Hades’ gaze swept the Council Chamber in hopes his brother would be caught. If anyone suspected as he did, he saw none of it. He sighed again, clenching his fists in his lap. If the others were so obtuse, he would not deign to enlighten them. Likely they would accuse him of seeking vengeance or retribution.
“That spineless Titan would not dare!” Athena cried.
“Justice,” Zeus intoned, his voice hard, his anger palpable, “will find him. It seems we’ve no time for debate. I fear this day will bring many to your realm, Hades. See that you are ready.”
Hades stood, all too eager to depart. While he had not learned the reason behind his summons, Apollo’s news demanded action.
Zeus spoke with gravity. “Poseidon, go and end these storms.”
Hades watched Poseidon, his eager nod, the heightened color of his cheeks and smile on his lips. Whatever scheme he’d set in motion, Poseidon was most pleased.
Hades moved quickly, wishing to put some distance between them.
This day was far from over. He knew what this war would reap, knew Charon’s purse would grow heavy with coin and his ferry would bring many across the rivers to his home.
“I’ll accompany you, brother.” Poseidon appeared at his side, smiling. “As we’ve both been sent to do Zeus’ bidding, we might make the journey together.”
Surely he’d been tested enough this day? But to endure his brother’s company, alone…
Poseidon whistled. His giddiness, gravely misplaced in the face of such news, strained Hades’ fraught nerves. He held his tongue, broadening his step to speed his descent.
“Can we not find some common ground to remark upon?” Poseidon shook his head, looking comically disappointed. “I would think you’d be eager for some companionship, even from me.”
“You are mistaken,” Hades answered.
Poseidon laughed loudly, falling in step at his side.
The words were out before he could stop them. “I’ve seldom seen duty please you so.”
Poseidon turned the palest blue eyes upon him, smiling broadly as they continued down the mountain. “Saving those poor souls from a Titan’s wrath is surely enough to please me.”
Hades caught his bitter smile. To reveal anything to Poseidon – a twitch, a sigh – was to reveal too much. “For you? No.”
“You are far too shrewd, brother. I fear you’d ruin my fun if you visited Olympus more often.” Poseidon laughed again, clapping Hades on the shoulder. “I think you’d learn the root of my sport before the rest had begun to suspect anything was amiss.”
Disgust rose within him, and anger that should have long ago extinguished, blossomed anew. He stiffened, ignoring the urge to shake his brother’s hand from his shoulder.
His voice revealed none of his conflict as he murmured, “I far prefer the peace of my home.” Learning the root of your so-called sport turns my stomach, brother.
Poseidon shuddered, clapping his shoulder again. “If you have peace it’s because the company you keep are dead, Hades. Unlike the lady I will call upon shortly.”
Hades froze, the disgust in his voice unmistakable. “A woman?”
Poseidon laughed, shrugging. “Not just any woman…”
Hades stepped forward, his words hard and sharp, “Will she help you calm the storm? Save Athens’ finest?”
Poseidon’s brow quirked as his lips curled into an amused smile.
Hades stepped back then, cursing his temper.
Poseidon’s pale blue eyes narrowed, assessing Hades with interest. “I will settle the storm for the mortals.” Poseidon rubbed his hands together, staring at Hades. “And she will settle the storm raging in my cock.”
Hades stood still as stone. Poseidon need not know that he longed to pummel him senseless. That he would have happily thrown his arrogant bastard of a brother down the mountain. It would do him no good. Such actions could offer him no peace. There were times immortality was the cruelest sentence. He would never be able to extract the revenge he longed for.
Hades took the last steps from Olympus in silence, moving quickly, ahead of Poseidon. Once they stood at the mountain’s base, he stopped. He did not look at Poseidon as he spoke; he could not risk it. “I charge you to remember your lot, brother. Those soldiers, Greece, should not look to luck in times such as these.”
“No luck is needed, for Greece, her soldiers or…my lady.” Poseidon met Hades’ eyes with a taunting smile. “Luck wou