The Trickster's Heart

The Trickster's Heart A Story of Hermes and Hercules Molly Tullis The Bibliophile Blonde LLC Copyright © 2023 by Molly Tullis / The Bibliophile Blonde LLC All rights reserved. Editing by Damoro Design. Cover art and design © 2023 by Damoro Design. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. For anyone who’s afraid to love, especially those afraid to love themselves. Contents A Note from the Author Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Also by Molly Tullis About the Author A Note from the Author The beauty of mythology is how it transforms as it is retold, from generation to generation. “The Trickster’s Heart” brings together Hermes and Hercules, who have many stories told about them. This story includes original plot lines and mythological references that do not follow existing accounts to the letter. “The Trickster’s Heart” is a M/M, Greek mythological retelling that contains graphic violence, swearing, and sex scenes. Prologue “I am looking for the one I can’t fool.” ― Kamand Kojouri No one understood the trickster. It was in human nature to be confused by their actions. Whenever they spoke, we second-guessed their meaning. We found ourselves wondering if they were using a language we’d never heard. The trick was revealed and often met by anger and frustration. The rage was misplaced; the distraction was unwarranted. The games only revealed the parts of ourselves that we wished had remained hidden. Our response to the ruse unveiled bits of our souls that should have remained in the dark. There was nothing but truth in the hands of the trickster—truths so blinding, they could block out the sun. What else could we do but hide our eyes and turn away? We could not face ourselves, so the stones were thrown and the lots were cast. The devious one became the scapegoat for our sins, as if we forgot that we had started the game. Hermes did not become the trickster. He was born into it—but the greatest trick he ever played was one on himself. * * * When he was born, Zeus decreed Hermes was the ‘Herald of the Gods’ and his fate was sealed. How could anyone become 1 “Keep going… Yes, that’s it. There’s only one road. You can’t miss it. You’re on it now. That’s…great. Have fun!” Hermes waited patiently while giving directions to a freshly dead mortal soul. He did this everyday but always took time to remind himself that humans didn’t. The apparition disappeared down the short sandy path towards Charon. As soon as it vanished, Hermes released a long exhale and let the smile drop from his face. It was becoming more and more exhausting to keep up appearances—a fact that frightened him more than it should have. Hermes always did his job without complaint, and he knew that it was best for everyone if he avoided boredom. It was one of the reasons he took on so many jobs. These days, none of them seemed to have the same effect they once had, and he found himself struggling to keep up with the workload. He wasn’t tired; it was just dull now. It was as though everything he’d once loved was slowly slipping away from him, and it was driving him nearly insane to figure out why. Hermes disappeared on the wind, leaving behind a slight smell of crocus flowers and a pale cloud of golden magic. He hurtled through the Underworld