Chapter 17.
Penelope
Nerves jittered through me as I climbed into the horse-drawn carriage, barely able to keep calm. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this anxious or so excited.
“Ready?” Maia asked from inside, holding her hand out to me.
“No,” I admitted, sitting down next to her. “And yes.”
“Good. Better hold on to something,” she said as her assistant closed the door behind me. “I’ve instructed my driver many times to go slow but I don’t think he understands the meaning.”
I released a nervous chuckle. “I think I’ll manage.”
“I’m sure you will,” she said, taking my hand in hers. She leaned in, pressing a familiar kiss on my lips. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“You too. I like the crown,” I said, gesturing to the circlet.
Maia touched her hair, her grip on me tightening as the carriage set in motion. “You don’t think it looks ridiculous on me? It’s part of the traditional set.”
“No, I think it makes you look powerful.” I pulled her closer, kissing her slowly and deliberately. “Thank you for this.”
“It’s only right. You shouldn’t be chained to the Underworld,” she said with conviction. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to restore the original deal Hades and Persephone had but I’m working on it."
A rush of affection came over me and I squeezed her hand. “Did Demeter write back to you?”
She groaned. “Yes, but he has a real stick up his, well, you know. Do you think that’s a character requisite for the role?”
I laughed. “I don’t think so. I met the previous Demeter when I was younger and she was lovely so it just depends from person to person.”
A shock vibrated through the carriage and jolted me from side to side, breaking us apart. We came to a halt and Maia peaked out of the curtain and smiled. “We’re here.”
My nerves returned in full. “We are?”
“Hmm-hmm.” She offered her hand again. “Ready?”
I shook my head but took her hand anyway. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I wasn’t going to waste it.
Carefully, Maia escorted me down the set of stairs and I almost fell out, not paying any attention to the ground.
My gaze was glued to the sky and the shimmering tapestry of stars.
A waft of fresh air brushed through my hair and dress and filled my nose with the warm smell of summer.
I inhaled deeply, wishing I could keep the smell trapped in my nose forever. How I missed it.
“You okay?” Maia asked, her hand gingerly touching the small of my back.
I nodded, not able to stop looking up at the night’s sky. “It looks exactly the same as I remember.”
“Some things don’t change. Some things shouldn’t change,” she said.
I finally managed to tear my gaze back down and looked at the woman in front of me, overwhelmed with emotion. “I love you, Maia. That’s never going to change.”
“I love you too.” She pressed the back of my hand against her lips and gestured to the large temple up ahead. “Shall we go mingle?”
With a nod, we followed the winding path up to the peak of Mount Olympus.
Joyous music and laughter came from inside and the other people arriving around us.
A handful bowed to Maia in acknowledgment but nobody paid any special attention to me.
It was refreshing after being recognised anywhere in the Underworld.
We entered the temple and I took in the sea of people.
After a hundred years, there wasn’t a single person I knew and yet, it was easy enough to recognise who was who.
A trio in blue robes stood near the fountain, no doubt the current ruling council of Poseidon.
I always envied them for having someone to share their responsibilities with but not tonight. Not anymore.
“Hades!” someone called jovially. A man with thick eyebrows appeared in front of us, an empty glass in hand. “So glad you could make it.”
Next to me, Maia visibly stiffened. “Hera.”
“How wonderful to see you here. This must be your first annual Olympus ball. If you’re looking for a familiar face, don’t hesitate to join us over there. We always love to hear about our success stories.”
Anger rose in me and I felt the burning need to defend Maia, but I kept myself in check. I held a lot of power in the Underworld but that didn’t translate to the Overworld. I wasn’t even part of the Olympian council.
Maia nodded curtly. “Hmm, maybe. I’m just saying hello to everyone.”
Oblivious, the man slapped her on the back as he left. “Well, our door is always open. Once a Hera supporter, always a Hera supporter.”
I took Maia’s hand as soon as he was gone. “You alright?”
She released a shaky breath. “Yes, it’s not the first time I’ve run into him. It’s hard, it’s not like he personally hurt me but I still blame him.”
“And for good reason. It happened in his temple, under his nose. He should manage his people better, that’s our job as deities.
” I glared at Hera’s back, wishing I could give him a stern talking to.
Before I could do something I’d regret, I picked two glasses of wine from a passing server and handed one to Maia. “Here, have a drink.”
She took a shaky sip. “Mmm, this is good. I think a new Dionysus just started their term so this must be the first batch they’ve made.”
I tasted the wine too and hummed appreciatively. “Not bad. Promising. Very close to how I remember the taste. Not exact but that’s to be expected if they’re new.”
We moved through the room, greeting more people I didn’t know here and there. Nobody seemed to realise who I was and I enjoyed being the mysterious woman on Maia’s arm. It gave me the chance to take everything in at my own pace and enjoy my first time in the Overworld after more than a century.
A stunning woman in a sleek white dress waved as noticed us and I recognised her immediately. I’d seen her often enough on Molly’s favourite dating show. The one and only Aphrodite.
She came our way, a knowing smile playing around her lips. “Hello, Hades. Persephone.”
Surprised to be addressed and recognised, I looked at her questioningly.
Triumph flickered through Aphrodite’s eyes. “Did you not think I would recognise you? Who else but the Persephone would be deserving to be on Hades’ arm?”
A little taken aback, I released a sharp breath. “We’re not together because of our positions.”
“I know, I’m teasing. I heard through the grapevine that you were making an appearance so I looked you up so I’d be able to greet you properly. It’s quite exciting to have you back in the Overworld. Penelope, is it?” she extended her hand. “Anastasia. Current Aphrodite.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, reluctantly shaking. Our short interaction confused me and I didn’t like people who confused me. Then again, Maia had been an enigma when we first met and that worked out pretty well.
Anastasia smiled warmly. “I didn’t mean to offend, Penelope. Truly. I think it’s fantastic to have the two rulers of the Underworld working together.”
I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and returned the smile. “Thank you. Maia is the best thing they could’ve sent down.”
Next to me, Maia blushed and she gently swatted my arm. “You flatter me. You’re the one that kept the Underworld running for a century without anyone’s help.”
“I had plenty of help. Maybe not from the Hades, but lots of people helped me,” I teased, not able to tear my gaze away from her.
“You two are so adorable together.” A slight sadness tainted Aphrodite’s voice. “How wonderful to see true love. If only it was possible for everyone but not even the Goddess of Love can make that happen.”
“But a lot of people on your dating show find a great match,” Maia complimented her. “We watch it all the time.”
Heat crept up to my ears. I never liked admitting I watched the Golden Apple but then again, this was Aphrodite. She’d be the last person to mock me for loving this kind of show.
Anastasia perked up, but only slightly. “Thank you, I try my best but some people just have no luck in love. Myself included. Isn’t that ironic? Sorry. Listen to me blabber on about my sad love life. I should probably stop drinking before I start crying somewhere.”
She flitted away and sympathy filled me. It had to be hard to be the Goddess of Love and watch people find matches without having someone themselves.
Maia squeezed my hand. “I’m so glad I found you.”
“Me too,” I told her earnestly, leaning in for a quick kiss.
“How are you enjoying the party so far?”
“I like it but it’s a little busy. I’m not used to seeing this many deities in one place and making so much small talk. It’s exhausting.”
She released a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad you said that.” She grabbed a bottle of wine from a passing server’s tray and took me by the hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, not caring and following her automatically.
Maia’s eyes twinkled. “Does it matter?”
Laughing, we left Zeus’ bustling temple and wandered along Mount Olympus with an encouraging breeze in my back.
We paused on a spot overlooking the landscape underneath us and I took in the familiar sight of the Overworld and all its features.
It looked so different from when I saw it last and yet, it was the same.
The hills and the valleys, the winding rivers, and the surrounding oceans.
Even if the houses and people were different, it was still the same Greece.
“Shall we sit?” Maia proposed, gesturing to a soft patch of grass.
I nodded, not caring about dirtying my dress. I’d gladly bring a memory of this night with me back to the Underworld.
Maia wrapped her arm around me and we sat in content silence, soaking in the brilliant night. There was so much I wanted to tell her and yet, nothing needed to be said at all. I rested my head on her shoulder, basking in her warmth as we waited together.
Chirping birds announced the rising morning and the first rays of sun climbed over the horizon, hesitantly but unstoppable all the same.
“Are you okay?” Maia asked, her concern shining through in her voice.
“Never been better,” I sniffled. I touched her face and captured her in a tender kiss as the rising sun blessed me with its gentle glow. It was finally dawn.
If you're enjoying seeing women in power as Greek Gods, try out Caught With Zeus next for a best friends to lovers with a hint of fake dating. This twist on Zeus will be one you've not seen before!
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