25. Harper

I don't wake Nile, there is too much going on in my head. It was awkward talking to all the goddesses that have joined the fight. They are family but it's been years since I've been to Olympus. They all beam at me and don't treat me like a broken goddess. Those lost years have affected me but if it did anything to them they don't show it. I almost feel at home, even here in the Underworld.

I do have butterflies when the upcoming war is brought up again and again. Unlike most of the others, I haven't fought in a traditional war. Sure, I have fought to live and protect what's mine but I wasn't sure how this would go.

Would I have a rogue bolt hit someone on accident? Will my head be in the game or will I worry about my guys and try and protect them at the wrong time?

I'm just being silly. They can all take care of themselves.

I kick Nile's foot and it startles him and his hand flies to his forearm where the trident tattoo is.

"Where's the danger?" he asks, already way alert for just taking a nap.

"Well, if you snored any louder, I would've killed you myself," I laugh.

"I don't snore," he sighs.

"Anyway, Hades recruited some other goddesses for the fight. I think we are ready, well as ready as we'll ever be," I tell him

"Oh yes, a bunch of goddesses against the God of war, I can't see this going well."

"Well, for your information, Hades fought him one-on-one and let him live. This time, he'll be lucky to walk out of the underworld. She could've killed him last time, chopping him into tiny pieces and throwing him into the endless realm of Tartarus. She showed him mercy and how does he repay her? By challenging her in her home and threatening the innocent souls that are at peace. God of War or not, he's an asshole." I huff.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't discount goddesses, there are some pretty badass ones around. Kinda like the one sitting near me." He smirks.

"If you're trying to get on my good side, keep going. Our shift should be over soon. Sleep is calling to me, but I'm anxious about the fight to come, so I don't know if I'll be able to rest," I openly admit.

"Well, if you're open to it, you can snuggle up next to me. Maybe if you're in my arms you can relax enough to sleep." He shrugs.

"You really are working hard to get back in my good graces aren't you?" I smile.

"Is it working?"

Before I can answer, War is back with Hermana.

"Shifts up. Get some rest if you can. Hades saw Hermès in Olympus, so he probably already ran to Ares to tattle. War may be upon us soon."

Nile stands first and holds a hand out for me to help me up. I have an urge to give him a little zap but think better of it, I really should save my powers for the fight. I dust myself off and give War a nod.

"Do you remember the way to the palace?" he asks.

"I think we can manage. Thank you."

Hand-in-hand, Nile and I are off to find that comfortable-looking bed I saw earlier.

I'm awakened with the bed shaking, at first I'm not sure if it's an earthquake or what? Until I hear Stone's voice.

"Phoenix, stop trampling the bed. You're going to wake them."

In a hushed voice, Phoenix says, "This thing is huge, they'll never know."

"Is that so?" I ask.

"Shit," they say in unison.

"I would rather you two wake me, then being called to battle," I tell them.

"That call will come soon, but let's enjoy this as long as we can," Stone says as he snuggles up next to me.

"What did you do to Phoenix?" I ask.

"Would you rather have him next to you?"

"I didn't say that, I just thought he was closer. Did you push him off the bed?"

"Maybe," Stone replies as he trails kisses from my neck down my collar bone.

"Oh, sure, butter me up, huh?" I laugh.

"Is it working?" he asks .

Just as I turn towards him, there is a bang on the wooden door.

"Ares is near, we must prepare for battle!" a voice booms from the other side of the door.

My heart rate speeds up at that announcement. I know that I volunteered to fight, but that doesn't stop the nerves from reminding me what I signed up for.

Death. No one but, maybe Ares, enjoys killing. Hades may be the Goddess of the Underworld, but she is the reaper of the wicked and protector of the innocent souls, not a cold-blooded killer.

"You ready, my love?" Stone asks, as Nile turns on the light in the room.

"Is one ever ready?" I ask back.

"I am," Phoenix pipes in.

"Well, you were trained for this, we didn't all have sadistic assholes for dads," I say back.

All four of us laugh. We all do, but they are all different. War is not something my father joined in. A party with single ladies, bam Zeus is the first god there. Insert eye roll.

Stone and I make our way off the bed. Luckily, we went to sleep fully dressed.

"Everyone have their weapons?" I ask. I feel for my necklace and once my fingers reach my lightning bolt pendant, my nerves ease a little.

"War told me he has a sword and shield I can use," Phoenix pipes up.

Stone spins his hammer in his hands and Nile rubs his trident tattoo and the real thing appears in a flash of blue light.

"Let's get this done. Then maybe a long, tropical vacation," I say.

"Sounds like a plan," Nile says as he opens the door .

I walk out first and they flank me. We head to the living room where everyone is congregating.

"Finally," Aphrodite sighs.

I just roll my eyes. Is she really going to battle in a hot-pink halter top and hooker boots? Not sure how that is tactical.

"Has Ares been spotted in the Underworld?" I ask Hades, ignoring Aphrodite's words.

"I see you and the boys are ready for the fight." She smirks. "Good, he will be past the river soon. We will greet him at the gates. I want to keep him on the outer edge for as long as possible. Lainie and Seph are ushering the souls on the closest side of the Asphodel field to the farther side. Now that we are all here, let's head to greet Ares."