Curses of Olympus (The Olympus Trilogy #2)

42. Hestia

42

HESTIA

M oved by Aphrodite’s pain, Hestia takes the goddess’s hand as they walk with Hades, surprised when she does not reject the gesture.

The letter from Icarus is crumpled in Aphrodite’s other hand. She had read its contents and dropped to her knees sobbing. The rest of the walk has been silent, with Aphrodite re-reading the parchment over and over.

When the trio reaches the floor-to-ceiling cast iron doors to the King of the Underworld’s study, Aphrodite finally looks up from the crinkled parchment. Hestia has never seen her look so lost and fragile. It is heartbreaking.

She tries to picture having to endure the loss of Alec repeatedly. Hard to say what she would do in that madness.

The tears in Aphrodite’s violet irises glisten, and Hestia gives the goddess a hug. It may not be welcomed, but she would not be herself if she did not extend the gesture, nonetheless. Her eyes widen with shock when Aphrodite returns the hug and continues sobbing on her shoulder.

“I destroy everything I touch. I’m supposed to be the epitome of beauty, but I make everything ugly. And it finally cost me everything that matters,” she cries.

Hestia looks at the shattered goddess, her former friend. It is easy to see the connection they once had, even if it is doubtful they ever could be again. She wishes they still had the kind of friendship that would allow her to properly comfort her, but there is a bigger problem to be addressed: Aphrodite knows where the rebels are. She cannot be allowed to return to the Pantheon and expose the Allegiance, putting everyone at risk.

Hestia squares Aphrodite’s shoulders, “You are the Goddess of Love and Beauty. So don’t you think it’s time you helped us remind the realm that it is supposed to be lovely and welcoming?”

She hates to take advantage of Aphrodite’s emotionally fragile state, but this is necessary, not to mention the potential of having a goddess as powerful as Aphrodite on the side of the Allegiance.

“Don’t you think it’s what Icarus would want you to do?” Hestia presses.

Aphrodite narrows her eyes, but her shoulders sag, and she sobs again.

Hestia shoots Hades a look requesting his assistance in persuading Aphrodite, hoping he can read her intentions, but his stony features were made to be unreadable. As he gestures for Aphrodite to go inside his study, Hestia says, “Think about it. You could really do some good in her name. If you want someone to talk to, or a friend, come find me.”

As she walks away, Hestia hopes the goddess will come over to the side of the Allegiance. But more importantly, if she doesn’t, Hades will certainly not allow Aphrodite to return to the Pantheon.

In her pocket, gently wrapped with the letter Icarus has also written for Hestia is the key—the second Heart of the Fates. That leaves one remaining.

Reciting the prophecy as she walks, Hestia wracks her brain for anything to do with the daughters of Rhea. Who is Rhea? Why is she so important?

Her usual path to the library is a comfort with the coziness of routine. As soon as the smell of the parchment from the pages hits her nostrils, Hestia sighs contentedly.

The rows of shelves stare at her. Where should she start to climb this mountain? She desperately wishes there was magic or a spell that would summon the books related to her subject.

A small flutter of nausea makes Hestia stumble, but it passes quickly, and she returns to her pursuit of knowledge.