Chapter 29

Hades

If there's a god of hangovers, I'll kill him, I swore.

I had awakened that morning with a throbbing headache. It felt as if a whole army of smiths were pounding my head with their hammers, chisels, and whatever other blasted things they used.

Hermes's arrival had only made my headache all the worse. I wished that I was back in bed, or at least still drunk.

He looks so comical with his winged sandals, I decided after observing him flitting around in them. He looked like a flighty little bird. It's ridiculous. Horses are a much better way of traveling.

"Hades, are you listening to me?" Hermes asked.

I brought my bloodshot eyes back up to his face. It didn't take much effort to look disdainful and imposing, just like he expected.

"Excuse me, Hermes. I'm afraid my mind was on other things. Please, continue."

"As I was saying, Demeter is outraged by her daughter's disappearance. She has declared that there will be no Spring or Summer until Kore is returned. It's a disaster! Mortals are dying off left and-"

"Yes, I noticed," I interrupted dryly. Hermes looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"O-of course," Hermes stammered. He was looking at a point just above my shoulder, avoiding eye contact.

Gods, I thought with disgust, they're always so ill at ease with their own immortality.

"Zeus, of course, can't allow this," Hermes continued, "and so he commands that you return Kore to Demeter's custody at once."

I didn't respond to his demand right away. Hermes was the type of god that liked to do things quickly, especially if he was in the Underworld. Being the contrary person I was, that made me want to take even more time than necessary.

I rose from my throne and crossed the room to one of the columns that lined the edges. This one depicted an old man freezing to death. It was very detailed, down to the scraggly hairs on his balding head and beard. The face was the most disturbing. The artist had captured the look of fear and despair perfectly. Now that I recall it, the artist who had sculpted it had actually frozen to death.

I thought about what Hermes just said. It seemed that Persephone hadn't left yet. Why? I would have thought that she would leave at the first opportunity. Could it be that she…?

Impossible. After a moment of thought, I choose not to tell Hermes that I already told Persephone to go. I could still irritate my brother by withholding the information, if nothing else.

"And why should I listen?" My voice was barely above a whisper, calculated to make Hermes have to strain to catch what I was saying. As I spoke, my fingers trailed along the stone ridges of the column. "My kingdom grows larger by the day, I have a beautiful Queen, and I'm helping my dear younger brother keep his promises all at the same time. It seems that I have no incentive to 'return' Persephone at all."

I turned back to Hermes, who now had a very disturbed look on his face. I could have sworn that I caught a glimpse of a shadow moving away out of the corner of my eye. When I turned my head, it was gone. I ignored it for now.

"You don't need an incentive," Hermes's voice had a slight quiver to it. "Zeus, the King of the gods and mortals, has spoken. You are to obey."

I sat back on my throne.

"King Zeus," I whispered. "I would have been king. I should have been king. Then you would be my messenger."

I smiled at Hermes, who flinched. My smile widened. I was enjoying frightening him more than I should have.

"But I am not. So," I spoke louder, rising again from my cold, empty throne, "I will obey the 'king'. Go tell His Majesty that I will come, and I will bring Persephone. More than that, however, is impossible. Do you understand?"

Hermes nodded. "

Go!"

Hermes left as quickly as possible, his whole frame trembling from his curled hair to his flying feet. Coward, I thought contemptuously.

Now I had to face Persephone. I didn't know what I would say to her, but I promised to bring her, and unlike some people I kept my promises. Except I told Persephone she could leave. I tried not to think about it too much.

I called for Aspasia to come in.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Bring me Persephone."

Aspasia didn't move.

"Didn't you hear me, woman? Bring me Persephone!" My voice was harsh with frustration and perhaps a hint of desperation.

I felt another wave of pain pulse through my head.

If there is a god of hangovers, I silently prayed, I will sacrifice all my wine to you, if only you'll make my damned headache go away. Was praying to other gods even allowed? I didn't know, or particularly care at the moment.

"Zeus has asked for her back, hasn't he?" Aspasia's voice was as sharp as my own.

I nodded mutely, my head turned away from her.

Aspasia cursed. "Find Persephone and bring her to Olympus as soon as you can. She'll be in her garden." She issued the command with such authority that I started to obey without question.

"Wait," I stopped, realizing that I was obeying a servant, "where are you going?"

"I have a grievance with Zeus that I should have resolved long before," Aspasia declared passionately. She swept out of the room without another word, leaving me standing there with my mouth agape.

Once I got over my surprise somewhat, I left to do what she said.