Queen Of Hell & Paradise (Immortal gods: Book 1)

Chapter 18- Olympus

The king of the gods presided over the high council.

He sat at his magnificent throne and watched as each god and goddess took their seat. The skies of the heavens were filled with the ubiquity of the original twelve olympians, especially Aphrodite's. Her presence brought effulgence to the court arena, illuminating the faces of the already glowing celestial beings.

Zeus gazed at her in admiration as did all the other gods in the council sphere. It is said even Hades' vicious hellhound can not resist the goddess' allure. The queen of the gods frowned, squeezing her husband's hand a little tighter than necessary. He flashed her a nervous grin, realizing he'd been holding her hand on the armrest of his throne not out of affection, but by way of habit.

He turned his attention to the gods and goddesses that had sat down on the nine other thrones in front of him. Poseidon, Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Dionysus all sat staring at him expectantly.

Zeus stood up and cleared his throat, its sound traveled through medium of the heavens.

"Thank you for your attendance, olympians. Your presence has been requested by means of Hermes himself, for I have urgent news to share."

The gods and goddesses glanced at each other in curiosity. There hadn't been a council meeting in over five hundred years, what occurrence was important enough to be addressed at a court session?

"I believe it is good news," Zeus lied, hiding his true intentions, "I have received news my brother Hades is getting married!"

The gods and goddesses looked around with wide astonished eyes, some even raised their brows, but all were stunned to silence. Aphrodite, of course, was the first to react. She was ecstatic as she bounced around the council sphere announcing she would personally bond the union between the two.

Her husband noticed Zeus had not yet finished his announcement. He stood and walked to his wife who was animatedly describing her plans for Hades' wedding to an irritated Demeter. He discretely asked her to take her seat and quietly complemented her ideas so as not to upset her.

After she was seated and quieted down, Zeus spoke again.

"I have decided I'll be descending to the surface, I wish to congratulate my brother in person. Any god who wishes to do the same should feel free to do so," he said shrewdly, hoping he would incur Demeter's anger.

Judging by the look on her face, his intentions had been successful. Demeter, indignant, will descend to put an end to the relationship Zeus knew had not yet come into fruition. He had already observed his brother and the mortal girl interact, he held no doubt their bond could still be broken.

Demeter's daughter is still married to Hades, their union has not been dissolved despite the millennia they have already been apart. Once the goddess of the harvest descends to the earthly realm, she will most certainly eradicate whatever consonance exists between the two. And my kingdom, Zeus thought, will be safely in my rule once gain.

Sounds of merriment filled the court arena, almost obstructing the resentful voice fighting to be heard.

"This is great news, indeed!" Hephaestus boomed cheerfully.

"Wha- how? He scarcely leaves the safety of his reclusive abode!" exclaimed Apollo in bewilderment.

"Oh this is just amazing!" Aphrodite shrieked delightedly, "I absolutely adore the aroma of fresh, new love!" She sighed, clasping her hands together and bringing them to her cheek.

"What a lovely surprise!" Artemis called sunnily.

"It was about time uncle found someone!" blurted Dionysus, jubilant.

"This is preposterous!" Demeter expressed agitatedly, gaining the attention of the gods around her, "Has he no decency? Has he no sense of decorum?"

She walked to the foot of Zeus' throne with an unsettled expression. She reached for Zeus' hand in plea, unknowingly provoking Hera. She was still incensed about her betrayal with Zeus, the one that resulted in Persephone's birth.

"Has he forgotten he is still married to my daughter?" Demeter said, indignant. The queen of the gods rolled her eyes almost automatically. Who did Demeter think herself to be? Had she herself not contemplated breaking the sanctity of marriage?

In fact, she had. Twice. The first was when she insulted Hera's own marriage with Zeus by laying with him and conceiving him a child. The second was when her daughter was betrothed to Hades, her brother, and she attempted several times to annul their union. Now, she had the audacity to stand in front of her husband taunting Hera with her ill-found scorn!

"Demeter," Hera said coldly, acquiring the heedfulness of the subjects present. The goddess looked up upon being acknowledged.

"My counsel for you presently is to nullify the alliance that once existed between Hades and your daughter. She made a choice eons ago, and now she must live with the consequences. Step out from hiding, Persephone," Hera said displeased, noticing movement behind the pillar.

The gods and goddesses turned in the direction of their queen's glower. Out stepped Demeter's lovely daughter, Persephone. She wore a timid expression, something that aroused irritation in Hera. If she was faultless, as her mother illustrated her to be, why had she lingered the court sphere when it is strictly forbidden for her to do so?

Minor deities are not granted entrance to the upper hemisphere of Olympus when court is in session. Hera diverted the intensity of her dissatisfaction onto the goddess of the harvest.

"Hades' marriage to Persephone will be severed- effective immediately," she announced. Thunder and lightning cracked at her declaration.

"No! Please! I-" Persephone began, addressing Hera. The gods and goddesses looked away, afraid of the reaction the queen would have. Persephone had already broken the rule of attending court, and now she was foolish enough to counter the queen. Even Zeus was apprehensive.

"Demeter, take the child and leave," he said, irate.

"Child?" Persephone voiced, visibly upset. Demeter stood up from her position at the foot of Zeus' throne and stiffly led her daughter out.

Zeus stood and dismissed the remaining gods and goddesses. He turned to Hera prepared to deliver an acrimonious speech, she had foiled his plan! Now he would be forced to do things himself, as he always did!

When he turned to her however, he noticed she was in one of her foul moods. Unquestionably, it was due to Persephone's unexpected appearance. He could very well still vocalize his displeasure, but he was not willing to fight Hera for it. He knew she would contradict him, and had he won the argument, she still would not retract from her sentence.

Thus, Zeus chose instead to lean back into his throne, silent. He'd have to deal with the matter himself.