Hades watched Hestia flit around his personal chambers.

Kakos had thrown a fit that Hades would dare receive the upper-dweller in such a private place, but Hades had made it quite clear, very quickly, that the ice daemon was to keep his opinions to himself regarding Hestia. All the Underworld was to put on smiling faces and act benevolent for as long as his sister visited.

If anyone else was closely evaluating his sacred place, Hades would have thrown them out (he'd grown possessive of privacy after being imprisoned for most of his life), but he knew Hestia didn't pry for gossip. She'd spent so much of her existence mothering her siblings, he couldn't expect her to abandon her ingrained habits.

Certainly not when this was her first time in the Underworld; the first time she'd seen Hades since he'd banished himself to his new home twenty years ago.

Hestia finished her inspection and turned to Hades. Mild concern darkened her deep red eyes and harshened the disfiguring facial scars she wore as a reminder of the recent war.

Hades had almost gone into a rage when he'd first seen them, thinking their uncle had made the scars left behind from his torturing of Hestia permanent. Hestia had reassured Hades that the scars were a decision, despite how off-putting it was to those around her.

"This... suits you."

"Why surprised?"

Hestia shook her head. "I'm just happy you've adjusted."

It hadn't been easy.

Despite many of the under-dwellers wanting Hades as their king, they hadn't taken to his outsider way of thinking. His council had bucked him at almost every turn, and for the first three years of Hades' rule, Kakos had delighted in comparing the god to the former queen.

Every day had been a struggle and a nightmare, but eventually the under-dwellers trusted and accepted their king.

"It's become home."

Hestia winced.

She did well masking it, but Hades had spent all his life mastering the fine art of reading expressions. It'd been a necessary survival skill in Cronus' palace, even before Hades had been locked away.

Hades wouldn't tell Hestia, but the feeling of belonging in the Underworld had started from the first trip he'd taken into its depths. Sure, he'd found it odd and frightening, but after that had faded, the simple majesty of the realm had won him over.

Even if he hadn't been crowned king, Hades would have stayed in the Underworld.

That didn't mean he didn't miss the Upperworld. The Underworld was beautiful in its own way, but its imagery was limited. Hades missed the feel of the sun warming his skin, and he'd give an arm to swim in water that wasn't a hot spring or a cursed river.

Most of all, Hades missed his family. Not all of them, but Hestia, Poseidon, a few of his nieces and nephews.

Hades received periodic updates (from Hestia mostly), but Hestia was the first of his family that he'd seen in two decades.

His throat tightened with a sudden longing. Without direct contact, he'd been able to forget how much he'd given up by coming to the Underworld. It might not have hit him so hard if he had Kore by his side. If he wasn't so alone.

But Zeus had taken her from him. It didn't matter that it'd been an accident. His brother had shown no remorse, and still wouldn't all these years later.

Anger whisked away Hades' nostalgia; made his words harder than intended when he asked, "Why are you here?"

Hestia frowned but didn't comment on his tone. No doubt she knew where Hades' thoughts had settled, and she'd never chastise him for his pain. In fact, she'd been the only one to send her condolences for the deceased Daemon Queen.

"You need a change of scenery."

Hades cocked an eyebrow. "More easily said than done. Unlike... certain individuals, I take my station seriously."

Hestia nodded. "I understand, and this wouldn't be a leisure trip. I'm sure the Underworld could use strong, friendly ties with the Upperworld."

Not in Kakos' mind, Hades thought and almost smiled. This conversation would have his advisor ranting, blue in the face. The poor ice daemon's heart would probably give out.

"Under what pretense would these hypothetical trade or peace talks take place?"

"The Deciding."

"That is...?"

"It's the day where all young adult gods get assigned their Purpose." Hestia rolled her eyes. "Zeus thought it should be more of a spectacle."

"The Fates will have a harder time surprising him, too."

From the way Hestia's eyes flashed, Hades knew she'd already guessed their brother's genuine reason for more fanfare surrounding Purpose-assigning. Hades was stunned that the Fates had agreed to it, though.

Yes, it made it easier for them. Instead of tracking down every young god, all they had to do was wait for them to arrive on one chosen day out of the year.

But the Fates loved upsetting Zeus (Clotho had admitted it once).

Maybe having Zeus' offspring (which would make up most of the new gods from now until the end of the Olympians) all on one stage would be more of a nuisance to Zeus. It wouldn't be a pleasant time for Hera.

"Will you come?"

Hades sighed. "I'm not welcome."

"All gods are welcome. The Underworld being your domain doesn't change what you are."

"That doesn't matter."

Hestia put her hands on her hips and wore a look of grim resolve. Despite her twisted features and never having resembled Rhea much to begin with, Hestia reminded Hades of their mother in that moment.

A pang of sorrow gripped his heart, but it didn't last long. Hades had long ago mourned the loss of his mother.

"Then come as my guest. My will, will not be denied."

Like the rest of his siblings, Hades harbored a soft spot for his sister, the first of the Olympians and the only mother Demeter, Poseidon, and Hera had known. Hestia could ask for almost anything and Hades and his siblings wouldn't rest until they got it for her. If Hestia had a darker nature, she could abuse the sway she had over her siblings, but she never made a fuss, not even when she should.

"It doesn't seem like a good idea. I don't want... trouble."

"But it's forbidden for anyone to physically squabble."

Hades chuckled, a low and wicked sound. "Because that has ever stopped Zeus."

Hestia's gaze narrowed. "You're going."

"Not to pull rank, but how are you going to force the King of the Underworld to do something he's set against?"

"Every king has a weakness."

Hades smirked, enjoying Hestia's foul temper. He didn't enjoy upsetting her, but sometimes her persistent calm got under his skin. It was pleasant to be reminded she could be as immature as the rest of them.

"What's mine?"

"Those you love."

"How will you use that against me?"

Hestia's expression softened. "You want to see how everyone is. You miss us. Is one day a lot to ask?"

"With how I came to stay in the Underworld? Yes, it is."

Hestia sighed. "I—"

Hades held up his hand, and his sister's mouth clamped shut. "But... you have a point. Communication between the realms does need to happen, and I'm the only one that can get that started."

"Nothing about missing your family rang true?"

With a tender touch (Hestia was fine, but Hades could never forget how broken Coeus had left her, how close he'd been to losing her), Hades pulled his sister into a tight hug; the first they'd shared since her arrival.

Hestia squeezed him back, love pouring out of every pore of her being.

They stayed like that for an extended moment.

When they broke apart, Hades said, "You'll be the only saving grace that day."

Hestia rolled her eyes. "Must your predictions be so dire?"

Hades smiled, an unfamiliar gesture (being a king left little time for merriment). "Would you expect anything else from me?"

"One can at least hope."

Hades linked his arm with his sister's. "Come. I want you to see my realm. You'll learn to love it before you leave."

Hestia grimaced. "Now you may be too optimistic."

Hades led them toward his chambers' main doors; his deep-belly laugh trailing behind them.