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“That’snotwhat’s happening,” Persephone snapped, glaring at the god.

“Well, not yet,” Hermes said. “She has to ask you first.”

“Hermes, shut up,” they said in unison.

The god slammed his mouth closed. “Fine. I’ll be in the closet.”

When they were alone, Persephone turned to him and spoke. “After Helen was asked to leave, Sybil, Leuce, and Zofie went through her things. We found a date, time, and an address for Club Aphrodisia. We think she might be attending a meeting of some kind associated with Triad.”

“And you want to go?”

“We all do. Zofie, Sybil, Leuce, Hermes,” she said. “This is personal, Hades.”

“It might be personal, but that does not mean you can be stupid,” he said.

Persephone’s mouth hardened.

From inside the closet, Hermes groaned. “Oof. What an idiot.”

“We may have a chance to learn what they are planning,” Persephone said. “Do you not want to prevent another attack?”

“Of course,” Hades said. “But that does not mean I want you there. Hermes can go.”

She stared at him, but her expression was not so much angry as it was hurt, and he didn’t like it.

“Why don’t you trust me?”

“Persephone, it isn’t you I do not trust. It’s—”

“Everyone else. I know,” she said, frustrated. “I want to respect your perspective, but I need you to also respect mine.”

Hades studied her in the silence, grinding his teeth. There was a part of him that wanted to say it did not matter, that the danger outweighed any reason she might have for going, but he knew that wasn’t fair.

He worked to keep the frustration from his voice as he asked, “What is your perspective?”

“I don’t want to be a passive god or decoration at your side. I have my own battles I wish to fight. Helen betrayed me. I want to know the extent.”

Hades understood, but it was hard tolether, and perhaps that was where he had failed. She was not one of his subjects or souls. She was not in his employ. She was his future wife. He had sworn to treat her as an equal, and he realized that fear got in the way.

“This is more than just a wish to help, Hades,” she said, her voice quiet. “You have to let me stand for something.”

He reached for her, brushing his thumb along her cheek.

“Hermes is going?” he asked.

She nodded.

“He has already agreed to swear an oath to protect me…if that would make you feel better.”

Nothing about this will make me feel better, he wanted to say, but he kept those words to himself, knowing they were no good here.

“I think the other dress, Sephy,” Hermes said, stepping out of the closet. He wore one of the outfitshe’d held earlier. It was a short black dress with strings of pearls holding the sides and bodice together. “This one’s a little too…fuck me, if you get my meaning.”

Hades ground his teeth.

“Hermes…” Persephone groaned.

Hades took a step toward the god. “You agreed to swear an oath?” he asked.