Fourteen

"What flowers would you like, Your Majesties?" a maid asked, approaching me.

I glanced up from the checklist in front of me. "Hades, what do you think?"

"My wife, you're the flower goddess—I trust your opinion more than mine."

"Oh. In that case, I'll choose red peonies and lily of the valley."

Although both of those flowers grow in May and June, our gardeners can grow any flower—at any time.

"An excellent choice, Your Majesty." She bobbed a curtsy and moved away.

"Which dress should I choose, Hekate?" I asked later that night.

I moved to the shared closet, opening it. I still get chills every time I see the inside of it. It's so surreal.

Hekate peered into it. She moved around a few dresses, touching the fabric, and sometimes glancing back at me. I only assumed that she imagined me in some of them.

"This one," she declared, pulling one off of the rack.

The dress reminded me of the color of the sky. It had a sweetheart neckline; I knew the hem would drape over my shoes. I reached forward and ran my fingers over the skirt—satin. I loved it.

"Oh, Hekate, what good taste you have," I said, a grin forming on my face.

"Why thank you." She gave a sweeping bow. "Now for the jewels."

I already had something in mind. "The asphodel crown. I haven't needed to show it off yet. Our gala would be the perfect occasion."

"A magnificent idea. We could pair a nice opal necklace with it—"

"No. I want to wear the tourmaline necklace that I always wear."

"Oh. Of course."

"Who are we inviting again?"

"Me, of course, Thanatos, Charon, and Thanatos' siblings. Pretty much every god that lives in the Underworld."

~~~

"My lord." I smiled, curtsying.

"What do you have for me today, my lily?"

I couldn't keep the smile off of my face—partly because of my news and partly because Hermes was here. "I have some big news, Hermes."

He pulled me closer by my waist; his thumb rubbed my hip through my dress. "Oh? What is it?"

"Calantha and Hades are planning a gala for their six-month anniversary of Calantha showing up in the Underworld."

Hermes beamed. "Oh, my lily, that is the best news I've received in a long time! Well done!"

"I did well?"

"You did amazing!"

My shoulders dropped in relief. "You're happy, right?"

"I'm ecstatic! You've earned a reward."

Heat pooled in my core, and goosebumps popped up on my arms. "...A reward?"

Hermes pushed me onto the bed, swinging his leg to straddle me. His hair flopped over his forehead, his hungry eyes staring at me from behind the flaxen waves. "Yes, a reward."

~~~

Ugh, stupid tie. It's been far too long since I have tied a tie. I never needed to before; gods don't usually invite me to gatherings up on Olympus. I wish Calantha were here. But she specifically requested me not to see her before the gala.

I moved down the familiar path to the Throne Room—that's where she wanted to meet. I threw open the doors; where is my beautiful wife?

Calantha looked away from Hekate, and I almost fell to the marble. She sparkled of magnificence and grace—like a true queen. Calantha wore a stunning dress, but it was vaguely familiar. I must have come across it in the closet. It was ice-blue and smooth like satin. In her golden-brown hair, an opal crown glittered in the light. I smiled as I saw that it was in the shape of asphodels.

Oh, how Calantha still takes my breath away...

Hekate looked elegant as well. She wore a flowing, dark amethyst dress. I believe it's called chiffon. The hemline made a V-line with the shortest part in the front. She wore her favorite diadem—blackthorn vines with blackthorn flowers, a jet crystal shining in the center of the flowers.

"I will leave the two of you now. Don't be too late." Hekate nodded her head in respect as she passed me.

I gave a dramatic bow. "Φαίνεσαι όμορφη, Κυρία του Υποκόσμου."

Her enchanting laugh fell over my ears, and my love for her raised its head. "You're only saying that to get in my good graces; I do not look beautiful."

"You know that I only speak the truth." I stuck out my palm. "Shall we, Κυρία του Υποκόσμου?"

Calantha stepped down from her throne, a smile adorning her lips. "Don't call me that—you know that I hate my title."

"But I love claiming you as my wife."

She grinned and took my elbow. "Oh, be quiet, please."

I escorted Calantha to the Ballroom, the sound of music and voices growing louder by the instant. We descended the marble stairs, as the King and Queen do traditionally. In front of the crowd, I bowed and asked, "May I have this first dance, Κυρία του Υποκόσμου?"

She curtsied and smiled. "You may, Κυρίον του Υποκόσμου."

The crowd parted, and I led her to the center of the room. I took her into my arms, and she rested her head against my chest. Her sweet perfume swirled between us. The music started up, and we swayed and twirled to the orchestra. I was content—I finally have the love of my life to myself.

~~~

"Does everyone like the gala, Sudie?" I asked the red-head next to me.

"Yes, miss, I believe so. I have only gotten positive feedback thus far."

I blew out a breath. "Good. That's good. You look very lovely tonight, by the way."

Sudie wore an ivory dress with black lace begonias over it. The lace reached her wrists—it was simple but beautiful. And she pulled her hair into a braid.

Something flashed in her eyes before she looked away. "Thank you, miss. I appreciate it. Are you enjoying it?"

"I am."

Motion caught my eye. Black hair disappeared around a door. Where is Jamie going?

"I will be right back, Sudie."

Sudie shot me a confused glance but didn't respond. What is Jamie doing? She is supposed to be serving the guests. Ever since she got here, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was up to something.

Ever since I heard that maid call her Kamryn, I couldn't help but think that she is Kamryn.

I caught up to Jamie after a minute of twists and turns. Jamie stood next to a maid—the one that called her Kamryn. I hid behind a corner; what are they up to now?

"—you have it, Ramana?"

"I do."

The maid named Ramana fished around in her apron pocket, pulling out a small velvet bag. Jamie emptied the bag into her palm. My eyes widened as I saw a small vial of a light pink liquid.

What is that? Poison? Is she planning to poison Hades or me? Another maid? It wouldn't do much, but it would do some harm.

"What do you two think that you're doing?" I asked, coming out from my hiding spot.

They both paled, and Jamie hurriedly put the vial behind her back. "Your Majesty," Ramana squeaked.

"Jamie, if I'm not wrong, you are supposed to be working at the gala." I looked at the hand behind her, pretending to notice it finally. "What are you hiding from me, Jamie?"

With anger in her eyes, she showed me the vial.

"And what is that?" Jamie stared at me, refusing to speak. I turned my gaze to Ramana. "I suggest one of you tell me."

Where is this authoritative personality coming from? I didn't think I could be like this!

"It's a potion, Your Majesty," Ramana blurted out.

"What kind of potion?"

"One to make someone fall in love with you." Ramana avoided my eyes. "It was for your husband. Jamie asked me to brew it for her."

I called for some guards. Just as they were arriving, Hades showed up. "Magnolia?" he asked. "What's happening?"

"These two have a plan to make you fall in love with Jamie via a potion."

Hades lifted his eyebrows. "How Shakespeare-ish. You two are both fired. Guards, take them to the cells."

As I looked back at Jamie, her hair started turning a different color. It lightened to a dirty blonde—Kamryn. I knew it!

"I knew it was you," I spat. "Why are you doing this?"

"You're just his whore," she snarled, finally speaking. "I am the that he could truly love. Me, not you."

"Do you even hear yourself, Kamryn? You sound delusional. Get these two out of my sight."

Hades put an arm around me as I glared at the two guards escorting the maids away. "Relax, magnolia," he whispered in my ear. "Everything is okay now."

Oh, my God. I could've lost Hades. "I love you," I said, wrapping my arms around him in a hug.

"And I love you. Let's get back to the gala before anyone notices."

I laughed and nodded.

"Is it wrong to say that I'm glad that the gala is over?" I asked, untangling the crown from my hair.

Hades' reflection appeared over my shoulder in the mirror. "Not in the slightest. To be truthful, I hate them, too."

"Oh, good! I thought I was the only one. Hekate certainly loves those types of things." I undid my hair, letting it fall to my shoulders; it's almost regained its original length from my wedding.

"Hekate is more... outgoing than we are, magnolia."

I faced him. "Can you help me out of my dress?"

Hades' eyes lit up. "Oh, of course!"

"Not like that. The dress is tied in the back, and I can't reach it."

He kissed my cheek, and the dress loosened its hold on my waist. His lips trailed down my neck, and his grip tightened on my hip. Waves of pleasure rolled through my body, and my knees went weak. It's a good thing that Hades supported me because I would've gone straight to the floor.

Hades spun me around, need glowing in his irises. That look alone curled my toes and quickened my heartbeat. As quick as lightning, I found the mattress pressing against my back and Hades' beautiful thighs around me.

An hour later, as my pajama shirt settled on my shoulders, the sound of china smashing came from the floor below us. Hades and I shared a look before rushing out of the room.

My heart sank to my stomach as I took in the scene. Zeus, my mother, and a blond god stood in the foyer. A maid stood over smashed teacups.

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

~~~

"Remind me of the plan again, Zeus," Poseidon spoke up.

"We will change into the servant uniforms that my spy provided, and Hermes will get us into the Underworld," I responded. "The uniforms will get us past the guards into the palace. Then we get my daughter."

"What do we do when we get there?" Demeter asked.

"Leave that up to us. According to our inside information, Hades has not locked up Calantha or anything of the like. That makes our job easier. Because of that, we can just go in and retrieve her."

"What if she resists? Like if she has Stockholm Syndrome or something?"

"We might have to use a bit of force then. But we will not injure her."

"Oh, please! Don't hurt her," Demeter said, worry coming through in her voice. "My daughter has been through too much as it is."

"Yes, Demeter," I said, trying my best not to snap at her. "We will try our hardest not to harm Calantha."

Hermes walked into the room, holding a box. "I have our disguises."

"Where have you been, son?"

"Oh, nowhere."

The smile on his face told me otherwise. "Say, did you just get the uniforms from the informant?"

"Yeah—about a half an hour ago."

"Oh, I see," Ares barked. "You were too busy fucking the girl to show up to the meeting."

Hermes glared at him. "Without "the girl," you wouldn't be here. We would still be in the dark."

"Ladies, ladies," I said, moving in between the quarreling gods. "Let's not bicker with one another. Let's focus on this mission. We leave tomorrow night."