Page 16 of A Goddess Unraveled (Olympus Rising)

Despite a lack of sleep and her family’s betrayal weighing on her mind, Lexi woke up smiling. Granted, she and Hades had been busted, but Cherry had kept some of Lexi’s secrets in the past. And Lexi knew Cherry liked riding horses naked when she thought no one was looking, so there was leverage in case Lexi needed it.

Mara’s text begging Lexi to call had been the first thing to greet her, and they talked while Lexi prepared for another day in paradise. She told Mara about the lineup of boys who had been invited to woo her with their selfish deeds and abysmal riding skills. Only one of them, James from Yorkshire, didn’t make her want to throw herself off the balcony.

Then she gushed about Luke, the stranger who had crashed her party and caused her godfather to lose his shit. He was the only man who listened to her, and had given her the kiss of her life. But as soon as Lexi admitted that she was thinking about going all the way with him, Mara got weird and had to hang up. Not a surprise from her friend who acted like men carried the plague.

Of course, Lexi couldn’t tell her that Luke was more than just a man, or the fact that her family’s best friends were all gods from the Greek pantheon. Lexi was still processing that herself.

When it came time to dress, she stood in front of her closet and wondered what Hades’s favorite color was. Did he like pink? Lexi was in the mood for something bright and fun and a little bit deviant, so she chose a pale-pink button-front cardigan, which she wore over a white tee with a sugar skull design. It also felt like a black miniskirt day, so she slipped on her pleated one, pairing it with rosebud-embroidered thigh-high stockings and three-inch peep toe shoes. She’d seen a stylist wear the ensemble once and didn’t care that it was two seasons ago.

After donning a diamond-studded necklace and matching earrings, the bling she’d received from her parents on her eighteenth birthday, she sashayed into the dining room owning every inch of those heels.

“ Sei magnifica , signorina Lexi.” Lady Twila greeted her first, swishing over in a formfitting gown made of black-and-white damask. The fabric reminded Lexi of the curtains hanging in her dad’s study. Royalty could pull off anything.

“I’ll never be able to match your grace and beauty, signora Twila. That is, um . . .”

Lexi hid her embarrassment with a curtsy as the previous night’s drama replayed in her head. She wasn’t exchanging pleasantries with royalty. This was Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.

“There will be plenty of time to practice,” Aphrodite said with a tinkling laugh.

A chair was pulled out beside Lexi as Hades’s velvety voice spread over her like warm sheets. “Can I offer you a seat, my lady?”

“I’m honored.”

As she sat, she quickly patted the chair next to her, and he obliged. As if on cue, James appeared across the table, and as he took a seat, he slid a white shirt box toward her.

“This is for you, Lexi. After our conversation last night, I thought you might like it.”

His gaze flicked to Hades, and Lexi felt a pang of guilt for always showing him preferential treatment. James had plenty to offer, despite his unfortunate position as a toy for the gods. Did he know who “Luke” really was?

“That’s so nice of you. Should I open it now?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Properly intrigued, Lexi pulled the lid off the box and lifted the tissue paper, uncovering a University of Oxford sweatshirt. “Oh wow. This is amazing.”

“I bought it before I flew over for the weekend, so it’s never been worn. When you told me Oxford was one of your choices but that it didn’t work out, I decided it would serve you better.”

“I don’t know what to say, James. This is a really thoughtful gift. Thank you.” Lexi was glad the waitstaff had started setting out breakfast trays, because she knew her cheeks were lighting up.

She slid the box under her chair, and the meal commenced. Thankfully, her parents and godfather were giving her space. She assumed that had everything to do with James. Maybe they’d even provided the box for his thoughtful gift. She could picture them crossing their fingers and hoping he would be the lucky bachelor she chose.

When the serving dishes had been cleared, her dad toasted her with the dregs of his orange juice. “This is your weekend, Lexi. How can we accommodate you?”

Lexi had already decided what she wanted to do: dance to loud music and beat everyone at billiards. She glanced at each expectant face, making them wait just like they had made her wait.

“I thought we could hang out upstairs in the billiard room. It has the best sound system.”

Her godfather stood and raised his water goblet above his head. “To the billiard room!”

While bodies flowed through the door, Lexi remained behind to give her gift a closer inspection. She appreciated the large size. Most of her sweatshirts were large on purpose. She would have put it on right then, but she was killing it in her sugar skull.

When only the waitstaff was left, she realized that James and Hades had hung back too. Lexi knew that James had to leave, and she wanted to say goodbye properly, but she found herself in the same predicament as the night before, with two men vying for her attention. How did people manage relationships at all?

Hades made his move first, pulling out her seat as she prepared to stand. “I’ll see you upstairs after you say goodbye to James.” Then he offered James a handshake, saying something to him in Greek. James looked taken aback, blinking as he watched Hades leave the room.

To his credit, James quickly recovered with a friendly smile and took a few determined steps toward her. “I hate that I can’t join you for a game of billiards. I’m sure you’d make it fun. But I really must get to the airport.”

“And I apologize for being distracted during your visit. I’ve been a little annoyed with my parents for inviting strangers to my graduation party. They think they know what’s best for me, but that’s not your fault. I’m glad you and I got to know each other.”

“Me too. I’m no stranger to overprotective parenting. I attended an all-boys prep school. It made for a rude awakening when I started college.”

“How so?” Lexi tried to find something else to stare at besides his mouth. This was her usual point of focus during debates, but that strategy had been failing her over the course of the weekend, mostly with Hades.

“In college, everyone expects you to know the ropes when it comes to dating. Even my older brother was no help. So it was a rough first year for me.”

“I can’t imagine you having trouble finding a date.”

“Believe me, it’s harder for guys than girls. Our fragile egos are on the line every time we ask for a phone number.”

Lexi suppressed her shock. It seemed he’d learned some humility despite his upbringing. “Well, if a girl can’t see when a guy is the genuine article, she isn’t worth talking to.”

James glanced at his watch, maybe trying to hide the blush tinting his cheeks. “I really need to go. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. And have fun on your big solo adventure. Call or text me whenever the mood strikes.”

“Thanks for the amazing gift. I’ll send you a picture of me wearing it while I’m sipping a limoncello in Italy.”

“I’d love a picture of you.”

They stared at each other for a second before Lexi inserted one more thing. “Can I ask what Luke said to you before he left?”

A flash of uncertainty drew James’s brows together, but he never lost eye contact with her. “He said a treasure worth keeping is the hardest to find. I have to agree with him on that.”

The last staff member vanished, leaving Lexi and James alone with his innuendo, and she couldn’t help reminiscing about the kiss Hades had given her in that very room. Just the thought of him made her insides melt. But she wasn’t so love-struck not to see the logical side of the equation.

Hades was a god relegated to living in the underworld, while James was an average human, like her. At least, nobody had told her otherwise. But he was still a cog in the gods’ grand scheme . . . who had proven that he wasn’t a total butthead.

Lexi decided to give James a gift in return, as well as a chance to leave with his ego intact. She leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but it wasn’t a sterile peck either. She was making her own choices now, regardless of her family’s approval. And if they tried to fight her again, she’d just keep fighting back.

~

As Lexi headed upstairs to the billiard room, she caught a glimpse of Hades hurrying out of sight. Had he been curious about what happened between her and James? Was he jealous? Most gods were lousy with jealousy. She didn’t need a book to tell her that. She had the misfits.

Still wearing the smile James had put on her face, Lexi arrived to find Hades standing at the wet bar, downing a gin and tonic. Far be it for her to judge him for imbibing right after breakfast. Maybe it was later in the underworld.

She’d planned to challenge him to a game of billiards, but she’d barely stepped into the room when she was sideswiped by Sami, the quiet one from Kolkata, who seemed to have tripped his way over to her.

“You look like you’re enjoying your party,” he said, glancing sidelong at his brother, who was never more than a few feet away.

“It has certainly had its moments.”

Hades had noticed Sami’s approach and was walking up to Emily . . . Athena. Damn . Did Sami know there were gods mingling among them? Was he as clueless as she had been twelve hours ago? Based on his wide-eyed, innocent gaze and the way he held his body taut like he was waiting to get punched, she decided he was still out of the loop. Although his brother was Dion’s age, so he’d probably been brought into the secret circle.

Lexi smiled, realizing the opportunity like a frying pan to the head.

“Why don’t you and your brother play a game of cutthroat with me? Don’t worry, it’s not as dangerous as it sounds.”

She gave him all the time he needed to breathe deeply and wring his hands as he made his decision.

“Yeah, sure. I’m not much of a player, but Yash plays.”

“Great. You go ask him while I get the balls racked up.”

She pulled out her phone as she made for the billiard table, queuing up her favorite dance playlist. And just like that, the mood in the room switched from stiff to effervescent. Sami and Yash joined her as she set up the game, and Yash wasted no time, leaning into her ear to speak over the music.

“Go easy on him.”

She offered him a thumbs-up and leaned right back. “What about you?”

Yash laughed as he grabbed a cue stick and flourished it like a jousting lance. Lexi couldn’t believe her luck. Perhaps she’d found some real competition. Her family was crap at billiards. Yash had also inherited the best features of his family: tall like his dad, with his mother’s light-brown eyes. He looked kind of like a god.

Sami managed to keep himself together during the game, but it was clear he didn’t have a competitive bone in his body, although Yash insisted on pointing out Sami’s other fine qualities, like his interest in archeology and his extensive insect collection, which was currently on display at a Kolkata science museum.

Yash also kept Lexi on her toes as he matched her skill with each opportunity she gave him, and she struggled to keep her edge while subtly interrogating him about his family.

“It’s just you and your brother at home?” she asked while he set up for a shot that required a difficult double bank.

“We have a much younger sister. She’s twelve.”

“Oh. I expect she’s already started boarding school, then.”

He smiled up from his position over the cue stick, and Lexi had the distinct impression he was onto her. “One of the finest on the continent. She’ll be returning home by the time we’re back in Kolkata.”

She let up long enough for him to make the shot, which he missed, then she started again while Sami took his turn. There were only a few balls left on the table, so she bypassed the subtly and went in for the kill.

“I’ve heard you already graduated from uni. Software engineer, right?”

“That’s right.”

“So, what’s on your agenda for the future? Working in your field? Or will you take a wife first and start playing house?”

He cocked his head and studied her, his lips pursed like he was suppressing a smirk. Either he was shocked at her boldness or was quickly coming up with a story he could tell her that wouldn’t get him into trouble.

“I still have time before the family commitments kick in. I hear you’re planning a solo summer trip. That must be nice.”

Was he taking a jab at her? “Yeah, if it happens.”

“Why wouldn’t it happen?” He looked pointedly around the room, which was filled with wealthy friends and the finest furniture money could buy. Yes, he was jabbing her. He thought she was the spare.

“I guess the Maxwells aren’t playing by the same rules as your family.”

His brows rose, which gave her some satisfaction, and when she glanced at Sami, he was watching them with the same curious expression.

“Uh, it’s your turn, Lexi,” said Sami.

Lexi leaned over the table, having already found her shot, and spun the ball into the pocket with enough finesse to finish Yash off. The ball landed so hard it almost bounced back out.

“That’s game,” she said. “Thanks for playing, boys.”

While Sami was quick to retreat to the safety of his parents’ embrace, Yash hung back, taking his time to replace his cue stick in the rack. Then he stopped to offer some parting words. “I hope the trip works out for you. I’ve learned to never waste an opportunity.”

As he walked away, she tried to decode his message. Was it another jab? Or had he just given her a subtle hint? If he thought she was the spare, did he think she would move to Kolkata if she and Sami synched up? Did they all think that? Hades appeared at her shoulder with an empty lowball glass in his hand.

“That was an impressive display,” he said. “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall. Something you said had both of those young men blinking like cats in the sunlight.”

“I was trying to get information out of Yash about the ambassador families. I think my plan backfired, but I’m not sure who it backfired on.”

“Oh? I’m all ears.”

“He got snarky when I mentioned I was taking a solo trip this summer, then he seemed confused when I told him I wasn’t sure my family would let me, like he assumed I had all the freedom in the world. But it’s more than just Yash’s comment. James joked about being the spare child in his family. I guess since my parents couldn’t provide a whole litter of kids, I get to fill in while Dion sews his wild oats.”

Hades’s brows crowded over his eyes, and he glanced across the room to where her godfather reclined on a lounger in front of the bay window, drink in hand, behaving for all the world like a god.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what Z’s thought processes are with regards to you and your brother. I can tell you what I know about the ambassador families, though. For one thing, they’re all more established than your family. They live in estates that were built centuries ago, and they house multiple generations, which means there’s always a family member living on the property who can accommodate the gods.”

Lexi shook her head, her anger rising as she joined him in staring at the pompous bastard lounging on the chaise. “Sounds like the gods have created a pretty nice setup for themselves, at our expense.”

“It’s in a god’s nature to command and to serve. It’s what Gaia intended for us. But any being with free will has the potential for abusing that power.”

His explanations always made sense, although that didn’t mean they always comforted. “It sounds like Gaia needs to step in.”

Hades offered a soft smile. “It’s not that simple.”

“Of course, it isn’t. Do all of these ambassador kids know their lives are being controlled by gods?” She waved her arm at the trio of boys gathered around a table, cell phones in hand.

“It’s likely the older ones do. Perhaps not Sami or the boy from Bruges, due to their age.” He grabbed a ball off the billiard table and rolled it between his fingers. “Do you want to try your luck with me? I fancy myself a decent player.”

Try her luck? Lexi wasn’t so distracted by the conversation that she missed the innuendo. “I have a feeling I’m being suckered, but I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to try my luck with.”

“All right. But in the spirit of full disclosure, I’m much better on this green than I am on the living version.”

“In that case, I’ll break.”

With the bass beating in the background and her focus turned to the game, Lexi managed to sink a ball on her opening shot, but her advantage didn’t last long. Hades overcame every obstacle, even when she had him backed into a corner, and he took the win pretty easily. She immediately insisted on a second, and her perseverance paid off, as she beat him with two balls left on the table. Then, for some reason, Dion stepped in to try his luck against her.

“What are you doing, Dion? You hate losing to me.”

“I’m just having fun, like everyone else. I’ll break.” He shrugged his innocence and leaned close to her as he racked up the balls. “What did you think of Sami? He’s a nice guy, isn’t he?”

What a dirty spy .

“I don’t know, he hasn’t said more than ten words to me.”

“Yeah, he’s kind of shy. But James isn’t.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and that was it for her.

“Stop the act, Dion. You’ve never cared about my interests in men, so I know what you’re doing. Let’s just skip the game, and you can tell Mom and Dad that I would sooner marry Jackie O than commit to someone out of convenience.”

She threw her cue stick on the table and snatched Hades by the wrist just as a song from her favorite singer started blasting through the sound system. “Let’s dance,” she said, giving him no choice but to join her. Something told her that he knew his way around a dance floor.

Before she had a chance to prepare, Hades spun her into his chest and back out again, taking on the task without reservation, just like he’d done with every other challenge. Maybe it was the gin flowing through his bloodstream, but she had a feeling it came naturally to him. Their hands parted and Lexi drifted away, whirling across the floor like she didn’t have a care in the world. It felt amazing.

“You’re an excellent dancer.” The words rushed out as she drifted back to Hades and pulled him close, speaking at his ear. “I wonder what else you can do with your body.”

His eyebrows rose, and Lexi bit her lip as her adrenaline surged. She’d been aware of her godfather’s gaze on them, and she’d been trying not to care whether she was pushing his buttons. But she’d become less certain about a few things over the course of the weekend, like what she really meant to the omnipotent god, and how far he would go to get his way. As these thoughts entered her head, her godfather appeared to lose his patience. Pursing his lips and squaring his shoulders, he stomped across the room to the dance floor.