Page 17 of A Goddess Unraveled (Olympus Rising)
Lexi expected a lecture when her godfather joined her and Hades on the dance floor, but he’d only wanted to challenge her to a game of billiards. Of course, she knew it was an excuse to keep her away from his brother. History had taught her that there was no way to beat him, and now she knew why, the rotten cheater.
After giving up her second loss to her godfather, she blamed him for having an advantage over her, even when he swore he’d played fair. But she didn’t expect him to play fair again, and the more she let herself believe that he was Zeus, the father of all gods, the harder it was to see him as her godfather. This took a toll on her enthusiasm, and she attempted to improve her mood by suggesting they all head down to the swimming pool.
Music followed the party outside, along with the mobile bar cart, and the competition continued with water polo, pitting Lexi, Dionysus, and Hades against Zeus, Apollo, and Mnemosyne. Despite Dionysus’s drunken state, Lexi’s team managed to squeak out a win, which resulted in an argument between Zeus and Apollo. Apparently, Apollo had formed a crush on Sami’s mom, and he’d been distracted by her as she lounged on a chaise.
Towels were dispensed and everyone relaxed poolside to enjoy cocktails. Lexi sat on the edge of Hades’s lounger, enjoying his warmth while they talked with Athena. Lexi knew their movements were being monitored, but she couldn’t seem to control her fingers as they drifted across his stomach. She didn’t even realize that her hand had dipped down to the waistband of his swim shorts until he took hold of her wrist.
“Not that I wouldn’t enjoy having you continue what you’re doing,” he said, “but I suggest we find a more private venue for it.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Lexi offered him a taunting smile, feeling almost no guilt for breaching their agreement about deference. A moment later, a large, self-important shadow appeared beside them, blocking out the sun.
“Lexi, dinner is being prepared. You should have your guests retire inside to dress.” The words choked out of Zeus’s mouth like he was being strangled. “Before you join them, however, I would like to have a word with you—in private.”
“Happy to.”
Good. Lexi was ready to take care of this once and for all.
~
Zeus’s complaints started even before he’d closed the door to the study. “I do not want you cavorting with Hades any longer. I must insist.”
The scowl she wore could have rivaled his best. “First of all, I’ve been told to spend more time with my guests, but only the ones you and my parents deem worthy. That’s a double standard if I’ve ever heard one. Second, Hades has as much right to be here as you do.”
“Hades is not just any guest. He is a god, and you’d do well to remember that.”
“A god like you and all the other immortals? I’m going to need a stronger argument than that.”
He huffed as he paced the room, folding and unfolding his arms like a pouty child. So, nothing new. “You’re young and still naive. You have no idea what you’re getting into with Hades. He’ll use you to satisfy his lust and return home without a second thought for your welfare. Do us both a favor, Lexi. Quit this nonsense and stop throwing yourself at him.”
“There’s nothing wrong with showing interest in a person who speaks the same language. Do you know how hard it is to find someone like that? I’ll tell you. It’s hard. Sometimes impossible, especially for people who’ve been chaperoned their whole lives. And it doesn’t mean I’m throwing myself at him.”
“There are other young men at this party who are interested in you.”
Lexi’s face burned with anger as the freight train that was her will opened the throttle. “I’m not playing along with your Stepford wives bullshit. My mom clearly wasn’t given a choice in how her life played out, and these boys who were trotted out here to impress me are just cookie-cutter humans, raised to excel and fit the mold created by the gods. You can’t fool me anymore. I’ve seen behind the curtain. Our entire relationship has been based on lies.”
A hiccup caught Lexi in the throat, and she realized she was gripping the edge of the wingback like it was the only thing holding her up. Zeus stopped his pacing and looked at her like she had grown a second head.
“Our relationship has not changed. I love you as much now as I did when you were born. Believe it or not, the gods are not in the habit of taking on the mortal role of godparent.”
“Fine.” Lexi pushed away from the chair and focused on moving her feet and making a good argument. “Then why didn’t you choose to be Dion’s godfather? He’s the firstborn. The prodigal son to take over the ambassador post. What’s so special about me?”
She continued her trajectory toward the mahogany desk, not paying Zeus any attention until she heard a snort. When she looked over, his brows were pinched, like her question had rattled him.
“Your mother asked.”
When their eyes met, Lexi could almost read the unspoken words behind his gray gaze. She’d grown up smiling up at those eyes, scowling at them, pushing the limits he set for her until they turned stormy. And she always knew when he was hiding something, which was often.
“So, it was guilt then? You knew she’d been fucked over, and this was a way to make amends. Hades told me the gods can’t mess with free will.”
“Someday you’ll understand. Can we just focus on the topic at hand? There are risks when cavorting with gods in the bedroom. You’ve read the stories.”
“Don’t lecture me on who I should or shouldn’t have sex with. You’ve had your way with every goddess on record. And the list of humans must be just as long. What’s your real point, Zeus?”
His lips hardened into a thin line. Maybe because she wouldn’t back down. Or maybe because she was no longer using the name he’d given himself when he became her godfather.
“Do you really want to risk your feelings with Hades? He isn’t in a position to cultivate long-term relationships. Besides that, the likelihood of you conceiving from a union with a god is much greater than the mortal average. Do you want that kind of responsibility? You’ve barely begun to experience life yourself.”
“You mean my life as a servant to the gods? Sure, I can hardly wait to get started on that glamorous career.” She folded her arms to mimic his stance, which only made him stiffen more.
“You are not a servant! You’ll be given freedom to enjoy the pleasures of the world. All we ask is for you to make your home here, with your family. It’s not an unusual ask. People do it all the time.”
“But you’re not asking me, are you? You’re telling me. You and my parents have given me an ultimatum. Play by our rules or be excommunicated. I’m being forced to make good on someone else’s commitment. Even if that commitment is a life of luxury, it still isn’t freedom.”
Miraculously, he didn’t have a rebuttal. Was it because he felt guilty, or was he completely clueless about the point she was trying to make?
“I’ve always considered the consequences of my choices,” she went on. “I’m probably the most responsible person you know. And I’m not a little girl anymore. I want to experience the world on my own terms. Solo. Which includes romance. And I have the right to choose who I do it with.”
“Then choose to do it with a someone who is not a god!”
His shouting made her see red and scarlet and every angry hue of the rainbow, but she knew it would only get worse if she tried to shout over him. So she responded in the calmest voice she could muster.
“I’ve already made up my mind. I want Hades to be my first.”
Zeus threw up his hands and sparks flew from his fingers as the air sizzled and popped like bacon in a pan. Lexi jumped back to avoid the spray while he rushed around the room, tamping out embers.
“You are the most stubborn child I have ever . . . please, Lexi. I will grant you anything you ask for if you’ll just reconsider. You know I don’t like being the bad guy.”
Did she know that? Sure, he’d eased up on the reins a few times when she’d made a good case for herself, especially when her parents had already given in. But maybe she hadn’t been pushing the right buttons. The ones that really mattered.
As Lexi listened to his pleas, her anger subsided. He didn’t seem so powerful when he was trying to bargain with her. She waited for him to brush an ash off the couch before giving him a hug around his barrel chest. The contact sent an electric current through her that lifted her momentarily off the ground, but she didn’t let go. She wanted to prove she was tougher than he gave her credit for.
“I appreciate your concern for my welfare, and I’m making an effort to believe that’s why you’re making such a big deal out of this.” She stepped back so she could look him in the eyes, those stormy gray eyes. “But this is my life and my choice. Please, try to respect that. And remember, in the mortal world, there are things called condoms.”
~
Z was an unreasonable ass. While Lexi and her guests dressed for dinner, Hades agreed to a conversation with his brother on the beach. He knew Lexi would be the focus, and he had hoped they could discuss the matter like two levelheaded gods. But Zeus wasn’t level anything, and his voice boomed like a clap of thunder as he tried to bully Hades.
“Give it up, Hades. Lexi is not worth the risk.”
“Spoken like a true godfather,” Hades said. “If it was Heracles vying for Lexi’s affection, you wouldn’t be stomping around like an overgrown satyr.”
“I wouldn’t have to. Heracles has no need to add to his list of consorts.”
“That’s because he has a plethora of gods to choose from in Olympus. I have one, and we had to resort to trickery to buy us three months out of the year.”
“The human realm is filled with willing mortals. Don’t tell me you haven’t amassed a plethora of consorts yourself.”
“Most mortals don’t appreciate being abandoned by their lovers for years, sometimes decades, at a time. Not the best circumstances for nurturing long-term relationships. Of course, we both know nurturing isn’t your strong suit.”
Hades’s temper flared despite his efforts, and he fisted his hands to rein it in. He refused to make the ongoing battle with his brother obvious to anyone who might be watching from the estate.
“I’m just curious,” Hades said, his voice low and even. “What kind of ruler waits for the worst to happen before he reacts? Is it vengeance you’re seeking? Is Lexi a pawn in a bigger game? She has a strong spirit, and I expect we’ve only seen a sample of it. When she finds out about her true nature, the damage will be done, and she’ll curse you for eternity.”
“Listen to yourself, Hades. We’re immortals. She’ll eventually resign herself to her obligations without complaint.”
Hades threw his head back and roared with laughter. Z’s lofty position had finally relieved him of his common sense. “If you believe that, then you’re a fool. Or maybe you’ve never taken the time to truly know Lexi. But I’ve come up with a compromise. I’ll back off from her if you tell her she’s the daughter of the Titan Mnemosyne. Otherwise, I might have to tell her myself before the worst comes to pass.”
“Enough!” Z threw his arms toward the sky, discharging his anger in a bolt of electricity. Twice in one weekend. He was on a roll. “I forbid you to tell Lexi about her parentage! She’ll know when it’s time for her to know and not a day sooner!”
“You may be able to control when I can and cannot leave the underworld, but you cannot forbid me from doing anything in this realm! We’re equals here!” Hades discharged his own anger in the form of a fireball, which hissed as he hurled it into the surf. So much for reining in his temper. “I’ll continue to enjoy Lexi’s company for as long as she’ll have me.”
“Ha! When she learns that your service keeps you tied to the underworld, she’ll abandon you for a more practical choice. No god in their right mind would give up their rights to Olympus.”
Z’s face contorted into a mask of exposed teeth and pinched brows. This was usually where their conversations ended, in an explosion of thunder and fire. But they were on the Maxwells’ property, and it was possible that they had already attracted an audience.
“Do you remember when your powers were coming in?” Hades said as he shook the pins and needles from his hands. “The nymphs were frightened as hell of you. Nothing and no one in the palace was safe. I recall a particular incident involving an apron catching fire.”
“ You were frightened of me too.”
“Of course I was. An untrained god is a danger to everyone. There were a lot of close calls before you had things under control. And you had support and guidance.”
Z kept quiet, which meant something had been jarred loose in his stubborn brother’s head, so Hades went on.
“Immortality tests us. And we must constantly remind ourselves not to become exhausted by the difficulties we face, but to use them as opportunities to better ourselves. If you give nothing else to Lexi, give her the truth as she begins her eternal journey.”
The wind had picked up, but no more than what Hades had expected. And no more came from Z apart from a heavy sigh before he walked away up the beach. His brother tucked his arms behind his back, grabbing his wrists—a god deep in thought. How long had it been since they’d managed a disagreement without destroying something?
Of course, he wasn’t deluded enough to think the conversation was over, but Z had the sense to wait until the risk of exposure wasn’t so high. Hades took his time going back to the estate, hoping to slip inside unnoticed. Perhaps Lexi was still getting ready.
As he approached the patio stairs he noticed someone running across the lawn to the front of the estate. A floodlight flashed on, illuminating the auburn hair of the goddess in question. How much had Lexi overheard?