"My babe, my little Nutmeg, c'mon, just bat those eyes at your strongman boyfriend and get me out of here!" Hades had to calm himself by the end of the sentence, hands grasping on the side of the boat and refusing to let go.

Ignoring him, Meg continued to row on through the halls of the Underworld, which she had ended up ruling after Hades had been deposed. "Not a chance, Hades. I rule here, and you're staying in that river forever. Hercules has nothing to do with it."

She flipped her ponytail haughtily, "Besides, Wonder Boy's out of my life now."

Hades didn't miss the way her glance flickered downwards as she said that. Ah-hah. Opportunity beckoned to get out of this Zeus-forsaken river! "I told you he'd run off and break your heart. Meg, baby, you need to choose your men better!"

"I suppose you think you'd be an improvement." Meg's eyes flashed with fire as she held an oar as if considering whether to hit Hades with it.

"I wouldn't ditch you for any floozy and leave you ruling the Underworld on your own." Hades promised. The word of a god was inviolate.

"Still not impressed, Hades." Meg neared the shores, ready to end the conversation, "You lost the Underworld once already, and you lost me long ago. Get over it."

"Fine! Fine! But when the dead souls rise in revolt against you, don't come crying to me!" Hades snapped, hair flaring up again as he had to let go of the boat. He watched the slender columns of Meg's ankles as she stepped out onto the shore and walked away without a backwards glance.

She'd have to cross the river again eventually, and then Hades could give the whole kiss-and-makeup thing another try.

And once Meg agreed to let him rule the Underworld with him, he could kill her and rule alone! After all, he'd only said he wouldn't cheat on her. He'd never made any promises about murder.

Oh yeah, it was good to be a god. Even one floating in a river of undead.