Free My Lord Hades by Stephannie Beman Page B

care of your horses now.”
    The woman nodded, threw a strange look at Demeter and walked away.
    “I brought her to meet you as you demanded,” Demeter said. Her voice was stiff, with a hint of resentment, and her expression cold. “I don’t know why you couldn’t wait another day, Zeus?”
    So this was her father?
    In contrast to the only other man she’d ever seen, Zeus fell short of her expectations. He was a shadow of what she expected in the King of the Gods. He lacked the musculature, the power, the confidence, and the magnetism Hades wore like a second skin.
    Zeus smiled at her. “Come in, my dears.” His voice was higher than Hades’ deep, rich timbre.
    He led them through the room and to the balcony. “Please sit. I would like to talk to you both.”
    Seated, Persephone attempted to find herself in this man that was her father. She found
    nothing. His eyes were green and his hair bright red and curly. His face held the same features as her mother’s face, though the close cropped hair on his face hid most of it. Hades’ beard had been longer the first time they met, but shorter the second, but not as short as Zeus’ beard. Did all men wear beards?
    He seemed nice enough, but the urge to demand he tell her what he wanted was strong. One
    moment she liked him and next she hated him. One moment she was excited to meet her father and the next she was furious at him for something she didn’t understand. Yet he hadn’t done a thing to her. At least nothing she could remember.
    The conflict of thoughts raging in her mind confused and frightened her. What was going on?
    She’d never hated a person in her life as she did this man. Or at least she couldn’t remember hating one.
    Curse her lack of memory!
    Zeus smiled at her, revealing perfect white teeth. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you,
    Persephone. How was the ride?”
    She forced herself to smile in return when all she wanted to do was run. “And you…Father. It was pleasant.”
    Zeus turned to Demeter and Persephone followed his gaze, unconsciously slumping in her
    chair. The feeling of wrongness struck her again. He was acting as if this were their first meeting, but she saw it in his eyes—he knew her.
    “The nymphs’ description of you doesn’t do you justice, my child. Now I see why the gods
    are eager to meet her. Our daughter’s beauty rivals Aphrodite’s.”
    Demeter scowled. “She’ll not meet the gods, Zeus. I’ll not have you give her away to some slovenly god like you did with Aphrodite.”
    Persephone fought her way out of the emotions threatening to overwhelm her and asked,
    “Who’s Aphrodite?”
    Zeus raised his eyebrows. “The Goddess of Love.”
    “Don’t give me that look,” Demeter seethed. “I’ll not let her suffer Aphrodite’s fate, trapped in a loveless marriage to that…smith.”
    He frowned at Demeter. “Hephaestus is already married so need not worry.”
    She shot Zeus a scathing glare. “Persephone will not be traded or used in your power plays, Zeus.”
    Zeus pulled himself to his full height. “Demeter, we will not talk of this here and now.
    Persephone is to come to the party tomorrow, where she will meet the gods.”
    “No!”
    “Yes. Should you fail to bring her, dressed in her best attire, I’ll send Hermes for her.”
    Looking into her mother’s drawn face, she thought better of voicing the excitement beating in her chest. She would finally meet the other gods and goddesses. She’d see Hades again. He would be there to get his reward.
    “The sooner she marries, the safer she’ll be.”
    “Please don’t. She doesn’t deserve that fate.”
    He shook his head. “You can’t hide her forever, Demeter,” he said, softening his tone. “The Titans are gone. She’s in no danger.”
    Demeter’s fingers dug into Persephone’s arm, making her wince. “She’ll always be in
    danger.”
    “She had her chance, Demeter. And look how that turned out. No memory and sorely lacking
    in