“There’s the little matter of your daughter’s soul,” Hades purred.
“My daughter’s soul?” I asked in confusion. “What of it?”
“Well, I hate to bring this up during such a joyful time for you, but your daughter cannot leave. Only the living can leave. The dead must remain in the Underworld.”
Chapter Fifteen
“The dead?” I gasped. “Raquel’s not… she’s not…”
“Oh, I beg to differ,” Hades replied. “She most certainly is not alive. Would you like to know why she is dead?”
I nodded, my heart frozen in my chest. It was true, that here in the Underworld, it was almost impossible to tell the difference between the living and the dead. And she hadn’t slept once since we had found her. But surely… surely she was not dead. I waited stiffly to hear Hades’ explanation.
“Because, you see, you were pregnant with her when you were in mortal form in Camelot. Your life there would have ended in childbirth and you both would have died. But the Fates saw fit to intervene. They thought that a new child brought into the mix would provide hours and hours of entertainment, so they saved her.
“When Hecate turned back the Fates’ manipulations, it interfered with your daughter’s life. It was as if the Fates had never interfered. Your daughter died and came here to the Underworld. There’s nothing you can do.”
There was a collective gasp and I flew to Zeus’ side.
“Please, there must be something you can do. Can you repair what Hecate did? Can you fix it? Please!” I begged him as I grasped his large, wrinkled hand. Zeus stared at me sadly.
“Harmonia, it might be possible, but I should explain something. Think of fate like a magnificent tapestry. Many, many things are interwoven, each life a separate string. If one string is disturbed, it affects those around it. If I re-weave your daughter’s string, it could have dire consequences for the strings around hers.”
Panic rose in my throat, so much so that I could taste it.
“I care not!” I cried anxiously. “I only care for my daughter. Please. Save her.”
“I think you might care if I told you which strings were next to hers, one in particular. Hecate has told me of Empusa’s plight and Hecate has also begged me to intercede on Empusa’s behalf.
“The problem is that their strings are next to each other. I cannot change them both. I can only alter one. To try to change both of them would likely destroy them both.”
Another collective gasp and my gaze met Hecate’s. Our daughters were both in grave danger and only one could come out intact.
“Only one?” Hecate asked. But we both already knew the answer.
“Only one,” Zeus confirmed. “I can secure Empusa’s freedom from the Underworld or I can give Raquel back her life. It is a sad choice, but unfortunately, it is reality. I cannot see a way around it.”
If Zeus couldn’t, then no one could. We all knew that.
“If I may be so bold,” Hades interjected. “I might have a satisfactory idea.”
“I doubt it,” I muttered, glowering at him.
“Bear with me,” he continued. “Allow Zeus to assist Empusa. I will go along with that willingly, not offering a fight at all, even though I would much rather have Empusa in the Underworld than Mormo’s black soul. In return, I will allow the three of you- you, Cadmus and your daughter- to remain in the Isles of the Blessed. You can have full access to every level of the Underworld that you wish with no restrictions. You have seen yourself how happy the Olympians were there. You will be together with your family, the mortal world wouldn’t have to suffer your pain and you can live in paradise for all of eternity.”
You could have heard a pin drop around us. It was utterly silent as everyone thought about this offer. It seemed almost unconscionable to give up on my daughter now- to fold without even fighting. But then, there was another daughter on the line, too. She just didn’t happen to be my own… and she had taken very good care of my daughter when Raquel had been scared and alone.
I swallowed hard. It wouldn’t really be giving up on my daughter. She was dead- she was meant to be here. What it would be… would be giving up on my own life in the Spiritlands. It would simply mean that I was choosing her over me. We’d be together and wasn’t that the most important thing?
“Don’t do it,” Hecate said. “Your decision would be final. I could perhaps find another way to save Empusa. There is no other way to save Raquel.”
“There is no other way to release someone from the Underworld but through me,” Hades insisted. “This offer makes the most sense. And there is one last thing. It is true that Zeus can leave if the bloodstone stays. But surely you do not wish to leave it here unattended. If you do not stay with it, who will guard it? You must stay.”
The silence was deafening.
“Just a moment,” I said quietly and I walked woodenly to my husband. I pressed my forehead to his chest and allowed his arms to fold around me. I could feel every eye in the near vicinity on us, waiting to see what we would decide.
Cadmus lowered his head until his lips brushed my ear. “I will follow you anywhere,” he said huskily. “My life is nothing without you in it. We should stay. The Isles are a paradise. We’ll be happy there. We’ll be together and that is all that matters. I think recent events have proven that.”
I looked up, meeting his dark gaze. “Are you certain?” I whispered.
He nodded solemnly. “I’ve never been so certain.”
I pressed a kiss to his lips. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
I turned around. “Fine. We have a deal… on one condition. I want access to the portal that links to Zeus’ palace on Olympus- the real Olympus. I want the ability to visit my parents in the Spiritlands.”
Everyone shifted their gaze to Hades. He looked agreeable and a little smug as he nodded, his dark cloak curling around him in the breeze.
“Done. Just as I allow Persephone to return to Olympus to visit her mother, I will allow you the same privileges. See, I am not unreasonable.”
I stared at him. “So that is it? It is done?”
He nodded. “So be it. It is so.”
“There is one more thing,” a voice called out. Everyone turned to see who had spoken. Ortrera stood proudly in front of her warriors.
“I would like permission to stay with Harmonia in the Isles.”
I froze. “Ortrera, no! Why would you do that?”
She smiled faintly. “Because, dear sister. You are guarding a powerful weapon. Your pendant contains Zeus’ own fate, which in turn affects that of the entire world. My warriors and I wish to help you guard it. And you, too, of course.”
“Of course,” I murmured. My sister wasn’t much for sentiments.
Hades nodded, clearly pleased that he had gained more souls for the Underworld. “So be it.”
And it was done. Negotiations were over.
I would’ve collapsed to the ground in a heap if it weren’t for Cadmus’ arms supporting me.
“It will be alright,” he murmured to me. “I promise you.”
I nodded. I knew that it would be. “Where’s Raquel?” I whispered.
“She’s at the palace on the Isles with Ahmose.”
“Then let us go there.”
He nodded and scooped me into his arms. Regardless of my decision to stay in the Underworld, I had never felt so safe. My husband’s arms were the safest place in the world.
* * *
From the comfort of a chaise lounge, I watched Raquel scamper and play in the courtyards of the palace. The gardens were manicured and perfect here, and there was even an English maze for her to get lost in. I closed my eyes wearily. It had been hours since we had returned from Hades’ palace, but I was still tired. My depression had taken my energy. Even sipping on nectar, it would take awhile to regain it fully. As I listened to Raquel’s joyful laughter, I smiled.
“There is nothing as beautiful as a child, is there not?”
br /> I opened my eyes to find Zeus next to me. I nodded. “You’re right. She’s a miracle.”
He sat in the chair next to me and calmly observed my daughter playing.
“You have done well, Harmonia,” he said quietly. “Every decision you make is laced with loyalty and responsibility. I am honored to have you part of my family.”
I looked at him. Honored?
He read my mind and laughed.
“Of course, I am honored. I doubt there is anyone else who could have come through this as you did. Time and again, you have sacrificed yourself for the greater good and that is to be commended.”
I nodded wordlessly. He had no idea how hard it had been.
“I must apologize, also,” he said regretfully. “I do know how difficult it has been for you. And I’m sorry that I had to do it in the way that I did. But you see, I too have to consider others before myself. My decision, my plan, was formed to save us all. Many might see this last decision of yours as a punishment. I hope you do not.
“The Isles of the Blessed are indeed that. They are a paradise meant for only the purest of heart. You will live here for all of eternity in perfect bliss with your family. It is not a punishment at all, it is a reward. This palace will be yours. Raquel can run and play in paradise and you and Cadmus will never face another goodbye. It is a blessing.”
His silver eyes beseeched mine. “Do you agree?”
I nodded. “I do think so. Cadmus and I have faced so much heartache. It is comforting to know that we will spend eternity in bliss.”
“It will be so,” Zeus assured me. “And I hereby renounce the curse on your bloodstone. With my words, it has been lifted.”
I almost felt physically lighter as he said those words. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“You’re welcome. I owe you much. If there is ever anything that I can do for you, you only need ask.”
“What of Empusa?” I asked suddenly, as her delicate face came unbidden into my mind. “Has Hecate found her?”
Zeus shook his head. “No, but she will. We do not know if Empusa realizes that she is free. If so, she may take flight to the mortal world. She is terrified that her father will find her and destroy her to prevent the curse’s reversal. But wherever she is, trust that we will find her. I know that Hecate will tirelessly search for her.”
I nodded, satisfied in that. Zeus rose from his chair, pausing for one moment with his hand silently on my shoulder before he retreated back into the palace. It wasn’t long before my parents took his place.
“Are you certain that you wish to do this?” my mother demanded, her silver eyes concerned.
I laughed. “Well, the decision has been made. I certainly hope so!”
She shook her head wryly. “Harmonia, I…”