Hades returned home to find Persephone in bed with a warm compress on her head. He sat with her a while, using the diversion to combat images of Lexi in the arms of some charming god. Poseidon was the first to come to mind. Persephone eventually sent him away, complaining that his breathing was too loud, and he spent the next few hours scouring the wreckage of the stable, making repairs where he could. But his disturbing thoughts made him inept, and after picking the third splinter from his fingers, he gave up. Sella met him as he returned to the palace, giving him the news that Lexi was attempting to contact him through the scrying mirror in his study.

With no regard for how desperate he appeared, Hades bolted through the halls until he reached his study, shutting the door and threading his fingers through his hair as he stepped in front of the mirror. Lexi's radiant smile stared back at him, inciting a rush of warmth that immediately calmed his tense muscles. She looked just the way he had left her, apart from her hair being considerably tousled.

"Lexi, how are you? Did you enjoy your journey? What do you think of the palace?" Hades stopped there, knowing he had already gone too far when Lexi's smile widened.

"Hello to you, too. I am well. The journey was much shorter than I imagined, but pleasant. And the palace is more beautiful than the one in Versailles."

Hades couldn't help feeling a sense of pride at Lexi's exuberant reaction to his birthplace, while simultaneously battling a fierce jealousy. It had been eons since he had walked the hallowed halls or supped from the table of the gods, while his equals were granted full admittance.

"How is Persephone?" she asked.

"Resting, although her head is still troubling her. You look as if you have just come from a run," he said, gesturing to his own unruly hair as a reference.

Lexi chuckled, unsticking a few strands from her cheek. "Oh, that. Artemis and I spent some time at the archery range. She's an incredible shot, better than Robin Hood."

"You know what she uses those skills for, don't you?"

"Of course. I've read the books. Artemis, goddess of the hunt. She was kind enough not to lecture me too long about the traditions of the minotaur hunt. It still didn't give me much encouragement. I don't think there is anyone who will back me up. I admit, I'm nervous about the meeting in the morning."

"Don't be discouraged, Lexi. I suspect there will be a few who will back you. Eros, for one. In fact, I suggest you introduce yourself to him before the council convenes."

"But Eros uses a bow and arrow. Those are his symbols."

"Yes, but he uses them in the name of love, not destruction."

"Oh, right." Lexi nodded, although she was missing her usual optimistic countenance. Was it merely the impending council meeting, or was there something else plaguing her mind?

"I learned there is to be an orgy at the palace," Hades said.

Lexi's head continued to bob. "Yes, there is. Aphrodite told me. It's supposed to take place tomorrow, after the council meeting."

"What about Kade? Did he know of it, as well?"

"I'm not sure, but he told me I was not obligated to attend, and he said he would forego the party to keep me company. Artemis offered the same thing. She said you had asked her to keep an eye on me. So, if Kade bails, she's my back up."

Hades pretended to satisfy an itch on his forehead to hide his guilt. When he contacted Artemis through Charon's scrying mirror, he asked her not to tell Lexi about the request he made, but Artemis tended to ignore most of what any man or god had to say.

"It's okay that you asked her to watch out for me, Hades. I understand why you did it." Lexi offered a reassuring smile, and he stepped closer to the mirror, hoping to extract some of her warmth.

"Who have you met, so far?"

"Apart from Aphrodite and Artemis, who I already knew, I have only been introduced to Heracles and Poseidon. I'm supposed to have dinner with the gods who live in the palace, including your sisters. All in all, I see a daunting evening ahead."

"So, you met Poseidon? What did you think of him?"

"He was polite, like most of the gods I have met." Although Lexi's response was followed by a nonchalant shrug, Hades could tell by the brevity of her response that she was holding back, probably for his benefit. Poseidon had a way of leaving an impression on everyone he acquainted himself with.

"If I may reiterate something you probably already know, Poseidon has the ability to disguise himself, as do I and Z. I would not put it past him to use this tactic if he is denied something he thinks he deserves. If you sense you are being deceived, you probably are."

Hades heard a voice in the background and Lexi turned to address someone, leaving Hades to wonder if his message had sunk in properly.

"I'm sorry, Hades. Apparently, that daunting dinner is happening in a few minutes and I need to let this lovely nymph make me presentable. Please, try not to worry too much about me. The only way I could be fooled is if Poseidon disguised himself as you, and I know you aren't allowed in Olympus. I will be fine, even if I have to hide in a linen closet."

Hades laughed in spite of the terrible foreboding he felt in his gut. "Well, let's hope it does not come to that. Enjoy your first feast with the gods, my sweet. I will talk with you in the morrow."

She blew him a kiss and he returned it before the mirror's reflection turned into his own. Hades stared at himself for a long moment, inspecting his face for lines. Although gods did not age in the conventional sense, their bodies only held the capacity to regenerate every decade or so. It had been nearly that long since his last reawakening, and he felt the fatigue of his years. Lexi, on the other hand, had barely begun, and her buoyancy and appetite for life would not show signs of diminishing for at least a thousand years. Would he still have the stamina to satisfy her then? No god knew how long eternity really was.

Hades abandoned the mirror and called for a nymph through the speaking tube, requesting a glass of ambrosia. He slumped in his chair, vowing that tomorrow he would take up his hammer and set to work until the stable was restored. A workout like that should get his adrenaline pumping. He wanted to greet Lexi with the warmest welcome home she has ever received.