“True, my heart, true. But I am afraid I will become madder still if you do not help me resolve this situation. I am no more at fault than you. You could try to work with me.”
She snorted now. Her snort was more reminiscent of a wild piglet, he thought. But a very adorable piglet. He fought back a smile as she glared at him. “Your idea of working together is for me to blindly follow everything you say, to be as obliging as a sweet little nymph. I am a Goddess, I am at the mercy of no one! Now get off of me you great brute!”
He lifted her off the ground “You worry needlessly. I am not in the habit of forcing women.” He extended a hand to her.
She stiffened at his words then bit down hard on his hand and took off towards the gates ahead, beginning to climb up the entrance. He jerked her down catching her in his arms.
“Put me down! I do not care about your stupid curse!” she screamed.
His cool demeanor dissipated as he shook her, “Stop yelling, you little fool!” he said through clenched teeth, “You jeopardize the entire Underworld!”
“Hades is cursed!” She yelled out loud. “Hades is--.”
“Stop it,” he snapped covering her mouth with his hand, “If you scream that again -- I will kiss you.”
Falling silent she looked at him, green eyes glaring into black ones, a declaration of war finally issued. He removed his hand. “You would not dare,” she countered through clenched teeth.
She struggled against his grasp and he tightened his arms almost painfully around her. “You think to dare me, my Queen?” She only had a moment to quicken her breath, when he descended swiftly towards her. At the first touch his lips were rough, but after a moment they gentled over her own and his full lips moved softly against hers, coaxing and pulling at her mouth. He brought her more fully into his arms and she felt the long length of his body pressed so tightly against her own and she shivered. As he angled his head and ran his tongue against the seam of her lips, she let out a small sound and without conscious thought, her mouth begin to open when he suddenly lifted his head and looked down at her
with cold and gleaming eyes. He had merely been playing with her, she thought angrily. She pushed him away with all her strength and gave him a withering glance. Please to the Gods he had not noticed. She opened her mouth to yell again, and he looked without expression.
“If… you... shout… I will do it again, and this time I will take my husbandly compensation, as well.”
“You said you did not force women,” she whispered with wary eyes.
“Who said I would be forcing you, my sweet?” he infuriatingly responded.
She took a step back from him. She knew he would. Shaken, she shook her head. “I will not shout again,” she held out a hand as he moved towards her, “but please do not touch me, you promised you would not force me. Take me back to my room.”
His dark eyes watched her, and he inclined his head, “As you wish, my Queen. Come.”
Chapter 4 - The Parade
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After Hades deposited her in her room with the threat of chains if she left it again, she had fallen into a dreamless sleep before the burning embers of the fire. She awoke, jolting off the floor as someone pounded insistently on the door. Her heart leaped in her throat as the door rattled again. So far no one aside from Hades had come to her room and he certainly would not bother with the politeness of knocking. “Who is it,” her voice coming out in a strangled cough, suspiciously high even to her own ears. She cleared her throat and summoned the best imperious voice she could muster. She had heard Athena use it several times with great aplomb. “Who is it!” There, she thought with satisfaction.
“Good morning, your Majesty,” a woman’s voice called, “we are here to break your fast and dress you.”
It was morning then, Persephone thought, feeling her hopes dashed as she glanced about the room and saw it was as grey and lifeless as it had been the night before. She had spent the whole evening in this wretched place. How her mother must be worried!
She considered denying the woman entry, if she worked for Hades, she should not accept her help. And she certainly did not trust any servant that did his bidding. However, she was hungry and there was no reason to be rude to the poor woman, perhaps she was a prisoner, too. All here to serve the mighty Hades’ will, she thought angrily. And perhaps this morning there may be more light to see by than there had been last night, her heart beginning to quicken at the thought of freedom. She placed her hand on the large handle and twisted quickly, darting out of the room when an overly tall, enormously muscled guard pulled her back inside. Good Gods! He must be a giant, she thought as she stared at his tree like form. “We were warned you might do that. I have strict orders you are not to leave yer room, yer Majesty,” he grunted at her in a very giant like manner. She glared up at him as three women dressed as servants laughed and carried in trays laden with food, a large bundle of dresses and bottles of fragrant oils. They closed the door firmly behind them and her chance of freedom vanished with a soft thud. For now, she promised herself grimly, as she turned to watch her captors.
They seemed like ordinary women, humming happily as they went about their duties. In fact, she considered with narrowed eyes, watching as they laughed and smiled at one another, they seemed perfectly content, more content even than the servants she had known in her mother’s temple. Perhaps they were under a spell, she reasoned. It would be just like Hades to have a mindless palace of servants at his disposal. Persephone went closer, curiosity getting the best of her as they laid out breakfast on shining silver platters and steaming drinks filled with spices. Her mouth actually watered as fresh fruits were laid out, fruits from above ground! Her eyes greedily soaked up their vibrant colors, reds and purples and yellows and she could not help herself as she grabbed an apple and hungrily devoured it. Hades need not know how much she had enjoyed her breakfast. The elder servant watched with satisfaction and then tutted around the other women as they began to lay out items on her bed. Nibbling on the remnants of a particularly juicy grape, she stood to see what they were doing, when one of the women turned to her and deftly pulled off her tattered tunic. She let out a squeal and quickly covered her breasts, flushing. “Wh-What do you think you are doing?” She gasped outraged, grabbing desperately for her gown as it soared over her head and into the fire they had revived. “That is my only gown!”
The elder servant spoke again, sniffing her nose. “Your Highness is riding in the wedding parade today and that old cloth was not suitable to clothe a beggar, if you pardon. The whole Underworld will be there to see Hades’ Queen and he gave the strictest orders that you would require traditional clothing for the Chariot ride.”
“A parade,” Persephone said through clenched teeth, as one of the servants happily stoked the fire with the remnants of her gown. “Hades said nothing of this to me. You may tell him I am not interested in attending.”
“Oh, but you must,” the head servant replied with genuine distress. “The master made that very clear and the whole of the Underworld is expecting you. It is the event of the season. I expect you are overtired,” she said, nodding her head as though that settled the matter and with a snap of her fingers directed the two younger servants to the back of the room as she took a key from her waist to unlock an adjacent door, opening up into a smaller anteroom.
Persephone scowled at her, following behind, eyeing the belt of keys at the waist of the servant. Perhaps if she got close enough, she could snatch her belt. The servant placed her arms firmly at her hips and Persephone let out a huff of annoyance. “No, I am not overtired,” Persephone replied stiffly, “that is, I am tired but I --.” They were filling a small pond in the back of the room with fragrances turning the water a variety of colors, while steam rolled merrily off the top of the hot, bubbling water. It looked better than Olympus itself, she thought longingly. She lifted a hand to her hair and felt the mud and dirt caking it. What would be the harm of a bath? It did not do any good to be fi
lthy and she did not have to tell Hades she savored it. It would be so nice to be clean again.
“There, there dear, nothing that a hot bath will not set right. In you go, your Highness.” And before she could hesitate further, three pairs of helpful arms slid her into the bubbling pool.
For a moment Persephone was submerged under the hot water and she felt a wild freedom in the quiet solitude as she looked up into the hazy world above. Down here no one could tell her what to do or what she should think. If only she were a bird or a fish, she thought longingly, far away from the will of Gods and the desires of men. Only once her lungs began to seize did she move her legs and shoot to the top of the pool. Ready hands waited and began to cover her hair with oils while another gently pulled her arms from the pool to smear creams on her person. They chatted happily, their voices drifting around her, and Persephone closed her eyes, slipping into a relaxed state. What bliss this was, she breathed with a sigh, feeling the hot water release the tension from her muscles. No different really than a bath at her home. She cracked one eye at the sudden mention of Hades’ name from one of the maids. Hmph, she thought sulkily, must he even intrude here in her bath.
“You seem quite content to serve my husband?” she inquired, addressing the older woman.
“Oh yes, my Queen,” as she began to work a comb into Persephone’s matted hair. He is a fair and honest master. I would not trade my services for any God above ground.”
“And how long have you served Hades,” Persephone questioned sulkily.
“Since my death, your Majesty. My family has served him for generations. These are my nieces you see here, Phoebe and Cleo. It is our privilege to serve him. Upon each of our deaths we enter into his service.”
She smiled at them and they smiled shyly at her. “And what is your name?”
“Jocasta if you please, my lady.”
“Jocasta is a lovely name. If it is suitable to you, while I am here, would you mind helping me?”
Her brows drew over her eyes at her phrasing, but she was too good a servant to question her Queen. “Oh yes, your majesty. And it was what my lord asked of me as well. He said I was to attend to your needs.”
Persephone felt annoyed at the mention of her husband’s name, but she could hardly find fault with Jocasta for that. “Well then, for once my husband and I are in agreement. It would be an immense help for me.”
Jocasta smiled her pleasure. “Just wait, my Queen, until you see the finery that you may wear today,” she began to wring the water from Persephone’s long dark hair, wrapping it tightly in a hot white cloth.
“I am not going to the parade, I am afraid I cannot--”
“Oh, the children will be so disappointed,” Jocasta said sadly, shaking her head, her grey curls bouncing. “They have little to look forward to down here.”
She felt her heart twist as one of the nieces extended their hands to help her from the pool. “Children?” she asked as she stood from the pool and a white towel was quickly wrapped around her.
“Oh yes, my lady. And they have been so looking forward to seeing you. They are orphans who await their parents to join them.”
“I did not think of children down here,” Persephone murmured quietly, feeling foolish at her lack of knowledge of this dark world. How selfish had she been that she had never given a thought to what may happen when a child enters Charon’s boat alone. Her entire life she had gone without any thought of the Underworld, content with the sunshine and peace of the meadows above. There were children alone here in this darkness. How could she deny them this pleasure when it was something so small for her to do -- just to be spiteful to Hades. “Very well, I will go to the parade. However, I do not wish to wear something too ostentatious. A simple gown will suit my needs.”
“Well, we’ll see about that,” Jocasta said with a smile. They began to dry her naked body vigorously. They moved her quickly back to her bedroom, a warm cloth wrapped around her. She surveyed the selections on her bed with horror. Several of the gowns were almost entirely diaphanous with only a few choice portions of fabric leaving any modesty at all. All of them had low cut necklines, some dipping as low as the navel! She threw each to the ground in growing dismay.
“No! No!” She repeated adamantly seeing the expression on Jocasta’s face. “I dressed simply at home and these are extravagant enough for Aphrodite to wear. I do not wish to dress in such an unclothed state. My bosoms may fall out of those gowns!”
“But your majesty there is no time, not if you will arrive at the parade on time.”
“I do not know what sort of women Hades typically parades about the Underworld,” Persephone stated with scorn.
“But your majesty,” Jocasta interrupted. “Hades does not parade any women. You are the first that has been in this palace.”
Persephone closed her mouth in surprise. “Never?” she asked in amazement.
“Never,” Jocasta emphasized with a firm nod of her head.
“Still, these dresses are not suitable.”
“I could I suppose manage to make a new dress but it would take several days. If you wish, of course we can arrange it, if you do not mind to make the people and the children wait who have been gathering since last night…”
“Oh very well then!” Persephone said reluctantly, feeling that she had been very adeptly and expertly managed when a contented smile creased Jocasta’s face. They debated which gown she should wear and finally Jocasta gave in letting her select the most demure of the gowns, which was not saying much.
They dressed her in a sheer gown that shone like sunlight and was embellished with flattened gold fragments and sparkling gemstones. As she stared at the bright beauty of the dress, she felt a painful longing to see the sun again, to feel its warmth on her skin. The neckline plunged low in the front and her small breasts were on full display, but it had been the most modest of the choices. The train of the dress drug behind her, trailing like the plume of a peacock’s feathers. The maidens kohl-rimmed her eyes, carefully curled her dark hair with hot irons, and finally placed a jeweled tiara of gold and diamonds on her head. After they surveyed their handywork, congratulating one another on her beauty, Jocasta knocked on the door lightly and the giant appeared again.
Persephone felt her heart quicken as she was led down the dark hall. She had been preparing herself to come face to face with her captor again and she needed to make it clear to him that the only reason she agreed to this parade was to please the children. It was certainly not to make a show of their mockery of a marriage. The gown she had borrowed was a necessary evil since her own was now merely ash in the hearth. She tugged uncomfortably at the neckline feeling a cold draft blow against her chest. Her breath caught when the giant led her through two large doors to a gleaming golden chariot that was just beyond them. Four enormous black stallions were at the front, pawing the ground with their large hooves. Their manes were intricately braided, and each was gilded with golden bridles. Her eyes, though, were not on the carriage, but rather on the man standing at the head. His broad back was to her and she watched as he fastened a blood red cape onto his black tunic, turning slightly so that he was in profile to her. Many of his servants were running frantically to and fro and one approached to consult with Hades, who bent his head to listen. His dark hair slid over his forehead hiding his black eyes. In repose his lips looked soft and full and her stomach did a curious swoop as he bit down on his lower lip, and she remembered their kiss. How hot his mouth had been and how she had wanted to... she felt her cheeks redden when he suddenly turned to face her. His mouth had partially opened, but as he stared at her, an arrested look came over him and he lifted a hand to his wound as if it pained him. His chest was entirely covered by his tunic, but surely it had begun to heal? He was a God after all. Perhaps he was unsatisfied with her appearance, she thought with a frown.
She tried to pull discreetly at the neckline of the dress. “I picked the least offensive one.”
He blinked down at her,
taking a moment to respond. “What?”
“You are displeased with my choice, but the others were unacceptable--.”
“No,” he shook his head, stepping from the chariot, “no, you look beautiful.” For some reason his simple statement made her blush again which displeased her immensely. He handed the reins over to a servant, and as he approached, she saw small beads of sweat dotting his forehead. Was he still ill? Gods healed quickly from any injury, she knew that well. She remembered disobeying her mother as a child and playing on the rocks of a river. She had fallen down a treacherous ravine and her blood had made the river red. By sunset though she had completely healed and her mother had never been the wiser. But Hades seemed to be too pale still and there were faint lines around his mouth. His injury was deep, but he was a powerful, ancient God and he should be entirely healed by now. Perhaps she should look at his wound.
“Hades,” she said slowly, “this parade does not have to be today.”
His mouth curved as he looked down at her and he lifted his hand to her. She hesitated a moment before placing her smaller hand in his and felt his long fingers curl around her own.
“And disappoint the whole Underworld? Everyone is longing to see the beautiful Goddess of the Forest.” He led her back to the chariot, helping her up. He joined her in the small space and leaned closer to her. “Hold on tightly. All that is required of you is to smile and wave. They only want to see you. As I do.”
Feeling uncomfortable with his gaze and confused by his words, Persephone leaned forward to stroke the flank of one of the horses. She could sense their anxiety of the large crowd which must be gathered outside the gates, and she sympathized. She knew the feeling all too well. Persephone stiffened as she felt him press closer behind her. He grabbed her arm and opened her palm, wrapping her fingers around an apple.
Hades And Persephone: Curse Of The Golden Arrow Page 5
