Page 25 of A Goddess Unraveled (Olympus Rising)
Lexi was eager to have a serious mother-daughter talk. Deep down, she trusted Mnemosyne. At least, she trusted Nora. But her nerves twitched when the Titan entered the stable’s tack room. Lexi had set up temporary housing there, staying hydrated with bottled water and eating apples meant for the horses.
“Hello, Lexi. I’m glad to hear that you and your horse didn’t sustain any injuries. We were all quite worried.” As Mnemosyne spoke she maintained her usual cheerful smile, glancing around at the saddle racks and grooming supplies crowding the space. It probably looked nothing like the stables in Olympus.
“I was worried too. Not so much for me, but for Jackie O. Thank you for doing your part to save her.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve found myself involved in such an invigorating group effort. We can get along when the situation requires it.” She noticed the chair Lexi had pulled out for her and swept her peacock-blue maxi dress out of the way as she lowered into it gracefully. “Hades tells me you have some questions. I’ll try to answer them as honestly as I can.”
“I’m not surprised Zeus has a gag order on everyone. Typical.”
“I promise not to lie to you. I’ll simply tell you if I cannot answer.”
“Okay. I was thinking we could start with some backstory,” Lexi said as she took the seat across from her mother. “Were you and my dad in love when I was conceived? I’m just wondering if it had been a long affair.”
The smile Mnemosyne had arrived with softened. “I’ve never known you to avoid the hard questions. No, we weren’t in love. It happened spontaneously. Zeus and I had been at odds for a long time prior to our visit to your family’s estate. He hoped we could get things sorted during a relaxing weekend. This plan backfired spectacularly, and I allowed my emotions to interfere with my judgment when he abandoned me at the estate. To spite him, I seduced Charles.”
Lexi wasn’t sure if the answer made her feel better or worse. It sure fueled her growing anger at Zeus. “When you learned you were pregnant did you want to raise me in Olympus?”
“It would have been my pleasure to raise you. But my actions that night were in direct conflict with council rules, which were set up to keep the gods and ambassador families safe from such pairings. The council decided that you would be raised among the mortals, forcing me to watch you grow up at a distance. Demigods can be difficult to manage at the best of times, so I was granted permission to visit often.”
Lexi didn’t like her explanation. Obviously, this was Zeus punishing Mnemosyne. But it also sounded like he wanted to keep Lexi in her mortal prison so he wouldn’t lose a precious ambassador. “And I just proved them right, didn’t I?”
“We already knew you were coming into your power. Zeus and I have had several difficult conversations about it, but—”
“He didn’t want to tell me yet because he’s a stubborn jackass.”
Mnemosyne’s tinkling laugh made Lexi’s cheeks flush with heat. “He’s had a long time to perfect that, I’m afraid.”
“Okay. Enough about Zeus. I’d like to ask you about Hades. You two seem to know each other pretty well. What’s your history together?”
Mnemosyne leaned back in her seat, blinking up at the ceiling rafters as if she needed a moment to recall the memories. “Hades is a complicated god, more so than the others. Before he took up his post I’d been tending to the mortal souls of the deceased, removing and restoring memories to help ease their transition out of life. When Hades was ready to perform his duties, I helped him with his own transition from an Olympian to the ruler of the underworld.”
“Wow. He never mentioned that. He did say he’s not allowed to enter Olympus, though. Why?”
“A prophecy from Gaia demanded it. And, being gods, we heed every prophecy that comes from Gaia. But I often wonder if the prophecy might have been misinterpreted, possibly even intentionally. Perhaps to serve one or more gods. I don’t believe it has served Hades well to be denied the camaraderie of his peers.”
“I agree, it sucks. But maybe it helped him in some ways. Hades seems like the most grounded god of the bunch. No offense.”
“None taken. My experience with Hades has shown me a kind, passionate god who has embraced his duties with focus and resolve. Although, if you spend enough time with him, you’ll see that he has moments of doubt and has been known to brood for days, which I cannot blame him for. You two seem to have forged an alliance.” Her brows rose as she steepled her fingers in front of her mouth. “I’m almost tempted to say that he’s met a fine match in you, Lexi. You both provide something that the other needs.”
“I think you’re right. I’ve never met anyone like him. He listens. I feel like I could tell him anything and not worry about being lectured or judged. And I don’t want to wait a century before I see him again.”
Lexi lowered her head and realized she was clenching her fists in her lap. Her stomach was also cramping, which might have been due to a lack of breakfast.
“I doubt it will be a century. But let me ask you this: What do you imagine for yourself in the next century? I know you haven’t had much time to dwell on your immortality, but just because we have an eternity doesn’t mean we shouldn’t cultivate a purpose.”
“You mean a purpose outside of homemaker?” Lexi hadn’t meant for her words to come out so harshly. She wasn’t blaming Mnemosyne for her situation. In fact, she wanted to hug her for asking the question. “Now that I know I’m no mere mortal, I don’t think any of the things on my to-do list will thrill me. What demigod wants to work for the man? But shouldn’t I wait until I know what my gifts are before I choose my purpose? When did you know yours?”
Mnemosyne chuckled, and Lexi knew it was because of her nervous rambling. She had plenty of excuses for being anxious, like the fact that her birth mother was a Titan of Olympus.
“The gods come into their power around the quarter century mark. This usually starts as small feats of supernatural manipulation, like what you showed us today. Our specific gifts, the ones that are unique to each god, can take longer to cultivate. Although not always. I was writing and reciting epic ballads at the age of eighteen. Of course, I am a direct descendant of Gaia.”
She offered a shrug that was neither modest nor arrogant.
“I’m not trying to pressure you to find your purpose before you’re compelled by your gifts, I just want you to consider your immortality as you make choices. Unlike mortals, when a god makes a poor choice, the consequences can stay with them for many mortal lifetimes.”
They had segued into a topic that Lexi was very interested in, and she thought hard about the next question she wanted to ask. Once she revealed her intentions to Mnemosyne, there would be no taking them back. “What if my choice is to join Hades in the underworld and find my purpose there?”
Mnemosyne pursed her lips, but Lexi was certain she saw a smile trying to sneak onto them. “I’m not surprised you’re asking me that question. Your circumstances have put you in a position to make choices you may not otherwise consider. Based on what I know about Zeus, I doubt he’ll be in support of such a choice. In fact, you’ll likely have a fight on your hands. That is, if you decide to tell him ahead of time.”
The Titan allowed a smile to break through, but it didn’t linger. “However, that may not be the only battle you’d need to prepare for. Certainly you’re aware that Persephone shares winters with Hades. Their relationship has been ongoing for many centuries, and their bond has rarely been tested, even though both have taken consorts. I won’t break Hades’s trust by saying any more on the matter, but I’ll tell you that he, too, is in a vulnerable state. Have you spoken to him about your interest in the underworld?”
“I’ve asked him questions, but I haven’t told him that I’m seriously considering it.”
“Well, I suggest you do that before he leaves the estate, or you may lose this opportunity.”
Lexi felt relieved that Mnemosyne wasn’t trying to talk her out of it. And to hell with Zeus. She was more concerned about Hades. Would he try to talk her out of it? Or would he jump for joy? Her stomach growled, and she pressed her hand against it.
“Why don’t I bring you back some breakfast?” Mnemosyne said. “You must be hungry after your eventful morning. Or I could have Hades bring you something.”
“Actually, will you send Zeus in? I know he’s still out there waiting to have his say. I can feel the vibration of his boots as he paces.”
“Very well. I’ll leave you to make your peace with him, or not. Either way, I’ll be here to support you.” She stood and headed for the door.
“Oh, Mnemosyne. Why don’t you have Zeus fetch me something to eat before he comes in to read me my last rites. It will be my final act of rebellion before our relationship implodes.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Mnemosyne left the room, and Lexi rested her head on the table, folding her arms under her cheek and giving her body a chance to recharge. She’d narrowed down the options she would choose for herself and her future happiness, and she knew that Zeus wasn’t going to be happy about any of them.