Lexi stood in the Square of Heroes rattling off the items on her list. "I need to visit with Odessa. Then I have to see Phoebe. I was also hoping to stop by Persephone's home to say hello to Alex, but Eros was taking them sailing, so we can scratch that off the list. Oh, and I have to pick up a gift I ordered for Hades at Emanuel's shop."

Poseidon's brows lifted. "That's quite a to-do list. Why don't we start with the last item, since Emanuel's shop is right outside the square. Then we can tackle the other two once I round up a chariot."

"Sounds perfect."

Lexi started for Emanuel's at a brisk pace before Poseidon could take the lead, although he had no trouble matching her gait stride for stride. As usual, they were greeted by nearly every god to cross their path. Poseidon bowed to a group of goddesses standing outside a shop, and Lexi couldn't help grinning when she heard the goddesses erupt in a chorus of giggles.

"I'm sure Emanuel has told you he is responsible for most of the fine statuary found in the city squares," Poseidon said as he allowed his robe to brush her arm.

"He is very proud of his works of art, and rightly so," she added. "As soon as I found out he was Mnemosyne's grandson, I asked her to introduce us."

Lexi recalled all her visits to Emanuel's workshop. Each one was made to ensure the piece progressed the way she wanted it to. She had not seen the finished product yet, and she felt a bit nervous about it. She already knew the craftsmanship was superb, but she worried Hades would get pouty when he realized what Lexi had to do to... personalize it.

When they reached the door to the shop, Lexi's nerves had tied her stomach into knots, and she realized then that she didn't want Poseidon to see the gift. So she tasked him with finding a chariot, which he did without further questioning. A melodic bell announced her arrival as Lexi pushed the door open, and Emanuel bustled out of his workshop to greet her. Besides his white apron, he was covered from head to toe in white dust, and he beamed at her with wide, kindly eyes. She had grown fond of his eyes after paying him so many visits.

"Lady Lexi. So, good to see you. Today is the day, eh? Are you excited to see your masterpiece? Come. Follow me."

Emanuel didn't give her a chance to answer before he disappeared back into his workshop. He knew she would have no problem finding her way. Lexi squinted against the sun streaming into the room, flooding the space through a dome-shaped skylight. In the beam of light stood Emanuel's current work-in-progress; a bust of a god with a boyish face and curly hair. It could have been anyone, although it bore a striking resemblance to Eros. Maybe Persephone came up with her own idea when Lexi told her of her surprise for Hades.

Emanuel led her to a corner where a heavy tarp covered a large piece just two inches shorter than Lexi. She knew what lay beneath it, and she held her breath as Emanuel grabbed a handful of fabric and lifted it off, revealing a masterpiece carved into white marble. Lexi didn't hold back her gasp, and her hand flew to her chest as she stared in awe. Emanuel had captured her likeness perfectly, from the natural wave of her hair as it fell over her back and shoulders, to the slight cleft in her chin, to the fullness of her breasts. Only one breast was exposed, while the other lay barely hidden beneath an expertly sculpted sash. The sash hung over her shoulder, wrapped around her gently-turned wrist, and draped discretely in front of her pubic area. The piece was absolutely stunning and extremely sensual.

"Oh, Emanuel. It's perfect. All those hours of posing definitely paid off. Hades will love it. I'm sure of it."

"If he doesn't, I know several gods who would put in a bid for it." Emanuel smiled sweetly, and Lexi felt her face heat under a very intense blush.

"You didn't show anyone else, did you?"

"Of course, not. I followed our agreement to the letter, keeping you properly covered under the cloth even when inquiries were made. Your privacy and virtue are of utmost importance, my lady."

The tinkling of a bell sounded, and a moment later, Poseidon's massive frame passed through the door of the workshop. He paused momentarily to admire the bust of the curly-haired god under the skylight before strolling over to Lexi. Then, as if startled, he staggered to a stop when he saw the nude sculpture. Lexi sucked in her lip as she watched a slideshow of expressions pass over his face. The last one was definitely arousal. She pulled the tarp out of Emanuel's hand and hurriedly covered the statue. Emanuel, for his part, seemed apologetic for failing to react quicker, although he probably enjoyed the admiration Poseidon had lavished on his masterpiece.

"I take it this is the gift you are giving to Hades?" Poseidon's fierce blue eyes bored into the cloth like he might be able to see through it, and she pretended not to see Poseidon subtly adjust his groin.

"Yes, and I was just about to ask Emanuel to have it delivered to the palace of the gods. I will need the piece to be secured on Hecate's chariot. Can you do that for me, Emanuel?"

"It will be my pleasure to accommodate you, Lady Lexi. And it has been my supreme privilege to work with you. I am sure you and Hades will enjoy the piece for years to come."

Lexi glanced at Poseidon, who hadn't yet registered it was time to leave. "I can finish my errands from here, Poseidon."

Poseidon's eyes appeared to lose focus as he muttered. "Hades is a very fortunate god. And I am an imbecile." He let his gaze lower to the floor, not caring that he had an audience. When he regained his composure, he offered Lexi a resigned smile. "Your chariot awaits, my lady."

Outside,a chariot led by a pair of pale gray horses stood at the ready. Poseidon assumed a commanding pose behind the reins, apparently oblivious to Lexi's comment about managing on her own. He snapped the horses into motion and remained uncharacteristically reserved during their journey. Lexi reminded herself why she had chosen not to ostracize him. She hoped he would learn the meaning of restraint and see the benefits of a platonic relationship. With a little humility, he might become a god worth revering.

It didn't take long before they pulled up to a gothic style home, done in the same white marble that commanded most of the city, along with the signature terra cotta roof. Perfectly pruned topiaries flanked the double doors, and a banner swooped between two front pillars with the words Virtue And Victory Are Not Exclusive. This was the home of Odessa and her roommates, all of whom were virgins. Ironically, the home reminded Lexi of a college sorority house.

As she stared up at the banner, attempting to decipher the meaning behind the words, Poseidon enlightened her. "Odessa and her female comrades are the reigning track and field champions. They are very proud of themselves."

Lexi nodded, remembering the Olympic games were underway. "That's brilliant. Do the females compete with the males in every category?"

"Yes, with the exception of the events involving strength, like the block and cable toss, and the chariot pull."

Lexi tried to imagine a goddess with bulging muscles tossing a cable over her shoulder or pulling a chariot. So far, she had only met goddesses who seemed determined to achieve the smallest waist possible while accentuating their voluptuous upper body assets. She often wondered if the gods subscribed to plastic surgery. "Do the goddesses compete against each other in the events involving strength?"

"Yes. Those events draw the biggest crowds." 

They walked to the door and Poseidon hammered on it. A few moments later, a young goddess answered, blowing away all of Lexi's previous suppositions about goddesses. The goddess was dressed in black spandex, which stretched over a fine display of sculpted muscles, and she didn't seem to mind the sweat dripping into her eyes. The girl looked more like a personal trainer than a Greek goddess.

"Can I help you?" she said, eyeing Poseidon with obvious distaste.

"Hi, I'm Lexi, daughter of Zeus. I'm here to speak to Odessa. Is she home?" Lexi couldn't help flinching as the husky goddess inspected her. Based on the goddess's scrutiny of Poseidon, Lexi wasn't sure if mentioning her relationship to Zeus would help her case.

"Yes, she's home. I'm Tara, progeny of Dionysus." Rather than curtsy, Tara held out her hand and Lexi shook it, suppressing a grimace as her fingers were nearly crushed. "I don't mean to offend, but males are not allowed inside the house. If you want to wait in the park next door, I will ask Odessa to meet you there." She stuck her head out the door and gestured toward a grassy area dotted with trees, picnic tables, and a swing set that stretched half the length of the park.

"That would be great, thanks. It was nice meeting you, Tara."

"Same here, Lexi." Tara managed to drag her cold gaze away from Poseidon to smile at Lexi before she shut the door.

Lexi couldn't help herself. She had to ask. "Okay, Poseidon. What did you do to that goddess to evoke such a venomous reaction from her?"

Poseidon appeared insulted as he shrugged. "The only crime I am guilty of is being male. The goddesses of this household are all chaste, Lexi, in case you were not aware. They have spurned the gods' affections and have focused their attention on other pursuits."

While Lexi considered engaging Poseidon in his theories about why a goddess would want to remain a virgin and why she supported their decision, she needed to focus on what to say to Odessa. What did she want to say?

As Lexi pondered, she found her feet walking her toward the swings. The last time she had been in a park was near her home in Boston, when she and a girlfriend from school stayed well past dark and Dion had come looking for them. Poseidon grabbed the chains of a swing, gesturing Lexi into the seat.

"Do you like to swing, Lexi? Sit down. I'll push you."

Lexi sat in the swing, succumbing to her desire to feel the wind in her hair and that gentle tug in her belly, but she wasn't a child. "I don't need to be pushed. I know how to swing on my own."

Poseidon stepped back without argument, giving Lexi space to do her thing. She was wearing a long dress, so coverage was no issue, but it posed some problem with respect to getting her momentum.

"Okay, maybe just a push to get me started."

Poseidon quickly obliged, pulling the swing back until her butt was nearly even with his head. He held her there a little longer than was necessary before letting go. The first surge forward had Lexi squealing, and Poseidon laughed as he pushed her again. The weightlessness caused her stomach to plummet as she stretched her feet toward the sky, then her belly found itself again on the return swing. Lexi had forgotten that thrill, and she wondered if Hades would be open to installing a swing set on the palace grounds.

Odessa emerged from a gate attached to her home, catching Lexi's eye as she walked a path leading to the swings. Lexi wasn't sure how Odessa would react as Lexi spoiled her inner child, and when the goddess smiled, Lexi remembered why she liked Odessa. Despite the fact that Odessa was Lexi's senior by nearly eighty years, Odessa had not lost her connection to her youth. Still, the chaste goddess carried herself like royalty; straight back, upturned chin, her hands poised to lift the hem of her dress when required to bow or avoid a puddle. With the complexion of a newborn babe, striking almond eyes, and hair that mimicked the various colors of summer wheat, Odessa had the goddess look nailed.

"Hello, Lexi. I see you have found a method for occupying yourself while you waited. May I join you?"

"Of course." Lexi grinned, appreciating the fact that Odessa wanted to join her rather than watch her act foolish.

"May I help you, Lady Odessa?" Poseidon walked over to the swing where Odessa was arranging herself, maintaining a respectful distance and lowering his gaze politely. All of this made sense under the circumstances, but it also made Lexi question how well the two knew each other.

"Please." Odessa grabbed the chains as Poseidon did the same, and their fingers briefly collided. Once he had her going, he swiftly retreated to a nearby tree to watch. What was that all about?

"So, Lexi. What brings you to call on me?" Odessa pumped her legs under her dress, making it look easy.

"Well, I know how fast news travels around here, but you may not be aware of Phoebe's prophecy about the titans."

Odessa's expression darkened. "So, it is true. You have just come from the meeting, haven't you? You heard it for yourself?"

"Yes, I have, and I have volunteered to organize a council to find solutions to help restore Gaia. Iapetus suggested I speak with you about collaborating with me in this endeavor. Only the younger gods and demigods will be involved."

Odessa abandoned her efforts to keep her body in motion as she stared at Lexi. "You want me to help you head up a council? Goodness, Lexi, I don't know. I'm already so busy with various activities. And, there's the team. We've got three more meets before the end of the Olympic games."

"You're on the track and field team?" Lexi tried not to appear shocked. Odessa didn't look anything like her roommate, Tara, the heavyweight champion. Maybe it was the fact that Lexi had never seen Odessa wear anything but long dresses. Did she have a set of killer legs under all that fabric?

"Yes, and we practice every day for several hours. Tara is team captain. She keeps us busy."

Lexi could definitely see Tara in the role of captain. "Well, if you're interested in being involved with the council, you can participate as a general member until the Olympics are over. Then, if you have time, we can be partners. Does that sound like something you would like to do?"

While Odessa considered Lexi's proposal, Lexi glanced over at Poseidon. She knew he could hear them, and she wondered what he thought of the idea. She also noticed he hadn't taken his eyes off Odessa since the goddess arrived. Was he eyeballing her as a potential conquest?

"Okay, Lexi, I'm in. I really want to be part of this council, and I am willing to deal with a Tara meltdown to make it happen. She has a one track mind, but not every goddess wants to take down a god in the Square of Heroes."

"Has Tara done that?"

"Yes, several times. She's beastly. I just like to run."

Lexi had allowed her swing to slow, and both she and Odessa were now sitting still in their seats. Odessa's mood had lowered dramatically since she joined them at that park, and Lexi felt a twinge of guilt. Had she pressured Odessa into participating in the council? Was it the mention of Iapetus?

"Well, thank you for seeing me, Odessa. I have one more errand to run before I have to head home. Don't worry about the council too much. I want you to focus on doing your best in the games. I'll come watch you if I can get away from Hades. He worries when I'm not at home."

Odessa offered a smile that started out sweet then turned inquisitive. "You two are really in love, aren't you?"

"Yes, very much in love."

"Do you mind if I ask you a question? It is somewhat personal."

Lexi could not imagine Odessa asking anything that would embarrass her. "Sure."

"Is it true you are both monogamous? Neither of you are taking consorts?" She bit her lip shyly, as if her question were forbidden, and her eyes flitted to Poseidon still standing against the tree.

"Yes, it's true. We don't want to hurt each other, and neither of us has a need to seek gratification or affirmation from anyone else."

"I think that's wonderful. I wish more gods felt that way." Odessa stood from her swing, and Poseidon strode over to join them. Odessa nodded to Lexi and then to Poseidon, who offered a gracious bow. "Good day to you both."

As Odessa vanished through the gate, Lexi watched Poseidon stare after her, his arms tucked across his chest and his brows bunched over his eyes. He was thinking hard about something, and it piqued Lexi's curiosity. Perhaps she would use the last leg of their journey to delve a little deeper into the mind of Mr. Swagger of the Sea.