The Deep End of the Sea (10 page)

Ha. People. He says this like we’re talking about Mikkos and his ex-wife or any other pair of mortals, like Hades and Persephone are normal and incapable of destroying lives with just a thought.

They are the definition of extraordinary. There is nothing normal about them at all. They’re gods. And as much as I like to pretend otherwise, so is this person I’m sitting with.

I pull back a little and he lets me, so I can wipe my face. A rueful laugh breaks free at the same time I revel in just how smooth the skin on my cheeks is. These wild non sequiturs remind me of my need to get myself under control. “They must think me insane.”

Because I’m beginning to think maybe I am, too.

“Not insane.” I hold my breath when he wipes stray tears I’ve missed. “Although, if you were, no one could blame you. You’re simply being emotional, and you have every right to be just as you are.”

Sunset has come and gone, and now our table is bathed in soft lights from candles and lanterns nearby. Irrationally, I wonder what it is like back home on Gorgóna—is the weather fine, like it is here? Is it even nighttime? What of my statues—is Niki searching my room, wondering where I am? Are they okay, without me being there to watch over them?

“I must be crazy,” I tell him, “because I just thought of Gorgóna as home, and subsequently felt homesick.” I pick at the embroidering at the waist of Persephone’s fine dress. “I am officially homeless, you know.”

He brushes a curl away from my eyes. “No. You are not. This was one of the things we wanted to talk to you tonight about. Hades and Persephone have extended an offer for you to call their villa home for as long as you like.”

They did? And yet ... is Hermes not comfortable extending the same offer to me for his home? Squelching down ridiculous yet distinct sensations of disappointment and hurt, I ask, “Why would they do that?”

He’s thoughtful for a long moment, like he’s trying to choose his words carefully. Finally, “It was best felt you be welcomed in a place that would serve as both safe haven and a home during this transitional period in your life. Hades is extremely powerful; he and Persephone are influential amongst the rest of the Assembly. They will ensure no further harm will befall you.”

Harm? I think back to what Persephone said about Athena earlier. Surely she wants nothing more to do with me, right? And there there’s now Hermes just made it sound like he will not be around anymore, which alarms me. I attempt to sound nonchalant when I ask, “And ... you?”

His fingers tug through my strands before he tucks curls behind an ear, smiling a secret smile that I’ve yet to interpret successfully over the years. “What about me?”

Oh, yet another moment I wish I could just hop up and walk off. There’s a nice fountain nearby that I’d love to pretend to examine right now, because once more, heat rises to my cheeks. Is he truly going to make me say how much I desire to have him around out loud? Which is a silly concern, since this is my friend, and he’s teased me just so for longer than some countries have existed. Knowing I have no escape, though, I relent and ask outright, “Where will you be?”

“Your hair is beautiful,” he murmurs, pulling down on a curl. “I still wish I could have met your Girls, though. I bet they were equally lovely. They liked me, you know.”

A sensation I’ve never felt blooms throughout me, where I’m comfortable and uncomfortable all at the same time. But before I can decipher it, he adds, “I’ll be here, too; other than when I’m working, of course. If you’re worrying I did not want you at my home—”

Oh, blast it all. Now I’m positive I’m bright red.

“—then you can stop thinking that right now. I would love nothing more than to welcome you there, but strategically, this is the best place for you to get back on your feet.”

I groan, “Har-har,” as a naughty grin threatens to overtake his face.

I end up eating after all—just a little, but enough to satisfy the both of us. A servant brings Mátia out during the dessert course, along with his bowl of food, and Hermes lulls me into complacency by engaging me in our typical conversations as we take turns fighting for the kitten’s attention.

It’s exactly what I need: normalcy in the extraordinary.

When the hour grows late, Hermes picks me up in his arms, like I (along with Mátia) weigh nothing so he can walk me back to my suite. And even though sleep is threatening to pull me under as I lean my head against his shoulder, I am coherent enough to thank Zeus that his son is my friend.

I nearly fly out of bed when a woman comes into my room, carrying a large tray laden with pastries and what appears to be a pot of tea. How did she get past my lock? Has she noticed me yet? Panicked, I reach for my glasses ... only to remember there is no longer a need.

My hands go up to my hair. There are no snakes. My Girls are gone. I am not in my temple. I am in Olympus, sleeping in a bed large enough to fit twenty, in a villa owned by the Lord of the Underworld.

“My lady, I am your new handmaiden. My name is Kore,” the woman says, turning to face me. My eyes instinctively close, but once my heart slows down, I open them back up and study her. I’m startled to recognize her as a nymph, although I should not be, as this is Olympus and all. If my behavior is bizarre to her, she doesn’t let on. “Did you sleep well?”

I draw the covers up to my chest as I lean back against the pillows; annoyed at the movement, Mátia squeaks sleepily and bats at my hand. He draws blood—not a lot, but enough for me so quietly reprimand him before answering the nymph. “I did. Thank you.”

She carries the tray over to my bed, chattering on about the weather forecast for the day. I can’t help but marvel that there is somebody here—someone other than Mikkos and Hermes—talking to me. She’s not scared, she’s not in danger ... she’s just
talking
to me.

I kind of want to cry again, this time from happiness.

She stays until I’m done eating so she can help me get dressed and do my hair. I feel helpless, like a child coddled by her nurse, which only turns my resolve steely to do such things for myself as soon as possible. Once I’m ready for the day, she brings in what appears to be an extremely fancy wheelchair (much more golden than those I’ve seen in movies) so she can take me downstairs to where I’m awaited in Hades’ office.

Even as she helps me into the chair, I tell her quietly, “I can walk,” despite my doubts over the validity of such a statement.

“My lady, my boyfriend is a centaur. I can only imagine what he’d be like if he went from four legs to two.” Her soft yet gentle girlish giggling tinkles through the room but it quickly squelched, like she is afraid at getting caught for being so merry. “He’d probably be host to a few broken limbs and maybe a black eye or two from all the falling he did from refusing help.” She squats down in front of me, her long brown, wavy hair floating around her willowy body as she adjusts my feet on the footrests, like they are completely nonfunctional. 

Again with the
my lady?
“My name is—”

“You are the Lady Medusa,” she says, tucking a blanket across my lap.

Whoa. Even pre-curse, I did not carry such an honorific title. “I just meant ... I’m no ‘my lady.’ Please, feel free to call me by my name.”

“You are now a treasured guest in this home.” She stands back up and smoothes the wrinkles out of her billowy, light green dress. “And as such, you are to be given every respect that the Lord and Lady of the house do so wish.”

Before I can counter that, she’s pushing me out the door. “Don’t worry about your kitten. I’ve already set up someone to come and take care of him when you or I are not around.” I thank her, and she continues, her voice dropping significantly lower, “May I ask you something, my lady?”

Stars above, please do not let her ask about the people I’ve killed. I am hesitant with my answer. “Of course.”

She calls out a greeting to a satyr coming out of a spare bedroom, linens in his arms before hushing her words once more. “There is a rumor spreading throughout Olympus right now that you and Lord Hermes are ... friends. Is this truth?”

I’m so surprised by this question that I actually laugh. As I have all of two true friends in this world, it shouldn’t be very hard for anyone to guess as to who they are. But then, as I consider her question, my laughter trails away. Did anyone know about Hermes’ visits over the years? Has he ever acknowledged my presence in his life to anyone before? Unwelcome insecurity descends upon me, fast and furious.

“I beg your forgiveness, my lady.” There is worry in Kore’s soft voice. “It is clearly none of my business.”

Oh! Is she insulted I’ve taken too long to answer? I quickly say, “No—it’s fine. It’s—”

But then the object of her question appears at the end of the long hallway. “There you are!” he calls out, jogging down to meet us. Kore stops pushing me so she can drop into a low curtsy, murmuring a reverent greeting to him.

He offers her a curt greeting in return, but his attention is on me. He’s got that dazzling smile of his out in full display, making me want to test out my theory that woman cannot resist its allure. I discreetly glance up at Kore, but she’s now standing quietly next to the chair, her eyes on the ground. She seems ... nervous. Is this how people act around him? “I swear, this place is like a labyrinth,” he tells me, and I refocus back on his face. His eyes are a stable cross between blue and green today. “I tried the other direction first; I think it took me twenty minutes just to find my way back here. I need a map.”

I find myself blushing and giggling at the same time. This is definitely going to be a problem if I keep reacting this way around him. Why am I? Was it just my semi-reptilian skin didn’t allow such warming before? “How many rooms are in here, anyway?”

He looks back over his shoulder, like the answer is posted on the wall for all to see. When he faces me again, he shrugs in a really boyish, charming way. “I have no idea.”

“One hundred and six, m’lady,” Kore says quietly from her spot next to me.

And here I’d thought the temple I’d lived in was grand.

Hermes finally looks over at Kore, his eyes narrowing in a way I’ve never seen them do so before. Did he think she spoke out of turn? She’s been nothing but kind to me today. “Hermes, have you met—”

But he cuts me off, addressing Kore in a tone I’ve never heard, either. “It is my understanding that, after much careful consideration, my aunt highly recommended you for this position.”

She curtsies once more, staying silent.

He takes a step closer to where she’s standing. “That said, I believe a sister of yours works in another household.”

Her eyes do not leave the floor. “Yes, Lord Hermes. My elder sister is in Lady Athena’s employ.”

Unease slams into me at the sound of her name. What is he insinuating?

“When my aunt told me she selected you to work for the Lady Medusa, I was greatly displeased.” No longer smiling, his eyes grow icy blue. “Yet, she was fervent with her belief that you were the best fit for the job, so I conceded to her knowledge in such matters. But now that I have the opportunity to do so, I will reiterate what I told Lady Persephone, although I am sure she wisely has mentioned it to you. If I learn you mention to your sister, or her employer, or any combination there in between, a single word concerning the lady here, you will wish you had never set foot in this house, let alone Olympus.”

She pales considerably. “Yes, Lord Hermes. My mistress did inform me of this condition of yours.”

My fingers curl tighter around the arms of the chair. I grasp for my voice. “Hermes, what—”

But Kore is not done. “Please believe me when I tell you that my sister and I have not spoken in more than two years, Lord Hermes.”

He studies her, and I must give her credit—she does not flinch underneath that piercing gaze of his. “And yet, I do not find that to be a trustworthy enough reason to rationalize your position.”

“I will endeavor to prove Lady Persephone’s belief in me,” is how she responds. And then, with her eyes finally coming up to meet his, “And the Lady Medusa’s.”

What is going on right now? “Hermes—”

Just like that, his easy smile reemerges. “Hades and Persephone are waiting for us downstairs. Would you mind if I took you instead of Kore? I’m sure she can find herself useful elsewhere.”

This is what finally causes Kore to flinch. And when I glance up at her, I can see just how hard she’s trying to cover what appears to be surprise. She curtsies again, this time to the both of us, and then turns around and disappears down yet another long hallway.

“What was that all about?” I ask as he grabs the handles on the back of the chair.

He feigns ignorance. “What was what?”

“That—that threatening you did to poor Kore!” I look up at him. A tight knot sickens my stomach. “Promise me you’ll never curse her, Hermes. I couldn’t stand if anybody was ever cursed because of me.”

He stops pushing and is silent for a long moment. And then he comes around to the front, squatting down so he can lean his arms against the chair’s arms, a surprising amount of hurt reflecting back at me in his deep blue eyes. “I don’t curse people, Dusa.”