Small Twists of Fate

Chapter Thirty Two

Hades pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried his best to focus on his work. No matter what kind of torment he devised for the souls bound for Tartarus, his mind kept flashing back to the conversation he had with Persephone.

Well...rather with Demeter. Persephone, it seemed, had been loathed to leave the bedroom she'd set up in Olympus and while she had assistance in her plan to get aid in bringing their daughter home, Demeter was the only one who was at Persephone's side one hundred percent.

Hades couldn't fault the other Gods, well with the exception of Zeus. Zeus would always have a share of the blame in Hades' heart.

Poseidon was doing what he could but between being there for his family and trying to track down Morgana, his often forgotten daughter who had somehow escaped the round up of villains to the Isle; Poseidon understandably didn't have much in the way of free time.

The other Gods Persephone had reached out to were helping where they could but they also had their other duties to deal with.

"Forget this," Hades muttered and got up from his seat. "If Zeus doesn't want to do his job as King of the Freaking Gods and help a God out, then I should get to have a break once in a while."

He went up to the living quarters though he immediately wished he'd stayed down in the Underworld proper as he tripped over one of the toys the sunspots had lying around.

"Are...are you okay Unca Hades?" Sammy's soft voice broke the silence and Hades looked at her from his spot on the ground.

"Oh I'm just fine, don't I look it?! Next time pick up your toys!"

"Don't talk to her like that!" Harriet spoke up, glaring at Hades as Sammy ran out of the room. "Sammy was being nice Unca Hades, it wasn't even her toy you fell on, it was mine! Yell at me!"

"Harriet, don't yell!" Milah scolded as she walked out of the nursery. "I've just gotten your brother down for his nap before I got started on lunch, now what in the world is going on?"

"Unca Hades was being mean to Sammy!" Harriet said, crossing her arms over her chest. "He shouldn't yell at her just cause he tripped over my sword! All Sammy did was ask if he was okay!"

Milah sighed and nodded. "Okay Harriet, why don't I talk to your Uncle Hades and you and Jess go do your 'guard' duties?"

"Okay mama!" Harriet nodded and rushed to join her sister in standing guard over Harry while he napped.

Milah shook her head before going over to help Hades up. "Are you alright?"

"...I'm fine," Hades said with a sigh.

"Hades..." Milah said, raising an eyebrow. "You know I've lived here long enough to know when you're hiding something. I also know that there's a reason why James and William have been spending more and more time on the ship or at the fish shop."

"Oh? And why's that?"

"Well I'd wager it's because they don't want to be around you when you're like this," Milah told him. "And I know you've got more than enough reason to be in this mood but I'd appreciate it if you didn't take it out on us or the girls. We care about Malinoë too you know."

"...I know," Hades said with a small sigh. "It's not just Malinoë being gone, Milah. Steph isn't talking to me, not...not even on the mental link and I know she's upset but...I can't go six months and not talk to my wife."

Milah gave Hades a small smile and gently rested her hand on his shoulder. "I think something that might help would be if you had the chance to get out of here."