Hermes could transport others as fast as he could travel, but it drained his energy. He'd traveled with Demeter and Hades that way to the cave and did so again to get all four of them to the base of Mount Olympus.

Once there, he groaned and collapsed.

Hades caught him before he hit the ground.

"Will he be okay?" Persephone asked, her knees shaky themselves. She'd never experienced Hermes' full speed before.

"A little ambrosia will set him right," Hades said.

He adjusted Hermes so he could carry him easier, then nodded at the enormous group of gods and creatures near them. Several of the gods and goddesses Persephone recognized from The Deciding.

Demeter took Persephone's hand, and they approached the group. As they did, Persephone noticed that many in the group were hurt to varying degrees. Unease gnawed at her insides.

What threat had driven them from Mount Olympus?

Hestia and Hera pushed themselves to the front of the crowd. Both looked worse than everyone else. The right half of Hera's face was swollen three times its normal size and black as the night sky; her right eye could hardly open. Her left arm was in a makeshift sling, and burn marks marred her peplos.

Ichor dripped from Hestia's split top lip and a gash that ran along her eyebrows. Some trickled out of her ears. Like Hera, her peplos looked like it'd been set on fire and then quickly put out. So did her exposed flesh.

"What did you do?" Hera roared and took a swing at Hades.

He easily dodged her attack and passed Hermes off to a wide-eyed and pale Apollo who stood in the crowd's front. Without a word, he carried his brother to a nearby tent.

Hera went to punch at Hades again, but Hestia caught her arm. "Think of your child," the older goddess advised, stern.

Hades gazed at his sisters, and his horror at their appearance melted into a blinding rage. "What happened?" he asked Hestia.

"Zeus forced us all from the city," she responded.

"But why?" Persephone couldn't help but say.

Hera's attention ripped away from Hades, and she locked a seething glare on Persephone. "Because of you," she snarled and attempted to break Hestia's hold.

Demeter stepped in front of Persephone. "She's done nothing wrong. That wretched bastard kidnapped her."

"We'll sort out blame later," Hestia said, and Persephone was thankful for her aunt's perpetual calm.

Hades nodded, still furious. "Is he on Mount Olympus?"

"Yes."

"Good. My anger won't cool before I have the chance to make him pay."

Hades turned to leave, but stopped when a voice called out, "I'd rethink that foolishness."

Next, a muscular, hobbled god came into view; leaning on a gray-eyed goddess as tall as him. His tied back, red-blonde hair and braided beard were covered in soot.

Like Hestia, his body was scarred by choice, but instead of a reminder of war, it was to never forget the heartlessness of his father or the carelessness that had caused the injury. He made all his blacksmiths follow the same example despite Apollo knowing a salve that would make skin perfect.

Fresh cuts and bruises covered him that didn't look made by a forge or a tool. No, it appeared he'd been beaten by Zeus again, though this time not as severely as when he'd been a godling defending Hera from his father's wrath.

"I tried," Hephaestus said, his voice roughened by the forges he preferred to physical connect with anyone other than his mother. Not even his own wife held much of his attention. "Unless we all do it, we won't get far."

"That'll appear like we're attacking him. I don't advise we rile him further," the gray-eyed goddess, Athena, said. She had no marks on her, but that didn't surprise Persephone. Even in a terrible fit of anger, Zeus would never harm her.

"Then what do we do?" Demeter demanded.

"Give him a day or so to calm his temper. He'll be much more rational," Athena suggested, but didn't sound convinced.

"Not here," Hephaestus added. He eyed Persephone, Hades, and Demeter. "Especially since you just arrived."

Demeter narrowed her eyes. "Where can we go?"

"I have an idea," Hades said. "It might make some of you unhappy, but it's the best option."

"What?" Hestia asked.

"We camp near an entrance to the Underworld."

It took longer than necessary to convince everyone to go along with Hades' plan. Hera and some nymphs were the most difficult to persuade. The nymphs were terrified that Hades wanted to cart them away into the Underworld to be eaten by the under-dwellers (Persephone had had to stop herself from punching a hole in the nymphs' skulls for the ignorant thought).

Hera didn't want to leave Zeus. He'd beaten her and struck her with several lightning bolts, but she was due to give birth at any moment and didn't want her husband to miss it.

Artemis threatened to hunt the dissenting nymphs if they didn't comply, and Apollo offered Hera a concoction that would keep her pregnant until this issue with Zeus blew over.

The nymphs agreed to the plan.

Hera laughed in Apollo's face and accused him of using this opportunity to seek revenge for what she'd done to his and Artemis' mother. Somehow, though, Hestia talked sense into Hera, and Apollo gave her the potion.

By nightfall, they set camp up at the entrance Hades had first used to enter the Underworld all those years ago.

They sent runners into the Underworld for supplies and others went to update Poseidon. Hades swore it was to keep his brother from getting worried, but Persephone suspected Poseidon was being notified to provide more force if it came to a battle with Zeus.

Hestia and Athena took control of calming the masses and tending to their wounds.

Persephone wanted to get involved, but Demeter wouldn't let her leave her side. She watched Persephone closely, and Persephone could only breathe when Apollo begged her mother help the wounded.

"Watch her," Demeter ordered Hephaestus before Apollo pulled her away.

Hephaestus grunted.

Demeter walked away.

"Are you going to keep me here?" Persephone asked.

Hephaestus pulled a strange metal figure out of the pouch he wore. Several tools followed. He didn't glance her way as he said, "You'd be dense to wander from the safety of camp."

Persephone nodded and left him to tinker. She passed several creatures that had clearly done nothing but palace work, and they struggled to grasp the reality of their situation. They sniffled or sat with blank stares, numb to their surroundings.

These creatures were fragile, and Zeus had not only banished them from their home, but he'd caused them bodily harm. He'd been just as cruel to her, yet it enraged Persephone more to know it'd happened to others.

His actions reminded her of Cronus.

This sudden thought chilled Persephone. Zeus were becoming his father, and at a rate that made panic tighten Persephone's chest.

Did that mean he'd be worse than the Titan? What would happen if he weren't stopped?

Persephone wouldn't let that be a possibility. In her current form, she was no match for the God King, but she could use the Underworld. It still had many secrets even Hecate hadn't discovered.

A moment before he grabbed her, Persephone could smell the god. Sweat and freshly spilled mortal blood. It was as if she'd been suddenly transported to a battlefield.

Persephone didn't struggle as she was turned. The hand on her shoulder was large and applied more force than necessary, and she was not interested in fighting. Not in the shape she was in.

While Persephone had never met or seen him in her past or current life, she still recognized the god. His dust-red eyes had Hera's slant, and his disheveled ebony hair was as thick as Hephaestus'. The hard lines of his face mimicked Zeus', if Zeus had more military training.

"You did this on purpose," Ares said, his voice as hard as his appearance.

"He started this."

Ares dug his fingers deep into her flesh. It hurt, but she didn't let it show. Before she'd discovered her past self, she would have cowered. Though Ares and she were matched in strength, his was honed. He might have whined when he didn't get his way, but it was no wonder his Purpose was that of war.

Yet Persephone felt no fear. She longed for the power she'd once possessed, but they were surrounded by plant life. Even in her current state, she'd make him regret bothering her.

"That was your plan," Ares spat.

Persephone rolled her eyes. He may have been a master of combat, but he was far from intelligent.

Ares shook her. "This is amusing? Have you seen what you've done?"

Persephone didn't bother his nonsense with an answer. "Let me go," she demanded.

A cruel, humorless grin crossed Ares' lips. "I will if you can make me."

"She said remove your hand," said a voice that was quickly becoming Persephone's favorite sound.

Hades stepped into sight; stood a breath away from Persephone and Ares. He stared at Ares, unblinking. He didn't have the muscular build of his nephew, but he was taller, and his crown emitted a sinister glow.

Ares didn't back down. "No surprise you'd defend her."

"I'm in just the right mood to not care how I hurt you."

Ares glanced between Persephone and Hades. He frowned with disgust. "She'll get hers," he said, and shoved her before he walked off.

Hades steadied Persephone. "Are you all right?"

Persephone rotated her sore shoulder. "I'll probably have his hand print on me for a day or so. Otherwise, I'm fine."

"What about... Anything left over from the cave?"

His question wasn't off, but the way he said it was.

Had he figured out her secret?

It wasn't all that difficult if Zeus had put the pieces together. Maybe Hecate had gotten the information and told him.

"Not really."

Persephone wanted to tell Hades, but not out in the open like this. She could only imagine what would happen if word got back to Hera. Injured and pregnant, she'd attempt to end Persephone's second life.

Hades smiled. "Good." The smile faltered. "Demeter is looking for you."

"Unsurprising," Persephone muttered, and Hades' sudden cough sounded more like a laugh.

Composed, Hades held out his hand. "May I escort you?"

Persephone took his fingers and a tender, exciting jolt shot through her.

By the way Hades' eyes widened, he'd felt it too.

They gazed at one another, and one or both moved toward the other.

Mere moments from kissing, a flower nymph not paying any attention knocked into Hades and broke the spell. The pair put distance between them. Persephone made a show of straightening her peplos, and Hades cleared his throat a few times.

"Yes... Demeter," he said.

"Yeah."

After one final lingering glance, Hades led Persephone through the crowd. Creatures dodged out of their path; their eyes locked on Hades' crown. Persephone smirked, thinking it a little showy. It had Hecate's flare, and Persephone wondered what else the Witch Goddess had made for him.

Soon they reached a tent that had been provided by the Underworld. No one stood around it, because they'd been ordered away or because of where it'd come from.

Hades entered it without announcing his presence.

Inside, Demeter stood at a table and minced leaves. A basket of plants was at her feet. Half-empty vials of liquid took up what space was left on the table.

Demeter glanced from her work and her attention locked on Persephone's and Hades' joined hands. Her nose wrinkled with contempt.

"I thought you'd like to join me," she said to Persephone; tone neutral. "Apollo wants to prepare extra in case—Well, it probably won't come to that."

Persephone removed her hand from Hades (as difficult as it was). "Before that, I need to speak with you." She glanced at Hades. "And you."

Demeter cut the leaves faster. "I'm sure whatever it is can wait."

"No, Mother."

Demeter sighed. "Keep it to the point."

Persephone swallowed twice before saying, "I don't know how it's possible, but... I've lived another life."

Hades didn't react, confirming he'd already known.

Demeter ceased her cutting, and her sharp gaze roamed over her hair and face. Defeated disgust clouded her eyes. "Kore."

Demeter's response slammed into Persephone harder than when Zeus had punched her. She'd assumed the news wouldn't thrill her mother, but she hadn't expected Demeter to stare at her like she was a grimy animal that had just soiled her peplos.

Persephone still carried with her the sting of Melione's lack of caring, she didn't want to add Demeter's to that, too.

"Mother?"

Demeter dropped her knife on the table. "I need—"

She fled the tent.

Tears threatened to fall but Persephone wouldn't let them. She hadn't cried when she realized Melione didn't love her and only saw her as a means to an end, and she wouldn't now.

Without thought, Persephone approached the table and resumed Demeter's task. She couldn't make healing concoctions, but she could finish the preparation work. She'd done it so often in her youth she could do it blindfolded.

While she chopped, Persephone didn't look at Hades. He hadn't moved. Neither had his expression changed. She didn't know what that meant.

"That was unfortunate," Hades said. "I'm sure she'll adapt, though."

Persephone shrugged. She didn't want to dwell on that now.

"I'm not—It changes nothing for me," Hades added.

Persephone frowned. "I have all of her—my—memories from before, but... I'm not the Daemon Queen anymore. I'm... Persephone, Goddess of Spring. I'm not sure what that means yet, but I'm excited to find out."

Hades stepped around the table and took the knife from Persephone's hands. He turned her toward him.

"I know my instant attraction to you is because of who you were before," he said.

Persephone nodded. That was the same with her.

Hades cupped her head with his hands and gazed into her eyes. "But your eyes are your own, and I wouldn't change that."

Persephone didn't wait for him. She closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his. It took Hades no time to respond, but she didn't succumb to him. Their mouths battled for dominance, neither relenting. Tingles exploded all over Persephone's body.

More. She needed to be closer.

She pawed at the pin that held together his monochiton. Desire made her fingers shake, and she couldn't do it. Persephone growled in frustration.

Hades chuckled and broke their kiss. His eyes had grown blacker and shined though the lamp light didn't reflect in them. His breathing was rapid.

He gestured to blankets spread out on the other side of the tent.

Persephone moaned a barely coherent, "Yes."

Hades laughed harder as he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward them. There, she pushed him down, crawled on top of him, and made her dreams a reality.