him even though there was no breeze.
“Don’t misinterpret,” I warned him, circling him cautiously.
Even while I was dream-walking, I didn’t want to turn my back to him. It just didn’t seem wise. He smiled as he realized what I was doing. His teeth were brilliantly white in contrast to his olive skin.
“I simply need access to the Underworld. I’m not here for you.”
“You certainly know how to sweet talk someone,” Hades replied glibly, before his handsome features hardened slightly. “Why should I help you? What could I possibly have to gain?”
“Mormo,” I uttered softly, watching Hades face. “Mormo has eluded you for years. How do you think that looks to the outside world? The god of the Underworld has been outmaneuvered.”
Hades’ face clouded over for a scant second before he recovered and I felt a small bit of satisfaction. It had been a calculated gamble, but I had been right. It did bother Hades that Mormo had always been one step ahead of him.
“Do you think that I haven’t allowed Mormo’s freedom?” Hades asked smoothly. “At any given time, I could have located him and brought him to me in manacles and chains. But I did not. Why? Because you have never upheld your side of the bargain and appeared in front of me.”
“Why should I have had to?” I asked gently. “I never did anything wrong. Mormo is the one who sacrificed me. I never gave my permission.”
“I didn’t need your permission,” Hades replied grittily, although a fleeting expression of something… remorse?... passed over his face. “I’m the god of the Underworld and I do what is best for my kingdom. I’m sorry, little Empusa, but you would have been better for my kingdom than Mormo’s black soul.”
“But that’s neither here nor there,” I answered thickly, trying not to allow emotions to well up and make me cry. “You gave your word in front of every Olympian. You have to uphold it now.”
Hades shook his head impatiently. “We’ve been through this. I am perfectly willing to do so, but there is that tiny complication with your Moonstone and your life. I assume you want to live so the Moonstone cannot be destroyed and that is my one condition for reversing Mormo’s curse. I’m sorry, Empusa. Surely you can understand my position. We’re at a stalemate.”
“I’m not here to beg you for leniency,” I snapped. “I’m not here to discuss that situation at all, actually. I’m here to ask for your help.”
He looked amused.
“My help? Pray tell, how can I be of service to you?” he asked sardonically and I saw a brief glimpse of impatience. He masked it quickly, though. He was very accustomed to being charming and smooth no matter the circumstance.
“I need to enter your kingdom,” I said simply. “I only wish to speak to Harmonia and since she cannot leave but to visit her parents in the Spiritlands, I wish to go to her.”
“And you don’t wish to meet her in the Spiritlands. Hmm. I wonder why? Could it be that you do not trust my brother, Zeus?” Hades pondered, his brow wrinkled just slightly as he thought. “It is wise to tread lightly around him,” he added in approval. “I can understand why you don’t wish to travel there.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust Zeus, per se,” I replied carefully. “It is just that I know that my existence is a small thing to him. I’m not sure if he still holds a grudge against my mother for helping the Fates… and you… and I don’t wish to appear in front of him until I hear that all is well on that front.”
“That is fairly wise, little kitten,” Hades answered approvingly. “Fine. I will help you. I’ll accompany you to the Underworld so that you can meet with Harmonia. What is it that you wish to see her about, anyway?”
“That’s not really your concern, is it?” I snapped, then thought the better of it. “I mean, she and I went through a similar trauma. I was trapped in the Underworld and so was her daughter. I’d like to discuss it with her.”
Hades stared at me thoughtfully and I knew that he was rifling through my thoughts. I tried my best to block them, simply because I didn’t like the idea that he was in my head. His lips twitched as he read that thought, but he concealed his smile.
“Alright, Empusa,” he said softly, placing his hand on my shoulder. His touch was appealing, but I ignored it as best I could. “We’ll do it your way. I don’t really need to know your purpose in seeing Harmonia. It’s of little consequence to me.”
I knew that was a lie, but I didn’t say it. Instead, I simply nodded.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “I’ll need to take Brennan as well.”
Hades met my gaze, his dark eyes smoldering. Why did he have to be so breathtakingly sexy?
“Very well,” he nodded. “The son of Apollo is welcome in my home. For now. Wake, little Empusa and we shall go.”
My eyes fluttered open.
I was safely ensconced within Brennan’s strong arms, but there was a difference in the air and my gaze flew around the room. Hades stood in the corner, waiting for me to wake.
I felt Brennan’s sharp intake of breath as chest expanded against my back. He tightened his grip and I knew that he innately knew who was lurking in our room.
“I think introductions are in order,” Brennan said smoothly, strong and assured. I was proud of him, at his restraint, his assurance. It was one of the things that I loved about him. He was so confident and self-assured.
Hades stepped casually from the shadows and I noted that Gaia was nowhere to be found. I was certain that at the first sign of Hades, she had fled. She had no desire to be carted to the Underworld.
“Oh, I think you know who I am, son of Apollo,” Hades drawled as he strolled to our bedside and stared down at us. Since we were only napping, we were fully clothed and I was suddenly thankful for it.
“And I think you’re aware of my name,” Brennan answered firmly. “You should use it.”
Hades appraised him slowly and I realized that I was holding my breath. He was the King of the Underworld, after all. He was no more to be trifled with than Zeus or Poseidon. Apparently, he took no offense, though, and his shoulders relaxed.
“You’re pleasing to me, son of Apollo,” Hades answered with a smile. “You have the beauty of your father, but you are much smarter. I like your energy. Perhaps you would be able to convince Empusa to dwell in my world. I think you and she would be very happy there and you would make positive additions to the Underworld. You should think on it.”
Brennan stared back at him, his gaze shifting from hazel to butterscotch. “I’ll accompany Empusa wherever she wishes to go,” he answered calmly. “Whether it is to the Spiritlands, the Underworld or the mortal world. If she is there, then I am happy.”
“How very diplomatic of you,” Hades answered. “I personally tell Persephone what I will be doing and she adjusts her thinking accordingly. You should try it sometime.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that. Hades might stray from his wife from time to time, but he definitely loved her to distraction. His love for her was well known and even documented in mortal mythology books. He glanced at me, but didn’t say anything about my amusement.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked stoutly, glossing over it.
“Whenever you are,” I answered, getting up and pulling Brennan to his feet.
“Very well then,” Hades answered. “Let us be gone.”
And we were.
* * *
We appeared on the porch of a replica of Zeus’ palace, which sat on a replica Mount Olympus. Everything surrounding us was replicated from the actual Mount Olympus down to the smallest detail. It was how Hades and the Fates had tricked the Olympians into eating here… which is how they had imprisoned them here for several millennia. It was a law in the world of the immortals: Anyone who eats in the Underworld must stay in the Underworld. It was also how Hades had managed to keep Persephone here.
“This is incredible,” Brennan breathed as he stared around us in fascination.
“Yes,” I agreed. “But whatev
er you do, do not eat anything here.”
Hades glanced at me sardonically and I smiled pleasantly back at him in return. And I understood Brennan’s amazement. The Isles of the Blessed were even more beautiful than Atlantis, a feat that one would think impossible unless they were standing right here.
“This is unreal,” Brennan added as he pivoted on the porch to take in all of the scenery.
Lush, tropical breezes caressed our faces and fruity, delicious scents filled the air. The smells of peaches, mangoes and apricots blended with the salt from the sea to create a magnificent, unique smell. It was something you would only find here. The Isles of the Blessed were truly a paradise.
Greenery lined elegant, sculpted pathways while brightly colored birds sat on the limbs of healthy, swaying trees nearby. Elegant flowers tossed their fragrances into the wind and large blue Lotus blossoms drifted down from the air landing softly on the ground. Brennan made a motion to bend towards one and I grabbed his arm.
“Don’t,” I reminded him. “They are delicious, but eating will imprison you here. You can try the Lotus blossoms in the real Spiritlands.”
“If you’re ever brave enough to take him there, little kitten,” Hades purred from beside me. I glared at him but didn’t have time to retort because the heavy doors of the palace were thrown open and a little girl faced us.
“Em!” she cried happily before throwing herself into my arms.
“Raquel,” I murmured into her dark hair. Her skinny little arms clutched at my neck and I lifted her easily to hold her. “How have you been, little one?”
“I love it here, Em!” she told me happily. “I have a pet bird and I’m teaching him to talk. I can have anything I wish as long as mama and daddy say it is okay. Isn’t that wonderful?”
She stared at me excitedly and I couldn’t help but marvel once again at how much she looked like her mother. Both she and Harmonia had exquisite jade green eyes, so vivid that they seemed almost fake. She had glowing, healthy skin, dark hair that fell in glossy waves to the middle of her back and a bright, white smile. She didn’t look dead, but she most certainly was.
Raquel had been one of the machinations of the Fates…just one of the many ways that they had tormented Harmonia. Harmonia had lived for a couple of thousand years thinking that she was a Keeper of Fate and that she worked for the three ancient sisters. They guided her into making horrendously difficult decisions- both for herself and her mother. In another cruel twist, her memories were taken by them. She didn’t know who her mother truly was or even who she herself really was. It was rectified now, but it had wreaked havoc with her for years.
But Raquel had been affected by the aftermath of the Fates’ deceit. Her very existence had been undone and she had been sent here, which is one of the reasons Harmonia had chosen to stay here. Her act had freed me to leave. At that particular moment, only one of us would have been able to go. I was in Harmonia’s debt.
“Mama’s going to be so happy,” Raquel told me excitedly. “She’s been wondering about you. But I don’t know your friends,” she added as she glanced at Hades and Brennan. She didn’t seem concerned, she simply tugged on my hand. “Come on, Em. Let’s go find her.”
I fell into step with the little girl and we quickly wound our way through the opulent halls of the palace with Hades and Brennan right behind us. I couldn’t see Brennan’s face as we navigated through the lavish palace, but I could feel his wonderment just as clearly as if he had spoken it aloud. This amazing place would be hard for any mortal to absorb.
As we pushed through a set of ornately carved ivory doors, I caught a glimpse of Harmonia and her husband, Cadmus, seated on a nearby patio outdoors. The breeze caught Harmonia’s dark hair and Cadmus leaned over to laughingly tuck it behind her ear. Their loving familiarity had always caused me to ache deep inside, simply because I wanted what they had: a love that withstood the test of time.
However, today my heart did not ache. A quick glance toward Brennan reminded me why. I had someone to share my life with now, something that might withstand time just as well as Cadmus and Harmonia had. At my thought, Brennan caught my gaze and his impish grin caused my heart to skip a beat.
He reached over and brushed my hand with his own. “We can withstand anything,” he assured me quietly. “Including time itself.”
A knot formed in my throat and I struggled to swallow it as I nodded. He leaned over and brushed a kiss against my forehead.
“I mean that,” he added thoughtfully. “Anything.”
Hades snorted behind us but I didn’t think twice about him. I was lost in the intensity of Brennan’s stare. He truly meant what he said. I knew it with every ounce of my being. And it was a really good feeling. I hadn’t trusted someone in such a way for a very long time.
“Mama!” Raquel cried, bringing me back to the matter at hand. Harmonia and Cadmus both turned their attention toward us. Harmonia’s green eyes lit up as soon as she registered who I was.
“Empusa,” she breathed, leaping up from her chair and blurring into motion to reach me. I had no sooner braced myself before she plowed into me, enclosing me in a grip that defied her slight stature.
“Where have you been?” Harmonia exclaimed, stroking my hair in a motherly fashion. “We’ve been looking all over for you!”
I wiggled away just slightly, giving myself enough room to breathe.
“I know and I’m really sorry,” I told her sincerely. “I didn’t mean to cause anyone worry. I was just afraid.“
“I know,” Harmonia interrupted kindly. “I’m not blaming you. We’ve just been so worried. It is a true blessing to set eyes upon you. That’s all.”
Her face was alight with relief and joy and it warmed my heart. There truly were good people out there in the world, mixed in with those who were evil. I had spent so long trying to elude my father that I sometimes lost sight of that.
“Thank you,” I told her quickly. “For your kindness.”
“My kindness?” she asked me with a raised eyebrow. “Empusa, you risked a great deal to keep my daughter safe. I’ll never forget what you did and I’ll never be able to repay you.”
I grew uncomfortable with her glowing accolades. “Harmonia, you’ve already repaid me ten-fold. You stayed here so that I could leave. That was an unbelievable sacrifice. I’m the one who will never be able to repay you.”
“Pssh,” she dismissed my words with a shake of her head. “Let’s simply agree to disagree. What brings you here to me today? Have you spoken with your mother?”
As Harmonia spoke, she rubbed my arm with her slender hands and her eyes finally drifted away from me. As her gaze passed over Hades, her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything. She was too intent with staring at Brennan.
“The son of Apollo,” she murmured, a look of intense curiosity on her exquisite face. “Why have you brought the son of Apollo?”
Brennan looked at her with an expression of curiosity, humor and resignation. It seemed he’d grown accustomed to being called the son of Apollo. He stuck out his hand.
“I’m Brennan,” he told her good-naturedly. “Apparently, I’m the son of Apollo.”
Harmonia smiled and shook his hand, her Bloodstone pendant flashing crimson as it swung forward when she moved. Without thinking, I reached out and touched it, the glistening blood-red color pulling me in.
I immediately wished I hadn’t. An intense bright light exploded behind my eyelids and brought me to my knees with its sheer force. Shooting pain radiated from my temples and I clutched my head. Images shot in and out of my mind in rapid succession, coming and going so quickly that I could barely register what they were before they were gone.
It was the future. And it wasn’t pleasant.
Chapter Seventeen
“Empusa, I’m so sorry,” Harmonia apologized for the one-thousandth-time, as she sat next to me and brushed the hair away from my face. “I shouldn’t have been so careless with my Bloodstone. It is known to illicit strong
visions and emotions to those who touch it. I’m sorry that I didn’t shield you from that.”
Her perfect face was troubled and I hurried to reassure her, even though I still felt shaky and weak in the knees from what I had just seen.
“Harmonia, it wasn’t your fault. But tell me, what was that?”
I grew increasingly cognizant enough to notice my surroundings and realized that Brennan sat to my side and that I was reclining on a plush lounge on the veranda. Harmonia, Hades, Raquel and Cadmus surrounded us and I took a deep, steadying breath.
I am strong.
I am strong.
I am strong.
I repeated the phrase to myself silently over and over, trying to remind myself. I could withstand anything. Nothing could faze me. I was strong.
“That’s true,” Brennan agreed with my silent thoughts. “You are very strong. But something just happened. What was it, Em?”
“I don’t know,” I replied softly. “I think I saw the future.”
“The future?” Cadmus interjected, his bronzed face thoughtful. “That would be new. Usually, the Bloodstone grants visions of the past. What do you think, my love?” he asked Harmonia, stroking her shoulder lightly.
I could see that he was trying to hide something. Concern? But just as quickly as the emotion crossed his face, he reigned it in and replaced it with a calm, impassive expression.
“What exactly did you see, Empusa?” Harmonia asked calmly. Raquel sat at my feet and watched me worriedly. I tried to keep my expression calm and steady for her benefit, but it wasn’t easy.
“Raquel,” I focused on the nervous little girl. “Could you possibly run and get me some nectar? I’m dying for a drink.”
“Of course, Empusa. I’ll be right back,” Raquel jumped from the lounge and took off for what I presumed was the kitchen. As soon as she was out of earshot, I refocused on the adults surrounding me.
“I think I saw the end of the world,” I mumbled anxiously. I couldn’t help it. My unease bled into my voice. My heart was racing and I couldn’t