He did not know. He’d hurt her, he knew that. He’d intended to, to force her from him. His plan might have worked too well. “I know not.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I will not part with my daughter.”
He sucked in a sharp breath. “I would not keep her from you.”
“She is safest in his realm, Demeter.” Ares’ voice startled Hades.
“The Fates–” he began.
“You visited them?” Demeter’s face was startled now.
He nodded. “I did. I would not enter into such an arrangement without knowing their mind. I’ve never betrayed their call for order. I would not start now.”
“And what did they say to such a union?” Hera asked softly.
“She is life, I am death. Compromise will be required for such a union. She cannot stay gone from her realm, nor I from mine. Her time would be divided, between her realm and mine–”
“Children?” Demeter asked. “In the Underworld?”
“There will be none.” Hades swallowed. Of all the conditions the Fates had demanded, this was the harshest. “Any child of our union would be too powerful. A threat to many. So none will be born.”
“You ask too much of her.” Demeter’s voice trembled.
He nodded. “But I ask it anyway.” He turned then, coming to stand before Poseidon’s throne. “I will watch over her. I will keep her from harm. And if Persephone agrees, you will remember who she belongs to.”
Poseidon smiled. “If she is truly yours, I cannot take her from you.”
Hades felt fury. “And you will not try. Whatever scheme or plot, ruse or mischief you devise. You will leave Persephone alone. Or I will see you suffer.” Hades glared into his brother’s pale blue eyes, his every word a promise. “I will make you crave death. I vow it.”
Poseidon sat forward in his chair, his body stiffening with tension. “You forget yourself–”
“No, Poseidon.” Hades didn’t step back. “I’ve given you a choice. All here have heard it. What you choose to do with my vow, I can only wait and see.”
“She will not choose you,” Poseidon hissed.
Hades smiled.
Athena cleared her throat. “Well. I look forward to the future with great anticipation, Hades. You surprise me.”
“He surprises us all,” Hera said, then went on, “I think?”
Hades saw her glance at her husband. Zeus looked pleased. A little too pleased. Had his brother known? Hades sighed, making his way back to Demeter.
Her face was no longer remote. For the briefest moment, Hades saw Persephone in Demeter – vulnerable, yet strong. She looked away, shaking her head. “I cannot undo the damage you have done to her. She grieves–”
“She hardly eats,” Athena agreed.
“We feared she was ill,” Aphrodite added. “And she is, I think. Her heart suffers.”
Hades clenched a fist, hating himself.
“I have much to think on,” Demeter muttered. She frowned at Hades, then turned to Zeus. “What say you, Zeus? Are you in favor of this match? Would you give my only daughter to… Hades?”
Hades saw the smile on Zeus’ face, saw the immediate nod. “Most happily, Demeter. But she is yours to give. I leave the choice to you.”
Demeter stood, looking up into Hades’ face. Her voice was low. “I want nothing more than her happiness. Her smile is lost since you’ve returned her to me. I will be forever thankful to you for saving her from Erysichthon. But I will never forgive you for breaking her heart.” Her eyes bore into his. “I will leave this choice to her. If you love her–”
“I love her.” The words were a strangled whisper.