35. King Minos

“Darling Persephone are you ready to go?” Hades asked me as I finished up on my hair. We were going up top, not to attend a party but to meet King Minos. “Yes, I am coming.” I called out. We had finally made up. Both of us resumed ruling together. At length we discussed King Minos.  

Hades still thought he would be suitable to be one of the judges for the incoming souls. I stood and walked out of our bathroom. I couldn’t help but giggle at the way Hades looked at me. “Darling you are wearing a corset with your suit.” He said. “I know that, I have a suit jacket to cover up, but as you’re wearing a suit I thought I should too, it is a business meeting is it not?” I asked.  

Hades groaned and I giggled a little more. I liked that he always seemed to be just as interested in my body with clothes on as he was when I was naked. “Darling you are killing me, how am I supposed to conduct this meeting when you look like that?” He groaned reaching out and holding my small waist.  

“Simple you won’t, I thought you wanted me to come and make the call, so I don’t see why it matters anyways.” Hades laughed at my remark which made me blush. “I love when you do that.” “When I do what?” I asked. “Your blush, it is so sweet just like you are.” My blush only deepened at his words. “Well, you can have me as much as you want soon enough so relax.” I snipped at him, taking his arm in mine. After a soft kiss on my head, we vanished.  

Arriving in front of Nox. It was broad daylight now and though the club was not open during this time. Minos was supposed to meet us there. Hades guided me into the vacant club he ran. He had a few people ready to wait on us and we went to the familiar couch I had seen only once before when I had been here last time. “One whisky, what do you want my darling?” He asked me. “Wine please, but I also think some champagne should be put on ice just in case.” I spoke.  

“You heard the queen.” I smiled at Hades using my title and the bartender ran off to fetch our drinks and put some champagne on ice. I had noticed as we had arrived prior to entering Nox that the area around the club wasn’t destroyed. I had thought it would have been. “What is it my darling?” Hades asked as his fingers grazed my arm. “The area around here, I thought it would be destroyed.” I said. 

“No, but if you go a few blocks down there is a fair amount of ruble.” I nodded at his words. It didn’t take long for our drinks to come, and we sat there sipping on them. Until we heard voices, and we both turned. I saw a tall man in the center he was not young but didn’t look to be terribly old either. Next to him was a few other men, they were much younger. I leaned back relaxing as they came up to the area. Hades always held meetings with mortals.  

But something was not right with one I believed to be King Mios, he wore the crown so I only assumed it was him. When they took a seat across from Hades and I  could feel it, this wasn’t a man but a demigod. “Hades” The one with the crown said and then looked at me. “And who is this enchanting woman?” He asked.  

Hades pulled me a little closer. “This is my darling wife goddess Persephone Queen of the underworld.” He said addressing me by my full title. “When did you get married?” He asked. “I don’t think that is the topic for today, “ I said. I didn’t mind the question, but one of the other men who came with this king was staring at me in a way I didn’t like. “You are quite right Queen Persephone. So what do I owe the pleasure of two gods, is it you wish to aid this holy war we have been fighting?”
I didn’t like how he had phrased that. It was almost like I couldn’t determine if he was on the side of gods, or mortals who wanted us dead. Or was he that unknown faction of Demigods? “No Minos we did not come to aid in war, we came to weigh your conscious” Hades said and I examined the man in question.  

“What does that even mean?” I sipped my wine. “It means when you die, I may have a place for you, but that is dependent on you.” My husband said. “You are Demeter's daughter.” One of the men finally said looking at me. I smiled lightly. “Yes,” I said softly. Minos turned the subject to me now. “Maybe you could help, your mother has been less than overly helpful. With all the destruction we could surely use some help with the crops this year. I talked with my father of such things and was assured she would help but that was two years ago.”  

“Who is your father?” Hades asked. “Zues” he said as if it was nothing. I saw my husband clench his jaw and a fist formed tightly hearing his brother's name. I interjected at this “What side do you fight for, and if you wish to not share, that is fine but this needs to be answered. Are you like your father?” It was two simple questions. He smirked.  

“Of course I am like him. What is not more glorious than violence. It is thrilling. Why else would I send people into the my maze every few years?” I stood quickly. “Hades, come find me when you are done here.” I said walking away. I knew I had come to my conclusion on what to do with Mios when he died, there was clearly only two options for him.