Goddess of Legend (Demi-God Daughters) (23 page)

Chapter Thirty
-One

As Cameryn was whirled though the air, her heart felt like it was breaking. Hades had been too battered to come to her aid. He’d lain there helpless as they’d taken her away. Zeus’s thunderbolt to her husband’s head had been cruel and unnecessary. She didn’t know how, but some way she was going to make Zeus pay for harming her husband. She thought about the twins. Pain no longer ran through her abdomen. Maybe the babies had calmed down. Or maybe they were no longer there. A wave of fear rushed through her. If her children were dead, then she would kill every last single god that had attacked her.

*
***

“Hades. Wake up. Wake up.”

Groggily, Hades tried to fight his way back from the abyss. He heard the voice again and opened his eyes. Kneeling next to him was Hermes.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to help. Here, drink this,” Hermes said thrusting a silver goblet at him.

Hades struggled to sit up. Against his will, he allowed Hermes to help him to a sitting position. He took the goblet and drank greedily. Nectar. He drained the goblet in a few gulps.

“Ambrosia?” he asked in a whisper.

Hermes opened the small pouch he was carrying and pulled out the ambrosia. He handed it to Hades
, who consumed it greedily. At once, he could feel his body start to heal. He’d had a number done on him. Seeing Cameryn captured had overridden his own need for self-preservation. All that mattered was getting to her. In the end, it hadn’t mattered. They’d felled him and taken her away.

“What happened here?” Hermes asked staring at the body of Persephone.

“Persephone attacked Cameryn. Cameryn hurled a fireball at her, and it killed her.”

“So it’s true. The prophecy was right. She’s the Goddess of Legend they were afraid of,” Hermes said in amazement.

“She didn’t mean to kill Persephone. She doesn’t know how to control her powers or the full extent of them, but I have to get her back,” Hades said staggering to his feet.

Hermes followed suit.

“You can’t do it alone, Uncle.”

“They just dragged my pregnant wife out of here. What else am I supposed to do?”

“She’s pregnant?”

“Yes. Almost five months with twins. Now why are you here? Why do you want to help me?”

“I’ve wronged you in the past. With Cameryn you finally have a chance at happiness, and no one should take that away from you. Please, let’s put our differences aside and save Cameryn,” Hermes said earnestly.

Hades stared into his nephew’s eyes. Hermes seemed to be being sincere
, and in his current state, he needed all the help he could get.

“Fine. Where are the others who opposed Zeus’
s plan?” Hades asked.

“I was on my way back to Olympus when I saw a commotion. Hera, Demeter, Hephaestus
, and Aphrodite were being attacked by the others. I knew it was a losing battle, so I left. If they caught me there would be no one free to help. When I was sure the others were gone, I went back to Olympus. I tried to free the others, but I couldn’t so I came here on the off chance that I could warn you and Cameryn and get help, but I was too late.”

“I don’t know how long I was out. We fought hard, but the numbers game was too much. Cameryn’s strength gave out
, and she went down. You should’ve seen her. She was like a magnificent warrior goddess as she fought. I don’t think I’ve ever loved her more than I did at that moment.”

“Don’t get me wrong
, Uncle, but I’m surprised the two of you were able to hold out against the six of them, much less Zeus.”

“We were fighting for love and for the lives of our children. There’s no force in the world greater than that. I have to get her back. Even though they may not be able to kill her, they can still torture her and force her to miscarry our children. Please help me get my wife back.”

“Of course
, Uncle, but first we need to free the others.”

“No. We can’t wait.”

“Hades, think logically. We have no idea where the others have taken her. Maybe they let something slip when they imprisoned the others at Olympus.”

“You’re right. Thank you. I know it’s not easy for you to go against Zeus.”

“It doesn’t matter. Apollo’s always been his favorite. Besides after Dionysus went turncoat, I figured you could use the help.”

“When I get my hands on that little Benedict Arnold, I’m going to squeeze the life out of him,” Hades
said.

“I second that motion. Now let’s go.”

Hades and Hermes disappeared from the Underworld on their way to Olympus.

Chapter Thirty-
Two

Cameryn surfaced from the depths of unconsciousness. The pain wracking her body had her praying for death. Her kidnappers had all taken turns using their powers against her. She’d been struck by lightning, shot again with arrows, hacked with a sword, and hit with bursts of energy. None of that had managed to kill her. Instead her body burned, ached, and cramped in a way that it never had before. In her belly she could feel the twins moving but only slightly. Despite the agony she was in the babies were fairly calm. It was as if they realized the danger and didn’t want to add to her pain. She was still tied up, unable to even caress her belly and reassure her own children.

In the farthest end of the cave the other gods huddled together. She had no idea where they’d taken her. All she’d really seen was the cave she was tied up in. The fear for herself she’d initially felt was gone. Foremost in her mind was worry for Hades. He’d been badly injured. Regardless of his immortality, he’d still been hurt so bad he couldn’t move. What if they’d done some serious damage to him? She no longer cared that they were doing this because they feared for their own lives. She wanted every last single one of them dead for harming her husband and torturing and kidnapping her.

“Zeus, what are we going to do? We can’t kill her without the help of the others,” Artemis said frowning in Cameryn’s direction.

“Yeah
, and it’s not like they’re going to help us. That’s why we took them out of commission to start with,” Dionysus said.

“I am well aware of that. Maybe once they’ve been imprisoned long enough they will come to their senses.”

“Mother’s as stubborn as they come
, and I doubt Demeter’s going to come around either,” Ares said.

While they talked, Cameryn took the opportunity to work on her escape. She wriggled trying to loosen the ropes that held her. Her body screamed in agony as she moved. Every nerved in her body ached and burned. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she continued wriggling, trying to create enough space to free one of her hands. That was all she needed. Then she’d blow them all straight to hell.

“You’re not going to get loose, so you might as well stop trying.”

Cameryn looked up and saw Apollo standing over her. The other Olympians were still locked deep in conversation.

“Fuck you. I’m not just going to give up and allow you lunatics to kill me,” Cameryn said continuing to wriggle.

“I’m sorry for what happened.”

“The hell you are.”

“I know you’re probably not going to believe me
, but things were never supposed to go this far.”

“What are you talking about?” Cameryn asked eyeing Apollo warily.

Apollo looked back at the others before bending down so that they were almost eye level.

“When Persephone realized she wasn’t going to get Hades back, she wanted you out of the way. She hated you in a way that was unnatural for a mother. She came to me for help. Her plan was for me to go to Zeus. I was supposed to give him some bullshit story about my Oracle having a prophecy that you need to be destroyed. I never expected for it to really happen.”

“So what you’re telling me is that either way you two were going to make sure I was dead, prophecy or no prophecy,” Cameryn said
clenching her teeth as her body filled with anger.

The remorse she’d felt for killing her mother vanished in an instant. The bitch had deserved to die. What mother knowingly tried to do away with her own daughter? Cameryn swallowed back the tears that threatened to fall. She’d accepted Persephone’s hate without question, but knowing about this plan broke something deep inside of her. She and Persephone would have never worked out their issues. There never would have been a loving mother-daughter relationship. Things had been doomed for them the moment Cameryn was born.

“It was heartless of me, and I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking when she came to me.”

“What did you get out of it? What could you possibly gain by destroying an innocent woman and ripping out the heart of the man who loves her? Huh? What was it, Apollo?”

She looked at him, waiting for an answer. He lowered his head in remorse. The truth was evident to her immediately.

“Sex. You agreed to murder your niece and break your uncle’s heart for sex! You disgust me. Get out of my face.”

“Cameryn
, I’m sorry,” Apollo tried again.

Cameryn
spat in his face. Apollo rose slowly and wiped the spit from his face.

“You can save your apologies
, Uncle. You’re going to get your just reward just like the others,” Cameryn said staring up at him.

Apollo sighed and walked away from her. A stray tear rolled down her cheek. Betrayal hurt
, but revenge was going to be the sweetest thing she’d ever tasted.

*
***

Hades and Hermes entered Olympus. The silence was oppressive. They walked to the Great Throne Room. Hera, Hephaestus, Aphrodite
, and Demeter were bound, gagged and chained to their thrones.

“You couldn’t break a few chains,” Hades said raising a brow as she removed the gag from Hephaestus’
s mouth.

“These are not just any chains. I designed them to hold a god,” Hephaestus said.

“I should’ve known one of your inventions was behind this. Why in the blue blazes would you even need something like that?” Hades asked.

“Once upon a time I had an unfaithful wife,” Hephaestus said, glaring at Aphrodite.

For once the Goddess of Love kept quiet.

“Never mind. How do we free you?” Hermes asked.

“In my workshop is a pair of bronze bolt cutters. They are the only thing that can break these chains.”

“Hermes, go get those bolt cutters now. We don’t have time to waste.”

“My feet have wings,” Hermes said rising from the ground by his winged sandals.

As he flew away Hades removed the gags of Hera, Demeter, and Aphrodite.

“Hades
, what’s happened?” Hera asked at once.

“The others attacked Cameryn and
me. We fought for as long as we could, but we were outnumbered. They took her while I was unconscious.”

“When I get my hands on them, they’re going to be sorry,” Demeter
said vehemently.

“There’s more. Persephone showed up before the others. She attacked Cameryn
, and they fought. Persephone’s dead. The prophecy is true. Cameryn can kill a god,” Hades said breaking the news to the others.

He watched their faces as they took in the news. Aphrodite looked fearful. The expression on Hera’s face was unreadable. Demeter looked saddened, angered, worried
, and then resigned. His heart went out to his sister. She was the most affected by everything that was going on. Learning her granddaughter had killed her daughter couldn’t have been an easy thing to swallow. His heart went out to her.

“So she really can kill us?” Aphrodite whispered.

“Cameryn never asked for any of this. She doesn’t want to kill anyone. She never meant to kill Persephone.”

“I can believe that. Camery
n is not a cold-blooded murderer. Persephone got what was coming to her. I’m not sorry that she’s dead,” Hera said coldly.

“Hera! Regardless of your feelings towards Persephone, she was still my daughter. I understand she was not a good person
, but she was my only child. Allow me a moment to mourn her in peace, dear sister,” Demeter said glaring at Hera.

Hades hung his head. He’d loved Persephone once
, and despite how things had ended, he would’ve never wished for her death. Demeter was right. Persephone had been a monster, but she at least deserved to be mourned by those who loved her.

“There is one more thing. Cameryn’s pregnant with twins. I know that Persephone’s death and Cameryn being the fulfillment of the prophecy may have changed your feelings about defending her, but she is my wife and the mother of my children. I must do everything I can to rescue her.”

Aphrodite cried quietly. Tears ran in riv
ulets down her face.

“What is it
, Aphrodite?” Hades asked.

“It’s just so sad. You two finally find love
, and now all of this is happening. And you’re going to have babies. It’s such a tragic love story,” Aphrodite said, sniffling.

“So will you help me?”

“Of course. Nothing is more important than love,” Aphrodite said smiling.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, lover man.”

“What about the rest of you?” Hades asked.

“I’m in. All of them deserve an ass-kicking for using my own inventions against me,” Hephaestus said.

“Demeter? I know it’s a lot to ask,” Hades said to his middle sister.

“Cameryn is my granddaughter. I will fight to protect her.”

“Me, too. I don’t remember the last time there was this much excitement on Olympus. Besides Cameryn didn’t ask for any of this, and I will not stand by and let innocent children be harmed,” Hera said.

“Thank you. All of you,” Hades said feeling a small weight lift from his shoulders.

“I’m back,” Hermes said flying into the room with the bolt cutters.

“Took you long enough,” Hephaestus growled.

“What do you expect? You have stuff everywhere in that workshop of yours,” Hermes said as he freed the God of Blacksmiths from his confinement.

Hephaestus gave Hermes a glare as he rose to stretch his legs.

“Did Zeus or any of the others say where they were taking Cameryn or what they planned to do next?” Hades asked.

“Mount Ida in Crete. The cave where Zeus was raised. My husband was arrogant enough to think that once we’d been imprisoned long enough we’d come around and unite with them to kill Cameryn,” Hera said.

“Well since that’s not going to happen, Zeus has to have a backup plan,” Hermes said.

“He does. They’re going to bind her and throw into Tartarus with the Titans for all eternity,” Hera said with a trace of fear in her voice.

Hades felt his blood run cold. The Titans were monsters. They’d nearly destroyed the Universe. It had taken many battles before he and his brothers and sisters had been able to imprison them in a bottomless pit in the Underworld. Even now, guards were still stationed there making sure the Titans never tried to escape. The Titans hated the gods
, and there was no telling what they’d do to Cameryn. She would be tortured for all of eternity while she prayed for a death that would never come. No. He had to save her.

“Let’s go get my wife. If they want a fight, they’d better be ready.”

****

Cameryn was still bound and propped against the cave wall. She’d closed her eyes and tried to rest as her captors had continued arguing. It had been a waste of time. Her body was still in pain
, and with her kidnappers bickering, rest was an elusive mistress. She had no idea how much time had passed between the attack and now. Where was Hades?
Who am I kidding?
Even if Hades was well enough to come after her, he would have no idea where to start looking. She hated all of them for what they’d done. She hadn’t been able to escape yet, and her strength had not yet returned. She was helpless, and she hated it with everything in her.

“I see your defiance hasn’t cooled. I’m impressed.”

“Like I give two shits about anything you have to say, Zeus.”

“Is that any
way to talk to your grandfather?”

“You’re no grandfather of mine. I don’t know any other grandfathers condemning their granddaughters to death.”

“I’m the King of the Gods. It is my responsibility to protect my family from any and all threats.”

“You considered me a threat before you even knew if the prophecy was true or not.”

“I haven’t ruled as long as I have by taking chances. Sometimes you have to put your personal feelings aside and do what’s right for the greater good.”

“You have a fucked up sense of right and wrong. I can see where Persephone gets her moral compass from.”

“How dare you? You killed my daughter
, and you dishonor her even in death.”

“Persephone had no honor
, and neither do you. Like father. Like daughter.”

“For someone about to die your arrogance amazes me.”

“Cut the crap. You and I both know that as long as the others refuse to join you, I can’t die, so all your threats mean nothing.”

“That’s what you think. You see, eventually the others will grow tired of fighting a losing battle and they will join us. But even if they don’t you won’t be living happily ever after with my saintly brother. You’re going to spend eternity in Tartarus, imprisoned with the Titans. I’m sure they’ve long since grown bored with their own company. Having you as a new playmate will give them the most excitement they’ve had in eons.”

Cameryn swallowed the lump in her throat. Death or eternal torture. Those were her options. Neither was promising.

“You’re forgetting one thing
… Hades. He will never give up on me.”