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

~63~

There was no more pretending. Persephone's condition had become dire. Her water broke during the night, but her labor stalled, leaving her in a severely weakened state. Hecate recommended they take a chariot to Olympus where Persephone could receive medical attention. Hades didn't like the idea of her riding in a chariot in her condition, but he knew she would be better attended in Olympus, and she would be with Eros when his child was delivered. It was for the best.

After saying a farewell he desperately hoped would not be their last, Hades watched the chariot take to the air while Hecate scolded the horses, ordering them to fly swiftly but safely or she would curse them all. Once they were out of sight, Hades stalked to the dome room, not wanting to return to the place where Persephone had suffered. He told the nymphs not to disturb him, but Blythe followed him up, trying to convince him he needed to take breakfast.

"But, your lordship, you haven't eaten in hours."

"If I recall, I had dinner last night, and I don't usually eat while I'm sleeping."

"But Fiona has baked a splendid quiche with all your favorites; wild mushrooms, leeks, fennel..."

"I am not hungry at the moment. Have her save me a piece."

"Perhaps a glass of juice?"

"I have consumed enough water to float to Olympus."

When they had reached the dome room, he inclined his head to the tenacious nymph and, graciously, closed the door before she was able to utter another syllable. He hated being curt to the nymphs, who never failed to greet him with smiles and laughter, but there were times when he needed to brood, and this was one of those times.

He walked across the floor, taking in three hundred and sixty degrees of sky. Peach and salmon colored the horizon, giving way to blue and violet. The view had always impressed him, despite the lack of sun. At least his days in the underworld were not spent in constant darkness, as so many mortal texts described. He thanked Gaia she had blessed him with the ability to leave his domain and visit the sun and the sea. Had he not been afforded that luxury, he would surely be a miserable wretch. It made his prohibition from Olympus a little easier to take.

Would Lexi offer to help Persephone and Hecate when they arrived? he asked himself as he circled the room, hands crossed at his back, head lowered to stare at his shuffling feet. Of course, she would. Lexi's compassion outmatched any god in Olympus. But would Persephone need to be resurrected from the dead? He shuddered as he continued his trek around the room, his thoughts running rampant and unbidden. Where had Lexi slept last night? Had she woken up in the bed of another god? Was she still with that god?

Hades clenched his hands, allowing the heat to build inside his fists. Was he a fool to believe Lexi would remain true to him? She had consented to be his mate knowing she would be sharing him with Persephone. Was she realizing the unfairness of such a relationship? Could he prove to her that he was different from the others? Was he different? He knew she had been drinking when they last spoke. He could see it in her eyes. And that hiccup. Had she been imbibing in the powerful brew Poseidon passed off as ambrosia? Had Kade even done the job he'd asked of him?

Fire erupted from Hades' palms, pulling him out of his head. He leaned against the dome, pressing his hands on the glass and extinguishing the flames before his bandage caught fire. He needed Lexi there with him, to soothe his heartache, to calm his nerves, to be his lover forever. Would she be happy spending eternity with a brooding, emotional god? Persephone had only to deal with his moods one season out of the year, and the nymphs were exceedingly forgiving. If Hades had any hope of proving he was all the god Lexi needed to fulfill her desires, chasing around the fucking dome room with his hands on fire was not the way to accomplish it. Where the hell had he put that hammer?