Bride of Death

by Celina Summers

  If anyone, mortal or god, wishes to marry either of them, he’d best be prepared to spend most of his time in the water.

  Thetis noticed the dimple flickering at the corner of Persephone’s mouth and danced in front of her. “What are you thinking about to make you look so naughty?”

  Persephone laughed. “Nothing you need to know. Come on! Let’s hurry — I want to swim today too. Just let me stop in the meadow and pick some flowers. I want to see if the narcissus has bloomed yet.”

  Giggling and talking, the three girls descended to the high meadows of Nysa, the great plain that stretched all the way to the sea.

  “You’re being ridiculous,” Pan said as they walked through the tall, sweet-smelling grasses.

  “No, I’m not,” the god replied. “It would not be well-done of me to bring a living girl into the realm of Death. It would be selfish and Death is selfish enough.”

  “If a woman loved you, she would be able to endure the Underworld. She could ease this burden from you, Hades, and bring some light into your life. That’s what you need — not these stolen trips into the mortal realm so you can gush and coo over nature.”

  “Coo? I don’t coo.”

  “Don’t worry, my old friend, I won’t tell anyone,” Pan said, letting a mischievous sparkle light up his eyes. “Your reputation would be ruined. Can you imagine? Hades, the implacable; Hades, the immovable; Hades, the terrible god who reaps the grain of life caught cuddling a nest of newborn little ducks like a child with her dolls — ”

  “That’s enough,” Hades tried to assume a stern, grim expression but failed. When Pan burst out laughing, the god joined in. His laughter was somewhat hesitant, as if he’d forgotten how to laugh, but the sound was pleasant as it rolled over the gentle hill.

  And not even a moment later, the pleasant sound of the laughing gods was met and superseded by the giggling of several girls.

  Hades stopped laughing. He slipped into the shadow cast by an ancient oak tree, the woodlands god at his side. Immortals tried not to interact with humans often, preferring to leave such intercourse for the temples erected in their honor. Hades was even more sensitive about this because of his realm. Few humans were happy to see the god of death. Although his brothers romped all over the mortal realm with nymphs and mortal girls alike, Hades preferred to remain unseen. So when the three girls topped a small rise, Hades watched from the safety of concealment.

  Suddenly, something stung his shoulder; a biting insect, perhaps, or a thorn. But when the god returned his attention to the three young women, everything else in the world stopped.

  The girls were lovely — so lovely it was obvious they were not human, as he had first thought, but immortal. The two blonde girls had all the characteristics of Nereus’ get; those strange, silvery eyes were only found in the daughters of the sea — like Styx, his friend whose river warded the Underworld.

  But the other girl? Who was she?

  Her dark glossy hair fell over her shoulders to her waist in a mass of curls. She was small and slender and moved with a grace impossible for a mortal to match. Her face was perfect, a lovely oval frame for her huge green eyes. Hades watched as she sank into a patch of anemones with a delighted cry, gathering the blossoms to her breast as if they were old friends. Her friends joined her and the girls began to pick the anemones, weaving them into garlands for their hair.

  I must know her name.

  “Who is that?” Hades breathed. “The girl in the middle. I feel as if I should know her.”

  “You should. That is Persephone.”

  “Demeter’s daughter?” Hades couldn’t think straight. The girl’s face — Persephone’s face — had blasted all reason and logic from his mind. He could only think of her, of her luscious hair, her lovely face, her lissome figure. She was beautiful beyond measure, and for the first time since the Titans had fallen, Hades actively craved something for himself.

  He wanted her.

  This was Demeter’s daughter. Demeter, who had never forgiven him for taking Iasion when his life’s thread ended, Demeter, who swore she’d never be reconciled with him, regardless of the pleas of the other gods. No matter to her that every attempt a god had made to give a beloved human immortality had failed miserably in madness and horror. No, Demeter hated him with all of the unreasonable fury only a thwarted goddess could possess. Now his heart beat faster just from the mere sight of her daughter, laughing innocently with her friends on a bright summer’s day.

  This girl, Persephone, is worthy of a throne.

  Just beside him, Pan hissed suddenly between his teeth. Hades looked down at him, surprised by the speculative expression on his cousin’s face.

  “Yes, she’s Demeter’s daughter,” Pan said grimly. He turned and looked behind them at the crags, searching the rocks as if he expected to see someone else there. “And Zeus’.”

  She is worthy to share my throne.

  “What are you doing?” Hades demanded.

  Pan glanced up at his companion and hesitated. “More importantly, what are you doing?”

  “You said I needed a lover.” Hades reminded him.

  “Not that one! She’s a virgin, Hades. She’s not a nymph you can take and love at your leisure. She’s meant to marry, not to toy with.”

  “Then I’ll marry her.”

  “Hades, that would be cruel beyond belief. You said it yourself not three minutes ago! This girl is the daughter of nature. Look at her!”

  “She is beautiful,” Hades said quietly. “She is mine.”

  “Then pay suit to her like the others are doing,” Pan begged.

  Hades laughed shortly. “Do you think Demeter would accept me?”

  Pan swore under his breath and resumed his search of the area. Annoyed, Hades seized his arm and was rewarded with a glare of warning from his cousin.

  “In the name of the abyss, what are you doing? What are you looking for?”

  “That interfering little bastard Eros,” Pan growled. “This is his idea of good fun. When I get my hands on him — ”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Hades said lazily. “You’ll never catch him and I don’t care. I need to think for a little while, cousin. I’ll want to proceed on this very carefully.”

  Hades turned back to the pretty tableau. Within moments, he’d forgotten about his worried cousin muttering beside him. The dark god of the Underworld watched the three girls until they left, chattering, back the way they came. After they disappeared behind the hill, he remained motionless, staring after them while the rays of the sun lengthened and stretched black fingers across the flowered Nysan plain.

  It was like the Underworld was reaching for life, insinuating paths of shadows across the field teeming with the vitality of spring. Persephone had brought those fingers here, lured them with her beauty and gaiety. Even now, he could feel the black bonds of his soul reaching after her, entangling her youth with the chains of the Underworld.

  Persephone would be his wife.

  Persephone would be his Queen.

  Now he just needed to find a way to bring that about. While the last glimmer of Apollo’s chariot drove over the horizon and night descended upon the earth, Hades stood in the same place, thinking. When at last he turned, Pan was glowering at him from a rock several feet away.

  “Well?”

  “I have an idea,” Hades said gravely. “But I will need your help.”

  “Absolutely not!” Pan snapped. “If you think I’m getting in the middle of this — ”

  Hades grinned.

  “I mean it. I am a god of nature, Hades. I answer to Demeter. She’ll obliterate me if I help you seduce her daughter.”

  Hades’ grin grew wider. “Seduce her? Oh no, I don’t think so. That’s not my plan at all. Come, cousin, and we’ll talk it over.”

  Pan didn’t look convinced, but rose from his perch. Frowning, he approached the god of death, tossing a smooth stone aimlessly in one hand as he did. The woodlands god drew even with Hades and sudden
ly pivoted on one foot, hurling the stone in his hand. There was a shout of pain and a puff of feathers from a crevasse near the top of the crag.

  “Eros, get down here!” Pan bellowed.

  Scowling, the god of love popped up from the rocks. His blond curls were tousled around his handsome face, and he rubbed one muscled shoulder absently as he picked his way down the rocky slope. Hades’ lips twitched. Eros was so dominated by his overbearing mother that he’d turned to mischief as soon as he was old enough. Other immortals might be fooled by the young god’s wide-eyed innocence and youthful looks, but Death was not so easily deceived. One day, Eros would lash out against his mother’s coddling and Aphrodite would be in for a nasty shock.

  “All right, Eros,” Pan said sternly. “Was this your idea or is your mother involved?”

  “It was my mother’s idea,” Eros said promptly.

  “So yours, then.” Pan sighed. “Do you have any idea the trouble this will cause?”

  Eros laughed. Hades followed suit. Eros was infectious and much more likable than his shrewish mother, but he was addicted to stirring up trouble among the denizens of Olympus. What was the latest story he’d heard?

  Oh yes — Zeus and the cow.

  “Since you’ve seen fit to bring me to this pass,” Hades began in his deep voice. Eros’ laughter evaporated. “You can offer me your assistance in getting what I want.”

  Eros eyed the god of the Underworld cautiously. “And what is that, Hades?”

  “Why Persephone, of course. You made me want her, did you not? Well, you have succeeded. I do want her and you will help me get her.”

  “I’m not sure…” Eros’ voice trailed off. “I mean, I can arrange it so this never happened, Hades. You won’t feel love for the girl any more — ”

  “No. I want the girl for my wife and I need your help to get her.”

  Chapter Two

  “LET ME SEE IF I have this straight,” Zeus said, watching his brother closely. “You want to marry my daughter — Demeter’s daughter — and you want my help to get her?”

  “I do,” Hades replied. “You owe me.”

  The two gods regarded each other in quiet suspicion. Zeus was younger than Hades but gave every appearance of being older. Long ago, he’d decided that the King of the Gods needed to look venerable so he’d aged his face and encouraged strands of silver to mingle with his golden hair. Unlike Hades, who’d always preferred to be clean-shaven, Zeus had a tightly-curled beard that masked the expression of his mouth. The brothers walked together on the summit of Mount Olympus, a tacit command to the other immortals that this was a private conversation.

  “Demeter has been overly particular when it comes to Persephone’s future,” Zeus said finally. “It’s time and well past time for the girl to be married and take up such responsibilities as an immortal should, but Demeter discourages any suitor that comes to her door. Since that whole business with the mortal she fell in love with, she has no desire to see her daughter mature as she should.”

  “What possible complaint could she have against me?” Hades demanded. “Saving our brother, there could be no greater match for the girl than I.”

  “Demeter is the goddess of living things — of life and nature and the harvest,” Zeus pointed out. “You are the opposite of everything she espouses. Besides, she has not forgotten Iasion — ”

  “I am a king in my domain. To be the queen of the Underworld is an immense honor for any girl.”

  Zeus shook his head. “I’ve already spoken to Demeter about Persephone’s future. The woman is damned stubborn. I can’t get her to agree to anything.”

  “There must be a way.”

  Zeus’ brow creased in thought. A sullen rumble of thunder shook the clouds over Olympus, a sign he was perturbed. Hades waited.

  All I need to do is get Zeus on my side.

  “I do have an idea,” Zeus said at last. “If you’re willing to consider it.”

  “What?”

  “What if you just took the girl?” Zeus faced his brother squarely, his face expressionless. “What if you found her wandering around on earth — which she does a lot — and just took her back to the Underworld? Demeter cannot descend to your realm without your knowledge and permission. It would give you time, my brother, to woo your young bride.”

  “Take her?” Hades wasn’t sure if he liked the idea. “I don’t think force is the best way to woo anyone.”

  “You will not force her,” Zeus said flatly as thunder rippled through the skies again. “I said you would woo her. Take her to the Underworld. Lay all you possess before her. Teach the girl to love you. Then, once she does, Demeter can have no complaint. The girl would cleave to you of her own free will. If she does that, I swear by the Styx that I will uphold the marriage.”

  “It might scare her,” Hades said. “I would need time to court her.”

  “I can give you time. I will forbid any immortal to reveal who took Persephone. It cannot be a great deal of time, brother; only a few weeks. You must understand me, Hades. I will give you an opportunity to woo my daughter, but that is all. If the girl marries you, it must be of her own free will.”

  “I understand,” Hades agreed. “All right, I’ll do it. If this goes badly, I want you to make it clear that I acted with your permission and knowledge.”

  “Agreed.” Zeus eyed his brother for a moment and then laughed. “If nothing else, this will give the women something to talk about! Hera is driving me insane.”

  Once again in accord, the two gods continued their stroll atop Mount Olympus. While the lightning danced and Aeolus’ winds blew around them, Zeus and Hades made their plans.

  “No.”

  “But Mother — ”

  “I said no. That is enough, Persephone. I do not wish you to attend,” Demeter was preparing for a feast with the other Olympians. “Hera will be in a foul mood. Her husband has been unfaithful to her yet again — and this time with a cow! It doesn’t matter that Io was only disguised as a cow; Hera is focused upon the insult. The sight of another of Zeus’ children would enrage her. I think it best that you remain out of her sight.”

  “But all of my friends will be there!” Persephone protested. “I would be ashamed to be left out like I am a child.”

  “You are a child,” the goddess said gently. “You are my child and I do not wish you to be unhappy. Best to stay out of the Queen’s way for a time, I think. Then, when she is calmer, I will introduce you at your father’s court and we will find a husband for you. Until then, I wish you to stay safely out of her path.”

  Persephone looked down at her hands. She really had wanted to go because the banquet was being hosted by Aphrodite. She was fascinated with the goddess of love, as were all the young female immortals. “Yes, Mother.”

  Demeter smiled. “Do not be so impatient, child. One day, you will wish that you’d stayed a child longer. I am only thinking of your happiness.”

  “I know, Mother. I’m just so — ” She stopped abruptly.

  “Just so what?”

  Persephone glanced up. “I don’t know! Just so…”

  “Frustrated? Angry?”

  Persephone’s lips curved into a smile. “Curious.”

  Her mother laughed. “Of course you are! All girls are curious — it is part of their nature. Curiosity is part of me. Be curious if you will, my child, but be curious here, safe at home. I’ll send for Amphitrite and Thetis. Spend your day as you love to do — gathering flowers and playing on the mortal realm. I will be relieved to know you are well out of the reach of Olympus. And then, when things have settled a little, we shall see which young man is best suited to satisfy this curiosity of yours.”

  Demeter turned back to her mirror, watching complacently as her handmaidens worked on her hair. Persephone stared at her mother in admiration. Demeter was so beautiful — ripe, she’d once overheard Hera say with some disdain. Her hair was deep gold against her porcelain skin, her figure curvaceous and alluring. When she was litt
le, Persephone had noticed the pursed lips and speculative glances the gods cast her mother’s way — all wasted in the face of Demeter’s ill-fated love for Iasion. Love wasn’t exactly encouraged among the Olympians.

  “I wish I didn’t have to go,” Demeter said suddenly. “This feast is nothing but an invitation to disaster. I’m sure Aphrodite will think it very funny to serve roasted beef.”

  “Then stay here,” Persephone urged her mother. “Stay at home with me! Then I won’t feel so lonely.”

  “I wish I could, daughter. Unfortunately, if I don’t attend Hera and Zeus both will be offended, as will that interfering witch Aphrodite. Believe me when I tell you that you have the better half of the bargain.”

  “All right, mother.” Persephone hugged the goddess, careful not to disturb her elaborate coiffure, and left Demeter’s chambers for an afternoon spent in the mortal meadows of the earth.

  “Master!”

  Hades turned toward the door. His palace in the Underworld was as luxurious as any of the gods’ homes on Olympus — even more so since he had access to all the buried beauties of the earth. His bedchamber was cool and dark, with an immense bed upon a dais in the center of the room. The bed was built of ebony, melding easily into the polished black granite walls and floors. Heavy red drapes hung around the huge bed, held back with tasseled ropes of gold thread. Instead of primitive looking torches, exquisite golden lamps filled with sweet-smelling oil illuminated the chamber with even light. Rich furs were heaped upon a long, carved chest at the foot of the bed.