“The man they knew me as has already died,” Hades replied. “I spent eighty-eight years as a mortal before the body fell apart entirely. I had a poor relationship with my grandson. It’s no reason, but my son’s death... I withdrew. I knew he would die, too, sooner or later.” Hades leaned forward to bury his face in Aza’s fur.

“So, abandoning after a fashion, but I doubt they miss me. They are probably angry about the not-naming-an-heir thing, though. ... But I think I did give my grandson a complex. There’s this whole business with some clones...”