Page 52 of Eris

"Don't even joke about that," Eris hissed.

Enzo rolled on top of her to kiss her hard and deep. "I'm here, my love. I'm not leaving."

Eris wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him close enough to feel his heart thumping against hers. "Unfortunately, we both have to leave today. I promised I would go."

"Are you sure I'm invited?" Enzo asked, his brows furrowing. "I don't need any more immortals pissed off at me."

"They want to meet you." Eris ran her fingers through his thick curls. "Besides, they know what happens when I'm not invited to a party."

Enzo groaned. "Bite your tongue, woman. We only just had your curse lifted," he said and kissed her smiling mouth.

Hades's villastood on the edge of the sea. Eris and Enzo walked hand in hand through the lush gardens surrounding it and followed the sounds of people laughing and talking.

"Sneaking in the back way as usual," Hades said, appearing from out of nowhere.

"Are we late? We were kind of busy," Eris replied with a grin. "This is Enzo."

Hades studied him for a moment before holding out his hand. "It's nice to meet you finally. And no, the triplets and their sorceresses haven't turned up yet, and Rom and Laverna should be arriving soon with your grandmother."

"I apologize in advance for anything inappropriate that comes out of her mouth," Enzo said and shook Hades's hand with a smile.

"It sounds like she will fit right in with the rest of the rabble," he replied.

"Aunty Eris!" a high-pitched voice squealed, and something small and powerful barreled into her.

Eris swung Melinoë up in her arms and kissed her cheek. "Happy birthday, little one. You have gotten so big!"

It wasn't an exaggeration either. Though the twins were technically one mortal year old, they were growing at an immortal rate and resembled five-year-olds. Melinoë blew her black forelock from her face and grinned at her.

"Is this your new friend?" she asked, looking at Enzo.

"It is. This is your new uncle, Enzo. He's a part of the family now," Eris said. Enzo smiled at the little girl, and she curled shyly into Eris's neck.

"Stop hogging the cutie pie." Laverna's voice interrupted them, and she squeezed both Eris and Melinoë in a big hug.

Romulus and Bianca came through the garden behind her, arm in arm.

"Nonna!" Enzo hurried to catch her up in a big hug. "You won't believe everything that happened to me."

"I will,nipote. I will," Bianca said, kissing his cheeks.

Eris passed Melinoë to Hades so she could go and greet Bianca too. "I told you I would keep him safe," she said.

Bianca kissed her cheek. "Lucky that you did too."

"You should know I fully expect you both to sail my boat back to Italy," Romulus said in his usual blunt manner.

"I missed you too, Rom," Eris replied, and his eyes sparkled at her sass.

Hades's joined them, his eyes widening a little. "Bianca, is it? You remind me so much of my aunt."

Bianca's eyes changed to a pale lavender color, and her voice was softer as she said, "I always knew love would find you eventually, nephew."

"You did indeed," Hades said, his mouth kicking up in a smile.

Bianca shook herself, and her eyes changed back to normal. They landed on Melinoë, and her smile went bright. "And this must be the birthday girl. I have a special present just for you," she said, unclipping two gold chains from around her neck. On each of them hung a black pearl. "These are very special necklaces that came from my many times great grandmother Aphrodite. She told me that you and your brother should have one each to keep you safe."

"Wow. It's so pretty," Melinoë said.

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