Most of the crowd parted to allow Mineekas and her parents through. Closer to the main pavilion, much of the attention was focused on the large stage constructed there where the Muses played music. Spread out around the pavilion, most of the performing creatures did their acts. Gods threw gold and silver didrachm at the displays they enjoyed. Even Hades tossed a handful at a satyr who told jokes at the Olympians’ expense.

Now away from Demeter, Persephone’s mood improved, and she urged Mineekas to food stall after food stall. Persephone had few obsessions, the greatest one being food. Every fall, she returned to the Underworld with dozens of samples for Mineekas and a book of recipes to keep the cooks busy.

Due to Hekate’s wafer and her mother’s coaxing, Mineekas ate more than she’d anticipated she would. Everything tasted wonderful, though Persephone lamented about it being too perfect but soulless. “Humans have the delightful ability to put passion into their food. No one here can match that,” she said after the sixth stall.

Mineekas shrugged and stuffed the rest of her curried chicken kabob in her mouth.

Multiple dancefloors had been constructed, and countless couples held each other close in various dance styles. They tried to be sly, but more than once Mineekas caught her parents’ eyes meet, and one would nod to a dancefloor. The other would sigh and step closer to Mineekas. After the fourth time, she put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot.

“Enough,” she said.

“Of?” both her parents replied.

She pointed at the nearest dancefloor. “Go. Have fun.”

Hades frowned. “No, this day is about you.”

“I don’t think it’d be—I don’t want to leave you alone,” Persephone added.

“I’ll stay in the area, I promise.” Her parents didn’t seem convinced. “Please, for me. It can be a late birthday present.”

Hades looked at his wife. “Could we spare a minute?”

She smiled. “I think so.” Persephone wrapped her arm around Hades’, then pegged Mineekas with an unwavering look. “Wandering is not advisable.”

Mineekas held up her hands. “I’ll behave. Just go already.”

Hades led Persephone away before she could lecture their daughter further. Mineekas watched them leave and cheered when they started an elegant waltz that drew the attention of several other gods. A few applauded along with Mineekas, but most either wore disgusted expressions or seemed petrified and fled the dancefloor.

Neither cared. Their gazes didn’t leave the other’s face. They managed to steal several kisses and made the gesture a part of their dance. Minutes into their dance, both laughed, and the joyful noise rose over the music.

Mineekas noticed two Muses glance at each other, and they shared a fleeting grin.

She had promised her parents, and she wouldn’t go far, but dared to brave the festival herself. Mineekas ensured her parents were still consumed with their fun, then slipped into the crowd.

Without Hades and Persephone, Mineekas still received more looks than she liked, but the number had decreased considerably. For the first time since arriving on Mount Olympus, a tiny weight left her. If she wanted to, she could pretend she was no different than the gods around her.

Two water nymphs entertained a small audience with magic tricks beloved by humans and caught Mineekas’ attention. Many of the spectators giggled as the male nymph spoke, but he didn’t slow in his monologue. His companion, on the other hand, glared from her spot beside the props. When someone made too loud of comment, she responded with a rude gesture. Her fury only delighted their onlookers more.

“Maybe if you shut up, they’ll be able to get to it,” Mineekas said to the god in front of her who’d complained about the nymphs taking too long to entertain them.

The god whirled around, and nectar sloshed out of the goblet he held onto his monochiton. His neon yellow eyes narrowed. “Did I ask you to comment?”

Mineekas nodded at the nymphs. “Did they ask you to act like an ass?”

The god’s sapphire-blue skin flushed to a deep purple color. “Who do you think—” He glanced over Mineekas’ shoulder, and his lips pursed. He bowed. “Nice to see you, my—”

“You!” a slurred, almost-too-feminine voice called from behind Mineekas.

She turned in time to have a sharpened fingernail poke her in the chest. It hurt more than the assault should have, but Mineekas refused to cry out or knock her attacker’s hand aside. Instead, she pinned the tall, curvy goddess with a curious look.

“Yes?”

The goddess’ seafoam-colored gaze unfocused, and she wobbled on her high-heeled sandals. Wine overpowered the scents of vanilla and rose that surrounded the goddess. Splotches even stained her form-fitting, silver peplos, and chunks of vomit crusted the ropes of gold and gem-encrusted necklaces she wore.

“Let me—” Mineekas made to steady the goddess, but her efforts were slapped away.

“I will not be touched by filth,” the goddess yelled and drew more looks.

Mineekas jerked back. “Who are you to talk to me like this?”

She’d never met this goddess, and no attributes jumped out to hint at who she was. Regardless of the goddess’ title and Purpose, Mineekas refused to be spoken to like she was some deceased rat that had been spotted. Out of a majority of those in attendance, pure, royal ichor coursed through Mineekas’ veins. Though she didn’t like it and would never expect it (usually) or enforce it, that warranted a high level of respect.

“Ha!” the other goddess squealed. “Who am I? Who are you?” She jabbed Mineekas once more, harder than before. “You don’t belong here.”

Unexpected pain followed, and Mineekas’ back straightened. “Don’t do that again.”

The goddess bent close to Mineekas, and her pearl-tinted cheek almost brushed against Mineekas’. “You think you can stop me?” She snorted. “Maybe your father can, but you certainly can’t.”

Suddenly, a familiar god stepped out of the crowd. He grabbed the goddess’ arm; his usual crooked smile absent. “Enough. You’re making a fool of yourself.”

“It isn’t fair,” the goddess said, her gaze still on Mineekas. “He took everything from me and was rewarded with her.”

Hermes sighed. “Now is not the time to get into this.”

The goddess pushed Hermes, but he didn’t budge. “There’s never time, but it doesn’t seem to matter. I don’t matter.”

“You know that’s not—”

“Oh, shut up.” The goddess brushed a lock of strawberry blonde hair out of her face. “I’ll go, but before I do...”

The goddess spat at Mineekas.

The glob of saliva landed on her nose, and her gag reflex kicked in. Mineekas held her composure, though. She feared what the goddess would do if she sensed weakness.

Without another word, the goddess staggered off into the chattering crowd. Hermes watched her leave, then handed Mineekas a handkerchief, one embroidered with tiny Russian flags. He had an extensive collection of flag-themed handkerchiefs from all over the world, and even from countries that had long ceased to exist.

“Sorry.”

Mineekas cleaned her nose. “What was that all about?”

“Oh, that display wasn’t about you; wasn’t for you.”

“She mentioned my father. What did he do to garner so much animosity?”

Hermes raked fingers through his coiled, light brown hair. “I’m not sure if—I think Hades should be the one to explain it to you.”

Mineekas groaned. “Yeah, how often is he willing to do that?”

Hermes’ cheeks dimpled as he smiled. Mischief danced in his luminous, light blue eyes. “Just do what I do with my father.”

Mineekas shook her head. “I want him to like me.”

“Oh, then you’re screwed.”

Mineekas chuckled and tried to return Hermes’ handkerchief. He grimaced and shook his head.

“Uh, no. You can have it. Think of it as an extra birthday present.”

Mineekas folded up the handkerchief and hid it in one of the folds of her peplos. “I’ll cherish it forever.”

Hermes grinned again and patted her on the arm. “Are you okay, though?”

While he looked amused, genuine concern shadowed Hermes’ words. Comfort flooded Mineekas. Despite his sordid history, Hermes was nothing but respectful and loving toward Mineekas and her parents. In fact, the rare times he vacationed, he always spent a week or so in the Underworld. While Hermes would never leave Mount Olympus or forsake the Upperworld, he often said the Underworld was his second home. Once, drunker than Dionysus had ever gotten, he’d confessed to Persephone he wished she and Hades were his parents.

“Yeah.”

Hermes scrutinized her for a long moment, then nodded. “Good. Then you need to come with me.”

“I’m not going to let you get me into trouble.”

He’d had a bad habit of convincing her to terrorize the palace when she’d been a young godling. No matter what her parents and Admasan had threatened, Mineekas had always been willing to go through with one of Hermes’ schemes. That eagerness for trouble had faded with age, but it still lingered under the surface of good manners. Mineekas couldn’t deny she’d enjoy messing with the masses around her, especially since more than a few deserved it.

“No trouble today, I promise.” Hermes winked. “But you’ll be back one day, and then we’ll have fun.”

Mineekas rolled her eyes but didn’t chide him like Persephone would have. The idea more than tempted. “So, why do you want me to come with you?”

Hermes took her hand. “The Deciding is about to begin. I’ve been asked to escort you to the prep area where you’ll wait for the ceremony.”

Mineekas’ heart dropped to her feet. “T-that soon?”

Hermes smirked. “Yep.”

“What about my parents? Can’t I see them one last time—”

Hermes shook his head. “We’ve got a schedule to keep. You do not want to put the Fates behind, not even by a second.”

Mineekas sighed. “O-okay.”