Goddess of Legend (Demi-God Daughters) (13 page)

“Me neither. I’m going to lie down now,” Cameryn said briefly touching his face before she turned away.

He watched her leave and sank down into his chair suddenly weary.

“Seems like you need my help,” a woman’s voice said beside him.

Hades turned to see Aphrodite sitting beside him. Her sun bright hair and dark blue eyes sparkled. The Goddess of Love inspired lust in gods and mortals alike. He was the exception. He felt nothing but contempt for her. Aphrodite had caused more wars, death, and destruction than people would ever know. The Trojan War wasn’t the only tragedy she was responsible for.

“The last thing I need is your help. You cause devastation wherever you go.”

“Hades, I’m hurt. You know that I love you.”

“That’s a love I don’t need,” Hades said rising.

“Face it, Hades, when it comes to love your batting average is zero. It’s not your fault. You dark and broody types always have issues with love, but that’s why I’m here. I can make sure you win your lady-love.”

“How? By having Eros shoot her with one of his arrows? No thanks. I want to win Cameryn’s love without lies or manipulation
, and that’s what’s going to happen,” Hades said.

“It’s not going to be as easy as you think. Cameryn’s headstrong, and she’s at war with herself. Besides, Persephone is not the type to give up on something she wants.”

“Persephone and I are through.”

“She doesn’t think so.”

“I don’t care. The only thing I care about is Cameryn.”

“You really love her, don’t you?” Aphrodite said softly.

“Yes. More than I ever thought I could love anyone.”

“Well contrary to what you think of me, I only want love and happiness for everyone but especially you. Fight for your love, and don’t give up when things get tough because you have a battle ahead of you,” Aphrodite said blowing him a kiss before she disappeared.

What in the blazes had she meant by that comment? He was weary of fighting. He’d waged enough battles for love in the past, but he owed it to the love he felt for Cameryn to never stop fighting. It didn’t matter if he had to fight his demons and Cameryn’s
, too. She was worth any price he had to pay.

Chapter
Fifteen

Persephone was seething inside. She’d never felt so disrespected. The mortal should’ve been severely injured if not dead from the blast she’d thrown at her. The fact that she was still alive troubled her. She wanted to believe that Hades had protected the little bitch, but he’d denied it and Hades never lied. That could only mean one thing—the girl was more powerful than she thought. Persephone stomped her foot in irritation. Things were not supposed to be happening like this. She had to do something and do it fast. Cameryn Kane had been a thorn in her side for long enough already.

*
***

Cameryn awoke groggy and pensive. She rubbed her eyes and did her best to focus. Yesterday’s events played again in her mind. Looking back at things now, she had no idea what she’d been thinking confronting Persephone like she had. The bitch was immortal. It wasn’t like she could kill her.
Cameryn usually wasn’t one to lose her temper so easily, but everything about Persephone rubbed her the wrong way. It was strange. She should feel indifferent about the so-called Goddess of Spring. After all they had no history. Instead she felt a loathing deeper than anything she’d ever experienced. That loathing definitely hadn’t come just from the insults Persephone had thrown at her.

She didn’t like Persephone because of Hades. Even before the talk they’d had yesterday, she’d known almost instinctively that Persephone was not the innocent maiden mythology had made her out to be. Just the thought of Hades being manipulated by his ex

-
wife again made her want to fight. Regardless of whether or not things worked out between her and Hades, he didn’t deserve to be hurt again. Persephone had hurt him enough already. Cameryn knew she was acting like an overprotective mother hen, but she couldn’t help it. Despite his fearsome reputation, Hades was just a lonely guy looking for love, and that made him ripe for manipulation. Cameryn knew all about that firsthand.

She knew she was walking a fine line between caring about Hades’
s welfare and falling for him. That was why she’d told him she would walk away so that he and Persephone could reunite. It didn’t matter that the thought of surrendering him to Persephone went against every fiber of her being. If she let Hades go then she wouldn’t be forced to deal with her own burgeoning feelings for him. She knew it was cowardly. She could win a fist fight nine times out of ten, but matters of the heart made her want to run. Her current situation was not making it any easier. She had a god in love with her and a goddess that wanted her out of the way. She was in deep shit.

Cameryn ran her hands through her hair. There was so much to think about. By all rights she should be dead after her confrontation with the vengeful Persephone yesterday. Instead she’d knocked a goddess on her ass. That is after she’d shoved Hades aside like he weighed nothing. What in the blue blazes was up with that? She didn’t have any superpowers that she was aware of. But after what happened yesterday, maybe she was wrong. Maybe the answer she was seeking could only be found in her past. Unfortunately
, her past was a blank. She had no idea who her birth parents were, and for the first time in her life she was curious about them.

Uncovering her past was something for her to think about, especially with everything currently going on. A loud knock drew her attention.

“Come in.”

The door opened
, and Hades stepped inside. He came over and stood beside her bed staring down at her.

“Good afternoon.”

“Afternoon. What time is it?”

“Fifteen minutes after twelve.”

“I’m getting so lazy. I rarely ever sleep in.”

“A little laziness never hurt anyone,” he said smiling at her showing his oh so perfect teeth.

He is too damn handsome. It should be a crime to be that good looking.
Today he was wearing a navy blue dress shirt and black slacks. Her mouth involuntarily watered.

“If you have no other plans, I’d like to show you around a little more today.”

“I’d like that. Just give me a chance to get dressed,” Cameryn said rising from the bed.

Hades stepped aside to allow her to go past him. As Cameryn moved past him their bodies touched. Cameryn felt a spark
, and she knew Hades did, too, when he gave her a knowing look. She smiled at him over her shoulder as she went to the bathroom. There was definitely something between them.

*
***

A half hour later Cameryn and Hades were outside the castle. His horses were hitched to the chariot and ready to go. She took a minute to pet them. Hades snorted when Plutus nuzzled her hand. Cameryn laughed and then climbed in the chariot. Hades climbed up behind her. His nearness made goose
-bumps appear on her flesh.

“Would you like to drive?” Hades asked.

“No. The reins are all yours.”

Hades took the reins
, and soon they were off. Cameryn relaxed in his arms as they rushed along. It felt like they were flying. As they raced along, Cameryn realized she was starting to recognize some of the things they’d passed yesterday. She wondered where he was taking her. When the horses reached the river and started rising above it she had an idea. A few minutes later they were landing on the island that housed the pavilion she’d seen yesterday. Charon was leaving on another run to ferry more souls.

Hades helped her down from the chariot
, and her hand lingered in his. She allowed him to lead her up the path to the pavilion. Cameryn couldn’t help the shudder that ran through her body. Something about this place gave her the willies. They entered and stopped in the doorway. From their vantage point, Cameryn could see three men sitting on ivory thrones. Two were fair haired and the last was brunet. Directly in front of them was a man’s soul. He stood defiant before the judges.

“Look above the man’s head
, Cameryn,” Hades whispered in her ear.

Cameryn looked up and saw what appeared to be a translucent ball. She watched fascinated as the pictures the ball was showing started to change.

“What am I looking at?” Cameryn whispered.

“The man’s life from birth until death.
What is seen determines his judgment,” Hades said.

Cameryn nodded and continued watching. So far it seemed as if the man’s life was pretty ordinary. Then things changed. She saw the man with his hands wrapped around a woman’s throat. The woman’s face started turning blue. A few minutes later she was dead. Cameryn felt sick as she watched the man dispose of the body by dumping it into a lake. As the picture continued to play, Cameryn saw the man’s arrest and subsequent death by lethal injection. After that the picture went blank. The dark haired man sat forward in his throne. His eyes blazed. It was obvious he was angry.

“You killed your wife, a woman who was good to you, and you stand here before us in all your arrogance with no remorse. For your misdeeds you will burn in Phlegethon, the River of Fire for all eternity. The decision is final.”

The man raised his hand
, and the soul disappeared.

“Wow. No hesitation,” Cameryn said.

“They’ve been doing it so long, there is no need. Come, I want you to meet my nephews before more souls arrive.”

Cameryn allowed Hades to lead her forward. With a few steps they were standing directly in front of the men.

“Nephews.”

“Uncle,” the men said in unison before they got out of their seats and came closer.

“Cameryn, I’d like you to meet my nephews, the Judges of the Underworld, Minos and Rhadamanthus, sons of Zeus and Europa, and Aeacus, son of Zeus and Aegina.”

“Nice to meet you,” Cameryn said nervously.

“The pleasure is ours, my lady. Uncle Hades has never brought a woman to meet us before. You must be special indeed,” the golden-haired, blue-eyed Rhadamanthus said.

“I’m actually pretty ordinary.”

“She’s too modest. Everything about her is special,” Hades said smiling at her.

Cameryn couldn’t stop the blush that spread across her face.

“New Queen special?” Aeacus asked staring at Cameryn boldly.

“Only the Fates know, but it is my fondest wish,” Hades said.

“Then we will hope for it as well,” the dark-eyed and somber Minos said.

Cameryn’s attention was distracted when a new group of souls appeared.

“Looks like it’s back to work for us,” Aeacus said.

“Thanks for stopping by
, Uncle, and bringing your future Queen to see us. We are humbled by the honor,” Minos said before bowing and making his way back to his throne.

His brothers followed suit
, and Cameryn and Hades departed from the pavilion. As she looked over the next group of souls she wondered what their fates would be. Cameryn was silent as they went back to the chariot. When she looked up, she noticed the horses and chariot were not alone. Unconsciously she gripped Hades’ hand in hers.

“Scared
, my love?” he asked.

“Hardly,” she said baring her teeth.

Hades laughed. Cameryn let go of his hand as they approached the newcomers. At the sound of their footsteps the two men turned around. One of them was about

Cameryn’s height with an impish face. Pointed ears rose from the sides of his pale blue hair. The man standing next to him made Cameryn do a
double-take. His hair was midnight black like Hades’s, but his eyes changed color. She found herself drawn to him as he stepped forward to take her hand. That was when she noticed the large inky black wings extending from his back.
Wow
. It only made him more attractive to her for some reason.

“Lady Cameryn, it is an honor to meet you,” he said kissing her hand.

“And you are?”

“Thanatos. God of Death,” he said staring at her with a mocking smile.

“Death?” Cameryn squeaked.

For some reason she suddenly felt cold. Very cold.
What in the fuck is he doing to me? And who decided Death should look so damn good?

“Enough
, Thanatos. Use your glamour on someone else,” Hades said.

“I meant no offense
, my Lord,” Thanatos said giving Hades a mock bow and retreating from Cameryn’s side.

“Please forgive my brother. He can’t help himself. I’m
Morpheus, God of Dreams,” the impish looking man said stepping forward and bowing.

“Pleasure to meet you
, Morpheus. Keep up the good work,” Cameryn said.

“As you wish, my lady,” Morpheus said smiling from ear to ear.

“Is there some reason for the two of you being here?” Hades asked with an annoyed expression on his face.

“The Underworld has been abuzz about Lady Cameryn being here. We just wanted to meet her for ourselves,” Thanatos said easily.

“Okay you’ve met her. Now get back to work,” Hades
said.

“At once,”
Morpheus said.

Less than a minute later, Thanatos and
Morpheus disappeared.

“You want to tell me why you were so hostile?” Cameryn asked Hades with a frown on her face.

“They’re trouble. Both of them.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“Don’t let Morpheus’s little angelic face fool you. He’s a terrific prankster, and he always gets away with it. Thanatos is a skirt chaser, and he has no qualms about using his eyes to seduce an unsuspecting female. You’d do best to have very little contact with him.”

“If you say so,” Cameryn said climbing into the chariot
. “But I think you sound a little jealous.”

“Hardly,” Hades grunted.

“Well just so you know the only god I’m remotely interested in is you.”

“I guess that means I can breathe a little easier. Now how about we spend some more time in the Elysian Fields
, my lady?”

“I’d like that,” Cameryn said
, smiling.

She’d been doing a lot of smiling lately. As the chariot started to move, she didn’t protest when Hades’
s arm settled possessively around her waist.
How can just a simple touch make me so breathless? The man is magic.
On their way to the Elysian Fields, Cameryn wondered exactly what Hades had told the inhabitants of the Underworld about her. His nephews sure had been ready to welcome her as the new Queen of the Underworld. A Queen. She never could have imagined something like this.

“We’re here,” Hades whispered in her ear, rousing her from her thoughts.

They were on a grassy knoll next to the bluest lake she had ever seen.

“It’s beautiful,” Cameryn said as Hades helped her from the chariot.

They walked a few feet away from the chariot. A blanket magically appeared on the ground a few yards next to them. Hades led her to it, and they both lay down. For a moment Cameryn closed her eyes savoring the peace and quiet. Her eyes opened when she felt Hades pulling her to him.

“That’s better,” he said once they were eye to eye.

“Um hum
. Hades, what was your childhood like?”