A Game of Fate (Hades Saga #1)(64)

The question came from Hecate, who stood behind Hades as he adjusted his tie in the mirror. The Goddess of Witchcraft did not look pleased, looming in her purple robes, arms crossed over her chest.

The Olympian Gala occurred every year and was hosted at the Museum of Ancient Arts. It was an extravagant affair and an excuse for the gods to flaunt their wealth. The only reason Hades went was because the event doubled as a fundraiser. This year, the gala was themed after the Underworld, which meant that Hades and his foundation had a hand in choosing the charity.

“I am not taking Minthe,” Hades said. “She is my assistant.”

And he had not asked Persephone because she was going as an assignment for work, and taking Lexa.

“You do realize the only thing Persephone will see is you arriving at the gala with Minthe?”

Hades thought about the other night in the baths, when Minthe had interrupted them. Persephone had looked pointedly at his groin, his cock and balls heavy. He heard her words in his head. Then Minthe can assist you with your need.

Hades ground his teeth and turned to the goddess.

“I do not intend to arrive with her on my arm,” Hades said. “She is there to introduce the Halcyon Project.”

It was something his staff has been working on at The Cypress Foundation—a non-profit that would provide rehabilitation care to mortals for free. It was inspired by Persephone, whose words he could still hear clear as day. If you are going to request a bargain, challenge them to go to rehab if they’re an addict, and do one better, pay for it.

He had not been doing enough. If his true goal was to ensure that life in the Underworld was a better existence for souls, they had to have hope while alive. In the last few weeks, Hades had come to know more and more about hope than he ever imagined.

Hecate was staring, brow raised. “Does Minthe know that?”

“I have given her no reason to think otherwise,” Hades said.

The goddess shook her head. “You do not understand women,” Hecate said. “Unless you have made it explicitly clear, meaning unless you have said the words, Minthe, you are not my date, she will think exactly that.”

“And what makes you an expert suddenly?”

“I may not be interested in relationships, Hades, but I have lived longer than you and have seen these emotions destroy humanity. Besides,” she lifted her chin, “I overheard Minthe telling her minions she had a date with you this evening.”

“Her minions?” he asked.

“She has a group of nymphs she complains to about everything. You should hear the way she talks about Persephone.”

Hades’ eyes narrowed, and suddenly, he was full of curiosity.

“How does she talk about Persephone?”

Hecate’s eyes glittered menacingly as she described in detail the horrible things Minthe had said about the Goddess of Spring, including calling her a favor fuck—a derogatory term mortals used when describing someone who sleeps with a god in exchange for their favor. When Hecate was finished speaking, Hades only had one question.

“Why am I just now hearing about this?”

“I was gathering evidence,” she said defensively. “And if you think I let them get away with calling Persephone names, you’re mistaken.”

Hades waited, and Hecate finally explained.

“I…might have sent an army of poisonous centipedes to crash their picnic. The second time I sent blister beetles.”

“Second time? This has happened more than once?”

“What can I say? Minthe’s out of control,” Hecate said, ignoring the true nature of Hades’ question, which was why hadn’t she come to him earlier?

Hades turned from Hecate, swiping his mask off the table behind him.

“So,” Hecate hedged. “What are you going to do?”

“I will speak with Minthe,” Hades answered.

“Speak,” Hecate repeated. “You aren’t going to use this as an opportunity to…I don’t know…ban her from the Underworld?”

“Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear enough,” Hades said, and leveled his gaze with Hecate’s. “As you so…aptly pointed out in the beginning of this conversation. Trust, goddess, after I’m finished with Minthe, there will be no doubt in her mind of how she should treat Persephone.”

Hades moved to open the door, finding the nymph on the other side. Her hand was raised, as if he had caught her just before she was about to knock. She was dressed in emerald, and jewels hung heavy on her ears and neck.

“Oh,” she said, smiling wide, her eyes darting to Hecate, who still lingered in the background. They narrowed slightly before refocusing on Hades. “I…came to see if you were ready.”

“More than,” Hades replied, and before the nymph could react, he gathered his magic and teleported. They appeared in the Museum of Ancient Arts, just outside the ballroom where the dinner would take place.

“Favor fuck,” Hades said, as he secured his mask.

Minthe looked at him, a mixture of apprehension and fear on her face. “Excuse me?”

“Do you claim to not recognize those words?” Hades asked.

Minthe had nothing to say.

“The next time I hear that you have spoken ill of Persephone will be the last time you assist me,” Hades said. “Do I make myself clear?”