Lexi was greeted by Artemis as she left the infirmary, but the goddess was not dressed in her usual huntress attire. Instead, she wore a white gown that matched the description of a medieval maid; long, bulky, and sheathed in a dark green apron with pockets. She looked like she was preparing to pick apples or muck a horse stall. Artemis pulled Lexi in for a hug, stepping back to admire Lexi's blossoming belly.

"You look radiant, Lexi. Of course, you have always been radiant, even when you were a toddler. How did your visit with Hera go? Did she scare you with those long stretches of silence?"

Lexi offered Artemis a crooked grin. "My heart was pounding pretty good when I climbed off the exam table, but I am sure she doesn't mean to do it."

Artemis shrugged, giving Lexi the impression she thought otherwise. "She is a goddess of few words, which can be a problem when you are relying on her input. Based on your smile, I assume you and baby are doing well."

"Babies, actually. I am having twins, it seems." Lexi sighed as she shared the news she was still processing herself.

"Twins! How wonderful. Hades will be overjoyed."

Lexi had no doubt Hades would be overjoyed, it was the daunting task of caring for two babies at once that had Lexi freaking out. She would be saying bye-bye to sleep for a while, and possibly another important aspect of life - spontaneous sex. Sleep she could forfeit, but she refused to compromise her sex life with Hades. He was the fuel to her fire.

Artemis seemed to pick up on Lexi's uncertainty, and she slung her arm around Lexi's shoulder like a comrade on the battlefield. "I know you have only been at this a few years, but you and Hades have eternity to spend together. Before you know it, your children will be grown and flying the coop, and you will have your privacy back."

While Lexi appreciated Artemis' pep talk, it didn't suppress Lexi's worries. As far as Hades was concerned, when his kids flew the coop they left for good. While the underworld was not lacking in recreation or beauty, it was lacking in gods, at least the living ones.

"Have you visited the grove since the tree lighting ceremony?" Artemis asked as she directed Lexi toward a flowered courtyard.

"No, why? Is there a reason I should be visiting the grove?"

"Your tree is doing extremely well. In fact, it has become a favorite of the residents. If you have a moment, I will take you there to see it."

Her tree? Lexi had never considered the elm to belong to her, in spite of the fact she gave the tree a head start on life. She glanced up at the sun, which was about thirty minutes from high noon. Lexi was due to meet Odessa at The Argonauts Table at mid-day, plenty of time for a stroll to the grove. "Sure."

The trail had become thick with summer blooms, some of them pungently fragrant and some boasting colors so vibrant Lexi found herself squinting at the bright blues and vivid pinks. The rumor mill had been busy spreading word about the titans' prophetic demise, and as they walked the path, Artemis told Lexi the inhabitants were complaining the council was not taking more action to prevent it. In return, Lexi told Artemis about Zeus' refusal to present the agenda to the council, and Artemis offered to look at it if Odessa wanted to send her a copy. After Lexi received Artemis' promise to keep it under wraps and not incite the wrath of their supreme leader, Lexi agreed.

When they reached the grove, Lexi's elm was the first tree to greet them. She stood taller than all the trees around her, with thick branches stretching upward and outward, laden with clumps of green leaves. Lexi had dubbed the tree a she, and beneath her limbs, surrounding the base of the trunk, a shrine had been erected. There were offerings of every kind; candles, cards, dried flowers tied with ribbons, and a handmade doll dressed in a white robe with auburn-colored yarn for hair. It bore a striking resemblance to Lexi.

"Take a closer look." Artemis nudged Lexi toward the tree, and Lexi crouched in front of the pile of offerings. The first card to catch her interest was embellished with pressed flowers and appeared to have been made by a child just learning her craft. Lexi read the inscription.

To Lady Lexi. You are a special goddess, more special than the rest of us because you have the powers of Gaia. My great great grandfather, Dionysus, says you should visit the palace more often. The card was signed by Jericka, a child no older than ten who Lexi had met at a party thrown by Dionysus.

Lexi picked up another card, which had a rudimentary drawing of a god in a toga hurling a javelin. She knew who the drawing represented even before she read it. Lexi, when it comes to compassion and love, your aim is true (a javelin metaphor). I will always be in your debt for saving my life—Jules

Lexi continued to read every message, including one from Gunther, who wished he had been the one to be pierced with a spear so he could have received her kiss of life. Tears streamed freely down Lexi's cheeks by the time she finished, and Artemis patted her shoulder kindly as Lexi rose to her feet.

"You have made quite an impact on the residents of Olympus, Lexi, including the members of the council. There is much talk circulating that you have been touched by Gaia. Your gifts and influence could have a profound impact on our kind, should you ever chose to join us in the palace of the gods and rule alongside Zeus."

Lexi wiped the moisture off her cheeks as she gave Artemis her full attention. If she was going to make a point, she didn't want to look like an emotional wreck when she did it. "You know that is not possible, not unless I can convince the council to allow Hades admittance into Olympus. Besides, Zeus is on my list at the moment, for the reasons I told you about earlier. We argued until we were both purple. It makes me wonder how many thunder bolts would accidentally escape through the palace windows if we were both living here."

Artemis laughed. "Zeus displays the moods of a female on her menses, but he has his moments of clarity."

Lexi glanced up through the leaves to check the location of the sun, which hung directly over their heads. "I probably should go. The Argonauts Table is a ten minute walk from here and I promised to meet Odessa there for lunch."

"Oh, I love The Argonauts Table. Try the spanakopita. It is better than the palace version. Pleasant day to you, Lexi."

Keeping a quick pace, Lexi managed to arrive at the restaurant with only two diversions. She had to stop into Kylie's shop for a quick hello, and she was detained by Clary at the park of the muses where a painting class was in full swing. Odessa was waiting on the patio at a small table under a wide awning, and she started pouring water into a goblet as Lexi slipped into her seat.

"Greetings, my friend." Odessa offered her perpetually cheerful smile as she handed Lexi the goblet.

"Pleasant day, Odessa. You look like you just stepped off cloud nine."

Odessa squinted at Lexi, clearly confused. "Do they number the clouds in the mortal world? I have never heard of that."

"No, they don't, but there is a saying about being on cloud nine. It means you are deliriously happy."

"Oh, yes. I am very happy, indeed." She erupted with a shy giggle that made her seem much younger than her years.

"Care to share with me?"

The restaurant door tinkled and Phineus stepped outside. He was not a large god, but he was handsome, with his only unfortunate attribute being cloudy gray eyes, a consequence of his blindness suffered at the hands of Zeus. This handicap did not inhibit his ability to navigate through the tables, however.

"Good day, Lady Lexi," he said, offering a polite nod. "Lady Odessa tells me you and she will be enjoying a friendly lunch today. I have made a fresh pan of spanakopita. It is a favorite among many of the gods."

Lexi smiled, impressed by his ability to detect her presence. "That sounds perfect, Phineus. Artemis was just telling me how much she loves your spanakopita."

He chuckled. "I am not surprised. Artemis likes to claim she helped me perfect the recipe. That is why she is so fond of it. Odessa, what can I bring you?"

"I will have the same."

Phineus nodded. "I will return hastily with your lunch."

As he maneuvered to a nearby table to check on a party of gods, Lexi turned to Odessa to probe further about her excessive happiness.

"So, Odessa, you were about to tell me why you were very happy, indeed."

Odessa's teeth clung to her bottom lip as she appeared to force back a grin. "I think I am in love, Lexi."

Lexi suppressed her desire to jump out of her chair and hug Odessa around the neck. Instead, she clasped her hands over the table and rested her chin on them. "Are you going to make me guess who your affections are directed at?"

"Poseidon, of course, silly. I cannot stop thinking about him. He sends gifts every day so I am unable to stop thinking about him. And they are very thoughtful gifts, things only someone who knows me well would think of, like maple-flavored sweets and a hair comb made from cherry wood." She turned her head so Lexi could see the intricately carved comb tucked into her bun. "He even wrote me a poem that made me swoon. At least, I thought I was swooning. I have never done it before. It was fortunate I was alone when I read it."

"Oh, my. That sounds very romantic."

"It is all incredibly romantic, which had me worried at first. I did not know how much of it was a game he played with the goddesses he had wooed in the past. So, I started asking around. I spoke to some of the goddesses I knew had relations with him, weaving subtle inquiries into conversations to keep suspicions down, and I was surprised at what I found out. 

"Aphrodite said she never received gifts from him, and Demeter seems to harbor an unresolved hatred for him. Amphitrite, who he parted ways with long ago, was not an option due to her inaccessibility at the bottom of the sea. But, from what I gleaned, Poseidon prefers to take mortal consorts when he is not enjoying the intimate company of a sea nymph or a willing goddess. I seem to be the only one he has made any kind of effort toward courting with such determination."

Lexi thought her heart might burst from emotion overload. Could Poseidon really be serious about finding a life mate, or was this a devious attempt to deflower a virgin? If it was the latter, the consequences would be severe, not just at the hands of Lexi, but the entire community would likely shun him for such a selfish act. "That sounds promising, Odessa. I am so happy for you both."

"The problem is..."

Odessa's statement was cut short by Phineus, who carried their lunch on a silver platter and set it on the table. Besides a large helping of spanakopita, there were sliced summer melons, grapes, and cucumber.

"This looks delicious, Phineus," Lexi said, although she wished he had arrived after Odessa had finished her sentence.

"I expect you to eat heartily, Lady Lexi. I have heard you and Hades are expecting your first child, and I wish to extend my congratulations."

Lexi wasn't about to correct him. The news of their twins would find its way around Olympus soon enough. "Thank you. I'm sure Odessa and I will have no problem cleaning our plates."

When they were alone again, Lexi leaned over the platter, ignoring the food completely. "What is the problem, Odessa?"

Odessa was already serving herself when she looked up at Lexi. "Oh, well, I am worried that if I keep denying him, you know, from the needs of a god, he will lose interest in me. But I also do not want him to lose interest in me once we have become intimate."

So, Odessa had already considered breaking her vows of chastity. Wow. "What have you done, so far? If you don't mind me asking."

"We have graduated to holding hands, and that seems to please him very much. I may be chaste, but I know when a god is pleased." She smiled as she popped a grape into her mouth.

Lexi cut a piece of spanakopita and set it on her plate as she deliberated on a response. She remembered being a virgin not so long ago, and being faced with Hades' prodigious hotness had her hormones raging the moment he walked in the door. "I don't think you have a problem, Odessa. As long as you both communicate your feelings with each other, I believe the physical aspects will fall into place naturally."

Odessa smiled across the table. "Thank you, Lexi. You are a good friend. I am very glad we met."

As they turned their focus to their plates, Lexi wondered if Odessa knew of her history with Poseidon, how he had tricked her into taking what she had denied him. How often did Poseidon recall the night he pretended to be Hades? Did he revisit the image when he enjoyed the company of a willing goddess? Would his infatuation with her hinder his ability to give himself fully to Odessa? A shiver overtook Lexi, and she covered it by taking a large bite of lunch. Now was not the time to bring up the ghosts of her past, not when she had her future to plan.