The Sanderson Sisters cackled with me.
Helios, dressed as Batman, lifted a brow. “Who else did you invite?”
“I'm here! Let the feasting commence!” a man shouted, his voice reverberating through the house.
Everyone turned to see a god come striding into the room, his long blond hair flowing over his red cape. In his hand was what appeared to be a hammer, but I saw the gleam of magic over it. That was another weapon entirely, and another god entirely.
Striding through the gaping throng, Thor slung his arm around the shoulders of his companion. I assumed she was dressed as the human heroine from those movies. Frankly, she faded into nonexistence next to the god who was masquerading as a god. I shook my head as Thor came up to us.
Then I bowed, of course. I wasn't a fool. “Zeus, we are humbled to have you in our home. Thank you for accepting our invitation.”
My hounds were beside me in a second, bowing with me to greet the self-proclaimed greatest of the Greek Gods. I mean, yeah, he was in the top three, but who was to say who the most powerful of them were? Well, Zeus said it, but was he right? That's the question. Glancing at Hades, I wasn't so sure.
Power—true power—doesn't need to bluster about like Zeus. Nor does it need to be acknowledged as number one. It can stand in the shadows and kiss its wife, uncaring about adoration. Because real power doesn't give a fuck about that bullshit.
“Thanks for the invite, Selene.” Zeus grabbed me by my upper arms and kissed both of my cheeks, one after the other.“We're so happy to have you back. It hasn't been the same without you.”
“That's kind of you to say.”
“And we never get invited to parties,” the dark-haired woman with Zeus said.
My jaw dropped as I recognized her. “Hera?”
She laughed and stroked her long hair. “I've done well with my costume, yes?”
“Very well indeed. I never would have recognized you.”
“I prefer to let Zeus shine for us both.”
As I said, true power doesn't need to bluster. Zeus may act as if he's in charge, but every Greek God knew who ran that household.
“Hera, it's an honor.” I bowed and my mates followed suit.
“No, no. Don't do that.” She waved at us. “We're delighted to have you back, sweetheart. Truly, we were frantic. Years passed, but we never stopped looking. I hope you know that.”
“Thank you so much. That means a lot to me.”
“You are one of us, Selene. And we don't let our own vanish into the dark. Not even if she's the Moon Goddess.” Hera leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Welcome home and well done, Hounds! Mating a goddess is no small accomplishment. Did you bind with them, Selene?”
“Yes.”
“Damn!” Zeus boomed. “You do love them.”
“She does get three of us, my lord,” Lex said.
Zeus stared at Lex.
Lex cleared his throat.
Zeus looked at me. “They don't know.”
I shrugged.
“Know what?” Cyrus asked.
Zeus laughed his ass off.
I grimaced at him.
