Than was grateful his father hadn’t asked him to leave as Poseidon explained in further detail what had happened.
“Ever since Zeus and the Alliance declared Amphitrite my equal ruler of the sea, she has wanted to use my trident to pay back Scylla for all her abuses against her.”
“They’ve never been very fond of one another,” Hades agreed.
“My wife can’t swim through the Messina Straight without getting attacked by that monstrous crab,” Poseidon added.
Than had had plenty of encounters with Scylla. With her six long necks and grisly heads and her twelve tentacle legs, she lurched from her cave and snapped her crab pincers at him every chance she got.
“So Scylla has Amphitrite and your trident?” Than asked.
“Of course not,” Poseidon said. “I agreed with the Alliance to grant my wife equal authority over the sea, but I never said I would share the trident.”
“Then what happened?” Hades asked.
“I must have a spy among my court,” Poseidon said. “Because when I accompanied my wife to have her revenge on Scylla, we were ambushed.”
A spy? In Poseidon’s castle? Than recalled the many merfolk who dwelled there and mentally checked for motives, but he came up empty.
“By whom?” Hades asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Couldn’t you see your attackers?” Than asked.
Poseidon raised his hands in the air. “All of the monsters of the sea were there—Scylla, Charybdis, and Echidna—plus the Chimera and Ladon.”
“From Hera’s garden?” Than asked. He shuddered at the memory of what he had done to that one-hundred-headed serpent.
“That’s the one,” Poseidon replied. “Which is why I came here instead of Mount Olympus. Ladon is like a puppy to Hera, and he takes his post very seriously.”
“So you think Hera, and by extension Zeus, is behind the abduction?” Hades asked.
“I don’t know what to think,” Poseidon admitted. “But Phorcys has always favored Zeus over me, and those were his children in the attack.”
“Couldn’t the Old Man of the Sea be operating without Zeus and Hera?” Than asked. “Maybe he wants to regain control of the waters.”
Poseidon shook his head. “Phorcys and Keto and all of their children don’t have enough power combined to overtake me, or they would have done so already. As it was, Amphitrite and I defeated every one of the monsters in the ambush before a paralyzing wave temporarily stunned us. That’s when my trident was taken. I couldn’t move. Somebody more powerful than Phorcys and Keto is working with them. I’m telling you, it felt like I’d been struck by a lightning bolt. If not Zeus, then who?”
“But what would motivate our brother to betray you?” Hades asked.
“Perhaps he’s bitter about our allegiance to the Athena Alliance, and this is his way of paying us back,” Poseidon said.
“Us?” Hades picked at his beard.
“You may be next.”
Than’s mind raced to Therese and their babies. Where are you? He prayed to her.
***
The Muses sang along and the Graces danced to the beautiful music created by Apollo, Hermes, and Therese. It was clear no one—not even Zeus—wanted the fun to end; but, when they finished the fifth song, Therese put away her flute and said she had to get back to work. Than had been praying for her return. Something was up in the Underworld. Between Than’s prayers and Jen’s, Therese could barely concentrate. She let Than know she would soon be leaving Mount Olympus.
After the objections and then the resigned applause had died down and everyone had gone back to their business, Therese crossed the room to Hera.
“May I speak privately with you for a moment, Lady Hera?” Therese asked.
The co-ruler of the sky stepped from her throne, clearly happy to have been singled out, and walked with Therese to the dining hall where Hestia was busy laying out a beautiful table spread.
“Your music was lovely,” the goddess of the hearth said to Therese, before returning to the kitchen.
“Thank you.” Therese blushed. She hadn’t spoken much with Hestia since their stand against Zeus, but an opportunity never seemed to present itself.
“What’s on your mind?” Hera asked Therese when they were alone again.
They sat at the end of the long table as Therese told Hera what Pete had said about the twins. “What should I do?” Therese asked when she had finished. “Should I renounce my duties and return to the Upperworld to raise our children? I don’t see any other way.”
“You can’t renounce your duties without going half-mad,” Hera said. “You’ve seen what happens to Demeter each fall and winter, and what has happened to Dionysus.”
Therese wondered if Hera realized her role in Dionysus’s choice to stay away from the other gods. “I guess I could perform my duties at night, while the children sleep.”
Hera frowned. “I know this would be hard for a mother to do, but the best thing for the twins would be to give them up to be raised by mortals.”
The room spun. Therese gripped the edge of the table and broke out in a sweat. “You can’t be serious.”
“But I am.”
“You want me to give up my babies?” She thought she might be sick as she hugged her belly.
“I don’t want you to do anything. I’m merely telling you what would be best for the children.”
“Why wouldn’t being with their mother be best for them?” As Therese stood, she clutched the back of the chair for balance. Maybe she shouldn’t listen to this goddess. What was she thinking in coming to Hera for help?
“Mortals need to live with other mortals. Imagine how confusing it would be for your son and daughter to know they were children of gods—to know that you will live forever and they won’t. As they grow old, you and Thantatos will continue to look young. They would be better off not knowing you. It’s your choice, of course.” Hera also stood. “I’m sorry. I truly am.”
“How long before they’re born?’ Therese asked. “Nine months?”
“No one knows,” Hera said. “Every goddess is different. Some have carried babies for many months. For others, it’s been weeks, sometimes days.”
Therese’s eyes widened. “What? But it won’t be anytime soon will it?”
Hera shrugged. “I wish I knew.”
Hera left Therese alone in the dining room.
As Therese stood clutching the chair and holding back tears, Hestia entered and said, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help overhearing. I’m so sorry, Therese.”
“Do you agree with Hera?” Therese asked. “Do you think she’s right about me giving up the babies?”
Hestia took a deep breath and nodded.
Therese stumbled from the room. She needed to rein in her tears so she could visit her mother-in-law. Not to do so would appear rude. She had just entered Demeter’s rooms when Than’s prayer came to her suddenly: Get out of there now.
Therese god travelled from Demeter’s arms to Than’s side in his father’s chambers.
Persephone and Demeter’s prayers of concern assailed Therese as she travelled. She would tell them what was going on, as soon as she knew herself.
“What’s wrong?” she asked Than, surprised to see Poseidon with him and Hades. “Why did you call me from Mount Olympus?”
They filled her in on what had happened to Poseidon, Amphitrite, and the trident.
Poseidon said, “Therese needs to return immediately. Don’t you see? Maybe she could learn something.”
Therese covered her belly in an automatic, protective gesture. When it was only her own well-being, she never hesitated to risk it; but things were different now.
“With all due respect,” Than said, “I’d rather not put my wife and children in danger. We can send someone else to spy on Mount Olympus.”
“But they trust her,” Poseidon said.
“What were you doing there?” Hades asked.
Therese glanced nervously at Than. She hadn’t wanted him to know how badly she struggled with what to do about their twins, but she couldn’t lie to Hades. “I went to ask Hera and Apollo for their advice.”
Hades frowned. “Concerning?”
Therese stared at the floor. “What to do about the babies, with them being mortal and all.”
“And did you ask them?” Hades prompted.
“I asked Hera.”
“And what did she say?” Hades picked at his beard and waited for her reply.
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Than and said, “She thinks we should give them up.”
“What?” Than’s mouth fell open. “No. Never!”
“Hestia agrees,” Therese said as the floodgates opened and tears rushed down her cheeks. She sucked in her lips, trying to hold back the sobs, but they broke through and shook her violently. “They both think it’s best for mortals to be raised by mortals.”
Than put his arms around her.
She completely lost control of herself in his arms as the words tumbled from her lips. “And Hera says that if I renounce my duties as a god to live in the Upperworld, I’ll go half-mad, like Demeter and Dionysus.” She bit her lips, fighting to regain control. “What are we going to do?”
“Clearly she’s in no shape to spy on Mount Olympus,” Than said, without letting go of her. “Think of another plan.”
“Zeus would never harm the babies,” Hades said.
“He tried to swallow her just a few weeks ago,” Than argued.
“He didn’t know about the twins—or the prophecy.” Hades crossed his arms. “None of us knew.”
“You knew,” Therese said.
“I knew there would be a set of twins, but I never imagined they’d be yours,” Hades said.
That stung, but Therese fought to hide her hurt.
Hades continued, “Now that he knows your twins will restore faith in Mount Olympus, why would Zeus want to interfere with that?”
“He’s right,” Poseidon said. “Therese is the best person for this mission. They trust her, and they won’t want to harm the babes. Plus, she was just there. Send her back to ask around. Wanting to spend time with her mother-in-law is a sound motive, too.”
“I did hope to speak with Zeus about Melinoe,” Therese admitted.
“Zeus has no say about my realm!” Hades objected. “Now off with you!”
Than shook his head. “For all we know, Zeus could imprison her and take our babies away from us. He might have plans for them. We don’t know!”
“Do you have any better ideas?” Poseidon shouted.
“Yes,” Than said calmly. “Send me.”
***
As the sun set behind the mountains in Colorado, Jen turned the last of the horses out to pasture and headed indoors to wash up. Her mother had already gone ahead of her to the kitchen to reheat the leftovers for dinner. Bobby was finishing up in the barn. Jen couldn’t wait to get out of her clothes, into a hot shower, and then go straight to bed. She didn’t even want to eat. She wanted to go to sleep, where she didn’t have to think and feel.
She was aware of how ironic it was that she had once been eager to sleep for the opposite reasons, but she refused to think about Hip. Stop! she commanded herself. He’s moved on. You have to do the same.
When she opened her bedroom door, Jen found Hip’s sister Tizzie sitting on her bed. She was wearing black silk pants and a silver halter top. Emeralds hung around her neck and dangled from her earlobes. Her long, curly black hair fell across her bare shoulders. Jen had forgotten how beautiful she was.
“Therese sent me,” the Fury said. “I’m to take you and your mother to Tartarus for a visit.”
Jen covered her mouth with both hands. This was exactly what she had wanted, but now that it was about to happen, she was scared to death.
She and Tizzie walked downstairs to the kitchen.
“Mom?” Jen called. “You remember Than’s sister, Tizzie, don’t you?”
“My goodness!” Mrs. Holt cried. “When did you arrive, dear?”
“Just a few moments ago,” Tizzie said.
“You look so lovely. I’m sorry we’re not fancier around here. Would you like to have dinner with us? It’s nothing special. Left over steak and potatoes and steamed brussel sprouts.”
Jen glanced at the Fury and doubted she was interested in eating leftovers. “Mom, there’s um, something I need to tell you.”
“It can wait until after dinner,” Tizzie said with a hint of red in her eyes. “I would love to dine with you. Thank you for the invitation.”
Bobby walked in at that moment but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw their visitor.
“Hey, Tizzie,” he said once the shock had worn off. “How’s Therese and the rest of your family?”
“Oh, things are a bit hectic right now, especially with Therese and Than’s twins on the way.”
Bobby’s chin nearly hit the floor.
“Therese is pregnant with twins?” Mrs. Holt asked. “When is she due?”
“I don’t know,” Tizzie’s face turned a shade of red, and Jen could have sworn a snake appeared in her hair. “You didn’t know she was expecting?”
“No,” Mrs. Holt said, frowning at Jen. “But that’s wonderful news. Carol and Richard must be thrilled.”
“I think it’s a secret,” Jen explained.
Bobby and Jen washed their hands and face at the kitchen sink while their mother laid the food out on the table. Jen put out plates, napkins, and silverware, and Bobby made a pitcher of iced tea. Then they all sat down and ate.
Uncomfortable with the silence, Jen said to Bobby, “Mom and I are going to take a walk with Tizzie after dinner, but we’ll be right back.”
“Bobby can come, too, if he’d like,” Tizzie said.
“What?” Jen couldn’t believe it. “Are you sure?”
“Of course,” the Fury said. “As long as he knows how to keep a secret.”
“No one would believe him anyway,” Jen said, chuckling. Surreal was the only word she could think of to describe this whole evening.
“What are you talking about?” Bobby asked. “A walk where?”
Jen glanced at Tizzie, not sure how to break the news. “Mom, remember what I told you the other day, about going to see Pete?”
Bobby dropped his fork, and it clattered against his plate.
“Not now,” Mrs. Holt said. “Let’s not talk that way in front of our guest.”
“It’s okay to talk about Pete in front of me, Mrs. Holt,” Tizzie said kindly. “I’m in love with him, and I’ve come to tell you he and I plan to be married.”
Jen was so shocked that she almost didn’t catch her mother when Mrs. Holt fainted. Bobby turned white.
Jen said, “Don’t you faint, too.”
“Do you think your mother doesn’t like me?” Tizzie asked as snakes rose from her head. “I really want her to like me.”
Jen could think of nothing to say as she stared dumbly back at Tizzie and her wild, snaky hair. Jen fanned her mother, trying to bring her back to consciousness.
***
Hip and Pasithea flew above the clouds and back to the gates of Mount Olympus, where they ran into Thanatos.
“What brings you here, bro’?” Hip asked, as he slid an arm around his beautiful companion.
Hip could tell Than was surprised to see him with his old fiancé after so many centuries had passed since he had last held her in his arms.
“Hip?” he asked. “What’s going on?”
“Pasithea and I are a couple again,” Hip said.
“We’re going to be married,” Pasithia added.
What about Jen, Than prayed.
Hip shrugged and said out loud, “What about her? Things change.” Hip couldn’t be blamed if his amazing good looks made women fall in love with him.
I don’t know what you’re up to, but we’ll talk more about that later, Than prayed. For now you should know that I’m here to spy on Zeus and Hera. Poseidon’s wife and trident have been stolen, and Poseidon suspects they’re behind it.
Hip frowned. “But why?”
Let’s not discuss it in front of others.
“You can trust Pasithea,” Hip said. “Before you go inside to spy on Zeus and Hera, tell me everything you know.”
“That is everything I know,” Than said before turning to the gates with a frown. “Winter, Summer, Spring, and Fall, open the gates so that I…”
Before Than finished the request, Hip felt a crushing blow to his back. He fell to his knees as Pasithea’s scream rose sharply above him. His skin felt tight, his muscles stiff, and his heart heavy.
When he could finally speak, he turned to Pasithea and asked, “What’s happening?” His voice sounded funny—more like a bray.
Pasithea shed tears as she gazed down at him. “You’re an ass!”
Hip blinked. Why would she say such a thing after their glorious afternoon together? He looked down at his hands and nearly fell over. His hands and feet had become hooves. Gray fur covered his body. He was, indeed, quite literally, an ass!
“Thanatos,” Hip said, though it came out like a bray. “Help me!”
Than’s eyes were fixed on the clouds. “Therese?”
Hip followed his brother’s gaze in time to see an arrow heading straight for him. In his donkey body, he lacked the grace to dodge the blow, and the arrow struck him, full in the heart. As soon as it did, the gravity of his situation also struck him. He looked at Pasithea in horror. He had just spent the past few days loving her with all his heart, but it hadn’t been real. Sure, he had old feelings for her and had always loved her to some extent, but his heart really and truly belonged to Jen Holt. His throat tightened as he recalled how Jen had looked at him and Pasithea through the dream globe. He now tried to reach out to Jen through the globe, but found only emptiness.
“Where’s Jen?” he brayed, feeling panic coming on.
“She’s with Tizzie in Tartarus,” Therese replied.
“What?” Hip bucked his back legs in the air instinctively. He hadn’t meant to do it. This donkey body seemed to have a mind of its own. “Why? What happened?”
“She and Bobby and her mother are visiting Pete,” Therese explained.
Relief swept over Hip like a warm wave of sunshine. For a moment, he had thought she was dead and he was too late. He hee-hawed his relief, though a visit by mortals was still pretty weird.
Therese struck him with another arrow, and pressure gripped him all over as he transformed back into his natural form.
Than clapped a hand on Hip’s shoulder. “So you were pierced by Cupid. That explains a lot.”
“Oh, hell,” Hip said, combing his fingers through his dark blonde hair. It was a relief to have it back again. Thank goodness Therese had the ability to transform a god. She hadn’t been able to change Pete back from a golden retriever, but she’d saved Hip from being an everlasting ass.
Therese flew closer to him and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Hypnos?” Pasithea squeaked. “Are you alright?”
“Oh, boy,” he muttered. Was he in a real mess now, or what?