Goddess of Legend (Demi-God Daughters) (20 page)

Cameryn laughed. Who knew the Lord of the Underworld was so insatiable?

Chapter Twenty-Six

“Thank you all for coming,” Zeus said to the gods and goddesses gathered.

“What’s this about
, Zeus?” Ares asked his father.

“Yes
, husband, we’re dying to know,” Hera said staring at him pointedly.

“The reason I’ve asked you all here is because we are in danger.”

“Yeah right. We’re gods. What possible danger could there be?” Ares said.

“I would never raise an alarm unnecessarily
, but Apollo’s Oracle spoke a prophecy that you all need to be aware of. Apollo, tell them.”

Zeus sat down as Apollo came to stand in the middle of the semi-circle of thrones to address the other Olympians. As Apollo relayed the prophecy, Zeus looked around at the rest of the members of the Council in an effort to gauge their reactions. Aphrodite looked bored. Athena was rigid and unblinking as she listened to her half-brother. Hephaestus looked like his mind was elsewhere. He was
n’t surprised. His crippled son didn’t care about anything besides working in his shop. Ares was listening half-heartedly as he polished a sword. Hera looked shocked. Demeter wasn’t taking the news any better, and he couldn’t blame her. He couldn’t read Hermes or Dionysus. Artemis’s face was clouded in anger, as was Poseidon’s. He had no idea how the Council would decide.

“So you see, the prophecy is about Persephone’s bastard daughter. We twelve must unite and destroy her before Hades makes her immortal,” Apollo said.

“Apollo, like any of us takes your Oracle seriously. We know what really goes on in that temple of yours,” Aphrodite said rolling her eyes.

“But Apollo does not choose the Oracle, The Fates do. We can’t take any chances that the prophecy is true. We know what has to be done,” Poseidon said.

“I will not go along with something of this magnitude
, and all we have to go on is the words of some Oracle. The girl has not shown that she is any danger to any of us. And she knows nothing of this so called prophecy,” Hera said.

“There is a chance no matter how small that she could attack and kill one of us or that she and Hades could decide to use their powers and take over Olympus. Poseidon and Apollo are right. We must strike at once,” Athena said slapping her palm.

“As long as there’s a battle, I’m there,” Ares said stroking his sword.

“
Do you know how foolish you all sound? We are gods! Who cares about the words of some stupid Oracle? We cannot be killed, and anyone who thinks so is a fool. I will not take my granddaughter’s life over unproven and foolish rumors, and that is all I have to say,” Demeter said speaking for the first time.

“And no one expects you to
, sister. This is nonsense of the utmost degree, and I refuse to be a part of it,” Hera said rising.

“Me, too. Cameryn and Hades deserve happiness, and as the Goddess of Love, I will not interfere,” Aphrodite said folding her arms.

“Fine. Let’s have a vote. All those in favor of destroying Cameryn Kane raise your hands,” Zeus said before raising his own.

Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, and Ares soon followed suit.

“Si
x votes for death. Those opposed?”

Hera, Demeter, Aphrodite, Hermes, Hephaestus
, and Dionysus raised their hands.

“Six votes opposed. It seems we are at an impasse. Very well. We will reconvene at a later time. Maybe by then, we will have a clear majority,” Zeus said rising angrily.

Time was of the essence, and these sentimental fools need to get themselves together before they all lost their lives.

*
***

Demeter rose from her throne shaking with rage. Zeus had lost what was left of his mind, if he thought she was going to idly sit
by and allow him to kill their granddaughter. Cameryn was the only grandchild she had. How could Hera stay married to someone who could turn so cold and callous in an instant? It didn’t matter to Zeus that Cameryn was his own flesh and blood. He wanted to end her life over the words of some Oracle that might not even be true. It was idiotic and unfair. You couldn’t kill a god, and

even if the prophecy was true, her granddaughter would never do anything so heinous. The only thing the girl seemed to care about was making Hades happy. The other gods didn’t matter to Cameryn one bit.

Demeter ran her hands through her brownish gold hair. She knew the Council wouldn’t remain a stalemate forever. Zeus was going to do whatever it took to convince all of them to join him in murdering their granddaughter. She was still surprised that so many had sided with her, particularly Dionysus and Hera. The young wine god wasn’t known for being serious when it came to much of anything. He’d definitely surprised her today, as had her eldest sister.

After Demeter had allowed herself to be seduced by Zeus and given birth to Persephone, her relationship with her eldest sister had never been the same. Hera hated Persephone. Out of all of Zeus’
s children only Persephone and Apollo were his spitting image. It had been another blow to Hera and her children. For the life of her, Demeter had no idea why Hera didn’t hate Cameryn as well, but she was grateful for that small blessing. You couldn’t ask for a better ally against Zeus than Hera. Still, she wondered how long it would be until her sister caved in to her husband’s wishes. She had to warn her brother and her granddaughter.

Hades had always been the favorite of all her siblings. All she’d ever wanted was his happiness. She’d thought him marrying Persephone was the answer. She’d been wrong. Her daughter had done nothing but cause Hades misery and heartache. She

regretted that to this day. Demeter had done her best to raise Persephone, but the girl had every one of Zeus’s worst qualities. When Persephone had deserted Hades they’d had a fierce argument and hadn’t spoken since. She missed her daughter some days, but she also knew that Persephone would never change. She was selfish and vain to the core.

When Cameryn had been born and abandoned by her mother, it had been Demeter who’d brought her to the orphanage where the Kanes had adopted her. Even though her granddaughter hadn’t known it, she’d always been close
, a silent presence determined to keep her safe. It had been on one of the days when she was looking in on Cameryn that she realized Hades had been as well. By that time he was already half in love with Cameryn. After everything Persephone had done to him, he deserved a real chance at love with Cameryn.

Persephone had never been a true wife to Hades or mother to Cameryn and one day her actions would catch up with her. Demeter was going to do everything in her power to thwart Zeus’
s plan. If she didn’t Persephone would get everything she wanted: the death of a daughter she hated and a path back to Hades. Demeter disappeared from Olympus. She was on her way to the Underworld.

*
***

Persephone was not pleased. After hearing Apollo’s warning, the Council should have been ready to issue the final order to execute her bastard daughter. Trust the gods

not to be able to agree on anything. Apollo had been masterful as he spoke to the Council. He’d done exactly as they planned. She couldn’t have asked for a better co-conspirator. What she hadn’t foreseen was her daughter having so many allies on the Council. Who knew Hera cared about anyone besides herself?

Her stepmother had never been fond of her; that was for damn sure. It seemed her wicked stepmother had a grudging respect for that bitch daughter of hers though. She shouldn’t have been surprised. Hera would do anything to stick it to her. She hated the old bitch. Her mother wasn’t much better. Sweet, noble Demeter had finally grown a backbone and stood up to Zeus. It would’ve been admirable if her loyalty wasn’t so misplaced.

Demeter was her mother. She should be supporting what Persephone wanted, not concerned with protecting her hated offspring. It didn’t matter. Demeter had stopped being a mother to her a long time ago. She was inconsequential. Regardless of her mother’s support, Persephone was confident that Zeus would have his way. After all, he was the King of the Gods. The other gods would have no choice but to fall in line, and then her daughter would be destroyed. If by some twist of fate, the gods decided to ignore the prophecy, then she was ready to take matters into her own hands. Cameryn was going to die, even if she had to kill the little bitch herself.

*
***

Cameryn was curled up in a chair in Hades’
s study reading a novel. Hades was working on a painting. He had refused to let her look at it, urging her to be patient. She knew he had to be painting a picture of her. She was flattered, but she wasn’t surprised. Hades had already shown her by words and actions how much he loved her. Every moment they’d spent together had been bliss. And their lovemaking became more passionate each time they were together. She smiled when she thought about how she’d attacked him on his throne earlier. It had been an empowering experience to be in complete control of him. She watched him now, so deep in thought as he worked. It was time to distract him.

“Finished yet?” she asked.

“Not yet, my love.”

“Too bad. I think you need a break,” Cameryn said putting her book aside.

She rose from her seat and walked over to Hades. She reached for the tie to her robe and pulled it slowly.

“It won’t be too much longer
, sweetheart,” Hades said still focused on his painting.

“I know it won’t,” Cameryn said pushing the robe from her shoulders.

Hades looked up and saw her naked. His attention turned to her immediately. He reached for her, and her arms wrapped around him. Her lips sought his, and they kissed

passionately. She shouldn’t want him again so soon, but she did. Maybe it would always be this way.

“Ah hmm, I hate to interrupt you two, but we need to talk. It’s urgent,” a woman’s voice said behind them.

Cameryn turned. She saw a voluptuous brunette with blonde streaks in her hair
. The woman was wearing a toga.

“Cameryn
, meet your grandmother, Demeter.”

Chapter Twenty-
Seven

“My grandmother?” Cameryn stammered, quickly reaching for her robe on the floor.

“Forgive me
, dear, for the inopportune time. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Demeter said coughing delicately.

“No problem
, sister. It’s always wonderful to see you,” Hades said stepping forward to embrace his sister.

Cameryn watched the two of them warily.
My grandmother huh? And exactly where the hell has she been all my life?
She couldn’t help the feeling of anger that crept into her belly. She had a goddess grandmother who could’ve raised her. Instead, she’d been thrust into the mortal world with weird abilities and no one to explain them to her.
Some family.
It didn’t seem like she was going to be fond of any of them. Hades and Demeter broke apart and turned to her. Cameryn could see tears in Demeter’s eyes.

“You’ve grown into such a beautiful young woman. Forgive my tears. It’s just so wonderful to see you two together,” Demeter said wiping her eyes.

“You’ll have to forgive me for not feeling all warm and gooey inside.”

“I understand your anger. You think even though Persephone abandoned you, I should’ve taken care of you.”

“That about sums it up,” Cameryn said folding her arms.

“Cameryn dear, demigod children are so unpredictable. There was a chance that you’d be born with supernatural abilities that manifested themselves at birth. There was also a chance that you wouldn’t have any powers at all and be able to live a normal life as a mortal. After Persephone abandoned you, I found you. You were so precious. I just couldn’t understand why she didn’t want you. I contemplated raising you myself
, but since I couldn’t sense any godlike abilities, I thought it would be best if you were raised by mortals. I made sure you were adopted into a good family, and I have always been there watching over you.”

Cameryn was quiet as she digested what her grandmother had said. It all made sense rationally, but a part of her still felt hurt that her birth family hadn’t wanted her.

“If you thought I had no godly abilities why didn’t you just turn me into a goddess and raise me?” Cameryn asked her.

“Creating new gods is typically frowned upon, even if they are only minor.”

“So then how is Hades going to be allowed to turn me into a goddess? Is it because he’s an Olympian?”

“After Persephone left Hades, Zeus promised him another mate, regardless of whether she was a mortal, demigoddess, or goddess, so that is a special circumstance. It makes what I’m about to say all the more upsetting.”

“What is it
, Demeter?” Hades asked putting his arm around Cameryn’s waist.

“Zeus called a Council Meeting. Apollo’s Oracle has prophesied about the end of the gods.
”

“What did the Oracle say?” Hades asked frowning.

And there shall come a daughter born of goddess and man

With control of life and death in her hand

By her hand an immortal can be slain

Or trapped forever in a torrent of pain

Only by the Twelve Olympians who must unite to stop her reign

Can the gods be saved

Daughter of the Spring Maiden, destined Goddess of the Underworld

The Godslayer comes to rule the world

“They think the prophecy is about Cameryn, don’t they?” Hades asked in a strangled tone.

“Yes. Apollo and Zeus have their best to work the Council into a frenzy. Many of them are afraid and want to take action.”

“What do you mean action?” Cameryn asked speaking up.

“We had to take a vote to decide whether or not to kill you before Hades makes you immortal.”

“What? Is Zeus out of his mind? How dare he?” Hades yelled.

Cameryn could feel malevolent energy rising from him in waves. He was angrier than she’d ever seen him. She was in shock. There were no words.

“Zeus is fearful that the prophecy is true and he doesn’t want to take any chances. Unfortunately for him he was not able to get the clear majority he needed. The Council is deadlocked.”

“For all we know, Apollo could be lying, or even if the Oracle’s words were true it doesn’t matter, Cameryn has no interest in the affairs of the Olympians.”

“You and I know that, but Zeus is being a fool like usual. It doesn’t even matter to him that he’s calling for the destruction of his own flesh and blood. He could
n’t seem to care less that Cameryn is his granddaughter,” Demeter said her ire rising.

“How is the Council split?” Hades asked.

“Hera, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Dionysus, and I voted against killing Cameryn. The others are firmly in Zeus’s corner.”

“I’m not surprised about the others. Poseidon and Zeus have always been close
, and the rest of the bunch is going to do what Daddy says.”

“Zeus ordered us all to reconvene once we’ve had more time to think about the implications of the prophecy, but I don’t see the tie being broken.”

“But a deadlocked Council will do Zeus no good if he needs all twelve of you to join forces to kill Cameryn. Zeus isn’t going to let things stay that way. He’s going to come up with another alternative. I just know it.”

“It might come down to a battle between us and them, but so be it. No one is going to harm my only grandchild,” Demeter said fiercely.

“Thank you, Demeter,” Cameryn said.

“No thanks necessary. You’re my granddaughter. I love you
, and I am going to protect you,” Demeter said lightly touching Cameryn’s face.

“We appreciate the warning
, sister. It will give us time to prepare.”

“Do what you need to do. I’m going to leave you now. It’s a slim chance, but maybe Hera and I can try to persuade Poseidon to see things our way. Stay safe. Both of you,” Demeter said before she disappeared.

“Sweetheart, you’ve been pretty quiet through all this. I know you’re scared, but I’m going to protect you,” Hades said wrapping his arms around her, pulling her to lean back against him.

“Did you forget who you fell in love with? While I know I can count on you to protect me, I’m no wilting wildflower. I’ve been manifesting a whole range of new powers. If they come for me they’re going to have a fight on their hands.”

“I know you will, darling. You never back down from anything. It’s one of the things I love about you so much. But you’re not fighting alone. I will take on all of Olympus to keep you safe. You are my world,” Hades said earnestly.

“And you’re mine,” she whispered.

They were silent as they held one another. War was about to happen, and there was nothing they could do to prevent it.

“Come on
, my heart. Let’s go to bed. We can decide what to do after we rest.”

Cameryn followed Hades from his study. Her heart was beating wildly. She was afraid, but she refused to voice her fear. She was Cameryn Kane, future wife of the God of the Underworld
, and no one was about to take away her happily ever after.