Page 9 of A Contemporary Mythos Thanksgiving
“How wrong we were,” I said, staring at the floor wide-eyed.
We both smirked and tapped our glasses together again.
“Is that what you intend to speak on regarding diplomatic matters? Gaea’s warning?” Hades crossed his ankle to the opposite knee, leaning toward me.
“Warning? You took it as a warning?”
He rested his hand holding the cigar on his tumbler. “Whenever someone uses the words ‘we must be prepared’ in a sentence, I tend to take heed.”
“You’re absolutely right. We need to discuss all possibilities. Expect the worst. Prepare for it.” I tilted my chin toward the ceiling, puffing the cigar several times. “Even war.”
Hades only nodded in response, and we sat in silence for several moments before diving into a conversation of our childhood—the few moments of happiness we could remember before duty tore our lives three separate ways. Maybe Keira’s idea to hold not only a godly gathering but a family one, wasn’t so shabby after all.
* * *
K E I R A
I’d ported to Olympus well before Zeus was due to arrive, hoping to surprise him with the banquet table, food, and settings I’d conjured in the main throne area surrounded by pillars. A marble table the exact size to fit six people and still hold a wide variety of foods and pitchers of Ambrosia wine stretched the length of the throne platform. I could’ve gone for a more dramatic approach with an extending table from one end of the atrium to the other, but this was to be a family gathering and demanded a form of intimacy. Besides, who wants to shout a conversation with each other?
Considering my upbringing and empathic powers making crowds unbearable growing up, I never had an excuse to host a dinner, let alone be in charge of the food and ambiance. It almost felt like cheating, not having to cook anything, but think it, sense it, smell it, and it’d appear. But I think the entire family would do better for it. I’d always been a rather lousy cook with no one ever to show me the ropes.
I rubbed my hands together, taking in all I had created thus far—six place settings of shiny white plates with golden edges, platters of fruits and nuts, and bowls filled with mashed sweet potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. Autumn leaves, mini pumpkins, and acorns scattered throughout served as decoration. I left a vacant spot in the center with the intent of producing the perfectly golden crisp turkey when everyone was present and seated.
“Holy shit,” my husband’s voice boomed behind me after the crackle of lightning announced his arrival.
I swooshed an arm around myself, making my queenly white robes and crown appear before spinning to face the King of the Gods, who looked at the table slack-jawed. “You like?”
“You did all this?” He pointed at the table and raised a brow at me.
I flew my hands to my hips. “Of course I did. Who else would’ve?”
“Oh, I don’t know—” A mischievous grin slid over his lips, and he curled an arm around my waist, pulling me against him. “A nymph? Muse?”
Playfully swatting him in the shoulder, I tugged on his loosened tie. “All me, baby. I told you I’d take care of everything so long as you convinced Hades. Did you uphold your end of the bargain?”
“I did.” Zeus’s lips grazed my neck, kissing it, sucking it. “And all I had to do was admit how crazy I am about you.”
Moaning, I tightened my grip on his tie, preventing him from moving, coaxing him to keep doing what he was doing. “That’s it? Way easier than I thought it’d be.”
A deep chuckle rumbled against my collarbone before he feathered kisses down it. “You should reward me before our guests begin to show.”
“There due here within the hour. When has that ever been enough time for us?” I tilted my head back, digging my fingers into his hair.
His hand slid to my ass, grabbing it, kneading it. “You’re right. We’ll wait until after so I can eat you for dessert.”
My pussy clenched at the thought, and I let out a breathy sigh. “Not going to have pumpkin pie?”
“I prefer apple. Or sweet, sweet peach.” He dragged his tongue to my exposed cleavage.
My cheeks flushed, my entire body igniting in sensual flames of desire. I reluctantly pressed a hand to his chest, halting him. “We better stop, Zeus. I need to get my wits back.”
He held his head low before letting go of me and stepping back. “Right, right. Though I believe they should be used to our—chemistry by now.”
“Your brothers, maybe, but the queens haven’t been aroundbothof us.”
The faint sound of splashing waves echoed off the stone pillars. “You two were messin’ around. Weren’t ya?” Poseidon asked, slipping between us with bobbing brows.
“We resisted.” I flashed him a sparkling smile.
