Twelve

"They did it, father," I said. "They tied the knot."

"How lovely," Zeus sneered, rolling his eyes. "This makes the process so much easier. And Demeter will be thrilled."

"What do you suppose we do?"

"Well, we get her back, of course."

"How?"

"He kidnapped her, yes? We tell my other children, and we storm the Underworld."

"Do you want me to alert Demeter that you are aware of her daughter's whereabouts?"

"Yes. Better you than me. I can't stand that woman. But I suppose I have to do it, being the king and all."

"Yes, she is rather insufferable."

Zeus rose from his chair. "I must be going. I have... an appointment. Yes, an appointment; that's it."

I nodded and left the room. Hera passed me in the hall, walking in the opposite direction. She peeled her lips back in disgust and spat, "Hermes."

"Hera."

"What brings you to my home?"

"I have found Demeter's daughter."

She raised her perfectly manicured eyebrows. "Oh?"

"Yes. He says that I will get your brother's kingdom when this is all over. I can't wait. It's so close that I can practically taste it."

Hera gave me another grimace. "Is that all you can think of, Hermes? You disgust me. Have you ever pondered that maybe you're wrong? That maybe Calantha wants to be there?"

I scoffed. "Hera, what is the matter with you? Of course, I don't care."

~~~

"Artemis, wait a minute, dear," I called to my step-daughter as the rest of the Olympians filed out of the room.

"Hera? What is it?"

"Do you believe there is something wrong with my husband's story? I didn't sense that there was a forced marriage between Greek gods—I haven't gotten any distress between us at all. Did you, dear?"

Artemis pondered it for a second. "No, I didn't, either. Nor did I sense rape."

"Why would my husband lie like this? I know he is a cheating scum, but he wouldn't lie about a kidnapping and forced matrimony."

"I haven't a clue. But what should we do about it?"

"The Fates would know what happened," I said, proud of myself for coming up with that. "We should question them."

"A magnificent idea. Let's go visit the trio."

Half an hour later, we sat in my private parlor. I knew we could meet with the trio here because only myself and the people that I invite are allowed in this space.

"What is the matter?" they chorused, synchronized.

"We fear my husband is going to break up a legal marriage," I spoke. "Can you tell us whether or not Hades kidnapped Calantha? Calantha is the bastard daughter of Zeus."

"One cannot meddle with something they have no control over," they mused—again, at the same time.

"But we are not messing with it," Artemis argued. "We only wish to know if Calantha needs aid or not."

"Hmm..."

"Please! Calantha is your half-sister, after all."

"I suppose..." they muttered amongst themselves for a moment. "Hades did not kidnap Calantha. In fact, we created her for the sole purpose of becoming the Queen of the Underworld."

I gasped. "You mean Hades didn't stumble upon her by accident?"

"No. Calantha was destined to marry Hades from the beginning."

"Then, we must stop my husband with haste!"

"No!" venom coated their voices. I flinched on instinct. "You will not interfere with something that is out of your hands!"

"We have to sit here while my husband rips apart a couple?"

"Precisely. But it will work out in the end—as does everything." I didn't have a chance to question them further before they vanished.

"What are we to do?" Artemis asked, heartbreak sounding in her tone.

"I don't think anything, dear. If we interfere, as the Moirai said, there will be repercussions. I hope they are right in thinking the situation will right itself."

"But—"

"I'm sorry, Artemis, dear. There's nothing that we can do. I hate it as much as you do."

~~~

"Γυναίκα μου," a voice murmured, their warm breath fanning over my bare collarbone.

I opened my eyes, goosebumps popping up everywhere. Hades' raven hair was the first thing in my line of sight. Hades rested his head on my chest, his soft strands tickling me.

"Σύζυγός μου," I answered.

His hand found my side, and I stroked the top of his head. "Σε αγαπώ."

"I love you, too. What time is it?"

"It's around eight in the morning. Usually, my servants wake me at seven..."

"They probably figured you could use more sleep after your wedding."

Hades kissed my sternum and squeezed my waist. "I shall go run us a bath."

"Mmm, okay."

He rose from the bed, and I frowned at the sudden loss of heat. I rolled over, burying my face into the pillow, and wrapped the blanket tighter around me. Footsteps retreated, and running water sounded in the distance.

I faded in and out of sleep. I could hear Hades doing things in the background, but I couldn't be bothered to move. I thought that I heard his voice, but I was too tired. The mattress dipped, and a hand traced my shoulders and shoulder blades.

"Magnolia, the water is ready."

I turned my head toward the voice and opened my eyes. Hades' smiling face looked down at me. "Did you make it hot? I'm cold."

"I did, indeed."

I sank into the water with a sigh—Hades knows the exact temperature that I adore. Hades' bathroom still doesn't cease to amaze me. I could lay in the bathtub and have extra space yet.

Hades followed in after me, enveloping his arms around me. Hades brought me onto his thighs, and I moved my feet around to his back. "So," Hades spoke, "does married life strike your fancy?"

I shrugged. "Meh. My husband is pretty all right."

He gasped with added drama. "You take that back!"

"Why?"

"Because I will not speak to you ever again."

"All right, fine; I take it back. I love you."

"I guess I love you, too."

Grinning, I kissed his cheek and pressed myself against his chest. I brought up my arms and hugged his neck.

"Mmm, I do like this view..."

I blushed as I noticed I practically pushed my chest into his face. His palms slid down my back to my bare ass. I jumped when I felt a sharp pinch and laughed. "Hades, be nice!"

"But I couldn't resist, magnolia."

Hades flipped us so that he was on top. The cold porcelain pressed against my back. I liked the chill against my heated flesh. Hades kissed down my throat, down to where my asphodel mark was. It tingled as his lips made contact with it. "Γυναίκα μου."

After making some waves, we got out and dried off.

We both chose outfits for the day. I still can't get over that those clothes are mine. I feel like I have to ask permission to wear them. Maids and butlers in the hall bowed to us as we passed.

"Do they usually bow like this?" I asked in a low voice. "Did I not notice that?"

"They are not bowing to me, magnolia. They are bowing to you—their new queen."

This whole thing was a weird sensation. The most authority that I've ever had was when I did a youth mentorship job. And that was when I was seventeen!

I stopped. Oh, God; I can't do this! I have zero experience in ruling! I'll crumble this kingdom faster than you can say, 'Marie Antoinette!'

Hades noticed my absence. He turned back and reached for me. "Magnolia, what's the matter? Are you feeling okay?"

"I-I can't be a queen, Hades," I whispered, my heart rate picking up. "I'm so indecisive and meek. I tried to join the debate club in middle school, and I couldn't even make it through a week! Hades, I can't do this! I, I—"

Hades grabbed my trembling hands, encasing them in his warm ones. "Magnolia, remember what I said before: I will guide you through everything. I need you to take deep breaths, okay? Focus on my voice and breathing—in and out; in and out..."

"Hades, I—"

"Magnolia, focus. Look at me."

I forced my erratic breathing to mellow out, and; slowly, but surely, the fog lifted. The sense that I had to flee vanished from my mind, and my heartbeat settled into its normal rhythm. The pins and needles in my hands faded, and I could feel Hades once more.

"How are we doing, hmm? Ready to stand up?"

Stand up? I blinked a few times and realized that I was kneeling on the floor. My legs were completely numb. Hades kneeled in front of me, clutching my hands. "How-how did I get down here?"

Hades grinned and kissed my hands. "That's a question for gravity, magnolia. Up we get." He gently tugged me to my feet. "Let's get some food; it's a good idea after something as exhausting."

I took a step but faltered. Hades promptly caught my waist, steadying me. I went up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Thanks."

We carried on to the dining room, Hades' arm remaining at my waist. "What's the agenda for today?" I asked as we took our seats.

"The usual: Judgements, paperwork... Oh, before I forget, we have to hire some new staff, and I would like for you to be there for it."

"Oh. Why?"

He smiled. "Magnolia, you are my wife. You deserve a say in how I do things."

"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense. What type of servant are we hiring?"

"Maids."

"Didn't you say that you select servants from Tartarus?"

"I did. Props to you for remembering. And we will."

The chefs brought out our breakfast, and I dug in immediately. Those episodes always kickstart my metabolism. Today the staff is serving sweet, vanilla yogurt with berries and granola. The food here still surprises me—I rarely have this type of gourmet food. I love it here.

After we finished our delicious meal, my husband and I headed to the Throne Room—just as we did to hire Sudie. A half-dozen girls around my age sat at tables.

"Welcome, everyone. As you know, I am Hades, and this is my lovely wife, Calantha."

They all bowed their heads and chorused, "Μεγαλειότατε, Μεγαλειότατε."

Hades headed to the first table, and we pulled up chairs. There was a folder resting on the table's surface. Hades picked it up and scanned the contents while I read over his shoulder. The folder talked about her skills while she was still alive, why the three kings chose Tartarus for her, and why she's worthy of the job.

It's pretty much a résumé and a cover letter but modified.

We visited each table, finding pros and cons with each of them: too young, too violent of a crime, not enough skills, that stuff.

One stuck out to me in particular—she was respectful and polite. The girl had shiny, ebony hair with brown highlights and grey eyes. I believe she was a year my junior.

"Hello," I greeted, Hades picking up the file. "What's your name?"

"My name's Jamie, Your Majesty."

Hades passed me the beige folder, and I skimmed through it. I liked everything written on the paper except for one thing—her crime. She died because of a drunken car crash. She was driving drunk and hit another person, killing that driver and the passenger in her car. She let the passenger take the blame, but Jamie died later at the hospital.

I understand that some people make mistakes, but I can't overlook how she let her passenger take the fall for the crash. But there was always a risk when employing from Tartarus—those people are there for a reason.

When Hades and I finished our rounds, I pulled him aside. "Do you have any inclinations?"

"Do you?"

"Jamie is a good fit, but her crime was... very gruesome. I'm not sure if we should pick her or not."

"I agree—she deserves Tartarus without a doubt."

"Then, are we okay with the fact that this job will lower her time?"

"I am if you are. I believe Jamie's plaguing remorse is a good chunk of her punishment, too."

I smiled. "That's a good point. I say we go ahead and choose Jamie."

"Excellent, we are on the same page." He faced the girls. "Congratulations to Jamie—you are, as of now, hired."

She beamed, stepping forward to shake our hands. "Thank you, Your Majesties. I am incredibly honored."

"You will begin overmorrow. I will send you a uniform in the morning."

Hades took my elbow, and we headed out of the room.

But a conversation almost made me stop short, "Congrats on the job, Kamryn— I mean, Jamie!"

"Stupid bitch. Say that louder, won't you? And thanks, I knew I would get it."

I looked at Hades. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what, magnolia?"

"Their conversation."

"I didn't; You are simply too distracting."

My face caught ablaze. "Hades! I heard some girls talking to Jamie. They called her Kamryn before correcting themselves."

"Well, she looks a bit like Kamryn. It could be a genuine mistake. But if you're that concerned, magnolia, I can revoke her employee status."

I shook my head. "No, but let's agree to keep an eye on her."

Hades tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. "Anything you wish."

I squeezed his arm. "I am so glad that you moved in next door."

"And I am glad that I pursued you."