31. Dismissing the Staff

I went home and made sure I put my crown back on and picked out a rather daring gown in Hades and my closet. It was time to use the power I had for something I wanted. I checked the mirror before I left our room.  

I had to admit I looked stunning in the blood red dress. It had some roses on it, and the crown Hades made me last night made me look powerful. It had sharp points to it and encrusted jewels; I liked it. As I strolled down the corridors, Cerberus found me and I petted him. “Good boy you want to help me dismiss the others.” He pushed one of his heads into me.

“I thought so.” I went right up to the throne and sat down. I now wanted to be found and whatever thing I used to keep myself hidden lifted and in a soft stern voice I said aloud “All nymphs who work or live in the Palace report to the throne room except Lola.” Cerberus laid down next to the throne, and I waited letting my nails tap along the arm of the chair.  

It didn’t take long for the nymphs to start pouring into the room. They all looked nervous, being summoned like this. The last one to come in was Mithe and I saw the scowl form on her face. Many of them began to bow to me but Mithe and very few others didn’t. I raised my brow “Mithe bow” I said and she stood in defiance. I shot my hand out and a giant thorn rose behind her and she lost her balance and fell to the ground.  

My hand hardly moved but studly I twisted my fingers and vines ripped from the floor and tied her to the ground. I looked at the few still standing with a questioning look and they dropped like the others. Good, I thought. “Rise” I finally said and all but Mithe did. I planned to keep her bowing. 

“Good all of you have a job to do, you will all go find souls to replace you if you work here. If you just live here then you have to move out.” I said casually. Some of them gasped. “But but” One of them said and my eyes narrowed on her. She went silent. “Can we please ask why my queen?” One of them asked very softly. I debated telling them. “Fine, I don’t like that some of you have slept with my husband, so all of you have to now leave.”  

One of the nymphs who had waited until I restrained Mithe to kneel snapped. “That is not fair, we have to leave our home because you’re jealous?” My eyes narrowed and Cerberus growled. “It is fine Cerberus I have this under control. “Where you one of them?” I asked she gave a single nod. I moved my hand and she too was restrained then like Mithe currently was with my thorny vines.  

A new idea came to me “You know what I don’t need to punish you all, those who have slept with my husband, raise your hand.” No one moved. “I think I made it clear that lying was a crime now.” My anger was rising at this. Almost all of the room raised their hands, it made me angry. “When I saw slept, I mean any kissing or touching.” I said then every hand raised. Furry wretched from my body. I wanted them gone and I never wanted to see them again. “Yeah what I said stands, you will find souls to replace you then you will leave and not come back if you see me or Hades you will turn and walk away, never speak to either of us again.” I said clearly.  

Mithe spoke despite her restraint. “You can’t do this Hades will never allow it.” My anger flared more than it ever had then to my utter shock she turned into a little mint plant. It startled even me. Some of the nymphs trembled. I didn’t even know I could do that. However that seemed to get the other scared. “Alright we will go” One of them said “Lovely, if you don’t do as I say you will be in Tartarus, or like Mithe.” I spoke. “You have 30 minuets to get your things and get out. I expect you all to have found replacements for your service by tomorrow morning, or I will hunt you down and let Cerberus tear you apart.” The three headed dog growled. “Dismissed”  

I was feeling much better now and waved and those restrained rose and they began to exit as my husband pushed his way in. I couldn’t help but frown but when he stepped on the mint plant that was Mithe. I giggled a little but quickly stopped when he stood in front of me looking very put out. But I was not pleased with him at the moment so instead of smiling like I did usually at him I scowled.  

“Where have you been?” He asked giving me a tone I didn’t expect, he was almost scolding me. I raised one of my brows at him. “Well” He snapped again. “Don’t you use that tone with me, I am cross with you.” I snapped back. “What did I do? You are the one who left Hecate this afternoon and then went missing again I thought something horrible happened to you.” He said. I was in no mood to comfort him.  

I was very angry for not being told that apparently our whole staff had some kind of relationship with my husband, in fact I was disgusted. Here they were serving me, and I didn’t even know. I didn’t say anything to him just glared, this was his fault, he made me feel stupid for not telling me anything about his past. Hecate made a comment and I was blindsided and now I had to release our whole staff because he couldn’t keep himself in his pants. “As you can see I am fine, now leave me alone.” I told him.  

“Darling?” He said sounding sad but I just turned my head away as he tried to approach Cerberus stood and growled. “Seriously you turned my beast against me?” He asked but I kept my head turned. He didn’t tell me of his past lovers and made a fool of me, yeah no he would suffer for it, at least for a while.