Goddess of Legend (Demi-God Daughters) (11 page)

Chapter
Twelve

Cameryn was still hiding out in her room. She wasn’t proud of it, but that was just the way it was. After how intense things had gotten between her and Hades last night she wasn’t ready to deal with him again. The depth of feelings he was already showing was scaring the hell out of her. She’d only been in the Underworld a day, but she realized that six months with Hades was going to be a long time. Especially with him pursuing her full steam. Not to mention the dangerous attraction she already felt for him.
Why couldn’t he have been some lecherous, ugly old god? Why did he have to be red hot sexy with a heart of gold?
This was going to be a lot harder than she ever imagined.

How was she supposed to keep her heart safe from a god who adored her so much he was destroying reminders of his
ex-wife and replacing them with images of her? It was the type of romantic shit she’d always dreamed about, yet she was ready to run in the opposite direction. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time. She had to keep her distance because if she didn’t… Cameryn shuddered. Hades was going to have to get a grip, or she was going to be spending a lot of time in this bedroom.

She lay back and flipped through the TV channels. There were more things on these channels than she could possibly ever watch. A knock at the door garnered her attention.

“Come in.”

Tara entered with a spring in her step.

“I’ve come to help you dress for dinner.”

“No need. Will you please give Hades my apologies?”

“You’re not going to dinner?” Tara asked eyes wide.

“No. I would prefer some time alone if you don’t mind.”

“As you wish,” Tara said before striding away quickly and leaving the room.

When Cameryn was alone again, she thought about Hades’
s reaction to her not showing up for dinner. She hoped he wouldn’t go all
Beauty and the Beast
on her. But if he did, he’d quickly find out that just like Belle she was no shrinking violet. On the other hand, she couldn’t very well fight a pissed off god.

*
***

Hades was pacing back and forth in the dining room. The way Cameryn had run away from him last night weighed on him heavily. It hadn’t helped matters that his servants had informed him that Cameryn had yet to emerge from her room. That worried him. Tonight he needed to clear the air. Hades turned when he heard footsteps. Tara appeared alone.

“Where is she?”

“Forgive me, my Lord. She sends her apologies and wishes to be left alone.”

“Oh did she now?” he said with more control than he felt.

“Yes, my Lord,” Tara said nervously.

Hades took a breath and counted to ten.

“Excuse me, Tara,” he said brushing past her.

He stalked toward Cameryn’s room. He could have easily just transported himself, but with the suddenly foul mood he was in, he needed a few moments to compose himself.
She is hiding from me.
The thought spurred his rage. When he reached her door he didn’t knock. He flung it open with force. She was lying down. When she heard the door crack against the wall she sat up quickly, turning in his direction. He stopped in his tracks. Her hair was mussed, and she was wearing a white tank top and silk boxers. He found himself immediately aroused. He closed his eyes briefly in an effort to control his warring emotions. When he opened them, Cameryn was staring at him with a mixture of confusion and anger.

“Is there a reason you’ve been hiding in here all day?”

“I’m not hiding.”

“Bullshit,” he said with heat in his voice.

“Excuse me?” Cameryn said rising to her feet to face him.

“You heard me. You’re acting like a coward. Hiding from me like I’m some damn monster!”

“How dare you!”

“My first thought was to apologize to you
, but then I realized I don’t need to. I have feelings for you. I want you in every way a man can want a woman, and I’m not going to apologize for the way I feel about you,” Hades said.

Before Cameryn could respond he pulled her to him. His mouth crashed down on hers. His kiss was frenzied, ardent, all consuming. Her mouth opened
, and his tongue found hers. As their tongues dueled, her arms slid around his neck holding him close. A moan of pleasure escaped from her mouth as he sucked lightly on her tongue. He pressed himself boldly against her. He wanted her, and if he didn’t stop now he was going to have her. Mentally sighing, he stepped away from her ending the kiss. Her chest was heaving. There was a sparkle of passion in her eye.
She isn’t immune to me.

“I don’t want you to apologize for the way you feel,” Cameryn said quietly.

“Then what is it you want?”

“I’m not sure. It’s complicated.”

“It doesn’t have to be. Talk to me,” he said softly.

Cameryn raked a hand through her hair before plopping back down on the bed.

“Sit, please.”

He sat down beside her all too conscious of their close proximity. He could smell her unique scent. The taste of her was still in his mouth. It was taking all he could do not to reach for her again. He waited expectantly.

“None of this is easy for me. I’m a woman who tries her best to detach herself from her emotions. It saves you from a lot of heartache. The thought of opening my heart to anyone is a primal fear I’ve never been able to shake. Now here you come into my life, a god who seems to have real feelings for me and is pulling out all of the stops to win me. A god who when I thought he was only human I was kind of into. When you’ve never had someone pursuing you so ardently before it all can be a bit overwhelming.”

“I see. I have no desire to frighten you with my feelings
, but I won’t deny them either. I want my intentions toward you to be evident at all times, but no one knows better than I the fear of being brave enough to love again. It has taken me more years than you could possibly imagine to take that leap of faith. But even if you choose not to remain with me when our time together is over, at least I will have given myself another chance at love,” he said opening his heart.

“I’m afraid,” she
said.

“So am I, but some things are worth the risk.”

“You might be right,” Cameryn said smiling.

“I see a smile. I guess that means we’re fine,” he said tentatively.

“Yes
, we are. Forgive me for earlier. It was rude of me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a few matters to see to. I’ll have dinner sent to you,” Hades said rising.

“Okay,” Cameryn said looking a bit crestfallen.

“Perhaps we could spend some time together tomorrow.”

“I’d like that.”

“So would I,” he said smiling before he turned away.

“Hades, wait,” Cameryn called from behind him.

He stopped, turning around. Cameryn approached him fidgeting nervously with her hands.

“Cameryn?” he asked softly.

She stopped her fidgeting and looked up at him. She stepped forward and grabbed the side of his face. Her lips touched his tentatively before the intensity of her kiss

increased. It took every ounce of self-control he had not to scoop her up in his arms, throw her down on the bed, and make passionate love to her. Instead, he stood still as a stone. A moment later she stopped and looked up at him. He smiled at her.

“Goodnight
, H.”

“Goodnight, Cam,” he said before taking his leave.

As he exited her room his heart was lighter. He was breaking through her defenses slowly but surely. From the way she’d just taken matters into her own hands and kissed him, he felt more confident that he was one step closer to winning her heart.

****

Persephone was still fuming. Zeus’
s indifference had hurt, but she was not a goddess without her wiles. Perhaps she didn’t need to have anyone help her with her schemes. Perhaps it was time to try a more direct approach. Yes, she was going to confront her rival. It was time she showed that little interloper just what she was up against. Besides, she was sure that once Hades saw her again in all her stunning splendor, Cameryn Kane would be the last thing on his mind.

Chapter T
hirteen

Cameryn awoke feeling vaguely refreshed. Perhaps having that talk last night with Hades had done not only wonders for her psyche, but her body was well. Hades was an enigma. His dark looks made her body burn in a way that it never had before. If she was a woman of lesser restraint, she was sure that she would have sought his bed again.

Who are you kidding
, Cam? You’ve been thinking about that now.
She pushed away her mental voice, stretching and rolling over. Hades was sitting on the edge of the bed smiling at her.

“Good morning
, love.”

“How long have you been sitting there?” Cameryn asked
, embarrassed as she tried her best to finger-comb her hair.

“Long enough to know you make cute little noises in your sleep.”

“Now I’m really mortified,” Cameryn said hiding her face in a pillow.

“You shouldn’t be. I’m sure I have a few quirky sleep habits
, too, but no one’s ever around to tell me about them,” he said laughing.

Cameryn smiled at him.

“It’s good to see you laugh. I’m sure that neither of us does it very often,” Cameryn said looking up at him.

“You already know me so well. I was wondering if you might permit me to show you around the Underworld. I realize I’ve been a bit neglectful of you.”

“I don’t think you could ever be neglectful of me. But I would love to look around a bit if it will ease your conscience.”

“Excellent. I’ll send Tara to attend to you.”

“No need. I can get myself ready.”

“I meant no disrespect. It’s just that Tara is so excited about having someone to wait on again. I guess we all are a bit excited to have a new mistress to attend to.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just a little different having someone waiting on you
, but maybe I’ll get used to it.”

“I hope you will,” Hades said staring at her with such a deep intensity she had to look away.

“Is there anything in particular I should wear?”

“Whatever you like. I’ll be waiting,” Hades said rising.

“I won’t be long.”

“Even a moment away from you is too long,” Hades said gently
, cupping her face and kissing her softly.

Cameryn responded to his kiss eagerly, rising slowly from the bed. When his lips slid away from hers she felt oddly bereft. He smiled at her before he left her bedroom.

Sweet Jesus this man, this man.
Rising wobbly to her feet, Cameryn set about getting ready for her day with Hades.

*
***

A half hour later, Cameryn entered the library. Hades was sitting in a chair with a book in his hand. Cameryn laughed heartily when she was that it was
Fifty Shades of Grey
. Hades put the book down when he saw her.

“Do women really want this stuff?” he asked with an incredulous look on his face.

“Yes.”

“Do you want this? Possessive love and mind-blowing sex?” Hades asked her with a straight face.

Cameryn was sure her cheeks were flaming red, but she answered him honestly.

“Yes.”

“I’ll keep that in mind then,” he said with a suggestive grin.

Cameryn could feel her core start to ache.
Damn. What makes him think I would ever say no to something like that? I’m getting hot just thinking about it.

“Well I’m ready if you are,” Cameryn said desperate to change the subject and get her mind off her libido.

“Let us go then. You look lovely by the way,” Hades said rising.

“Thank you,” Cameryn said tucking a wisp of hair behind her ear.

He must definitely see something I don’t.
Her hair was scooped into a low ponytail. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, and her outfit was definitely not feminine. She was wearing her standard outfit: black tank top, leather pants, and black boots. Hades was definitely different if he thought her Goth girl look was beautiful. Cameryn was silent as she followed him out of the palace. They exited through a side entrance she hadn’t seen before. When he reached for her hand, she couldn’t hide the smile that ran across her face.

“How do you feel about horses?” he asked staring at her intently.

“I haven’t really dealt with them.”

“Well we’re going to change that today,” Hades said before stopping in a small clearing.

Four midnight black horses almost the sizes of Clydesdale’s were saddled to a massive black chariot. Cameryn took a step toward the nearest horse. Tentatively she reached out and touched its hair. She was surprised when the horse nuzzled her palm. Cameryn could feel the power of the massive animal.

“You never cease to amaze me,” Hades said from behind her.

“What do you mean?”

“Plutus there is the most temperamental of all my horses. Sometimes he doesn’t even let me
touch him, but he’s like a lamb with you. You have the magic touch.”

Plutus snorted
, and Cameryn laughed.

“Apparently he doesn’t agree.”

“I’m not surprised,” Hades said giving Plutus a quick pat.

“What are the names of the other ones?”

“The other male is Daemon, and the two females are Plutia and Demona.”

“And you’re able to keep them saddled without the males going crazy because the females are near them?” Cameryn asked curiously.

“Can you think of a better motivation for them to behave? That’s why Demona and Plutia lead,” Hade said winking at her.

“That makes sense I guess.”

“Are you ready? There’s a lot for you to see.”

“Sure. Let’s go,” Cameryn said walking to the chariot.

She climbed aboard, and Hades followed. She felt him come behind her and grab the reins. She was effectively imprisoned within his arms, and she didn’t even mind. He flicked the reins, and the animals were off. The speed with which they ran was supernatural. She was glad Hades was behind her because she was fearful of flying out of the chariot.

“They’re so fast!”

“This is just a jog for them,” Hades said in her ear.

“A jog!”

Cameryn laughed. She felt exhilaration as the wind hit her face. She felt alive. Talk about irony. She was in the Underworld, and for some reason she felt more alive than she ever had. She was a bit disappointed when Hades reined in the horses. When they stopped, he directed her attention to a passageway in a massive rock.

“Down that passageway is Erebus. It’s where the dead go immediately after they die.”

“What’s it like?”

“Utter,
all-consuming darkness.”

Cameryn shuddered.

“Sounds terrifying.”

“The soul is in a state of sleep, so it’s not so terrible.”

Cameryn watched fascinated as a soul emerged. It was a woman in her
mid-forties. Cameryn couldn’t help but be a little freaked out because she could see completely through the woman. She’d never seen anything like this. The souls she put to rest had more substance to them than the woman she was currently looking at.

“She’s
see-through.”

“Cameryn
, you find lost souls for a living. Surely this can’t be freaking you out,” Hades said.

“This is different. There’s a strange feeling here,” Cameryn said watching as the woman floated away, “Can we follow her?”

“Of course. I want you to see the order to things here,” Hades said flicking the reins.

The horses started to move at a slower pace following the soul. Cameryn wasn’t sure how long they rode before the chariot stopped again. Before Cameryn were souls as far as she could see. Some of them were sitting on the bank. Some were standing. None of them were talking. The silence was eerie. Cameryn felt the hairs on her arms rise.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“On the riverbank waiting for Charon to ferry to souls across the river to judgment.”

Through the mist, Cameryn saw a boat come into view. It reminded her of pictures she’d seen of Viking longboats. It was a massive, wooden monstrosity. At the front of the boat was someone wearing a gray robe that covered him from head to toe. A large black pole was being used to push the boat along.

“Charon I presume.”

“Yes.”

Soon the boat reached the bank. Cameryn watched as Charon motioned for some of those waiting to board the boat. They wasted no time. In moments the boat was full
, and Charon was preparing to depart.

“Please! Please. I beg you!”
A man screamed drawing Cameryn’s attention.

Charon shook his covered head and departed. The man fell to this knees sobbing. Cameryn felt her heart go out to him.

“Why won’t Charon take him?”

“That man was murdered
, and his killer was never found. His soul is fated to remain here until his killer is found or one hundred years passes. Whichever comes first.”

“That’s too long!”

“It’s better than the way things were. It used to be that Charon would only take across those that were buried with a coin called an obol. That changed when we became the gods of every nation, not just the Greeks.”

“Hades, that’s not good enough. Do you have any idea how many unsolved deaths there are in the world? These poor people. To suffer a terrible end to their lives and then be stuck here for one hundred years. You need to do something about this. This is your realm,” Cameryn said angrily.

“There was a reason I wanted you to see this,” Hades said rubbing her shoulder.

“To make me feel bad?” Cameryn asked sarcastically.

“Of course not. I wanted you to see how important your gift is. Because of what you do, so many souls never have to experience this. You enable their souls to find peace and move on to their eternity.”

“But I couldn’t save everyone.”

“If you were a goddess that all could change,” Hades said quietly.

“Are you trying to bribe me?” Cameryn asked turning around to face him with a scowl on her face.

“No, beloved. Finding lost souls is your gift, but you’re human. I don’t know for certain, but I suspect that becoming a goddess could very well amplify that gift and change it in ways you couldn’t even imagine.”

“And my peculiarly strange gift is what makes you think I’d be perfect to help you rule the Underworld?”

“It did cross my mind, but it’s not the only reason. Even if you had no supernatural gifts I would still want you to rule beside me.”

“Just when I think you’ve given me a reason to be mad, you go and say something sweet,” Cameryn said turning around before he could see how deeply his honesty had affected her.

How am I ever supposed to fortify my defenses against his charm when he keeps saying such wonderful things? Where has he been all my life?
Cameryn gasped when she noticed some of the souls were starting to wander in their direction.

“See. Even here they sense your power and know you can help set them free. We’ll go now,” Hades said cracking the reins.

Cameryn watched as the horses moved in the direction of the river. What in the world? She watched fascinated as the horses and chariot rose into the air. Cameryn clutched Hades as they ran across the water on air. Hades chuckled as she squeezed him.

They soon came to a large pavilion on an isolated island. Charon was leaving, heading back to the bank for more souls.

“What is this place?” Cameryn asked.

“It’s where souls learn their fate. My nephews Aeacus, Minos
, and Rhadamanthus are the Judges of the Dead.”

“Their decision is final? Do you ever step in?”

“I’ve never had to. They’re wise and just. There is an order to everything here, Cameryn.”

“What are the final judgments?”

“Most people go to the Asphodel Fields. That’s for people who’ve lived a pretty good life. Those who are the best of the best, the most heroic, and the most generous go to the Elysian Fields. Mother Teresa’s there.”

“And what about those that haven’t lived good lives?”

“They go to Phlegethon, the River of Fire or Tartarus, the Abyss for all eternity. They are forced to remember every despicable thing they’ve ever done while they were alive.”

“Wow. Remind me to be a good person,” Cameryn said shuddering.

“You already are,” Hades said stroking her cheek.

“Sometimes, but I have my moments. What else?”

“For those good souls, they must drink from the river Lethe before going on.”

“Why?”

“If they were to remember their past life they would know no peace. They would long for what they lost. Drinking from the river allows them to forget, and they are free to find true happiness in their afterlife. Let me show you Asphodel.”

The horses shot off. Cameryn was flattened against Hades. One of his arms came around her waist holding her tight. She leaned into his touch as they raced at breakneck speed. Minutes later they were hurtling down a wide passageway. When they reached the end of it, Cameryn was nearly blinded by the brightness. She squinted as her eyes tried to adjust. When she opened them she saw that they were in a meadow. The people around them all looked happy. Some of them were sitting at a picnic table having a picnic. Others were racing in the meadow. Some were even lying on blankets holding one another.