* Steam Warning *

A soothing fire roared behind the hearth of the chamber fireplace, warming Lexi's feet where they rested next to Hades's feet on the large ottoman. It had turned into a long, strange day after the stunt Elm pulled at the Lammas celebration. Once Elm made her apologies to Shanty, she sulked and annoyed her brother until the family packed up and left the palace. At home, Lexi put the nymphs in charge of the children, giving her and Hades a chance to be alone to talk about the stunt.

"Did you learn anything from your talk with Elm in the grove?" Lexi asked.

"Yes. She admitted to igniting the doll, but without intent. So, she didn't use a flint. Which means she is already discovering her gifts."

Lexi bit her lip, worrying the soft skin as she thought of the repercussions of a seven-year-old wielding such a dangerous element. "That's quite young, isn't it? How old were you when you started playing with fire?"

"Probably Elm's age, although I didn't tell anyone about it until a couple years later when I was caught lighting the street lamps before the satyrs arrived to do it. Before that, I enjoyed many practical jokes at the expense of my family and numerous unsuspecting gods." He grinned proudly at his accomplishment, but Lexi only shook her head at him.

"Oh, Hades. You can tell me all the stories you want about your youthful antics, but I will never believe you have a single wicked bone in your body."

"You don't have to be wicked to make poor choices."

Lexi nodded, knowing his words rang true. "So, what do we do about our wicked little girl?"

"I don't think Elm is wicked. She just needs to be given support and direction without feeling stifled. I believe we're doing a fair job of that already. She knows her place here, and she knows the value we put on her godly nature and the responsibilities that come with it. Let's give her time to reflect on the consequences of her actions today and revisit it if she continues to struggle."

As usual, Hades shared his insight with the cool confidence that Lexi admired so much. She had noticed it the first time they spoke, when he cornered her in the hallway and made her weak in the knees with his easy wit. And he still did it. "That sounds good to me." She rubbed her foot across his, and they spent a moment in silence, during which she tried to forget about the situation with Elm.

"Did you ever find Zeus?" she said before realizing Hades had closed his eyes.

"No. I was told he and Prometheus were engaged in a heated debate which they took to the trophy room."

"Well, it must have been a good one, since neither of them showed their faces in the great hall."

"We did leave early."

"True. Do you think we should take on another nymph?" she asked, getting back on the subject of their children.

"If it puts your mind at ease, I can have Fiona send a message to the forest nymphs. Rayne has been eager to join our ranks. And you do love her strawberry tarts."

Hades continued to engage Lexi without opening his eyes, and she decided to join him, relaxing her head to ponder his suggestion. Rayne was a young nymph, still in her first century. Talented but easily distracted. Lexi had experienced this first hand at last year's summer berry festival. Rayne was put in charge of foraging for blackberries, and she returned with a bushel of figs. Working under the tutelage of her sister nymphs in the palace might help her mature out of that. And she did make excellent tarts.

"I like your suggestion," Lexi told him.

"Splendid."

"I love you."

"And I, you."

"I miss you."

"Mmm."

"How long has it been?"

"Eight days, but you were severely pregnant for four of them...and a little grumpy for all of them."

Lexi turned to look at him, finding a grin on his lips. "I'm not grumpy now."

Hades's eyes fluttered open, and he slowly lifted his head from the chair. "What are you suggesting, my wicked wife?"

"Well, I've been having these fantasies about you on the dome room chaise."

"You want to retire to the dome room? That's four flights of stairs, and you are only four days post-partum."

"Who says I'll be walking?" She grinned at him, and his eyes grew round when he realized what she was proposing. "Of course, we can stay here if you're too tired to make the trip with your wife in your arms."

Hades popped out of his chair like he'd been given a shot of adrenaline. "Do you think Juniper will stay asleep during our absence?" He glanced into the crib as he straightened his shirttail where it hung out of his pants.

"I'll call Blythe to keep an eye on her."

"I thought you put Blythe and Lacy in charge of the other youngsters. Remember, we let Ely host Alex tonight to make up for leaving the party early."

"Sella, then."

"She is helping Fiona fix the kitchen well. It backed up while we were in Olympus."

Lexi huffed. "You're right. We do need water in the kitchen. If we had discussed a new nymph yesterday, we'd be in the dome room by now."

"Just summon Lacy. Blythe can handle the other three."

After tracking down Lacy, who was helping Elm with Lexi's birthday gift that nobody was allowed to see, Hades carried Lexi up the stairs to the dome room. On their way, Ely and Alex barreled out of the west stairwell and hurtled toward them. Ely sat on Cerberus's back, holding onto the hound's thick neck, while Alex led the way, using his wings to help him bounce from one floor tile to the next.

"Momma! Daddy! Look at Alex. He's a bunny with wings." Ely brought Cerberus to a stop in front of them, blocking their progress up the staircase. "Are you going to the dome room? Do you need to talk about important things? Is it about Elm and what she did to Shanty?"

"We are going to the dome room," Hades said. "But we won't be discussing your sister. Where is Blythe?"

"She's getting our bath ready. She said we could make one more circle. We have time to lead you upstairs." Ely whipped out a plastic dagger from his pocket and wielded it in front of Cerberus. "Onward Berber!"

Lexi and Hades exchanged resigned smiles as they were ushered up to the dome room by their enthusiastic son. When they arrived at the door, Ely dismounted and opened it with a flourish of his weapon. "Here you go."

"Thanks to both of you," Hades said. "I might have gotten lost if you hadn't found us."

Ely laughed as he prodded Alex in the arm. "He's just joking. He and Momma come up here all the time to talk. But me and Elm aren't allowed."

Alex leaned into the room, giving it a once-over. "I'll bet they don't just talk up here. Why do you think you're not allowed?"

Ely gave his friend a funny look, and Hades's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Okay, boys. Off to the bath with you."

When the door closed, Hades walked Lexi to the chaise and they sat down together. "That was awkward," Lexi said. "I still can't get over how early gods learn about sex. Alex is only ten."

"His father is the god of love. And he makes a lot of it, from what I understand."

Lexi stole a quick kiss, distracting Hades from thinking about the god who stole his mate, although Lexi would always be grateful to Eros for it. Hades responded by kissing her back, lingering much longer on her lips as he brought his fingers up to her nape and twisted them through her hair. With a gentle pull, he tugged her head back as he took possession of her mouth, tasting her with his tongue and stirring an ache in her groin. Had it only been eight days since she submitted to him? It felt like eons.

"Can I make a request?" she said against his mouth.

"Anything," he whispered, still kissing her.

"Will you play me something on your violin?"

He blinked at her as he released her lips. "Now?"

"Now is a perfect time. Your music moves me. I also have an idea."

"I'm intrigued. Can you tell me what your idea is?" He stood from the chaise, making a less than subtle move to adjust his crotch as he walked over to his writing desk where his violin was stored.

"I'll give you a hint. You need to be naked from the waist down."

He turned to smirk at her. "Now, I'm more intrigued."

Hades did her bidding, stepping out of his pants and laying them on the desk chair. When he bent over to retrieve his violin, Lexi admired his backside under his shirttail. She felt another needy ache when he turned to saunter back, and she stared openly at his amazing front side as he arrived to stand before her, demonstrating his impressive godhood just inches from her mouth.

"So, was that my only hint?" he asked.

"You still need a hint? I thought you would have guessed my intentions by now."

"Well, you're still dressed, and you're looking at me like I'm the last dinner roll in the basket. So, I have an idea. Do you require your half-naked husband to serenade you?"

Lexi smiled as she slid off the edge of the chaise and knelt in front of Hades. "I can't get anything past you."

Hades gifted her with a sultry smirk as he touched his bow to the strings and pulled a long, sensuous note from his instrument. The melody he chose to play, Ave Maria, triggered Lexi's emotions, and she let his tender rendition take her away as she took his manhood into her mouth.

While Hades stroked her with his violin, Lexi stroked him with her tongue, walking her fingers under his shirt, trying and not trying to distract him from the music. She knew he enjoyed being loved this way, and she wondered if he could get-off with his thoughts taking him in different directions.

His serenade had time standing still, and Lexi reveled in every moment she spent with her seductive god, until it seemed an eternity had passed and Hades reached his grand finale. He had not missed a note, but his breathing had turned into pants, and his hips swayed subtly as he sought his pleasure in her.

Lexi felt Hades strengthen against her lips, and a gratifying moan rose up his throat as he pulled the bow achingly slow across the strings, dragging out the ending as he liberated himself in a shuddering release. And as the notes died away, Lexi could not decide which sound she liked more - the sensual melody, or Hades's moans that accompanied it.