Page 72 of A Single Thread Of Hope

I didn’t need to know the nitty-gritty. I just needed her here.

And she would be, always, as an immortal. I begrudgingly thanked the universe, even if I’d cursed it just as often.

We walked outside as the babies splashed in the pool with Tryp and Erus, the Genii never taking their eyes off them as they guided them through their swimming drills. It helped that the babies loved the water. We all sat out on the loungers, watching them swim.

Cy had climbed into the water too, an extra set of hands, which also meant six dogs jumped in as well. They kept a wide berth from the swimming babies—probably at Cy’s insistence—but it was such a wholesome, joyful sight.

I wrapped Wren up in my arms, pulling her onto my lap, and Néit lay with his head on her thighs. Maybe we could take her upstairs and…

“You sure they aren’t mine? They certainly seem to love the water.”

The voice beside me didn’t belong. Immediately shifting Wren to the other side, I stood between her and the God on the lounger beside us. Néit had his ax, but water was wrapped around his wrists, holding him still.

“Poseidon? What the fuck areyoudoing here?” Cy called.

“Nephew! Good to see you back, and looking so well. Fatherhood also suits you.” He reclined back. “It’s been so long since I’ve been on Crete; I forgot how lovely it was here. Not my favorite of the islands, of course, but still quite nice.”

Demke appeared next to us. “Crete is still not open to the Greeks,” he growled, and Poseidon raised a brow, glancing at Cy.

“I hate to tell you this, Minoan, but there’s one swimming in your pool. And by all accounts, Hades is here more than he’s in the Underworld these days.”

Someone snorted. “An exaggeration, as always, brother.” As if he’d been summoned, Hades strolled into the courtyard. “Why is it so fucking bright today?” He sat under a large umbrella with a scowl.

Demke looked like he was going to have a stroke, but I was glad Hades was here. He’d been good to us, and while you could never trust the Greeks completely, I trusted him enough.

Poseidon chuckled. “It’s a beautiful day, Hades. Don’t be such a grump.” He looked over at Demke. “To answer your unasked question, I was summoned here. I have enough to dealwith in the sea, without worrying about your land-lover quarrels. Did you know Typhon has just walked into the ocean? It’s caused a damn outcry amongst the sirens.”

Frowning, Demke looked at Hades. “I didn’t summon you.”

“No, I did.”

I whipped around, and this time, I did draw my sword. Zeus stood by the pool, wearing nothing but a Speedo that was at least one size too small.

The babies had been whisked away, Erus and Tryp knowing what to do in the face of a threat, and the dogs were also suspiciously absent. Cy had definitely sent them to protect the children.

I hated that these fuckers could just portal in and out of our home.

“What are you doing here?” Demke growled, clearly losing his patience as Teron shifted to the Gryphon. Néit stood on the other side of Wren, who didn’t look all that perturbed to be standing in front of three of the most powerful Mythics ever weaved.

Whatever she’d seen down there during her death had changed her. It had made her almost fearless in the face of power. I couldn’t decide if I found that terrifying or insanely attractive.

“Always so disrespectful, Demke.”

“You were never my God, Zeus. We give the respect we receive, and you always thought we were less.”

He shrugged. “Youwereless. It wasn’t personal.”

I snorted loudly, shifting to the bull. “The death of my entire race was personalto me.” I was going to splatter this ancient fuck, even if it was the last thing I ever did. I went to step forward, but Wren’s small hand around my wrist stopped me.

Hades held up a hand. “I assume we aren’t here for you to rub salt in their wounds, Zeus. But if the Minotaur gouges a holein you because you’re an insensitive fuck, I’m not going to stop him.”

Poseidon snorted a laugh. “Me either. I might even enjoy the show.” He looked to the left, where the ocean could be seen on a clear day. “Let’s go. Not all of us sit around all day, fucking nymphs and drinking ambrosia. I have a kingdom to run.”

Hades lifted his chin at the God of the Sea. “What he said.”

Zeus rolled his eyes. “Fine. Maybe I just wanted to catch up with my brothers?” The deadpan expressions of both Hades and Poseidon called bullshit. “Look, I’m not sure if you know this, but my Moirai are dead, and Hera is pissed.”

Néit hefted his sword. “We’re quite aware.”

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