Page 255 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

The First of My Boons

I had been expecting these words,

and yet I did not speak instantly.

Instead, I was careful with my answer.

‘The mortals that aided us.

The ones I brought back to help you.

Give them the ability to live again,

in comfort. For their services.’

I watched the faces of the Olympians

as they slowly processed this.

They could not fathom

a Goddess who cared about mortals.

To them, mortals were so insignificant

that they had made it a game

of playing with their lives.

But like my uncle Prometheus

before me, I saw a beauty

in humans. They were doomed

and yet still lived such full lives.

Zeus traded an unreadable look

with Poseidon. Then after what felt

like a thousand years, he looked at me

and nodded. ‘So granted.’

I bowed my head in thanks,

but did not move. Zeus raised his brow.

‘I am not finished,’ I said.

‘Hermes and Thanatos, please,

if you could lead my army away.’

Hermes grinned at me

and Thanatos nodded,

and I watched as they led

my star-hearted mortals away.