Fifteen

"Sorry," Zeus said, a smirk tugging on his lips, "are we late for the gala?"

"Calantha, come along," my mother said, holding out her hand.

I whipped my head behind me, but four more gods blocked our exit. Hades followed my gaze and yanked me to him. I grabbed onto his arm, my heart pounding, as they moved closer.

"Zeus, what are you doing?" Hades growled.

"Brother, need I remind you of the conversation we had some nine months ago? I warned you to stay away from my daughter, and you did not heed my words. Because of it, I have gathered the Olympians."

"Zeus, I ask you politely to get the hell out of my castle."

"Hand over the girl or expect there to be bloodshed."

"I think not," a separate voice chimed in.

"Who said that?" Zeus demanded.

Thanatos stepped into view—with ten other gods. I recognized Charon and Hekate, but the others I didn't know. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I'm afraid that we can't let you take over our homes."

"This doesn't have to be violent," Zeus said, his eyes flicking over their four extra heads. "Hades, all you have to do is give us Calantha."

"No," I blurted, shocking myself. I stopped for a second; what am I doing? "I-I won't go with you, mother. I'm finally happy. I won't let you take this away from me, too."

"Calantha, he's clearly poisoning your thinking! He kidnapped you, and you want to stay with him?"

"I want to stay with him because he is the best husband anyone could ask for in any day or age!"

"And there's a bit of a flaw in your thinking," Hekate joined in. "Calantha ate some pomegranate seeds without Hades' permission. Her soul now belongs to the Underworld."

Fear flashed in my mother's eyes. "What-what does that mean?"

"It means nothing!" Zeus spat. "They're just trying to scare you! That notion is a myth—nothing more!"

"I—"

"Now, I see you've chosen for spilled blood, then," Zeus continued. He signaled, and the gods drew their weapons.

Oh, Lord, they're actually going to fight over me! The atmosphere in the room darkened as the tension skyrocketed.

"Wait," I yelled. "Wait! I-I will make a deal with you."

"What are you doing?" Hades hissed in my ear, reinforcing his grip.

"I can't let you lose your homes over me." I met Zeus' gaze, mine filling with tears. "I will go willingly with you if you will grant me one more night with Hades."

"Calantha! What—?" Hekate cried.

"It's the right thing to do," I said, my voice wobbling. "I don't want you guys to get hurt over me."

"I accept your terms," Zeus said, a sly grin forming on his face.

"What?" Demeter screeched. "No!"

"Demeter, she can have one more measly night with Hades." Zeus signaled once more, and the gods relaxed, the tensions cooling in the air. One by one, they filed out of the room. "I'll see you in the morning."

I watched him turn his back and leave, my mother trailing behind him.

Hekate rushed forward, pulling me into a hug. "You crazy girl," she said, tears in her voice. "What the hell was that?"

"I'm sorry, Hekate. I don't want there to be conflict. I—"

"How could you?"

"How could you?" Hades echoed Hekate as he closed the bedroom door.

I stared at the marble flooring. I hoped it would open up and swallow me, taking me far from my problems. "Are you mad at me?" I whispered.

He took my hand and lifted my chin with the other. He looked me in the eyes, emotions swirling in his irises. There were too many to count. "No. I'm mad, but not at you. How could you just... give up like that?"

"I'm sorry, honestly. I-I just didn't want you and the others to suffer because of me, and, and..."

The prospect of leaving Hades hit me. I sank to the floor. Oh, Lord, what have I done?

Hades engulfed me in his arms, kneeling next to me. He held me tightly, whispering comforting words.

"What will happen once I leave the Underworld? As Thanatos said: I can't return to the living world."

"I'm not sure, magnolia. I've never had someone dare to try it."

"...Will I die?"

"No, a moral curse will not kill a god. But it will do some harm—I'm just not sure what. I pray that the harm will be enough to change Demeter's mind and return you to me."

"Do you think so?"

"I am pleading with everything that I am."

~~~

"Hurry up and say your goodbyes, Calantha," my mother snapped.

I flinched. Hades stepped in between us, forcing me to look at him. "This isn't goodbye, magnolia, okay?" he whispered, his eyes tearing up. "I promise to look over you, watch over you, until you return."

I nodded, trying to hold back tears myself. "This isn't goodbye," I echoed. "I love you so much, Hades. You were the kindest and most loving person I've ever met."

"And you were the same to me, magnolia."

"Hold on just a damn minute," Hekate boomed, her voice furious.

Zeus gave her a bored look. "What is it this time? Here to tell me that Calantha is pregnant?"

Hekate shot him a withering glare. "How did you know where Calantha was, and how did you know there was going to be a gala?"

"Good ole fashioned espionage, dear. I guess the Underworld isn't as fortified as you thought, dear brother."

Anger burned in Hades' eyes. "Who?"

"I suppose it's all right to reveal her since she will come with us. Hermes, my boy?"

The god named Hermes stepped forward. He advanced toward me but didn't stop as he brushed past me. I turned, my heart halting in its tracks. Hermes embraced Sudie, pulling her in for a kiss.

"Sudie?" I asked, my voice breaking like my heart. "Why?"

"I'm sorry, Calantha. You were very good to me, but Lady Demeter comes first. And I found the love of my life, too. I'm sorry, honestly."

Hermes led my maid to stand beside Zeus and himself. "She's been giving us info from almost the start, like the good little nymph she is."

That was like a slap to the face. How could Sudie? I thought we were friends! I thought she liked me! Or was that entire friendship a ruse? And to think, I was blaming Jamie for something suspicious the whole time, and Sudie was doing it right under my nose!

"Come along, Calantha. You've had plenty of time to say goodbye," my mother said. Her voice is really starting to get on my nerves.

"Yes, come now." I wanted to smack the smirk off of Zeus' face.

Hades connected our lips one more time, and my mark tingled. Something cold on my wrist caught my attention. When we finally broke apart, I checked it out. There was a silver bracelet on my wrist with a single pink magnolia charm, slightly swaying as I moved.

"A parting gift," Hades murmured. His voice dropped even lower, "Never take it off, okay?"

I nodded. "I love it."

"I'll see you later, magnolia." He kissed my hand.

I swallowed, the tears thick in my throat, and my lip trembled. No. I will not let my mother and Zeus have the satisfaction of seeing me cry, seeing me broken. I drew in a shaky breath and squeezed his hand one last time, savoring the feeling of his skin.

Then I let go.

I walked across the foyer. My feet were weighed down by invisible cement, and I had to force myself to move. Everything screamed at me to go back, to return to Hades' warm embrace. But I can't.

They weren't kidding when they say all good things must come to an end.

I hated the sight of the mortal world. Where are the asphodels? Where are the rolling hills? The rivers? There are too many roads, too many houses. It's too much for nature to like, too many things for nature to grow.

The sun seemed different on my skin. It was too bright, too cheery. Instead of the warm kiss on my skin, the sunshine burned. And the sky seemed too clear, too perfect. Where's my perfection? Why is it mocking me?

I unlocked my house, nausea sweeping through me. I hate this place.

My mother placed a hand on my shoulder. "Calantha, let's go to my place. I'll make you some dinner. In fact, why don't you stay at my house for a while—so you can heal."

Fury swept through my veins, and I knocked her hand off of me. I've never before wanted to scream at my mother like this. "Heal?" I hissed. "You are the reason for my pain. I was happy! And you ripped that away from me!"

Her tone darkened. "Calantha, I am your mother. Don't give me that disrespect!"

"I lost all of my respect for you when you lied to me—for twenty-two years!"

"Calantha..."

"You told me all my life that my father was dead! And human! You said to me that I am human, but everything was a lie!" I panted, my heart beating rapidly. "Are you even my mother?"

Her hand connected with my cheek. "You insolent child!" she shrieked. "I am your mother! I gave you life, a house! Do not give me that tone!"

My voice went cold, my cheek stinging. "You are not my mother. Get out."

She grabbed my wrist, her nails digging into my skin. "You ungrateful—"

"Get the hell out of my house!"

I crumpled to the floor after she stormed out, the tears coming out faster than I could stop them. I sobbed for what seemed like hours, until my throat was raw. My mark tingled—combining with the throbbing of my wrist—but looking at my shoulder brought up memories of Hades, and I cried harder. By the time I finished, snot and tears covered me, and my head pounded like a jackhammer.

I cleaned myself up. I knew I had to check in with the police and report myself as not missing. By the end of the day, I got myself off of the missing person's list. When the cops asked what happened, I said that I needed time for myself—I went hiking across the US—and my mother overreacted. I knew nothing of the missing person's file, and there was no wi-fi where I was.

Then I changed the locks on my house. I knew it was futile to try and keep my mother out, but it brought a little peace. The locksmith asked if it was because of an abusive ex, pointing out the bruise on my face. I said no, that was a fall. I was changing the locks because I lost my purse with a set of keys and wanted to be careful.

I collapsed on my bed. Compared to my bed with Hades, this mattress was made of straw. I just want to roll over, and Hades would be there, ready to pull me into his arms with a kiss to my head. The ache in my chest increased. I want to curl up and stay there forever. With a heavy heart, I fell asleep.

"Are you ready, magnolia?" Hades asked, entering the room.

I looked up from my book, La Belle et la Bête—I need to brush up on my French—and smiled at my husband. My kids zoomed past me. "Calandra, Farasha, you two need to slow down!"

They skidded to a stop. Calandra is the oldest with dark hair and ice-blue eyes—looks she received from her father. Farasha has dirty blonde hair with bottle-green eyes. I hated the fact that she inherited her blonde locks from her grandfather—whom we don't have contact with—but I didn't love her any less. It's just a point in my life I hate to relive through her.

I gestured for Hades to help me up off the couch. He steadied me, placing a palm on my barely showing stomach. I went up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek as our children gagged and protested in the background: the only downside of children.

Hades grabbed the wicker basket, and I scooped up the blanket. We loaded everything into the trunk and buckled in our excited kids. We drove to the park, Hades' hand in mine. He rolled down the windows, letting the breeze twirl my hair.

As soon as I opened the car door, my kids bolted out and headed straight for the green grass. "Thanks for asking, children," Hades said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "We don't need any help."

I laughed, kissing him on the cheek. We lugged our picnic things onto a patch of grass, spreading out the checkered blanket. I watched our children run free, the sunshine in their hair. Fingers played with my hair, and I smiled over at Hades.

"How are you?" I asked.

"I have never been better, magnolia—now that you are here. Although, you could be a lot closer."

I grinned, blushing. "Stop! We have small ears near."

"Magnolia, both kids are out of earshot."

"I mean this one." I placed a hand on my stomach.

"Please! That one can't hear us!"

"You never know..."

He laughed and pulled me closer. I reached into the basket as I rested my head on his shoulder. I placed popcorn near his mouth and giggled as he took it, licking me in the process. I traced his bottom lip and watched as his eyes dilated.

I have to keep in mind that children are close—I know that look anywhere.

"I was thinking of Aquila," Hades said a minute later.

"Hmm?"

"I was thinking Aquila—a name for our baby. It means 'eagle' in Latin. And it's unisex."

I grabbed his hand, interlocking our fingers. "It's not bad... but I was thinking of another name."

"Such as?"

"Aidon."

"You, you want to name the baby after me?"

"If the baby is a boy, yes. It's only fair since we named our other babies after Thanatos and Hekate."

A slow grin spread across his face, happiness shining in his eyes. "I would love that."

"I love you."

"And I love you—you and our family."

I woke up, panting. My heart clenched painfully as my plaster ceiling greeted me and not the marble one of our palace. My bed was cold, and I missed the extra warmth of a second person. My lip trembled, and I fought to keep my tears back. No. No crying. I will be strong.

I will be strong.