None of the men knew who the others were or what their jobs would be, a precaution Thanatos suggested to protect the men.
Everything was set, if she could only lose her shadow. Thanatos followed her everywhere,
casting suspicious looks her way as he gave orders and guarded over her. He knew something was not right. Persephone wasn’t telling him everything and she wouldn’t, not until she was ready to put her plan into action. Hades was already stirring and if he knew what she planned, he would stop her.
Thanatos brought her to a meeting discussing the raid they would make on the camp that
night. The plan was to return as many of the men to Tartarus as they could before Lilith drew the fury of Adman upon their heads, which by the sounds of their shouting and threats outside would not be long in coming.
“Excuse me, gentlemen,” she interrupted them, yawning. “I’m a little tired and would like to get some sleep before tonight.”
She rose, amid the well-wishes of the men, and walked from the hut. Thanatos watched her.
He definitely knew she was planning something. She hoped it would be too late for him to stop her.
Entering the hut, she changed her clothes and flashed to the palace. There was a guard or two around here, armed with the paralyzing swords. She walked to the barred doors and reached for the latch. It lifted easily and the doors swung open at a touch.
A hand closed over her shoulder, twisting her around and slamming her into the wall.
Persephone sent a shock of power through the bane of her existence. Eris flew backward,
bounced off the wall, and landed easily on her feet.
“What do you think you’re doing, little girl?”
“Letting the enemy in.”
“Traitor,” she hissed, rushing forward and lifting the sword.
Persephone did nothing to stop her, only watched the blade arc through the air for what might have been a killing blow if she were mortal. It sliced through flesh and muscle, skittering along bone, and chilling her body, draining her of all strength. She stumbled back and the length of the sword skewered her through the middle.
She felt every cold inch of metal being slowly drawn from her body and belatedly she
wondered if Eris would hack at her until she was a bloody, unrecognizable pulp of flesh. If she did, it would slow the healing process considerably and give the army even more time.
Her legs buckled and she fell to the ground, able to see and hear, but not move.
“Leave the traitor where she lay,” Eris ordered the other man. “Return to the camp. Say
nothing.”
Eris leaned in and whispered in Persephone’s ear, “What are you thinking?”
“If we divide their forces we have a chance. Adman wants Lilith more than his freedom.
He’ll use the pass to retrieve her and you decimate his forces. Coronus wants to reclaim his kingship, but is trapped until Hades or I free him. As long as I am here, he will stay.”
“And since you’re wounded, we have three days.”
She tried to nod her head, but it was too hard. “Yes.”
“Coronus will use you against Hades like he did Leuce.”
“I’m not Leuce. I’m a goddess, immortal and powerful. Anything he does to me will be to his detriment. He’ll know that. And since I betrayed you all, he’ll see me as a possible ally instead of an enemy.”
Eris looked toward the open gate and rose. “I better go.”
“One more thing. You can’t tell anyone about this plan, not even Hades.” One of Eris’
eyebrows arched. “Let his anger drive him to defeat the enemy.”
Eris smiled. “I always knew you’d suit my son just fine, Persephone. Now prove you’re
worthy to be Queen of the Underworld and wife of Hades. Prove that my faith in you is not ill-placed.”
“I will.” Eris disappeared, only to be replaced by the concerned face of her father. “You heard.”
He nodded. “I don’t like your plan, Persephone. Too much can go wrong.”
“You don’t have to like it, Father. You just have to obey your Queen and come to her rescue before Coronus realizes I won’t help him escape or Hades tries to kill me.”
He rested his hand against her cheek. “You’ve nothing to prove. Let me take you with me.”
She shook her head. It was so hard to keep her eyes open. So hard to talk.
“I just found you, Persephone. I can’t lose you again. I won’t lose you.”
“You won’t,” she whispered through numb lips. “I’ll be here waiting for you. Go.”
Chapter 30
HACKING HIS way through the poorly armed shades, Hades worked his way toward their
leader who was retreating with his prize, leaving his men to be imprisoned in his place. Once the enemy was once more ensconced in Tartarus he was going after his errant wife, and may the gods save the man or god who stood in his way.
If he got his hands on Persephone, he was going to wrap his fingers around her slender neck and choke her! She’d betrayed him! She’d so easily cut herself off from him, and given herself and his palace to his hated enemy!
He chopped into another shade, hoping to relieve his anger, but it fanned the flames,
producing a full rage. It wasn’t much of a defeat; once their leader disappeared, the ranks fell into disarray and were quickly dispatched. Returning them to their cells, he doubled the
enchantments and went in search of Thanatos. He found him directing the men on where to put the prisoners.
“This man’s not in the books of Tartarus,” Aeacus said.
Minos and Rhadamanthys peeked over Aeacus’ shoulder, and after a moment nodded their
agreement.
“Then find a cell for him to occupy. If he’s part of the rebellion, he deserves to be here.”
“No, he doesn’t,” Thanatos contradicted him. “Persephone sent six men into the ranks of
your enemy, each with their own task. This must be one of the men. Have him taken to one of the huts and tended. Post guards just in case. When he awakens, we can question him. If he answers correctly, he’s one of ours; if he doesn’t, imprison him.”
The judges nodded and left.
“She made a choice to stay, Thanatos. She’s a traitor.”
Thanatos swung around, fists balled at his side. “She’s my daughter and your wife. She tried her best to protect us, and shame on you for questioning her motives.”
“She opened the gates to the enemy.”
“The palace was lost. No one was there. Can you not see another reason to open those gates besides betrayal?”
“No.”
“You may be a king, but you don’t deserve your queen,” Thanatos sneered, marching away.
Hades stared after him. Persephone hadn’t just betrayed him, she’d betrayed them all and he was the only one that seemed to realize that.
“He’s right you know,” Leuce said.
“That I don’t deserve my queen.”
Leuce laughed, nestling herself comfortably into her half-brother’s embrace. “No. There
could’ve been another reason.”
“Not you too.”
“I like Persephone. She’s good for you, smart too. After all, she recruited the shades and neatly divided the army. She seems to have given you the chance you needed to defend us all. Do you think Coronus would have stayed at the palace without you there?”
Hades frowned and glanced toward his palace. His palace. As soon as this mess was cleaned up and the shades of the Elysian Fields armed, he was going to take back his home.
He rested his chin on his sister’s head. Tomorrow, they would take the Underworld back from the prisoners and make all traitors pay. The thought wasn’t as pleasant as he hoped it would be.
He missed the warm comfort of his wife’s body, the sincerity of her smile. He missed his
Persephone.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
PERSEPHONE
KNEW the moment she began to stir that she was in trouble. She wasn’t
alone, and the palace was not her home. Despite this being part of her plan, she wanted nothing more than to send every last shade to Tartarus.
There was another loud crash and the shattering of glass. Shouts followed.
Drawing upon her limited magic, she placed the false fronts over her magic and pushed the rest deep inside. She stretched, letting the dress ride higher up her legs before she sat up. Two burly Titans stood beside the door, their gazes not on her, but the healthy length of thigh revealed to them. They looked ready to eat her alive. It was the same look that entered Hades’ eyes, but it never chilled her to the core.
She imagined Hades when she smiled at them. One took a step forward and the doors
opened. A squat, white haired god entered. She knew instantly that this Titan was dangerous and empty inside. He watched the world around him with dark eyes. And she knew they had met
before. Coronus.
“Who are you?!” he demanded.
He knew who she was. She saw the truth in his eyes. She needed to be very careful, or be
caught in a lie.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and straightened her skirts. “Persephone,
daughter of Demeter and Zeus, and Hades’ prisoner and wife by ancient law of abduction.” Her voice quivered and the words rankled in her mouth, but she spoke them despite the half-truths.
His eyebrows arched. “I take it you don’t like him much.”
She let the anger she felt toward these intruders color her emotions. “He stole me from my mother,” she snarled. “He forced me into a marriage I didn’t want. I want to go back! I want my mother. I want my flowers and the sun. I want my freedom.”
Coronus grinned. “Maybe we can help each other, little goddess. Use your power to release me and my men and I’ll return you to your mother.”
“I-I hoped you could help me. It’s why I let you in. Hades bound my magic so I couldn’t
leave.”
“What?!”
She knew it to be the worst possible offense and she’d hoped the act horrified even him. “I tried to escape his attentions, so he made sure I couldn’t do it again.”
“Check her,” he commanded one of the Titans.
The guard stomped toward her, jerking her from the bed. His very touch invoked the most
primitive emotions and a man curled in a corner, afraid of the dark. His power washed over her, overconfidence and cruelty threaded through the whirling crush. She could have squashed him, but she played her part, howling as if his power was stronger than anything she’d felt before. He tossed her back on the bed and she collapsed upon it, struggling with the newly awakened part of her nature. The Phlegethon wanted to make them disappear.
“It’s as she says. The magic is there, but blocked.”
“Watch her,” he barked, leaving the room.
She watched him leave with a secret smile. It wouldn’t take him long to work his way around the situation she’d presented him with. Meanwhile, she had another situation to present to him.
Rising from the bed, she glided across the room, unpinning the broach at her shoulder as she smiled at the guards and exposing the top of her breast.
“I feel the need to play. Who wants to be first?”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
“THEY ARRIVED a few moments ago,” Thanatos told Hades, leading him through the halls
of Tartarus to the small crowd around the two Titans. “Those who saw it say they just appeared and fell over.”
Hade took one look at the men and blinked. “Are they sleeping?”
Thanatos shook his head. “I can’t tell you. If they are, the dreams are pleasant.”
Crouching down, Hades touched one of the Titans. His flesh was clammy, chilled, and the
hint of Persephone’s perfume clung to his skin. Rage flared. He stood, gathering his magic around him, ready to bring his errant wife to him. He was going to kill her.
“There’s another one,” a shade called out.
A hand dropped on his arm and he turned with a snarl. Leuce stood beside him, her husband at her side. “Stop it now!”
“He touched her! She let him touch her!”
“Did she?” Thanatos said. “He’s here, Hades. Bound and delivered.”
“Four less soldiers,” Leuce’s husband interjected.
“Think like the warrior you are, not the jilted husband you think you are,” Leuce said.
“Women have little power in war. We are at the mercy of those with more power—”
“She’s the one with more power!” he growled.
“Exactly.” Leuce touched his arm. “What woman, given the chance, wouldn’t sacrifice
herself for the ones she loves? Your Persephone is a strong Queen and a most surprising woman.
She’s a worthy opponent and I feel sorry for the man who thinks to hold her.”
“It’s time to attack the palace, and fight for what is ours,” Thanatos said.
“But Persephone—”
“Had the chance to defeat the enemy and she took it,” Eris interrupted, kicking the Titan as she passed. “It was you or her. One of you had to stay behind with Coronus while the other drew Adman out.” She glanced at Thanatos and smiled. “I never promised. Did you Thanatos?
Besides, his anger at her served its purpose and it’s time for his fear for her to kick in.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Persephone’s plan. I didn’t know she could be so devious. Did you? Tried to make me
promise not to tell. Now, are we going to war or not?”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
THE SHADE shoved Persephone roughly against the wall, his hands slipped under the dress
and caressing her thigh, heading upward. Persephone squirmed, hoping the other would move just a little closer for a piece of the action before she had to either make good on her promise or betray her intentions.
His hand gained access to her hip and she touched the shade, belatedly realizing the hard part wasn’t his thigh. He groaned and rubbed himself against her. She cringed. Enough was enough!
She made him disappear.
Turning, she rushed at the other man. He screamed as she grabbed hold of him and he too
disappeared. What did that make, twenty, twenty-eight? Fifty more and she might make a dent in the ranks, but at this rate she’d need a week and she’d be lucky to have another hour. It was time to think big scale and hope she could escape before Coronus could use her against Hades.
Smoothing the front of the seductive red dress, she repositioned the angle of the bodice and tried to make it as modest as she could, not that it was possible. The dress swirled around her body, exposing a peek show of flesh and womanly curves. The cloth draped over her left
shoulder, dipped low over her right breast, overlapping at her right hip, leaving her back open to the air, and fastened together by a ruby broach at her left hip.
She closed the doors and headed toward the kitchens on bare feet. Hades was coming and she would be ready.
She knew her enemy now. She knew the horror Coronus had brought to her kingdom and to
her life. He’d come for the Iron Queen and found twin Phlegethon daemon-goddesses. He’d
come to force Persephone into marriage, taking what he thought was his by divine right. And Persephone made sure he didn’t get what he’d come for. She’d fought him and they’d all lost.
Persephone, Kora, and Coronus had been in the center of the explosion of power. Coronus’
greed had robbed her of her memories, her magic, and her sister. He wanted power. She’d give him power.
Chapter 31
THE SMALL force of twenty men and three women, if Eris could be called a woman,
entered the palace under the cover of night and swiftly took out all opposition that stood between them and their goal. Fanning out, groups of five men each, they headed down one
of the four halls, dispatching the drunken men passed out there. The one group of five men and three women followed the main hall to the throne room.
Hades stopped at the door, feeling the subtle scent of Persephone’s power calling to him. He nodded to the five men and they ranged out, fading into the shadows until needed. The two unarmed women remained with him as did Eris. He reached out and pushed open the doors. The time for subtlety was at an end; it was time to retrieve his wife.
As the doors swung open, they revealed the trap he knew was there. The hall was filled with armed men. Sitting on his throne was Coronus, and chained at his feet was Persephone dressed in a very revealing red dress.
“You’re sitting in my throne. And that’s my wife.”
“A most delightful creature. We were just getting reacquainted.” He caressed her bare
shoulder. Persephone didn’t react. She sat like a statue, her eyes empty of all emotion. “How remiss of you to misplace her.”
Hades held his fury in careful check. Rushing to her rescue wouldn’t save her; it would
probably endanger her further. “I left her in my bed where she belongs.”
Her eyes flared with anger or passion; he wasn’t sure which. “No wonder the gods hated
you,” she said laughingly. “You’re incorrigible.”
He clenched his fist, fearing that the accusations in his mind denouncing her as a traitor was right and that Leuce and the desire in his heart saying she loved him was wrong. The subtle shift of power in the air and the sweet scent of lavender and honey threaded itself through the chamber. Taking a deep, calming breath, he braced himself for what must be done.
Persephone rose and chains clanked. “If I was I free, I’d—”
Hades laughed. “Kill me? I’m a god, sweetling. I may bleed, but I don’t die.”
“When this is over, Hades, I have a cell in Tartarus with your name on it. I might even let Coronus be your jailor—”
Coronus jerked on the chain and she fell against his legs. “I’ll not remain here another
minute, my dear. Release us, and I promise to remove this hardship from your hands Hades.”
She hissed at him, like a small cat. Coronus struck her and Hades took a step forward. “Keep your hands off my wife!”
My Lord Hades Page 26