“I’ll cut the trees,” said Ian.
“Yes, we are accustomed to the labor,” said Zofie.
“Are you insinuating that Hades isn’t accustomed to such labor?” Thanatos asked, working to keep from smiling.
“Please say yes,” said Apollo.
Ian and Zofie’s eyes widened. “Of course not,” said the blacksmith.
“We would never,” said Zofie. “But if Lady Persephone desires the trees to be harvested in a particular way…”
“Then we would be glad grant her wish,” finished Ian.
“I will grant her wish,” said Hades. “Where is the fucking saw?”
He took a step toward Ian but paused when Persephone spoke. “Hades, this isn’t necessary. We were doing fine before you arrived.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” he asked.
“Only that we had a plan,” she said. “Perhaps you should…do something else. Like finish the crib.”
“Are you saying I can’t do both?”
“No,” Persephone said.
“Yes,” said Apollo. “Two hands-on projects in one day. You might get a callous, Hades.”
“I don’t think you are helping,” said Hyacinth.
“I don’t think that’s his intention,” said Lexa.
“I really wish you were ascending this round,” Hades said.
The moment the words were out, the dynamic shifted between them, going from playful sparring to a tense quiet. Apollo’s gaze dropped and after a few seconds, he turned and left the grove. Hyacinth hurried after him.
“What did I say?” Hades asked, looking from Persephone to Thanatos and Lexa. The God of Death blew out a breath.
“It’s the Ascension,” said Thanatos. “Apollo is worried Hyacinth will reincarnate. He has come to me several times, begging to know if Hyacinth will ascend.”
A grim understanding struck Hades.
“What have you told him?”
“What I would tell any soul,” said Thanatos. “The decision is up to Hyacinth.”
It wasn’t a satisfying answer, but it was truly the only one he could give. Ascending was a decision the soul made, sometimes without even realizing it. That was the one drawback to allowing the dead to curate a life in the Underworld. They were so attached, so caught up in their existence, the pull of ascension was a shock to their system.
“Has he not discussed this with Hyacinth?” Persephone asked.
“I think he is too afraid,” said Thanatos. “He doesn’t actually want to know the truth.”
Everyone was quiet.
“He will come to you next,” said Thanatos to Persephone. “He wants someone to stop it from happening.”
“That is not possible,” said Hades.
“He knows that,” said Thanatos. “But he will keep trying. Remember what he did when Hyacinth died?”
