell me?”

“I didn’t know before I married him, and don’t call me that.” Josie ashes into the sink. Her bright silver eyes are a little glassy.

“You’ll make a fantastic queen,” Bella says.

“Ugh.” Josie scrunches her face up. “I hate politics.”

“That’s why.” Bella points at her. “You don’t want it.”

“My sister is the mother fucking princess,” Vivian says incredulously, still harping on that fact.

“Do I have to curtsy or something?” I can hear the smile in Bella’s voice.

“If you curtsy, I will cut your legs off and make it permanent,” Josie threatens.

I figure it’s time for me to stop eavesdropping. I stride out of the hallway toward Josie.

“Speaking of the devil,” Bella addresses me.

“Good evening, ladies,” I greet them, wrapping my arms around Josie. She leans into me.

Vivian clutches her chest. “I can’t take it, Bella. Look at them. They’re, like, the most beautiful couple I have ever seen.”

“I’m surprised he’s still alive,” Bella snorts.

“As am I.” I pour us all a drink. “What are you cooking, love?”

She looks at me with a devilish grin. “Your first Rem meal."

The elevator dings, and I can hear Hermes and Minos in some sort of argument like they always are.

“Smells delicious.” Hermes rounds the corner. “Hey there, Vivian. Bella.”

“Hey,” they both greet him with varying degrees of politeness.

“Ladies.” Minos trails behind him. He heads straight for Josie, standing several heads taller than her as he looks over her shoulder into what she’s cooking. I move out of the way. He grabs the spoon Vivian left behind and tries to dip it into the pot. Josie smacks it out of his hand, and it clatters across the floor. He raises his hands in defense and backs away while Vivian snickers.

Hades and Persephone were never ones to align themselves with people. Every meal with guests was prepared, and everyone was an associate. They didn’t try to be removed, but something about it was always a bit cold. Everything was the formulation of some strategy. Seeing all these people that I, admittedly, care for, fills a space in my soul that has been craving a family. Something I once found an unnecessary pain.

Watching the four of them laugh together while Josie leans into my arms feels like home. I don’t feel out of place, or like I want to crawl out of my skin from the propriety of it all. I catch sight of Minos studying the scene and remember he had said Vivian and Bella were packing when they stopped by.

---