Page 17 of Summer's Seduction

“And in the process, earned the mortals’ favor,” Poseidon finished. The legs of his chair scraped across the floor as he made to stand beside Zeus. It was a blatant display of which side he’d take if matters escalated. A warning that triggered the other Olympians into action.

Zeus’s eyes flashed with the promise of lightning as Hermes stepped forward, joining her father and uncle. Zeus didn’t like anyone having more worshipers than him. It spurred on his paranoia of being usurped, not that Hades wished to venture anywhere outside The Underworld. He could—by all rights, he and Poseidon could insist on a seat at the table of The Above like any other Olympian—but doing so would break the fragile truce between them. Every once in a while, Poseidon or one of the others would vie for more, stoking Zeus’s insecurities, though it seemed this time Zeus was well into starting a war on his own.

Ares stood, his hands coming to rest on the back of her chair as he looked to Lord Hades before focusing his gaze on Zeus. “Would Lord Hades not be the ideal choice to defeat Hypnos, whether or not that course took him into The Realm of The Living?”

“No,” Zeus interjected before Hades could answer.

Electricity pricked through the room, cracking where it met the billowing storm of frost and shadows emanating from LordHades. Ares dipped his head, but I caught the edges of a smirk on his lips as the two gods held each other’s gaze.

“The Underworld is your domain,” Zeus breathed, his eyes fixed on Lord Hades as his voice dipped with warning. “Leaving will be seen as an act of war against The Olympians.”

“Lord Zeus, please—” Hecate pleaded but stopped speaking as his electric eyes landed on her.

Ares watched with open fascination, waiting to see if the God of Gods would strike, but it appeared he had a soft stop for the first witch.

“I will not stand by while Hades intimidates even more mortals into worshiping him.”

“I thought my kindness earned their gratitude, Lord Zeus.” Persephone stood slowly, The Lord of The Underworld following suit as he let his queen speak for their kingdom. “If you’re going to slander our reputation, at least do so without contradicting yourself.”

Hecate sucked in a breath as electricity built. A plume of shadows billowed out as lightning cracked. Glass rained down upon the table as Zeus’s bolt hit the night sky display overhead.

I pushed back from my seat, quickly avoiding falling shards as I stepped closer to the protection of shadows, choosing my side. Ares slowly shook his head as I caught his stare, before joining Zeus. Cupid and Hecate hovered in the center, both looking for a way out of this mess, but the ring of light around Lady Persephone’s eyes blazed in the lingering darkness.

“You think to come into my realm,my home, and issue demands?” Persephone seethed. The marbled floors beneath us cracked, the shrieks of fleeing servants echoing as vines sprung forth. They crawled up the walls, weaving and twisting across what remained of the precious gems set along the ceiling. Great thorns and bright, poisonous flowers sprouted as she held Zeus’s gaze with the quiet, simmering rage of Lord Hades behind her.

Zeus’s eyes glowed in challenge as the table rattled.

“We will continue to keep the souls of our realm safe,” Persephone vowed as tendrils of roses wound up her arms, their sharp barbs piercing the fair goddess’s skin. “As well as those in The Realm of the Living, unless you’re offering to protect them?”

Zeus’s nostrils flared in the mounting silence, but it was Hera who answered. “Thank you, Lady Persephone, for your concern and protection of the mortals. After the horrid things Demeter has done, it is nice to see an earth witch care.”

The goddess was the only one still seated, eclipsed by her husband’s broad shoulders and towering frame. I wondered how often she was overlooked. What type of loneliness came from being so easily forgotten. But with just a few words, Hera had reminded Zeus of Persephone’s humble beginnings, lessening the threat the Goddess of Spring posed while also conceding that The Queen of The Underworld’s defeat of the former High Matriarch, Demeter, was appreciated.

“You and Lord Hades have done much for our worshipers,” Lady Hera said. “As suggested, I think it necessary for those in The Above to shoulder some of the burden.”

“You will remain here and clean up this mess, brother,” Zeus commanded, his tone causing Hera to close her eyes briefly as she sighed in exacerbation. “Or else I’ll be forced to restore balance the only way I know how.”

My heart shuddered as I glanced toward Lord Hades. Zeus only ever handled a threat in one way—with death. It would be eternal imprisonment if he couldn’t find a way to kill his opponent. Either way, it meant a war among the gods. But Lord Hades simply lifted his chin, the vast darkness of his eyes practically begging for Zeus to test him.

Zeus’s nostrils flared, but Hera was there in the next breath, her small hand placed upon his broad shoulder.

“Thank you for the lovely dinner,” Hera said, dipping her head toward Persephone before looking to Lord Hades. “Until next time.”

LARKSPUR

Aloud crack echoed through The Dark Palace, causing the remaining servants in the kitchen to flee. The air was thick with charged particles, the telltale sign that Zeus was just getting started. Judging by the way the ground shook and how the staff were scattering, it was clear shit was going down in the dining hall.

There was little doubt in my mind Zeus had said or done something to piss Hades off. And while The Lord of The Underworld wasn’t my favorite person, he was definitely a lot more stable than Zeus. I’d rather remain down here forever than be forced into The Above with those maniacs.

Reaching for the bushel of apples, I ignored the chaos echoing from the halls and stuffed as much food as I could manage into my sack. It was already filled with a change of clothes and the comforter from the bed, but I doubted there’d be much chance for food where I was going.

The Dark Faction and The Night Children were known to be ruthless and bloodthirsty, and their home in The Darklands treacherous and wild. I knew I could handle myself when it was necessary but fuck Morpheus.

Wedging a wheel of cheese into the front pouch, I tied off my pack, filled the pockets of my cloak with a sack of nuts and dried fruit, and then headed for the door. The room spun as I dashed through the halls, the sound of cracking marble and booming thunder growing faint in the distance. Blood was what I really needed, but there was no time.

I was getting the fuck out of here right the fuck now. Persephone and the gods be damned.

It was easier than I’d thought it would be to leave. I suppose I had Zeus to thank for that. By the time a flash of lightning illuminated the night sky, I was well on my way toward Elysium.

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