She tried to ignore it. She hid her frustration behind a mask of calm that mimicked her mother’s, but the throbbing pain at the base of her skull wouldn’t go away. Meanwhile, the sources of that headache continued bickering like children at the banquet table in full view of their guests. Maybe they didn’t feel the prickling attention from the line of people waiting to greet them? That didn’t seem like the case. Her grandmother and father disliked each other, but they were both experienced in the social scene in their own ways. Sometimes, it seemed like they were playing up their dislike for the sake of the people watching. Other times, well…

“But that’s where you lose me. Why do they have to include the sacrifices?”

“I couldn’t say, Hades. It’s not as if I told them to do it.”

“I’ll grant you that. But you could have told them to stop it so…why not do that?” 

“Do you think I want to see those little creatures bleeding out every year?”

“I’m implying that you don’t. You’d have to tell me what you actually want.” Hades took a long draw from his chalice. His elbows hit the table when he replaced the cup and he propped his chin on the heel of his palm, giving Demeter his full attention. “And you haven’t answered my question. It might take you minutes to appear before them, preferably before they slit the poor creature’s throat, and say ‘this is unnecessary,’ or something the like. I don’t know how you talk to your followers. Maybe it would take more of a show?”

“Is that what your followers expect from you, a show?”

“No, they’re more or less happy with me staring at them with different levels of disapproval.”

“That seems lazy, even for you.”

“Sacrifices seem bloodthirsty,” Hades’ lips broadened to a smile, “even for you.”

Demeter bristled and attempted to appeal to her daughter instead. “Persephone, you have to be the voice of reason. I’ve tried speaking with him. Everyone here can be my witness. He can’t be reasoned with. Surely, you don’t think I encourage those sacrifices, do you?”

Persephone, who had been sitting with her arms crossed between the bickering duo, glanced first at her mother than at her husband. They watched her with equal anticipation, though her mother’s expression was more pinched and annoyed, while her husband’s was annoyingly glib. She unfolded her arms and leaned forward slightly, blocking their eye contact.

“What I think is that our guests have been waiting long enough to have a fraction of the attention you’ve spent sniping at each other.” She turned to her mother and continued, “Mother, your followers might do things you don’t approve of, but that’s true for any of us. I know firsthand how you’ve tried to persuade them. Besides, you know Hades can be.”

She continued, looking now at her husband with an expression tinged with concern. “And he’s clearly in a mood that grows worse the longer the banquet goes on, although he hasn’t shared his worries with me. Is something not to your liking?”

Persephone extended her arm to Hades, who kissed the back of her palm and interlaced their fingers. In doing so, he also drew her closer and spoke to her while caressing her hand.

“Everything is perfect, my love.” He smiled a true smile for her. “Everything about this banquet has been perfect, and with you by my side and Hiræth…” he trailed off, his brows furrowing as he looked at his daughter’s empty seat at the opposite end of the table. His eyes flit about the room, searching for her. He caught a glimpse of her loosening braid and gold accessories a moment before she melted into the crowd.

Persephone’s line of sight followed his. Her eyes narrow, nearly hiding her pupils behind her lashes and betraying more emotion than she showed even when her husband and mother were trading insults.

“And with Hiræth poised to take on her new role, there’s nothing else I need.” Hades squeezed her hand in his, calling her attention back. “Was I being too sharp with your mother?”

“You both got carried away, that’s all. But even more importantly, your conversation went for too long and there are so many people still waiting to speak with you.”

“Right, maybe we should switch focus. Come up, whoever was next. Let’s hear what you have to say.” Hades signaled the crowd before the table with a wave, inviting them forward to speak.