Page 6 of A Contemporary Mythos Summer
“Likewise. It seems I have a lot to get caught up on.” I arched a brow at Hades.
What had happened with Persephone? How were Hades and his new Queen…vacationing? On the surface? And did I catch a smile on the Underworld god’s lips?
“You havenoidea.” Hades raised an eyebrow back at me.
Stephanie canted her head to one side as we shook hands, holding my grip longer than the average shake.
“I’ve never seen so many overlapping colors on a person. Human or—” Stephanie lowered her voice. “—otherwise.”
Squinting at her, I leaned closer. “Colors?”
“Holy. Shit. If it isn’t my big bro amongst the living.” Poseidon approached with his arms outstretched, a Bushwhacker drink in one hand, beer in the other.
Stephanie curled her arm with Hades’ as he rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s our two-week surface time. My wife insisted our first stop be…Florida.”
“And you willingly agreed?” Poseidon’s brow shot to the skies. “But there’s so much—water. Not afraid you’re gonna melt?”
“I’d vacation in a volcano pit if she wished.” Hades kissed her cheek. “I live to make her happy now.”
Poseidon caught my gaze as he handed me the Bushwhacker. “I know exactly what you mean.”
Tidal waves crashed within my stomach, heat pooling in my core soon after. Taking the drink, I grazed his finger with mine, a smile as vast as the Great Barrier Reef plastered on my face.
“What do you two do on a normal beach? Must pale in comparison to what you’re, you know, used to.” Stephanie twirled some of her chocolate-colored hair with one finger.
“I don’t know about you, but in these modern times, with everything being so different, it’s nice to feel normal once in a while.” Using the straw to sip some of the chocolate-y alcoholic partially frozen drink, I grinned at the Underworld duo.
Poseidon slipped an arm around my lower back. “Not to mention Cory loves watching mortals enjoy our home.” He drummed his fingers on my hip. “Or teach those a lesson who treat it poorly. Right, babe?”
Coughing, I let the straw pluck from my teeth and wiped the back of my hand over my lips. “An innocent little scare never hurt anyone.”
“A scare?” Stephanie hopped on her heels. “What do you do?”
I held my drink with both hands, twirling the straw between two fingers as I averted my gaze. “I may have had fish jump from the water and—slap them…”
Stephanie exploded with giggles while Hades’ cheek twitched. “A fish slap? Oh, that’s too rich. Ilikeyou, Cordelia.” She nudged my forearm.
“Speaking of scaring mortals, bro—” Poseidon saddled up by Hades, relaxing an arm over his shoulders. “Remember we used to play Menacing Mortals back in the day?”
Hades tensed but let his brother hang off him. “That doesnotsound like a game I would play, considering I torture them in Tartarus every day of my waking life.”
Stephanie slipped a finger over Hades’ lips, rolling her head, gesturing at the surrounding crowds before moving beside me. “That drink looks delicious. What is it?”
“It’s called a Bushwhacker. Pensacola staple.” I offered it to her. “Knock yourself out.”
She nestled her sunglasses in her hair, revealing her sea-blue eyes brightening before taking a sip. Her eyes closed, and she moaned. “This issogood.”
“I take you like chocolate?”
“Understatement.”
She handed it back to me, and we continued to take alternating sips while watching our husbands chat. “Is Hades always sooutthere about everything?”
Stephanie nodded. “Yup. And he’s been that way since the day we met. I’m convinced it’s because he’s not in public enough. It’s not a big deal, though. Anyone who hears him usually just gives weird looks and move on.”
Poseidon scratched his beard. “You’re right. That does sound more like a game Z would’ve played.”
“Please tell me you didn’t put them in questionable situations.” Hades pinched the bridge of his nose.
