Page 76 of Dead End

I was. The meal was hearty and wholesome, and I expected nothing less from the goddess of hearth and home.

Hestia gestured to my empty goblet, and I nodded. Aservant appeared beside me and filled the goblet with wine from a jug.

“How are you feeling?” Hestia asked, as she tucked into her date-stuffed chicken.

“Like an imposter. I have no experience running a realm. I don’t even know how to instruct the servants.”

Hestia offered a sympathetic smile. “Not to worry. I won’t run off and abandon you. As I said, we shall have a transition period. Your early arrival is a gift. It gives me additional time to organize a peaceful transfer of power.”

I forced the red wine down my throat. “Was there a chance there wouldn’t be a peaceful transfer?”

“Oh my darling, youhavebeen away for a long time.” She sampled her side salad. “Whenever there is change, there are opportunists. They lurk here as much as anywhere else.”

Despite the velvet cushion, my chair suddenly felt hard and uncomfortable. This right here was the reason I didn’t want Kane to join me. “Did that happen to you?”

She broke into an unnatural smile. “We’ll sort you out, not to worry. No one will be strong enough to threaten your place on the throne.”

“Is there anyone we might want to consider as a backup? I don’t have any heirs.”

She regarded me through appraising eyelids. “Yes, there is that small matter. No chance you’re with child?”

I blinked in response.

“Never mind. That was intrusive. I apologize.” Her eyes gleamed with mischief. “Although you and I both know the underworld is a wonderful place to raise a child. Plenty of open space to play, very little danger, and a three-headed hellhound for a nanny.”

I was fully focused on my plate now. If I could’ve turned it into a portal and disappeared, I would have.

“I’m not here to create a new family,” I said.

“I must say, I’m surprised you came so willingly. Did you and that demon prince of yours part ways? A shame, really. Your relationship reminded me of your mother and father’s. Uptown girl dates downtown boy. A tale as old as time.”

“Arguably, we’re both from downtown,” I said. “Kane and I… We would’ve liked to stay together.”

“The others would never approve of a demon ruling by your side as king consort.”

“I’m aware, which is why Kane won’t be coming here.” I tried to sink a tone of finality into the words so that Hestia would drop the subject.

“Understood.” She ran the edge of a napkin across her mouth. “Do let me know if there’s anything you need. I had the servants stock your chambers, but I’m sure I’ve missed some things.”

“I wouldn’t mind having a shower installed. I’m not big on baths.”

“I’ll see to it at once.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“If I can’t make a goddess feel welcome in her own home, then I’m not worthy of my title.”

The meal was capped off by a glass of port and a generous serving of baklava. As much as I missed Nana Pratt, I couldn’t complain about the underworld dining experience. Hestia and I discussed the series of meetings that she had planned that would help acclimate me, the first of which would be tomorrow. My head grew heavier as she tossed out names and titles by the dozen.

By the time I retired to my chambers, I was practically a dead goddess walking. I dressed for bed in a new set of pajamas that had been left folded on the bench at the foot of my bed. The dark blue silk was decorated with silver stars. It looked like I was swaddled in Night herself.

Cerberus positioned himself outside my door again.Either the hellhound wanted me to feel secure my first night back or he knew something I didn’t. I voted in favor of the former.

I plumped my pillow several times before finding it comfortable. This may have been an underworld palace, but it wasn’t the Castle.

There’s no place like home, I thought.

Famous last words.

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