A Game of Fate (Hades Saga #1)(80)

“And who are these high lords?” Zeus asked.

Hades looked to Poseidon, and Zeus’ gaze followed, eyes narrowing. “Is this some scheme of yours, brother?”

“How dare you!” Poseidon’s first clenched the arms of his throne, cracking the shell it was made from.

“You’ve tried to take my throne before, you meddlesome prick!”

“Prick? Who are you calling a prick? Need I remind you, brother, just because you sit upon the throne as King of the Gods does not mean I am less powerful.”

Suddenly, everyone was glaring at him, save Zeus and Poseidon, who were locked in a verbal battle. Hades just chuckled.

“Imagine this as your torture in Tartarus,” he said. “For it is the sentence you’ll all receive for making me sit through this fuckery.”

Hours later, Hades found himself in Zeus’ office. It was a traditional space, furnished with a large oak desk that sat before a set of bookcases lined with leather-bound volumes he most definitely used for show. Large windows overlooked Zeus’ vast estate, where he kept a heard of bulls, cows, sheep, and swans. That was where Hades stood, while Zeus poured them a drink.

“So you stole Helios’ cattle,” Zeus said.

“He prevented me from carrying out Divine Judgement,” Hades said. “He had to be punished.”

“But you agree that his punishment has gone on long enough, yes?”

“If you are asking for confirmation that I will return his cattle, yes.” Hades paused. “In due course.”

Zeus sighed.

“Helios can threaten darkness all he likes, but he forgets that I am the darkness. It answers to me.”

Zeus had nothing to say to that. He took a drink and swished the alcohol in his mouth before saying, “Alright, but if push comes to shove, I’m not intervening.”

“I would be offended if you did,” Hades replied.

He drained the drink Zeus had offered and sat the glass down with a click, preparing to leave.

“Tell me of this woman who has turned your head.”

Hades froze.

“It is as I said at the gala and nothing more.”

“I do not believe that is the case,” he said. “If this had been any other mortal, you would have sought retribution for the things she said. Instead, you entertain her, dedicate a whole fucking building to her.”

“She had valid points,” Hades stated, ready to leave.

“And she has caught your eye. Admit it, brother!”

Hades did not.

“Bah! I should not expect you to be vulnerable, though I do wish you happiness.”

Hades raised his brows. “Remember those words, brother.”

You will not think them long, he thought.

“As such, I feel it is my duty to warn you of the deception of women, mortals in particular.”

“Says the god who seduces women in the form of animals.”

“That was not deception. I could not approach them in my Divine form, as it is a form mere mortals cannot truly grasp.”

And yet none of us have the same issue, Hades thought.

“You disguised yourself because they had already rejected you,” Hades countered. “Do not attempt to lie to me, little brother. We both know it is futile.”

Zeus’ lips flattened, his eyes narrowed.

“Women only want one thing, Hades, and that is power.”

Hades had no doubt it was one of several things women wanted, and among them, freedom to exist without worrying about predators like Zeus.

“Perhaps you fear women in power because of the way you use your own—to rape, abuse, and torture.”

This conversation had not gone the way Zeus expected, but Hades would not hear his brother speak ill of women.

He turned from him and left his office. Outside, he found himself in a courtyard that was open to the sky. A path cut through the center, flanked by marble statues of nymphs. At the center was a simple fountain in the shape of a hexagon. As Hades started down the path, he was stopped by Demeter, who stepped out from behind one of the columns lining the boundaries of the yard.

She was full of hate for him. It built in her eyes, making them murky in color, like water in a swamp. Hades knew this confrontation would come. While Demeter had been ignorant to her daughter’s presence at the gala, she knew Hades spoke of her when he had given his speech, and now it haunted her. She’d probably relived it in every paper, in every magazine, on every news station. She could not even escape the knowledge at council. It was quite possibly the best torture Hades had ever doled out.

“Stay away from my daughter, Hades.” Her voice was even but menacing. It was the voice she used to strike fear in the hearts of her nymphs and to curse mortals.

But it only gave Hades pleasure.

“What’s the matter, Demeter?” he challenged. “Afraid of the Fates?”

His words were an acknowledgment. I know of the prophecy, they said.

“If you truly care for her as you so publicly claim, then walk away,” Demeter said. “She stands to lose everything if you do not.”

“And those are the actions of someone who cares for her?” Hades asked.

Demeter stepped toward him, her voice shaking. “I am doing this because I care! You are not right for my daughter.”

“I think she would disagree.”