“Fine.” I forged my best smile. “It’s hot in here.” I gestured to the fire burning in the hearth. Lame excuse. The room was huge, and the fireplace did little to warm the space.
Castor took the seat on my other side, giving me a distraction, and I brushed Daddy’s leg. He looped his arm over the back of my chair and crossed his other arm over his body to cup my knee.
Alaric squished between Zethan and one of Locke’s mates who I hadn’t been introduced to yet. Thankfully, I got a quick run through, learning everyone’s names and gods as they took their seats at the table. Byron, avatar of Athena, goddess of Wisdom and War. Rane, avatar of Ares, also a god of War. Hmm. Surrounded by a lot of war gods here.
Mads shifted the plastic plate and cup, then rearranged his kid-sized cutlery set out for him. He turned slowly with a smile stretched across his face. “Getting a sense of humor finally, old man?”
Slade chuckled darkly, sliding his intertwined fingers together.
Hades grunted and puffed out his chest.
Sounded like those two had a not so friendly history, but Hades warmed to Mads over time. Castor explained to me the mythology that Hermes and Hades worked closely together to deliver souls to the Underworld for judgment.
“This dinner should be a real hoot,” Mads muttered.
Locke leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Oh, babe, I think that’s Hades’ way of saying he’s got a soft spot for you.”
Hades’ mouth gaped for a few moments before he clued on that she joked with him. “Sometimes I regret releasing you from the Underworld, Locke.”
That got a growl and a flash of fire from Rane and a hearty chuckle from Mads.
Slade winked at me, enjoying the chaotic atmosphere and banter.
Mads picked up his kiddie knife and fork, swallowed in his large, lean hands. “I’m liking this new side of you, old man.”
Hades growled softer this time at the name.
Autumn giggled and pinched her husband’s cheek, the first time it appeared like skin and not marble. “I think you’re slowly growing on him, Mads. Isn’t he, hubs?”
Hades nipped her fingers for that. “He might be growing on me.”
Mads grinned. “Only took fifteen years!”
History there. Wow. Mads was an avatar for a long time.
Slade barked out a laugh and clapped my leg, and I loved that he enjoyed himself, rather than got into a heated argument and let off snaps of fire like Rane.
Wary and edgy, Alaric scanned the rest of the table, his nervous system adopting his habitual practice. The Sky god never relaxed. I wished we weren’t a person apart so I could calm him the way he had done for me earlier. Instead, I sent him pulses of soothing energy, and he relaxed into his chair.
Zethan kept his stony mask in place, but I felt the edge of tension. Only Castor seemed at ease among his contemporaries.
Banter and light-hearted chatter continued throughout the meal. Slade and Mads told funny anecdotes that had everyone at the table in stitches. Everyone bar Hades, who twitched, his cutlery creaking with strain with every swear word and warning growl at my fiery mate to mind his language in front of our guest’s wife. Slade was himself, always. He didn’t tone it down. Didn’t apologize for it. Blatantly disrespected Hades’ rule, wearing the old, grumpy god down. Autumn laughed it off and patted her husband into silence.
Impatience brewed in Slade to address the underlying reason for the dinner beyond avatars gathering, building alliances, and friendships.
After the servants collected the dessert dishes, Hades tipped his drink skyward, prompting us to do the same. “We’ve gathered tonight not only to meet fellow avatars of another pantheon and celebrate the New Year, but we’ve also assembled to discuss a proposal.”
A proposal that might wipe out several avatars across two pantheons if we weren’t careful.
CHAPTER24
Aaliyah
Slade stiffened,disliking another taking the lead on what was his dispute, and as a War god, he had the right to lead the soldiers to battle.
I was glad Hades waited until we finished dinner to discuss this matter. My twitchy, burbling stomach needed something to fill and settle it.
“Why do I not like the sound of this?” Locke sipped at her alcohol-free rosé, casting a sidelong glance at Mads.
