Lexi smiled as she followed the nymph toward the grand dining hall. Seeing Hades' face through the mirror had buoyed her spirit. He was impossibly handsome, with eyes that resonated passion, like they could see the desires of her heart, and his silky, chestnut hair, which tended to ruffle in one spot, giving him a boyish look. She loved everything about him, even his vulnerable side. Despite Hades' position as supreme ruler of the underworld and the fact that he could lift a nine hundred pound horse to get her to safety, it was his unapologetic nature that endeared her most. He was not above letting her see his weaknesses.

Distracted by her musings, Lexi was temporarily blinded as the nymph opened a set of double doors, exposing her to a brilliantly lit hall and reminding her she was about to dine with the gods of Olympus. Before she had a chance to get her bearings, Kade rushed over, greeting her with a charming smile.

"You look flushed," he said. "Did you have to run to get here before the bell?"

Embarrassed by his observation, Lexi felt her cheeks heat up. "Oh, no. I was talking with... I'm probably just nervous."

"You? Nervous? Don't worry. These gods are your family. Forget everything you have ever read about them and just have fun with it."

He slid his arm through hers and led her toward the table where a dozen gods were taking their seats. She glanced at each face, trying to decide who was who. Zeus and Poseidon she knew, as well as Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite, Hermes, Dionysus and Apollo. She recognized a couple faces from parties her parents threw when she was growing up, but she had known them by other names. One in particular was Philip, the lawyer from South Africa. What role did he play in Olympus? She didn't see Mnemosyne, but that didn't surprise her. Hera was surely among the goddesses in attendance, and she probably didn't appreciate being surrounded by too many of Zeus' consorts. Lexi wondered what holiday gatherings were like at the palace.

"Sit here, Lexi." Kade pulled a chair out for her then quickly dropped into the seat next to her just as a bell sounded. "Whew. Not a moment too soon. I am not usually invited to dine with the gods, but I know they are sticklers for punctuality."

The door opened and a young god of about eighteen rushed through it, sliding to a stop next to Philip's chair. "Sorry, I'm late" he said as he hefted his seat away from the table and slumped into it. "I forgot what day it was."

Philip raised his brows as he offered the boy a silent reprimand, but before the tension could mount, a parade of nymphs walked into the room carrying trays laden with food. Although Lexi wanted to ask Kade who the boy was, she didn't want to be rude, as none of the other gods spoke while the nymphs placed platters and bowls of fragrant delicacies onto the table. There were several types of meat, a colorful array of vegetables, two platters of fresh fruit, one with a watermelon cut into the shape of a whale, and baskets overflowing with bread. Several bottles of wine were set out, as well as gold embossed pitchers. Lexi hoped the pitchers were filled with water, as her mouth was getting dryer by the minute. It may have been nerves doing it, but the more likely cause was Poseidon, who had not taken his eyes off her since she sat down. 

As the nymphs began filling goblets, Zeus stood and spoke to the assembled crowd. "Another blessed day is nearly gone from us, and I am grateful we are all here to feast in the company of friends. I want to welcome to the table my nephew, Kade, my great grandson, Jules, and my daughter, Lexi." Before Lexi could feel the embarrassment of the faces turning to stare at her, Zeus gestured toward the goddess sitting at the other end of the table. Her voluptuous figure and cherry red cheeks gave her the look of a woman raised on a very rich diet. "I especially want to thank my lovely wife, Hera, for forgiving my faults and my foolishness. You honor the house of the gods, my dear."

Everyone raised their goblets in a toast, and Lexi joined them, unaware of what had actually been poured into it. When she drank, she was surprised to find it was not water but a thick fruit juice. She leaned against Kade's arm, whispering into his ear. "What am I drinking?"

"Ambrosia. Not that you need it," he whispered back.

Lexi gazed at the peach-colored liquid inside her goblet. The smell was pungently sweet and the aftertaste made her mouth pucker, but she felt compelled to drink again. She brought it to her lips, knocking back the rest in a few gulps and licking the rim like it was the last thing she would ever taste.

"Hey, slow up on that stuff," Kade warned. "You'll be on your back before the meal is over."

"What do you mean? Isn't ambrosia the drink of the gods, the stuff that keeps them immortal?"

"Yes, and it also fucks you up, so go easy."

"Oh, shit. Really?" Lexi set her goblet on the table and a nymph hurried up to refill it, but Lexi quickly put her hand over the top. "Can I have some water?" The nymph nodded and hurried away, retrieving a pitcher from a separate table against the wall. Fortunately, everyone had become interested in filling their plates and didn't notice Lexi's error. As she scanned the table for vegetarian options, her eyes kept roving over the pile of meat in front of her. It looked and smelled like beef, but she needed to know for sure. She leaned into Kade again.

"What animal gave its life to fill that tray?"

"It's beef, Lexi, not minotaur. Minotaur meat has to be cured and dried before it is eaten. It's much too gamey, otherwise."

"Gross." She whispered under her breath as she served herself from a dish of roasted vegetables.

Lexi was a little surprised nobody had engaged her in conversation. In fact, nobody spoke at all as they indulged themselves in the banquet. The silence was probably a ritual of some kind, so Lexi busied herself with eating and pretending she hadn't noticed Poseidon glancing at her as he chewed. She wanted to look at him, to stare him down and challenge his arrogance, but she had read that Poseidon's temper rivaled Zeus'. Besides, it wouldn't help her case tomorrow if she pissed off one of the gods who would be deciding the minotaurs' fate.

When everyone had slowed their pace and utensils clinked against empty plates, the nymphs hurried around the table to clear away the refuse. Goblets were refilled and attention returned to Zeus. He stood and waved his arm toward the doors. "Let us retire to the reception room for conversation."

There was a general murmur of agreement and chairs scraped against the floor as gods grabbed their drinks and ambled away from the table. Kade nudged Lexi, gesturing his head behind them. When Lexi turned around, her eyes met the robed torso of Poseidon. It was like looking at a marble statue that had been covered in a sheet, waiting to be unveiled at some grand opening.

"Lexi, may I have the pleasure of escorting you to the reception room?" Poseidon held out his arm, and Lexi shot a quick glance at Kade. He nodded subtly but she was already standing. Her glance was more to remind him of his promise to keep her in his sights rather than get permission. No way was she going to insult Poseidon by refusing his offer.

The reception room was opulent, not unlike the other rooms she had seen in the palace, with chaises arranged into separate seating areas, each one dressed in comfy cushions. The females congregated in one corner and the males in another. Poseidon lingered in-between, speaking conspiratorially over Lexi's head as he held onto her arm. "I expect you will be invited to join the goddesses. I know Hera and Demeter are anxious to meet you, but I first wanted to extend an invitation to my palace when the small talk has run its course. I would love to give you a tour."

A personal tour from Poseidon with his sparkly blue eyes and bad reputation? What to do? "I think Kade wanted to take me to a dress shop owned by his daughters."

"Kade is welcome to join us. I am sure Hades has tasked him with watching over you while you are in Olympus, and I understand why. You have been turning the heads of all the palace gods, including myself."

Lexi bit her lip, but quickly realized playing the demure goddess would only make his job easier. She lifted her chin and held his gaze as she gave her reply. "I am acquainted with many of the gods already. They have been coming to my family's home in Nova Scotia since I was a little girl. We are all good friends. I doubt they see me as anything more than that."

Poseidon treated Lexi to his charms by way of a pearly white smile. "Modesty and virtue are apropos traits in the mortal world, but in the palace of the gods they will get you eaten alive. I will speak with Kade and help him fit a detour to my palace into your schedule. Now, I believe you are being summoned."

He jutted his chin toward a group of goddesses who had reclined over several large lounges. The rosy cheeked Hera was waving her over, and Lexi felt her stomach clench, which may have been the ambrosia she had guzzled. She straightened her shoulders and walked confidently across the room toward her royal relatives, remembering the fateful warning Poseidon offered about getting eaten alive. Hopefully, she wasn't about to become dessert.