Page 81 of Crown of Olympus
“Nyss waltzed down to the receiving rooms, where all of Hades’ most intimidating artworks were on display, and drew a moustache and matching devil horns on every single image of her father.”
The gods howled. I chuckled, indeed having no recollection of the incident in question.
“When Hades got back, he acted so furious that the palace emptied quicker than Atropos could cut your thread. Of course, it was all a ploy. He actually thought it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen. Left them up for months, chuckling every time he walked past and caught sight of himself. I think they’re still here somewhere, in one of the hundred rooms.”
The mention of Hades left them torn between hilarity and fear. Hades was not someone you fucked with. I could see thegears turning in their minds, each wondering when the bogeyman would jump out at them.
“He’s not here right now,” I assured them.
Relief immediately relaxed their features. Giggling, I asked, “Okay, who’s next?”
Aros immediately leaned forward and cupped my face in his large, calloused hands. He yanked me in close and gave me the first kiss I’d ever received — not that he knew it.
His hot lips crashed against mine with a fervour I was too shocked to even consider reciprocating — or even decide if I wanted to. He pulled back slightly with a wink before releasing me.
“You’re welcome, darling,” the masochist purred.
I hadn’t even begun to unravel the emotional weight of my fiery first kiss — or how badly it lacked theheatI’d anticipated from the fire-wielding god — when I caught a glimpse of Caelus.
Murder was written all over his pretty face.
Static thrummed through the air as he glared at Aros, silver eyes flashing electric white. Aros smirked back, only goading him further. Their beasts mirrored the tension — posturing, growling, challenging.
There is way too much testosterone flying around in here. Someone is going to lose a dick any minute. And I have a feeling that would impact me much more than I’d like to think about right now.
Charon leaned back in his favourite chair, watching the whole exchange with rapt fascination — like it was his favourite concert and he was a second away from breaking out the popcorn.
Sitting up straighter, Aph — ever the peacekeeper — quickly diffused the rising tension with her voice, sharp and clear.
“I give you the truth,” she said to me, inhaling quickly, heraura thick with apprehension. “I’ll tell you what really happened the day we met. But we’re going to need more wine.”
Aros and Caelus eased back down, though their eyes still flickered warily toward one another.
Charon refilled our glasses, downing his own before filling it a second time. I shook my head, smiling softly, knowing that if Char was in the right mood, he could drink enough to down a minotaur.
I hoped he wasn’t in that kind of mood tonight. Not here, not among the present company. He was almost guaranteed to divulge more of my embarrassing secrets — somehow, miraculously sharing none of his own.
“You were so young, Nyss, when you found me that day,” Aphrodite began, reclaiming my attention.
“I was fourteen.”
“Yes. Far too young to feel what I was feeling. And yet, you knew.”
I nodded.
“You knew the pain of losing someone you loved. Knew what it meant to never see them again.”
My eyes flickered to Charon’s, recalling the day I came home raving like a lunatic about finding the goddess of love by the Styx.
Nobody had believed me. And so began our unintentionally secret friendship.
“I never told you why,” Aphrodite said, pausing. Her rosy lips trembled. “I was in love once. With a mortal named Adonis.”
Recognition flitted across Aros’ face.
“He was taken from me, brutally and savagely, before I could even utter the words to him. Can you imagine?” She scoffed. “The goddess of love, unable to offer her declaration of it to the one person who made her heart beat faster?”
Aros frowned.
