Tempting the Fates

Chapter 51

Once the Underworld was back under control, I made a quick trip up to Earth to check on my dad. I had used my power to transport him off that island, and I knew he was safe. But I hadn't seen him in weeks and I just had to give him a hug to convince my worried heart that everything was going to be okay again.

I shuttered in and looked up with pride at the home I'd created for him. He'd always talked about living in upstate New York in a two-story red brick Colonial, and I'd made it a reality. I only hoped he'd forgive me for not letting him build it with his own two hands, which he'd mentioned repeatedly. Knowing him, he'd find a dozen things to change and repair before the day was through.

The front door swung open, and my dad came running out. "Callie!" he cried, throwing his arms around me. I held him tight, part of me never wanting to let him go again.

"Dad." I cried. "I'm so sorry."

"About what, kiddo?" he breathed, pulling away. "If it's about not speaking while I was hiding out, don't ever apologize. I know that you would if it was safe to."

"It was Hermes." I wiped my eyes. "He kept you away from me. I dropped him right in your hands, and he used you against me. I couldn't find you at first. But then..." I looked down at my hands. "Then everything changed."

"Changed how?"

"We may want to go inside and make some coffee before I go into that conversation."

"So this was your doing, then?" he glanced up at the house. "This is exactly the kind of place I always wanted to raise you in."

"I know." I hooked my arm around his. "But you have it now. I put wards on it to keep you safe, you know. You cannot be tracked, and no one can shutter here but me and those who you invite. I wanted to make sure you'd be okay on your own. I also put a spell on the place to give you whatever it is that will make you happy. It was the least I could do to calm my anxiety over leaving you alone. Why don't you show me around?"

"I haven't been here very long so I'm still figuring out what is what, but... I think we could show you around."

The door opened again, and out stepped my mother.

"What?" I glanced between the two of them. "What's this?"

"Well, I spent a lot of time alone on that island, Cal. I wrote your mother letters, thanking her for the sacrifices she made when you were a baby, and asking her forgiveness. I've been far too bitter over these last twenty-one years. After I'd written the letters, Hermes gave them to her. She found me about ten minutes after you pulled me off that island. I'm guessing that's a result of that spell you put on the house. I was happy to see her. We're, uh... we're going to try the whole relationship thing again."

I wasn't sure what to think. Now that our impending doom had been taken care of, I was far less worried about the company my dad kept. But my mom? I hadn't expected that one.

She even looked quite human- more human than I'd ever seen her- as she smiled warily at me. She was wearing a cream sweater and blue jeans.

"Calliope... I'm sorry I didn't see you when you were in Olympus." Her smile slipped into a frown. "Eros disappeared, and as soon as Harmonia revealed to me what he had done... I went after him. We had a long talk, but he hasn't stepped foot in my temple since he disappeared. He is no longer welcome."

I wasn't going to punish her for not speaking to me. Life was too complex already just to be upset over something so small. "It's okay, mom." I shrugged. "You can make it up to me by not talking about your sex life in my presence ever again."

The three of us all laughed, breaking the tension. My mom pulled me into a hug, and my dad wrapped his arms around both of us. I wasn't sure if a relationship between a full-blooded goddess and mortal man could work, but I figured if anyone could do it, it would be my parents.

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A few hours later, I returned home to the Underworld. Hades was waiting for me at the doorway when I landed on the top step.

"Everything go okay?" he asked cautiously.

A laugh died in my throat. "Went great, actually. It, uh... turns out my parents are back together."

His eyebrows lifted in surprise. "You don't say?" He held out a hand, and I laced my fingers with his. "Things are going well here, too. We have extra protections on the boundaries of the realm. However," he paused, his face faltering. "something not so great is happening in Olympus. Zeus has... gone missing, apparently. Apollo sent a projection to let us know, and we'll need to have a meeting with many of the others in Olympus about what's to happen there until he shows up."

"Good. It's time things changed." I leaned my head against Hades' chest. "Zeus was alive when I left, just in case you were worried. But of course my only other witness is currently a mortal with no recollection of the incident." I rolled my eyes.

"I believe you." He pushed me away so he could look into my eyes. "But we may need to talk about what happened. Your powers... well, nothing like this has ever happened before to my knowledge. I just don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"We'll talk later." I turned to face the Underworld, finding incredible calm settle over me as I looked around the vast landscape.

"How about a ride?" Hades jerked his head toward his chariot, which was already hooked up to his horses and waiting for us.

"Sure. Let's take a look at our kingdom."

"Our kingdom." Hades leaned down and kissed me. "I'll never get tired of those words."

As we soared over the expanse of the Underworld, I could feel my heart settle warm in my chest. The first time I'd seen the place, I'd been overwhelmed and awed. Now as I stared down, I only felt comfort. This was my home. I finally felt whole, in a way I never had as a human. For everything I thought I had lost, I'd gained far more. I had my place in the world now, and it was by Hades' side. He was my home.

I was ready for the rest of my life.