Page 8 of Monster Song
I wasn’t a warrior. I was a blacksmith. I didn’t enjoy fighting, and I’d never fought in battle a day in my life. But I had a massive problem with the people betting on these monsters to fight to the death. Especially since they backed right off as soon as they realized who I was, and I was now looking at their human faces.
I had been so wrong. They had always been in control and just wanted to be left alone. And I would help them.
“I have an idea. There will be bloodshed, but it will be the people betting on these fights.”
The female with the black hair who previously had pinchers on her face just grinned at me.
“Oh, good. A buffet.”
Okay, that was a little gross.
“You’ll need to be able to get Persephone to safety during the fight because we will be letting Demeter know in a big way that the monsters are no longer under her control.”
Hades' face went grim.
“We might not have time. River’s father is negotiating with Hell to bring a shadow demon and an army.”
Could I actually manage to flirt? I tried when they forced Aphrodite to marry me to punish her. She just mercilessly made fun of me and fucked Ares in my bed.
“So, you know what your other half is now, little Hellspawn?”
“Demon,” she said shyly.
“Demonroyalty,”the woman with the black hair snapped.
I could see how all of them were looking at her and protecting her. They liked her too. It just took all the wind out of my sails. I should give this up now.
My wife couldn’t stay loyal when she was just married to me. River had her pick of several monsters who even I could admit, were quite beautiful in their human form.
What would she want with a flawed Olympian who hurt her friends?
Chapter 6
River
H
ephaestus just totally deflated when Pavlina snapped at him. He was just not the kind of person Pavlina could trade barbs with. He needed a gentle touch, and I wanted to show him the Olympians were wrong. He was just perfect. I mean, he came here to set things right when he found out what was going on. He could have just stayed at his forge and let things play out. After the way the Olympians treated him, he had every right to.
“Be gentle with this one, Pavlina.”
“Are you claiming him?”
“I’ve only met him once, but he’s delightful, and he is here to help.”
“You’ll end up claiming him, and Demos will have a tantrum.”
“You didn’t want to share last night either, Pavlina.”
“I have more to prove than they do. It’s the same even now. People think female monsters aren’t as strong as the male ones, even though we are usually twice as deadly. Plus, there are three of them, and I don’t know if you’re into women.”
“I’m into the person, not their gender. And I like you, Pavlina. So, be nice to Hephaestus.”
“Can I still be mean to Demos?”
“You and Demos have some shit you will have to work out, eventually.”
I took Hephaestus’s arm. He looked down like it shocked him I’d even touch him and it wasn’t thehow dare youkind of look Demeter gave me for laying hands on her. It was the look of no one who had ever had a gentle touch before. I didn’t care what kind of spoons we would be playing. If he were up for it, I’d be his big spoon.
