Page 8 of A Contemporary Mythos Summer
“You turned down my first offer to play volleyball, hubs. Don’t do it again.” Stephanie pouted and curled her hands under her chin.
“Not a problem, darlin’.” Hades caressed her cheek. “Because this time, it’s on thesand.”
* * *
P O S E I D O N
I hadn’t seen either of my brothers as often as I had for the past two years with the sudden outburst of new goddesses. Zeus still never explained his theory to me as exactly why that was—but I had an approach of my own: He had no fucking clue. And it’s been refreshing to see them, honestly. Even as much of a jackoff as Z can be, even with Hades’ ultra-introverted personality, Ilovedmy bros and I always felt I’d been the only one to ever try and keep some kind of semblance of a relationship between us all.
But Hades not only on a beach in a tank top and shorts, but also playing volleyball? I’d have sooner assumed the Kraken would’ve swallowed me wholly by now before ever seeing it. Stephanie was a goddess in the most realistic and metaphorical sense and I adored my sister-in-law for it.
“You all want to make this extra interesting?” I spun the ball on one finger while wiggling my brows at my family.
Hades all but rolled his eyes from the other side of the net. “What outlandish idea is rummaging in that brain of yours now?”
“Powers are fair game.” I propped the ball in my hands using only my fingers.
“Powers? In the open?” Stephanie whispered, ducking under the net as she spoke.
Holding the ball with one hand, I used it to point at her. “Exactly. That’s what makes it interesting. It has to be so subtle. No one else can catch wind of it. And I do meansubtle. I’m lookin’ at you, Hades.”
Cordelia leaned over to me, cupping one hand over her mouth. “Are you sure he’s even capable?”
“Icanhear you,” Hades answered. “And I’m game.”
He caught me so off guard I dropped the damn ball, catching it with the other hand before it landed in the sand. “Wait. Shit. Really?”
“Yeah.” A faint smirk pulled at Hades’ lips. “It’s been ages since I wiped the floor with my little-middle brother.” He squatted, hiking his shorts up before opening his palms at the net.
“Let the record show—” After beating the ball against my palm, I caught Stephanie’s attention. “—I managed to entice a smirk out of this brood.”
“It’s been happening more and more lately,” Stephanie chimed, smiling and nudging Hades in the arm.
“Alright, fam, powers it is. Use them wisely. Use them sparingly. But for the love of Olympus, don’t be shy.” I tossed the ball above my head and whacked my palm against it, sending it soaring over the net.
Hades leaped to his right several seconds too late, and the ball sunk into the sand. A light growl escaped his throat, and I high-fived my Queen.
“And that was without using any razzle-dazzle.” Holding my arms out at my sides, I taunted him.
Hades shook his head as he cupped the ball in one hand. “It may not be as prevalent as when you were young and naïve, but you have always had something in common with our youngest brother.”
A flame sparked in Hades’ eyes, and I widened my stance, ready to dive if necessary. He launched the ball. and there was a blink of embers and ash, impeding my vision. Sputtering, I felt the ball collide with my chest. Once I could see again, Hades was fist-bumping his own Queen with anactualhalf-grin.
“Arrogance,” Hades finished.
“Have they always been like this?” Stephanie asked Cordelia, gesturing between us.
Cory tapped a finger against her lips. “For as long as I can recall, but the cheekiness—that’s new.”
Masking the sibling rivalry irritation, I wrapped my arms around my wife and hoisted her from the ground, spinning her. She let out an endless barrage of girly giggling and yelping before I returned her to earth. I tossed her the ball to serve and she chose to serve underhand. It flew over Stephanie’s head and she jumped to hit, but only managed to launch it into the net.
She frowned at Hades, digging her toes into the sand. “Sorry, love.”
“It’s only a game, darlin’. Just have fun.”
It was an adorable moment with his wifey until he turned his gaze on me. A predatory glazed look that I was reasonably certain only the King of the Underworld could pull off.
So, he wanted to go, huh?
