“Persephone, I love you,” he murmured. He heard a quiet laugh and drew back to see the pale eyes of Venus staring into his own.
She stood adjusting her gown and laughed. “Lovesick Pluto. You are pathetic.” Venus exited through the doors with a giggle, “Goodbye Aidoneus, protect your lamb. She is so very sweet and you are so very ravenous.” With a flick of her fingers she was gone.
Hades stood trembling. How could he be fooled twice by such a cheap trick. The sight of his Persephone naked and willing was enough to cloud his judgement. He brought his shaky hands to his face and felt the sweat dripping off his hair. Pulling a scroll from the cabinet he looked at the transit Venus had warned of. She was correct, it was coming, and soon. Astrologically, Venus squaring Pluto was not a good day. At best, it brought out possessiveness, jealousy, violent behavior in your love life, and it was squaring him. It had happened before of course, but never when he had been cursed. Never when lust and love waged war in his mind until there was nothing left of himself. All his insecurities and wrath would be directed at the one person he did not want to fight. He would get a good taste of the darker side of his soul and he feared what would be revealed. He didn’t think he would like the revelation.
He slammed his hand down on the desk, “Merda.”
Chapter 12 - The Past
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Light glimmered through the trees kissing Persephone's soft skin with its rays. She pranced down to the river and kissed the waters with her fingertips, “Tell me you love me,” she whispered to the shimmering stream, “Tell me.”
A hand pushed through the water grabbing her arm and trying to pull her through the glassy water. “Under the Stars,” the river hissed like a snake. The first word reverberated, “Under, under, under…” and then the arm began to pull her down, down, down into hell.
Olive woke her, licking the tears from her face. She grabbed the fawn tightly in her arms, crying desperately, “Oh my beauty, my precious friend. What would I do without you?” Lifting the deer into the air she cried, “Let us stay here today. We will invite Cerberus and feast on fruits and a bit of meat for him and we need not see Hades today…” She bit off her words as she remembered the look of desolation on his handsome face the previous night. How was he feeling today, she wondered? It was selfish and cowardly to avoid him and their problem would not be solved by her hiding. Besides, had she not done that enough in her life? Her almost entire existence had been spent hiding from the world and that had not worked out too well, had it? She gave Olive a gentle kiss on the nose and then set him beside her.
“On second thought, I will not have him thinking I’m recreant.” Jocasta was likely busy and she could manage well on her own. She moved to the mirror and began piling her hair up on her head and kohl rimming her eyes, the little deer watching her. “Olive, find me a dress. One that says I will not bend even if the wind blows!” Morning glories in the room climbed up and she bent her head to greet them and they tilted towards her gently, touching her face with silken softness. Olive’s tiny feet tap danced across the stone floor dragging a dark blue toga that sparkled with starlight constellations as if Nyx herself had woven it. Knowing Hades, perhaps she had, Persephone thought wryly.
Her face lit up, “It is perfect!” she exclaimed. “Thank you, Olive.” She took the dress gently from Olive’s mouth and placed it over her head. “You are right of course, Olive,” she said as she quickly began to pin diamond stars in her hair, “I better hurry, I refuse to let him be first to the throne room.” She lifted her skirt and ran eagerly to the throne, the small, sweet purple flowers of lobelia trailing behind her. She gave a self-satisfied smile when she saw that the room was empty, she had beaten him again! She was enjoying her small victory, however petty it might be. Hearing footsteps and the shuffling of guards, she knew her husband must be approaching and she wiped the smile from her face, quickly grabbing a nearby scroll to hide behind. She listened intently as he entered, keeping her eyes fixed before her.
She heard him approach her and she jumped as he took the scroll from her hands turned it around and had a momentary glimpse of his broad chest before he handed it back to her. “You will find it easier to read when not upside down, wife.” She blushed and raised her chin as she threw the scroll back onto the table. She gave up the pretense of disinterest and studied his face which was paler than usual, and dark circles stood out in stark contrast under his eyes.
“You look wretched,” she said cooly.
“Ah, and a good morning to you too, my beautiful wife.” With an exaggerated bow, he took her hand and at the last minute turned it so he was pressing his cool lips against her palm. She felt her pulse quicken and she knew he could feel it against his fingers as he raised his eyes to look into hers. "I hope it is acceptable if I kiss your hand - since my kisses are so offensive to you.”
Persephone coldly withdrew her hand and looked back down at the itinerary of the morning, seeing nothing, but making sure at least this time it was facing the right direction. “And will you be reading my mind or just the prisoner's minds today my king?" she asked sweetly.
As before, a servant brought his crown which he placed on his head, followed by the signet ring on his finger. Still not breaking his gaze, he replied, “Well, since I hold you here as a prisoner, I guess I shall be reading all your minds today, my queen.” The judges had entered the room and he took a seat on the throne, putting his hand out as he waited for her to rest hers against his palm, “Come now my wife. Is my touch so disturbing to you?”
She reluctantly placed her hand on top of his and he glanced at her, “Your hands are cold.”
“As cold as your kingdom, my husband.”
His expression was stone as he replied, “But not as cold as your heart, my love.”
The doors opened, and the new arrivals poured in, but he found for once he was too weary and in no mood to greet the new subjects. He rested his head in his hand for a moment trying to summon the strength to speak when Persephone spoke up suddenly, graciously welcoming the dead to their new home. Had she picked up on his weariness? It was a struggle sitting next to her as she smiled at the newcomers. She smelled so fresh, like the earth, like a newly grown garden and her every move made him ache with lust and an unwanted sweeter emotion that was too painful to acknowledge. “Futuo,” he thought. “I cannot focus today.”
Hades could hear the sounds of iron dragging against the ground and knew what was coming next and he sat up suddenly. He did not know if he wanted his wife to see this. With her sweet and noble sensibilities she would not like the retribution he dealt out. He remembered how she reacted when he had ripped the man’s heart out and he had done far worse than that before and would still.
“The wicked are coming,” he murmured quietly. “Would you prefer to leave?”
She regarded him but he could read nothing in her expression. “I will leave when you leave,” she finally said.
“Very well then. I will handle these visitors,” he said firmly. “Who better to judge the wicked, afterall.” Before she could reply he clapped his hands and the gates opened once more. Hades’ demeanor changed and all appearance of fatigue vanished from his face as an icy cold gleam came in his eyes. He placed a hand over his wife’s hand and looked to the Judges, nodding. A quiet foreboding hush settled over the room and he felt Persephone’s hand tighten over his. The sound of heavy chains against the floor grew louder until finally a man was brought in in shackles by two guards and thrown roughly to the ground.
Hades stared at him in silence for many moments and then finally said in a silky voice, “State your name to the room.”
"I am King Tantalus," the man replied, his voice booming with a false bravado.
Hades voice was cold “You are not a King here. Tantalus, kneel before me.”
Tantalus was brought before the throne and shoved onto his knees as Hades stepped closer to probe his memories. Tantalus was a selfish and boastful king whose only aim in life was to impre
ss the Olympians, and Zeus had foolishly granted him attendance at Mount Olympus, a rare privilege to a mortal. Hades could see that Tantalus had dined with the Gods and stolen from them, taken the ambrosia back to his Kingdom. But he was worse than a thief. He watched as Tantalus had murdered his own son, Pelops. He had then served his body to Zeus as a surprise at a banquet. The Gods unknowingly feasted on the king’s son’s flesh. He saw Demeter, her face ravaged by grief as she dined at the table, and afterwards how she had cried in horror at the knowledge of what (who) they had unknowingly eaten. And Tantalus enjoyed every bite of meat. Hades forced himself not to glance towards Persephone. He did not need to see anymore.
“Sycophant,” he said in a low voice, “Cannibal. Filicide. You murdered your own child. You filleted the skin off his bones and had your chef harvest his meat and organs to impress Zeus at his dinner table.”
"My son should be honored to be in the presence of the Gods,” he screamed, spittle flying from his mouth. “Demeter herself feasted on his flesh!" He heard Persephone gasp in horror behind him and he twisted his hand lifting the prisoner up into the air until his feet dangled off the ground.
"You disgust me!" Hades yelled, remembering the look of pleasure on his face as he had partaken of his son’s flesh. And the memories blurred as he saw the gleam of pleasure in his own father’s bulging eyes as blood dripped from his mouth. He pushed the visions away as he glanced at Persephone behind him and saw the streak of tears on her face. He lowered his hand and forced his thoughts to quiet.
When Tantalus fell to the ground with a bone crunching thud, he said calmly, "Pathetic excuse of a father, to feast off the flesh of your boy. You are no better than Cronos." Hades stopped, and a sinister smile spread across his face, "And you will join him." He lifted his hand and the king wasted away before their eyes, and he let out a gasp of pain, shrieking mindlessly for food and water.
Hades saw Persephone sink back in her chair, clearly frightened by the scene playing out before her. The evil king’s memories were too abhorrent and Hades felt the need to punish him quickly and decisively. Retribution for the sins of corrupt sadistic fathers. Hades stepped nearer to the prone figure at his feet and bent to his ear to whisper, “This is my punishment for you, the curse of insatiable thirst and hunger. Never again shall food or water touch your lips. Forever will you be surrounded by food and drink - almost able to grasp it - but never able to reach it.”
The king began to sob as the words echoed in his ears and he licked his dry lips. His bony hands reached to Hades robes as he pulled at them helplessly. "You cannot do this to me, I am a King! I am a King, like you!” he cried.
Hades loomed over the man and replied with a sneer, “And I am a God.” He ripped his robes from the already skeletal hands of the prisoner and looked to the guards, “Remove this king.” Tantalus shrieked in fear as the guard’s drug him by his arms through the door.
After the King, another man came, and then another and another. Persephone had felt pain in her heart when her mother’s name had been mentioned by the depraved and monstrously evil king. How Demeter must have suffered to know that she had fallen prey to King Tantalus’ savage trickery and she found that she could not be sorry for his punishment. There was an eloquence in the fate that her husband had dealt to him. She watched in silence as again and again Hades was faced with accounts of horrific crimes and he showed mercy to none. Each one was sentenced to a lifetime of pain in Tartarus. When the last man was dragged through the gates, Hades let out a quiet, almost imperceptible, sigh. Persephone glanced at him surreptitiously and noticed that the shadows in his face had increased and his eyes held a bleakness that frightened her. Would he not even show himself mercy? His handsome profile was set in a ruthless expression and she wondered just what had happened last night after he had left her. He looked like the cold and remote God he was, but somehow she was aware that underneath his stern demeanor, weariness eroded him. He would never allow himself the luxury of rest, yet somehow Persephone knew that all she had to do was show the slightest indication of fatigue and he would pause the proceedings. She stifled a delicate yawn behind her hand and felt his eyes on her. He turned to the Judges. "Enough… enough for today," he said. As the judges and servants filed from the room, Hades slumped into his chair and rubbed his chest, deep in thought. She wondered if she should just leave him there, thinking that he might get some rest in his throne room. She began to rise when he placed his hand over hers. He seemed unaware that his hand smeared her own with his blood.
“Will you dine with me?” he asked quietly, his gaze still staring straight ahead. She paused only for a moment, and then nodded her head. Of course, he knew her answer even though he was not looking in her direction. He stood, keeping Persephone's hand in his and they left the throne room. He led her up a private staircase, opening a discrete door at the top that led into an intimate, warmly lit dining area. They were high in the castle and large windows dominated each wall showing exquisite views of the Underworld. She wondered just how many rooms this palace held as he pulled back a chair for her. He took his own chair and they sat in silence as the food was served. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Despite their often heated arguments, she realized that they rarely had moments of silence between them. A dark lock of hair fell against his forehead and he looked like a lost, lonely boy. What a ridiculous thought, she chided herself. Still, a little conversation may help his dark mood.
“What are the rivers below?” she asked him.
Hades turned towards her and his eyes were almost feverish in the glow of the candlelight. When he spoke, however, his voice was cool and clear. “Acheron is the ‘River of Pain,’ and the other is the Lethe, which is the ‘River of Forgetfulness.’ Sometimes the souls drink from the Lethe to forget the hardships they faced above ground.”
“They lose their memories?” she asked in surprise. “But what a sad choice to make.”
“Is there not a single thing that you would like to forget?” he queried.
She did not answer, instead picking through the assortment of fruits and honeycomb on the table thoughtfully as she considered his words. “Have you ever wanted to drink from the Lethe?”
He tore his eyes from her face and looked out the window - his dark hair obscuring his expression, “I woke up next to the Lethe once -- I do not remember why.” She waited for him to continue but his voice simply drifted off, his face still averted from hers as he stared towards the churning river below.
“Is something wrong?” she asked in a soft voice.
He was silent and she wondered if he had not even heard her. He turned towards her suddenly, though his eyes did not meet hers. “King Tantalus…” He paused. “You see, my father, Cronus…” he stopped again. Persephone grasped his hand and was surprised to feel it tremble slightly beneath her own.
“Tell me,” she urged.
He raised his eyes to her face and she saw the fire smoldering in them. “That man was so much like my father, hungry for power, lascivious, and paranoid. My father, Cronus, feared one of his sons would steal his throne. I was his firstborn. He swallowed me - trapping me inside him. For years I lived in a dungeon, chained to the walls, alone. Demons in my father’s body would tear at my skin and beat me. They shattered all hope out of me. It was an endless death repeated over and over and it was my father who rejoiced in my torment. To betray your child in such a way; it is a crime for which there is no punishment that is fierce enough.”
She stroked her hand gently over his and he grasped hers tightly. "I never want to be like him," he said, the words pouring quickly almost frantically from his lips, "I see too much of my father in Zeus, who swallowed Athena and her brother, fearing they would dethrone him. Her brother is still trapped in Zeus' gullet, and it is repulsive. Everytime I see my brother I want to rip his insides open and free the prisoner inside him. I never want to be like that! I said I would never be like that. But then..,” he paused.
“But then?” she whispered.
“I see how I have trapped you here, holding you as my prisoner and I realize I am no better than my father. I was born from incest and rape. I could hear my mother’s screams from inside my prison when Poseidon and Zeus were conceived. She was terrified of Cronus but completely under his control. He would beat her, rape her-- he cared for no one but himself and he delighted in her pain. And I was powerless to help her.”
Persephone brought her hand to his face, brushing his matted hair from his forehead. He leaned into her cool hand, closing his eyes briefly and she could feel the feverish heat of his skin against her palm.
"It was not your fault, Hades. I am sure your mother understood that. You were but a child and your father was a monster, a God that no one dared to cross. Try not to think of these things," she said, "What good will it do?"
His eyes blazed open at her words and she felt fear creep up her spine at the expression in them. "I cannot forget it. The sons are never free from the sins of the father. His blood runs through my veins. That same seed of madness in him was planted in my mother -- and I grew from that seed, like the sickening perverted fruit from an aberrant tree. You have seen it, Persephone. You saw it on Olympus. The God's, they take what they want - not caring who they hurt. Just as I have done. Their subjects are playthings for their amusement. Zeus changes lovers as often as a man changes his clothes. He rapes and he torments and he will never be checked.”
“You are not your father, Hades,” she said in a quiet voice.
He smiled at her mirthlessly. “You do not know that, Persephone. You fear me. I have seen how you look at me; I see how you look at me now.”
“Well,” she said lightly, “do not let it go to your head. I am afraid of everything.” He gave her a look and she was pleased to see that a small smile touched his lips. “What of your mother, Hades?” she asked softly. She wished she had not said the words when she saw the pain in his eyes.
Hades And Persephone: Curse Of The Golden Arrow Page 16
