“Yes. But my sister and I have reconciled at last. It's all in the past.”
“It had better be.” Zeus grabbed Helios's shoulder. “You're lucky Hades agreed to let this go. He was within his rights to demand retribution. Especially from your son.”
“Yes, I know. He has been very understanding.”
“I shall not be if you dare to curse another god again, Apollo.”
“Yes, Lord Zeus.”
“And where is Asclepius? I want to hear from his lips that this Host nonsense is over.”
“It is, Lord Zeus,” Ace said from behind me, making me jump.
“Damn it, kid!” I snapped. “Don't sneak up on people.”
“Please, stop calling me kid,” Ace whined.
My men chuckled.
“Asclepius,” Zeus said, quieting us all. “Vow to me now that your war with Hades is over.”
“I vow it,” Ace said. “I was deceived, my lord. But I have still made my apologies to Lord Hades and made amends.”
“Amends?”
“I have released the souls I bound and given a monetary offering to each Cerberus I inconvenienced. I will also be available to help any Cerberus who needs my assistance. Such were the conditions for my forgiveness laid out by Lord Hades.”
“Ah, I see. Good. Good. Glad that's done with.” Zeus nodded. He lifted his head. “Now, where's the punch?”
“Right this way, my lord,” Cyrus motioned for Zeus to follow him. “I've got something special we can add to your glass.”
“Now we're talking!” Zeus smacked Cyrus on the back and sent him stumbling.
Cy gave me a wide-eyed look before escorting Zeus to the refreshments.
“I'm sorry about him.” Hera looked around at my mortal guests, all of them gaping at us. “I told him there would be humans here, but Zeus isn't great at toning things down.”
“It's fine.” I waved my hand. “If anything too dramatic happens, I can always wipe their memories.”
“Ah, yes. The power of lunacy. You're well equipped to live among them.”
“I think so. Yes.” Then I chuckled. “I hope so. Because I intend to stay awhile.” I didn't bring up the whole weakened on Earth thing.
As it turns out, that was a lie. Helios wanted Asclepius to feel safe even though he was only a demigod. So, he told him that gods were weaker on Earth. He didn't know his son would later try to use that lie against one of the most powerful gods in their pantheon. Yeah, my brother could be an idiot.
Then Clotho said, “Ah.”
Followed by Atropos, “Here we are.”
Then Lachesis, “At last.”
Together, they shoved Helios.
Helios stumbled back, right into three men. The men—each one big and beautiful, steadied my brother and then stared at him. He stared back. Everyone within ten feet could feel the sudden sexual tension in the air.
“No!” Hades strode over, his shiny shoes making thunderous sounds. “Hell no. No, no, no! Not happening! You are not mating one of my Cerberuses. Your sister already took one from me. You will not steal another, Apollo.”
The Moirai tsked Hades.
