Lexi's Fate

~78~

It was a beautiful morning, as all mornings were in the underworld, and Lexi rushed around the palace making sure the nymphs had taken care of each item on her list. She had prepared for this day nearly a week, and she wanted everything to be perfect. Hades had lingered most of the morning in his chamber trying to figure out which robe to wear. He was rarely asked to perform naming rites on a child, although he had the authority, as did his five siblings, being the offspring of primordial deities, but Persephone and Eros would not consider any other god for the job.

"The chariot is in sight!" Blythe shouted up the staircase. "My lady, they are here!"

"Thank you, Blythe!" Lexi called down, having seen the chariot through the upstairs window. "I will see what is keeping our honorable and often indecisive lord."

With her heart beating like a hummingbird, Lexi hurried down the hall, doing her best not to trip on her dress. She had found it in the back of a wardrobe and admired its subdued elegance. It was made from fabric in the most beautiful shade of lavender, reminding her of the perpetual dusk that colored the underworld. After confirming it was something Persephone had never worn, she claimed it for herself.

"Are you ready, my sweet?" Lexi called into the room as she pushed the door open. "Our guests have arrived."

Hades stood in front of the full length mirror, adjusting an already tidy collar. His hair could have used a bit of adjusting, but she wasn't going to worry him about that.

"You look resplendent," she said. "And if we weren't required in the foyer in less than five minutes, I would undo all the fine work you've done and have my way with you right here on the marble floor."

Her comment drew his attention away from the mirror, and he graced her with a sensual smile. "Wouldn't you rather do it on the rug? The marble is murder on my knees."

Lexi slipped her arm around his waist and tasted his delicious mouth, forgetting their engagement for a moment to savor him. "Is it strange that I want you even more when you're dressed like a priest?"

"I would be happy to christen you later."

Reluctantly, Lexi pulled away and took him by the hand. "Come, my sexy vicar. We need to be downstairs when the door opens."

With a few seconds to spare, Lexi and Hades entered the foyer as the front door opened and Persephone and Eros walked in. Their godly offspring, Alex, was tucked beneath a blanket inside Persephone's arms, his pudgy, pink face squinting through the folds of cotton. It was not the first time Lexi had seen him since the birth. She had paid Persephone a visit the day she stood before the council when they delivered their verdict about the role she would play in Olympus. That was a day she would never forget.

Lexi bowed as she greeted them. "Welcome, Persephone. Welcome, Eros. And Welcome, Alex. We're so pleased to have you here today."

Persephone smiled and Lexi felt the kindness behind that simple gesture. Was it strange for Persephone to be welcomed into a home that had been hers for most of her life? If it was, it did not show on her face. "What a lovely greeting. Thank you, Lady Lexi. How does it feel to be the first goddess to be granted unlimited access to both Olympus and the underworld? Have you settled into the rhythm of playing peacemaker to the council of the gods while playing homemaker to the god of the underworld?"

"I'm still finding my stride, but I'm most pleased about the cessation of the hunt. The minotaurs seem happy about it."

"And what of the duties you've been assigned? Have they been daunting?"

"Not so far. And, fortunately, Poseidon has only called on me twice since I was sworn in and I was able to handle things from the scrying mirror. Apparently, the temperature of the public baths is an ongoing issue with him."