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Once we uncover the misinterpreted messages, I’ll let him hit me with every moody joke in his book. Perhaps a few about his own demise.
Because maybe, just for a few minutes, I won’t keep dreading that Hades will rematerialize and make it a reality.
CHAPTER TWELVE
MAXIMUS
My relief is significant when Hecate looks up like it’s the first time she’s seen me today.
“Look who’s early for breaking their fasts.” The goddess’s gazillion bangles clink as she rises from her chair at a small table near the sala’s back window. On the deck outside, a pair of hummingbirds taunt a trio of squirrels. Hecate seems oblivious to the wildlife turf battle, folding Kara and then me into affectionate embraces. “Kalimerato you both.”
“Good morning to you too,” I say.
The goddess flares her gaze and flashes a smile. “Ah! A man who knows his Greek. I hope you two were able to get some rest through the storm?”
“We did, thank you,” Kara replies with a strangely mild smile. “Andphilia merato you, Goddess.”
I toss an awkward smile to them both. “That’s nice too. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard those two words together.”
Hecate gives a disconcerting little wave, as if acknowledging but dismissing me at the same time. “But I’m sure you agree they’re a perfect match, hmmm?Philia, meaning deep love that is shared by friends, andmerafor the morning. It’s the Iremia way of inviting energy and productivity into our days from the beginning.”
Kara dips a compliant nod. “Mindfulness is the gateway to mindfullness.”
“Oh,yes!”The goddess flows to her feet and cups Kara’s shoulders. “My amazing learner!”
Thankfully, she’s too enraptured to notice my discreet grunt. Less than a month ago, she wasmyremarkable student…
“All right, now. Pop quiz,” Hecate teases. “Do you remember the rest?”
Kara has the grace to let a blush stain her cheeks. “I’m afraid I’m usually only good for the big sound bites.”
“And that’s fine too,” Hecate soothes. “But it’s good to be reminded. When we stay mindful beyond the usual pleasantries, which are often like gloss on the rock, we won’t hide the essence of what and who we truly are.”
“Okay.” I say it slowly but amiably to make my interjection clear. “All of that does sound really good…”
“He means it,” Kara rushes to say. “You do…right, Maximus? Daily rituals set our intentions for the day. The greeting is a lot like you getting out to the gym in the morning.”
Hecate gasps. Not loudly, but with more than enough drama for her point. “Ohhh, sweet one. It’s nothing like wasting time in one of those caveman pits.”
As the goddess adds a subtle nostril wrinkle, I hide the angry flare of my own. Barely. Thosecaveman pitshave been like therapy to Jesse and others like him. They’re not for everyone, but some people choose deadlifts as therapy—and one thing I’ve learned from being a spot guy is that if someone thinks they’re ready for more weight, it’s useless to argue with them.
If Hecate’s got her sights set on more weight than she can handle, what if Kara gets crushed during the inevitable drop?
I can’t shake what the goddess and her first lieutenant said to each other, nearly in this spot, a half hour ago.
I cannot care if she is comfortable or not.
The idea of breaking her… I can’t stand it…
Hecate, finally seeming to read the tense pause, clasps her hands and freshens her smile. “On to more interesting subjects!” she ventures. “Such as you two and this early morning surprise. Morgana’s barely begun preparing breakfast. You have at least another hour to enjoy your pretty bedroom view.”
Kara’s still close enough that I feel her small squirms beneath her sketchy laugh.
“The bed is definitely comfortable,” she concedes in a diplomatic murmur. “And we’re grateful…”
“Excellent. That makes me so happy.”
“It’s been an…interesting…morning already,” I say, firming my hand against Kara’s.
