Nyx said nothing, half in her primordial form and appeared to Hecate as a torso and a head, obscured by dark clouds.
“I assume the meeting with Zeus went well?” Hecate didn’t let the silence permeate as something within her urged her to get Nyx talking.
Nyx took her normal seat at the table and enveloped the air around her with a black mist. One of Hecate’s dogs picked up its head and sniffed the air before lying back down, seemingly just happy that Nyx’s lack of legs now meant it didn’t have to move.
“These gods are going to push me over the edge,” Nyx snapped, her magic flaring. Hecate raised an eyebrow and put down the small bowl she had been holding.
“What happened?”
“Zeus tried to give me an ultimatum in front of the gods.”
“Ah.” Hecate couldn’t keep a smile off her face. “How did you respond?”
“Aptly.” Nyx paused. “In private. However, I find myself wishing that I had left that reminder for him in front of the rest of his lackeys.”
“Only you would call a room full of immortal godslackeys.”
“They’re a nuisance. What does immortality matter to me?”
“You forgetI’ma goddess.” Hecate chopping a bit of rosemary.
“Andyouare nothing like those animals.” Nyx made a little sound of disapproval and waved her hand in the air in boredom, settling into her body as the dogs shuffled away from her feet. Hecate opened her mouth to speak when there was another rumbling in her courtyard and her smile got wider.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been lucky enough to have both Nyx and Erebus in my kitchen at once.” Hecate kept her voice at a normal level but knew that he could hear her as he entered. Erebus’s booming laugh echoed in response. He stepped into the kitchen, matching Hecate’s grin as he moved over and kissed her cheeks in greeting.
“Darkness.” She raised an eyebrow and looked towards Nyx. “Doyouwant to tell me why Nyx is sulking in my kitchen?”
“I’m not sulking,” Nyx protested, resting her chin in her hand. Erebus went over to where she was sitting on the long bench, pulling Nyx into his side and letting his arm fall around her shoulder. Hecate couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle. There were only two people in existence who were able to cajole and touch Nyx in such a casual, intimate way, and they were both in this kitchen. She never got tired of seeing Erebus’s effect on Nyx.
“There’s a little bit of sulking.” Erebus looked at her with a small smirk. “You also had me finish nightfall, which is one of your favorite things to do.”
“You finished nightfall?” Hecate put both her hands on the counter and leaned towards the pair. “Tell us then. What happened with Zeus?”
“I felt your power in the throne room.” Erebus nodded in encouragement. “Zeus didn’t return, either. All the gods know that your will was executed.”
“They aren’t going to leave us alone,” Nyx sighed. Her expression turned to Erebus and got tense. There was a subtle look in her eyes that made Hecate feel like she was suddenly involved in an intimate moment. “EspeciallyPoseidon and Hades. I know that he cornered you outside.”
“Then you know what my response was.”
“Wait.” Hecate threw her hands up in frustration as flickers of red magic burst from her fingertips. “What did Hades say?”
“You know that he’s already joined forces with his brothers.”
“Clearly.” Hecate’s voice grew tense, and her eyes narrowed in Erebus’s direction. “Is he bothering you about it?”
“Easy, Auntie,” Erebus raised his hands up and laughed. “He’s just being Hades. Yes, he pulled me aside before I could enter the hall and pressed the issue.”
“What did he say?” Hecate began stripping the rosemary branch forcefully, her eyes not leaving Erebus.
“The same things he’s been saying.” Erebus tried to be placating. “It’s okay. You know I’m more powerful than he is.”
“I don’t worry aboutpowerwhen it comes to Hades.” Hecate rolled her eyes. “I’m more powerful than he is, too. Everyone here would do well to remember that.”
“If you want to steward the Underworld, I’ve been offering to give it to you for years.” Nyx shrugged, “You know how I feel about him.”
“I will not be a steward of anything.” Hecate said, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I’d rather focus on the women who need me. Besides, you know the Fates love him.”
“They love tofuckhim,” Erebus cut in. “There’s a big difference.”
