Lexi's Fate (Book 2 of A Goddess Unraveled)

~56~

Lexi scowled as she stood in front of the scrying mirror, wishing the gods used cell phones. Weren't they all-powerful? How hard could it be to erect a few cell towers? When the face of Blythe appeared, Lexi quickly cheered.

"Lady Lexi. How nice to see you." Blythe smiled, but her face did not display its usual radiance, and the tone in her voice betrayed her worry.

"What's wrong, Blythe? I know something is bothering you. It's written all over your face."

"Well, there are a few things..."

"Have the minotaurs returned? Are they attacking the castle? What about Persephone? Has her health gotten worse? Oh, gods. I'm coming home right away."

"No, my lady. Do not cut your visit short. The minotaurs have not bothered us for an entire turn of the hourglass, but I will not lie and say Persephone's health is not a concern. However, Hecate is here tending to her, and she has immense powers of sorcery. We are waiting for Lord Hades to return from the forest. Hecate sent him out to collect a special fungus so she can make a tincture that we hope will cure our queen."

"Hades went into the forest? The minotaur forest?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Shit." Lexi knew the council's verdict could not have reached the minotaurs, but she still didn't like the idea of Hades waltzing around the forest when the minotaurs were clearly pissed off at him. "How long has he been gone?"

"An hour or so. Would you like me to have him contact you when he returns? I believe he was trying to reach you earlier."

"I know. I got the message. Yes, please have him contact me. Wait, I've got to attend this stupid orgy at Poseidon's palace, so have him contact me there. Blythe, do you think Hades is safe in that forest? I know he's the god of the underworld and he's immortal, but I can't help worrying about the minotaurs taking him prisoner and torturing him."

"No, Lady Lexi, he will not be taken prisoner or tortured. All the races of the underworld are bound by an oath to honor and respect their god. You just enjoy yourself and do not worry another minute about Lord Hades."

Lexi did not feel comforted by Bythe's reassurances. If the minotaurs respected Hades, they would not have sent flaming arrows across the palace walls. "Okay, but I'm returning first thing tomorrow. Please, tell Persephone I send her my blessings."

"I will. See you soon, my lady."

The mirror went dark and Lexi turned before she could see her reflection, forcing away the worries that plagued her. Surely, Hades was powerful enough to defend himself against the minotaurs should they attempt to hurt him. What if they did hurt him? What if his blood was spilled? Didn't Zeus say it would take blood and sorcery to bring down a god? The minotaurs were intelligent. Lexi believed this whether or not the gods did. No, this was not good. Perhaps, she could risk Zeus' anger and return home early. She had no interest in attending a party that merely served to satiate the gods' tireless hunger for excess. She had seen enough of that when she was living the life of a mortal.

A knock interrupted her and she stared at the door. Was it a nymph sent to prepare her for the orgy? Should she request a chariot to take her home?

"Lexi, are you ready to go? I have a chariot waiting to take us to Poseidon's palace." A commanding voice echoed beyond the thick door, leaving no room for doubt who it belonged to.

Damn. Lexi cursed under her breath as she surrendered. There would be no escaping her godly duties now. She opened the door to find the regal form of Zeus posing in the hall. He had changed out of his bloody robe and donned a toga, and Lexi was forced to admit he fit every description of a perfectly sculpted god with supreme ass-kicking abilities. Of course, Lexi had always seen him as her boisterous, narcissistic godfather, and no amount of eons or alcohol would convince her to see him any other way.

"You look like a Greek god," she said as she waved him in. "I haven't had a chance to change. I've been trying to reach Hades. I want to tell him about the council meeting."

"I take it you were unsuccessful." Zeus strolled in, stepping in front of the full length mirror to admire himself.

"Unfortunately, yes, and I'm worried about him. Hecate sent him into the minotaur forest to collect a fungus for... " Lexi caught herself before she blurted out Persephone's name. Did Zeus know she was ill? What about Demeter? Lexi walked to her wardrobe, pretending to look distracted. "...for a tincture."

"A tincture for what? Couldn't she just send a nymph to do her bidding?"

"I suppose. Maybe he volunteered. He's probably trying to find things to distract him. I think he's worried about me being here."

Zeus turned away from the mirror, his face hardening slightly. "Hades has plenty to distract him. His job, for instance, although I'm sure you have done a reasonable job of distracting him lately."

Lexi shrugged as she chose a tasteful chartreuse gown from the wardrobe and walked behind a folding screen to change. "Is that so terrible? He is stuck there in the underworld with only a few gods and nymphs for companionship. You probably wouldn't be so quick to judge if you spent a couple days in his shoes."

Lexi peeked around the screen to see Zeus' reaction. His arms had found their way across his chest and he was pacing the room. "Are you suggesting I have it easy up here? You have no idea the responsibilities placed before me. I have the weight of an entire kingdom and the welfare of hundreds of gods resting on my shoulders."

"Forgive me. I didn't mean to suggest your responsibilities were any less important than Hades', but I feel compelled to point out, dear father, that you have hundreds of gods and goddesses to offer you companionship, where he does not." Lexi finished dressing and walked up to Zeus so he could secure the last few buttons on the back of her gown. "I love Hades more than the sun and the moon. In fact, I have given them both up to be with him. I don't expect you to give me your blessing, I'm just wondering how long it will take before you acknowledge that I have found happiness."

Lexi used the mirror to make a few adjustments, tugging the plunging neckline upward to give her more coverage and pulling a few strands of hair out of the severe twist on her head to soften her face. She had no intention of telling Zeus that Hades had proposed marriage to prove his devotion to her. That was between her and the man who held her heart. Through the mirror's reflection, Lexi saw a trace of moisture clouding the corners of Zeus' eyes.

"You are a credit to your divine species, Lexi, and I am quite aware that you do not require my blessing to do whatever pleases you. I simply wish for you to cultivate the best possible life for yourself. Eternity is longer than you can fathom. I know Hades is surely eager to have you spend it with him, but I also believe he wants you to feel fulfilled."

Lexi turned and hugged him in the same tight embrace she used when she was a kid. He was a big softy under all that hair and muscle. "I love you, in spite of the annoying habit you have of sticking your nose in my business."

"Isn't that a father's job?" He chuckled against her head before pulling away. "Now, we need to make haste. It would not do for the father of the gods to be late to his own party."