Sweat clung to Hades' brows as he pounded nail after nail into the stable wall, grateful he didn't have to fell a tree to accomplish the task. Despite the snow under his feet, the air felt warm as he toiled, and the challenge of hard labor drove him on. At his rate of progress, he could bring the horses back before evening. His bandaged hand throbbed a bit, but the wound would heal soon enough, then he wouldn't be reminded of his poor judgement call, although he could blame Hecate for some of it. She suggested the fool idea. Of course, she would never take any blame. Stubborn female.

A nymph hurried over, distracting him with her perky smile. "Lord Hades, Lexi is at the scrying mirror in the study. Would you like to..."

"Of course, I would." Hades dropped his hammer and rushed past the nymph, bolting up the stairs two at a time. Before he stepped in front of the mirror, he ran his fingers through his hair to smooth it, realizing too late that his hands were coated with dirt and sweat. There was no wash basin in his study, so he gave up the effort. He was wasting precious time. Surely, Lexi would be delivering news about Persephone.

"Hello, my love," he said to Lexi's mirrored reflection.

The smile she offered him was one of pure joy, and a wave of relief flooded his veins. "Hello, my lord. I have good news. Persephone is well and so is her baby boy, Alex. They are both resting comfortably in the infirmary."

"Alex? As in Alexander?"

"Yes. It's a tribute to... well, to me. He was stillborn and I helped reunite his spirit with his body. Apparently, they were separated during Persephone's difficult delivery. At least that's Hecate's theory. Everyone is buzzing with excitement around here. In fact, an emergency council meeting has been called and I have been invited, so I'll be getting home a little later than I had planned. I hope you can manage without me."

She offered him a sheepish grin, and Hades couldn't help but grin back, although something unpleasant sprouted in the pit of his stomach.

"It will be difficult, but the news you have delivered will see me through it. I owe you more than I will ever be able to repay. Tell me, Lexi, do you know what the council will be discussing?"

"Not exactly, but Hecate thinks they will be discussing me. She's convinced I have inherited a unique gift that no other god possesses."

While Hades felt happiness for Lexi, the unpleasant something grew a bit larger inside his stomach, and he saw his future with Lexi fade like a watercolor left in the rain. Taking a deep breath, he cleared his head. He couldn't let himself dwell on a matter he had no control over. He had never been given the privilege of taking part in a council meeting, even when it involved his domain. Hecate was his proxy and chief informant, which didn't always bode well for him, especially when he happened to piss her off about something.

"I know you're worried, Hades, but I'm not going to let them talk me into anything, not before I discuss it with you. We're partners now, in all things." That lovely smile was back on Lexi's face, and her eyes danced like they had been set alight. "I love you more now than ever before. Something happened when I reunited that little angel with his body, something profound. I feel like I have enough love to fill this entire palace. I can't wait until I'm back in your arms, sharing it with you."

To hell with his stomach, Hades thought his heart might burst. "You are my angel, Lexi. I will sit at the hourglass and count the grains of sand until your return."

"Maybe you should bathe first," she said with a smirk. "From my angle, it looks like you have been mud wrestling."

Hades rubbed his cheek, probably making matters worse. "You noticed, huh? I hope to have the horses back home by the time you arrive."

"Is that how you hurt your hand? Working on the stable?"

Hades looked at his bandaged hand, realizing he had used it to rub his cheek. Damn. What should he tell her? He couldn't lie. "Actually, no. I received a small cut when I...when I ran into the minotaurs yesterday."

"What? I thought you said they didn't attack you. Dammit, Hades. You've been keeping a secret to spare me the worry. I know you."

"You're right, but I was going to tell you as soon as you returned. And we can still do that."

"No. Spill it, now. How did you get injured?" Lexi crossed her arms, taking the stance he knew he would be facing many times over.

"In a moment of poor judgement, I offered my blood to the minotaurs to appease them until the hunt has been abolished."

Lexi stood stock still and stared into the mirror, as if mesmerized by the image staring back at her. Or maybe she was shocked at the image's stupidity. "Aw, fuck." She uttered the words covertly, like she was worried someone might overhear them, but the effect came across as powerfully as if she had shouted. When the weight of her sentiment had settled over them both, she added, "This changes everything."