Hades

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Hades

I rode Nyctaeus to and from work that day. He was less aggressive than Aethon, and I was tired. The letter from Persephone circled my mind. Olympus.

As ever, I didn't want to go.

I had to, but I didn't want to.

Back at the castle I ate dinner in the kitchen, standing. Lucinda was a bit pale, but excused it with too many cookies she'd baked. I made her promise to take the evening off. If I didn't have to leave, I would have made her take the following day off too, but I needed someone to look after Stella.

Stella was on her way to the kitchen when I left.

"Have you had a nice day?" I asked.

She stopped, waited a second and then turned so she was facing me. "Are you talking to me?" she asked.

I had to eat my pride on this one. "Yes, I am," I said. "I'm sorry for being so cross with you. It's been a while since I've had to relate to someone else being here."

She nodded. "Well, I didn't go to the attic. And I want to go eat now and then take a bath. Good night."

"Good night," I said.

Neither of us moved.

She sighed. "I'm not apologizing for reading those letters."

I smiled, I couldn't help it. "I didn't expect it either." I gave her shoulder a squeeze and left her.

Her gaze was trained at my back, I could feel it.