Odysseus swore under his breath. Of course, it wouldn’t have been that easy.
Steeling himself, he did the only other thing he knew how to do. “Wife,” he drawled, looking between both Penelopes. “I must admit… I have often dreamt of this moment. A night with two of the most beautiful women in the world?” He winked towards one Penelope and noticed a gentle flush creep up her neck. “I just never knew it was possible, as you are the only beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on.”
The blushing Penelope batted her eyelashes at him, repressing a giggle. “Oh, husband,” her voice was breathy,“You’ve always been a poet.” But Odysseus was already looking the other way. To the woman with her arms crossed, brow knitted, and a look that could kill.
As the Fates would have it, this hadn’t been a challenge after all.
With his back to the mewling woman, he closed the distance between where he stood and where his wife was in an instant. He could feel the irritation rolling off of her, solidifying his decision. “Nothing?” He teased, taking her hand in his. He pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckle. “Couldn’t even pretend to be smitten, wife?”
Penelope scoffed, though her lips tugged upwards gently. “Couldn’t even pretend to not be a fool? Besides,” she rolled her eyes, shaking her head, “Had I fawned… would you have been able to decipher between flesh and mimicry?”
The king dropped her hand, gently brushing his fingers along her jaw before cradling her face in his hand. “Always, my queen.”
Without turning to face the gods, without breaking his wife’s gaze, Odysseus laughed, the sound reverberating off of the cliff-side around them. “You should have studied harder, goddess.” As he cupped her face in his hands, he bent, kissing her forehead. “Well, wife, as always… you prove to be inimitable. A force even the gods cannot replicate.”
“Queen,” a growl came from behind them. “You let him win.”
“No, King,” Persephone quickly corrected him. “He knew the game better than expected. Mortal men aren’t typically so… in tune with their wives.” She paused, causing Odysseus to finally turn to face her. The goddess looked upon the king and queen with something that could almost be considered fondness. “Truly, Hades, there are gods that don’t know their wives as well as the Ithacan knows his.”
The god of the underworld grumbled. “I will hear your amendment, boy. But I make no promises of acceptance.”
Odysseus turned fully, facing the gods head on now. He stood between the divine and his wife, an immovable force. He would protect her from further divine intervention; she would be safe.
But as he opened his mouth to speak, he felt the unmistakable warmth that was Penelope moving to his side, a hand on his arm, hearts beating in sync. His voice caught, just for a second, he had always stood up to the gods alone.
Alone for his crew on Aeaea.
Alone for his crew on Thrinacia.
Alone for his crew in the underworld.
And now… he did not stand alone.
“Gods of the underworlds, I am a man that has walked many disgraceful paths.” Penelope’s hand trembled against his skin, but she did not falter. He reached across, settling his hand over hers. “And I have made many mistakes. The one thing I do not regret, after all these years, is my wife.”
He looked to her, eyes shining with tears. “There is a threat to her, to my kingdom. Zeus’ eyes are on us, and I want protection for her.”
Hades laughed, the sound sending a chill across the king’s skin. “And what, little Ithacan, do you think you can give me that is worth angering my brother?”
“Me.” He fought to keep his composure, to keep his gaze trained on the gods in front of them. “Early, now. I will not fight you, Hades. Let me balance the scales sooner and protect her. Protect my son.”
“No.” Hades said.
“Right this moment?” Persephone spoke at the same time, tilting her head as she studied him. “You would leave Ithaca, leave this plane, right this very second for her?”
“Yes, I would.”
“If I told you to walk forward right now, step into this ocean and to the underworld, and she would be safe… would you do it without looking back?” The goddess pushed him farther.
Penelope stilled beside him. She was holding her breath.
“Goddess, I would sprout wings and fly through the Styx if it would keep her safe.”
The goddess turned to face her husband. “Give it to him, my king. I have judged his heart, and I find his love to be pure. Let him protect his wife.”
Hades studied the goddess of spring, brow knitted as he crossed his arms. “Truly, queen? That is your desire?”
The Ithacan’s heart beat wildly in his chest, were it any louder, the gods themselves could hear it. The mortal king and queen watched as Persephone pressed up on her toes, kissing the god gently on the cheek. “It is, my king.”
