Persephone watched the unnamed god leave. She studied his tall, striking frame, and warmth pooled in her stomach.

He'd helped her.

He'd touched her…

The only other god to have had close contact with her was Hermes, and he always acted civil. If he hadn't, Demeter would have flayed his skin from his body with her bare hands.

When Persephone had bemoaned the embarrassment of her mother's overbearing ways, Demeter had told her she didn't need the company of gods; they only brought misery. Recalling the tender way the strange god had been with her, Persephone knew her mother was wrong.

Oh, and his lips.

A wild shiver ran through Persephone as she thought of the kisses he'd placed on her hands. So firm and gentle, she wondered what it would feel like to have them explore her naked flesh. To have his startling black eyes spark with delight as he brought her untold ecstasy.

This image was so powerful Persephone could see it when she closed her eyes, almost like a memory. If she concentrated hard enough, she could envision how the god must look nude and pressed against her waiting body.

Hungry desire flared within her, so powerful Persephone had to restrain herself from following him, for if she did, she wouldn't be able to stop from claiming him as her own right here in Zeus' palace.

Shame danced with her desire, and Persephone opened her eyes; let the fantasy die.

How could she have such unclean thoughts about a god she'd just met?

Why had she read so much into his kindness?

A slab of fear threatened to crush her.

Had the god sensed her growing attraction? Is that why he'd left without a proper farewell? Was he disgusted by her?

No, no he'd walked away with a smile.

Persephone groaned.

Oh, he thought she was amusing, as ridiculous as a tottering godling.

Somehow, that was even worse.

"Persephone!"

Demeter's roar pierced Persephone; made her forget her embarrassment. She couldn't let her mother catch her in the palace, the one place Demeter had forbidden her from entering. If found, her mother would march Persephone back to Earth, with or without the Fates assigning her Purpose.

Persephone glanced at the chute before her. The hole was dark and warm.

Did it lead to the laundry?

Why would the unnamed god lie?

Maybe, if he knew how he affected her, this was a trick to retaliate her pathetic notions. Maybe this led to a terrible beast that would shred the skin from her bones.

"Persephone!" Demeter sounded closer.

Persephone dived into the hole.

Even if a monster lied at the bottom, it was still preferable to facing Demeter.

Persephone landed on her stomach on the smooth stone. She wiggled a little and was soon sliding down into the unknown abyss.

The speed with which she moved was delicious. She couldn't help the peeling giggle that escaped her.

Persephone had traveled for some time when a sudden thought came to her: was there anything at the end to brace her landing?

She extended her arms and legs to slow her descent. Persephone hoped to feel a notch or knob along the walls she could latch onto. She found nothing.

Before she could let this sink in, a light appeared ahead of her. In several heartbeats, Persephone was upon it. She glimpsed a pile of linen (no way to know if it was soiled or not), then dropped into.

The linen cradled her, and Persephone rolled off it without so much as a scratch or bruise. When she stood up, she smoothed the wrinkles in her peplos and glanced around the room she'd landed in.

Lit torches revealed piles and piles of linen surrounding Persephone, but she didn't see anyone moving about. Just like the unnamed god had said, a door was on the other side of the room.

On fast feet, Persephone approached the door. She didn't waste time looking to see if she'd been spotted and darted outside, where she realized she was at the bottom of the hill Zeus' palace sat on. Persephone closed the door behind her and moved with purpose as she sought the main path that wound its way through Olympus.

As Persephone stepped onto the path intending to blend in with the clusters of bodies nearby, a dark figure descended on her.

Persephone sighed.

She didn't have to turn to know who stood by her. Somehow, Demeter always found her. She said it was "mother's intuition", but Persephone suspected her mother had put a spell on her. Magic would explain Demeter finding her even if she traveled long distances without hinting where she headed.

"Why didn't you come when I called?"

Demeter's voice rumbled like it had in the palace and drew the curious stares of the closest gods and goddesses.

Persephone readied herself before facing her mother. She had to maintain her calm or else Demeter would see through her upcoming lies.

After a tense moment, she turned.

"I never heard you. Where were you searching for me?"

Demeter's eyes narrowed. "You know very well where I was."

Persephone shook her head. "I've been wandering the paths."

Anger stained Demeter's cheeks and throat red. "Do you think I'll believe—"

"Demeter! Persephone!" came a jovial voice from the crowd.

Persephone breathed with relief when she saw the tall, sturdy figure the voice belonged to pushing aside others as she approached Persephone and Demeter.

If anyone could distract her mother, Hestia could. Persephone had gotten the impression over the years that Hestia was often the peacemaker for familial affairs, and her aunt had grown very efficient at it.

Hestia was before the duo. She kissed Demeter's red cheeks. Demeter cooled, but it would take more than that for her fury to disappear.

"You look wonderful," Hestia said. She patted Demeter's shoulder.

Demeter's gaze roamed over Hestia's body but didn't climb higher than her chest.

As long as Persephone could remember, her mother had never let her eyes take in Hestia's damaged, off-putting face. When Persephone was younger, she'd asked Demeter why, but her mother would only shudder and walk away.

"You're healthy," Demeter said. "At least for that, some good can be said about this city."

Hestia frowned, yet didn't comment.

Instead, she turned her attention to Persephone. The unabashed joy and love her aunt radiated made Persephone grin despite not yet evading her mother's wrath.

They embraced.

"It's been too long," Persephone said as she took in the warm hearth scent Hestia always had. It had her thinking of home, of be-longing, and Persephone never wanted to let go.

Hestia pulled back to get a better look at her niece. "Yes, it has. You've become quite the goddess overnight."

"With the sense of a godling, though," Demeter added.

While Persephone fumed over her mother's comment, Hestia stared at them before chancing a quick glance at Zeus' palace. From the serious expression that flitted across her face, Hestia knew what Persephone was lying about that had Demeter so upset.

When she saw that Persephone caught her look, Hestia smiled at her, then Demeter.

"If I recall, you were a curious one."

Demeter crossed her arms under her bosom. "I suffered a lot for it, too."

Hestia's lips pursed.

She looked more disappointed than Persephone could recall her ever being. She couldn't say if it was because of her mother's tone or the memories of their imprisonment Demeter alluded to.

Persephone expected her aunt to make a comment, to reprimand Demeter, but she didn't. Instead, Hestia nodded at Persephone. "You need to come with me."

Demeter stepped closer to Persephone. "Why?"

"It's almost time for The Deciding. I'm responsible for preparing the new gods for what's to happen," Hestia answered.

Demeter took Persephone's hand. "Take us then."

Hestia shook her head. "Persephone needs to do this alone."

"But—"

Persephone wrenched her hand away from her mother's. "I won't be alone, Mother. Hestia will be with me." She glanced at her aunt. "Right?"

"Certainly. That is until you go before the Fates."

"See. I'll be fine, Mother."

Demeter bit her bottom lip. "I don't know..."

"Demeter," Hestia said, and Persephone couldn't quite place the underlying note in her aunt's voice.

Demeter caught it and frowned, but she didn't press her concerns. She patted Persephone's arm and watched as Hestia led her daughter away.

Once out of ear shot, Persephone released a loud groan.

Several pairs of eyes swiveled her way but didn't linger for long.

"Thank you so much," she told her aunt.

Hestia shook her head. "Was it wise to antagonize your mother?"

Persephone kept her gaze focused ahead of her. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"She's right about keeping out of Zeus' palace."

Guilt twisted Persephone's stomach. To upset her mother was one thing, but to have Hestia unhappy with her was difficult to swallow.

Persephone wanted her aunt proud of her, always. Hestia's approval meant so much more than anyone else's.

"I just had to see... some part of him." And Hera, but Persephone wouldn't admit that. "Is it wrong that I want to feel familiar with him somehow?"

"No, but your mother has good reason to warn you away from him."

"He's so... unfavorable, yet she still made him my father."

Hestia laughed, but it wasn't a pleasant sound. "You'll go mad trying to make sense of the most situations our fellow gods get caught up in."

"Will I be able to avoid them?"

Hestia flashed a smile as she squeezed Persephone's hand. "I know you'll avoid those trappings. Despite how your mother brought you into this world, she's done an incredible job at raising you."

"I wish you'd get Mother to agree with you," Persephone muttered.

Hestia's grin widened. "She will one day."