It was the first morning Lexi had woken up alone in almost three months. After making good on his threat to divest her of her dress, Hades had laid with her until she fell asleep, but she knew he couldn't stay all night. Persephone deserved to have him by her side when she woke. It's what any devoted mate would do. Lexi figured the winter months would prove exhausting for him, but she tried to keep her mind free of disturbing images, like the best approach to having sex around a pregnant belly.

The only nymph available to help Lexi prepare for the day was Blythe. Not that she needed help, but she had grown accustomed to having someone to talk to in the mornings, and Blythe was one of her favorites.

"How did it go with Persephone at dinner yesterday?" Blythe asked, as she brushed out Lexi's hair.

"Pretty well, until I freaked out about Cerberus getting bit by a hydra and broke the glass on Persephone's gift. I was hoping you or Sella could help me repair it."

"Oh, it is already done. Sella did it last night after you retired. Sella adores you, my lady."

"She does? That's sweet." Lexi smiled at the reflection of Blythe through the mirror of her dressing table, wondering who brushed out Blythe's hair. It literally glowed like the sun.

"We all adore you, Lady Lexi. There is not a mean bone in your body. I could not say that about the other gods."

"You haven't seen me after I lose a croquet match."

"What is croquet?"

"It's a game played by mortals. I think you would like it."

Blythe's face lit up, reminding Lexi of the sun again. "I love games. Let's play this afternoon, after my chores."

"I'm not sure Hades has the equipment for croquet. We need wickets and mallets and balls."

"I will ask him straight away. We can set the game up in the billiard room. Do you think that would be adequate?"

Lexi chuckled. "Actually, croquet is played outside on the lawn. I'm sure we can find a nice patch of grass on the other side of the bridge."

Blythe's expression soured with disappointment. "Oh, but there won't be much grass to play on in a few turns of the hourglass. Have you not looked outside today?"

She pointed toward a window and Lexi walked over to it. Snowflakes fluttered past the glass, landing gently on the sill outside, and the rooftops of the castle and stable were speckled in white. "When did it start snowing? It wasn't even that cold last night."

"Snow always follows Persephone's arrival, and the days will become shorter. Do you like snow, my lady?"

"Yes, but I didn't bring a winter jacket from home, and Jackie O will need to be covered."

"That will not be necessary. The weather in the underworld is different than what you are used to. I do not think you will be bothered by the cold, and neither will your horse. I have already checked on her this morning and she is fine. In fact, once the snow is thick enough, we can take the sleigh out for a ride."

Lexi nodded absently she walked back to the dressing table, wondering how long it would take for winter melancholy to set in. Truth be told, winter was not her favorite time of year. The only thing she looked forward to was Christmas. Surely, there would be a grand celebration at the palace, maybe even a newborn to welcome. As Blythe arranged Lexi's hair into an elaborate twist, a knock came at the door, followed by a voice.

"Lady Lexi, are you awake?" The voice belonged to Sella if she wasn't mistaken.

"Yes. You may enter."

Sella peeked her head through the door, a smile enhancing the dainty features of her face. She held up the framed pressed flower arrangement. "I repaired the gift you made for Persephone. I thought you could give it to her this morning. She has asked for you to join her in the east tower study. She, Hades and Jocelyn are taking their breakfast there."

Without meaning to, Lexi scowled. Had Hades planned to let her eat alone? "Persephone asked me to join her? Do you know why?" Lexi said, her stomach tightening at the thought of facing Persephone after making such a spectacle of herself the night before. Of course, she could not avoid the goddess forever.

"She did not offer that information to me. Should I ask her and return with the answer?"

"No, that's not necessary, Sella. And thank you very much for repairing the gift. You may leave it on the table next to the door."

"As you wish, my lady." Sella tiptoed into the room, as if she might disturb the mice, and set the frame on the table before slipping silently out again.

"I can tell you are nervous," Blythe offered, as she chose a pair of opal earrings from the jewelry drawer and handed them to Lexi. "You have nothing to fear from Persephone. She is unfailingly kind, although she is often distracted with her work, so she may come across as aloof or unconcerned."

"Does she work while she's here?"

"Yes. This is where she does all her planning for the upcoming seasons. If you show an interest, I am sure she will share with you as much as you want to know. She and Demeter hold the lives of many in their hands. It is an awesome responsibility."

Lexi felt a little lightheaded as she gave Blythe's statement some thought. Could these goddesses really control the fate of the entire mortal world, or was Blythe talking about the inhabitants of Olympus? Despite her insatiable need to learn everything she could about the gods and how much influence they wielded over the world she grew up in, Lexi did not want to know the answer to that question just yet. She was still coming to terms with the fact that she shared the same gifts as the mighty god Zeus. Had the underworld ever experienced the awesome power of lightning? Maybe she could impose her own brand of weather, just as Persephone had. An electrical storm followed by a swirling vortex of snow. What would Hades say to that?