by M. M. Kin
SEEDS
Volume Two
M.M. Kin
Seeds Volume 2 Copyright © 2013, 2019 by M.M. Kin ISBN-10: 1489519114 ISBN-13: 978-1489519115 All rights reserved [email protected] Cover image and design © 2013 Moranyelie Osorio Morales All rights reserved [email protected] This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or have been used in a fictitious manner and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The author holds exclusive rights to this work. Duplication in whole or any part of this book in print, photocopying, digitally, or any other form, is prohibited without written permission of the author. Making the book available for free distribution via torrent, file sharing, uploading/downloading, or any other electronic sharing format, or adding this book to any sort of electronic storage/retrieval archive is prohibited by the author. Please do not participate in or support electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support is appreciated by the author.
This has been a long journey, but well worth it. My heart goes out to Madame Thome, Elke, and Marit, who have been a cherished source of encouragement and inspiration. I would also like to thank everyone else who has given me encouragement or feedback when this book was still in progress. I could not have done it without your help and feedback, you have my undying gratitude.
I would also like to thank Lani Rush, Sophia Luo (Sorelliena), Teresa Dec and Zele Jones for their feedback and editing help, and Moranyelie Osorio Morales for the incredible cover she designed for this book.
I would like to thank everyone for reading and enjoying the first book. I could not have done this without the support of my readers. Without further ado, the next installment of Seeds.
Chapter XX
o0o
Persephone's heart fluttered in anticipation as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had never been to a banquet, at least like this. Yes, there were the festivals that the mortals had held when her father was still alive, but there had been nothing formal about them. Games had been played and jokes told, and songs were sung as the men had races and the girls danced. She touched the collar she wore, feeling the myriad diamonds under her fingertips. Despite her relative youth, there was no denying the effect the jewels and fine material had on her appearance.
She certainly didn't want all these ancient and dark deities to think she was a child, which she was, in comparison to these august entities. It was odd how she wanted to escape the Underworld, yet she cared about the impression she made on its residents.
I am doing this for myself, she rationalized. If she could make a good impression on them, one of them might be inclined to offer her assistance...
When she emerged from her chamber, she was pleased to see delight and approval in his eyes.
“Nobody could ever question that you are Queen of a mighty realm, my darling. You look splendid.”
“Thank you, my lord.” She took his proffered arm, hooking hers through it and resting her diamond-ringed hand on his forearm.
The grand dining room opened onto a garden that had a large pond in it. There were a rich variety of flowers, many of them looking like the ones above, but all were flush with deep and ethereally vibrant colors. Daffodils, lilies, marigolds, crocuses, irises, and other flowers she had plucked many times from the earth to make a crown or bouquet had their colors magnified in a brilliant palette. The gray light from outside poured in evenly to fill out the shadows cast by the impressive chandelier above.
Its lights were made of diamond and hung in seven tiers that seemed were crafted from the same sort of branches as the ebony trees outside, sending brilliant prisms of light against the wall and illuminating the table and its appetizing contents. The long table lay parallel to the garden, with half a dozen comfortable divans along the sides, and another at either end. All of the divans were crafted to look alike, with black cushioning, but the one at the end of the table had the three heads of Kerberos wrought into both of its arms, marking it as Hades's own.
“You will sit with me,” Hades instructed. Persephone found herself seated on that very divan, the Lord of the Dead settling down at the other side. The space was comfortable with ample room for two, and she leaned back against the arm, ignoring the wrought-iron snarling dog-heads.
Persephone wondered why the introductions weren't more formal, as she was certain they would have been on Olympus. She had imagined Hades and herself in the throne room, receiving their guests and Hades making his introductions, as she imagined Zeus doing with Hera at his side. As she settled herself, she let her attention move around the room. The walls were adorned with ornate tapestries, deep and rich swirls of color that didn't exist on the surface world, like the flowers in the garden. Standing out amidst the dark marble it hung in front of. The scent of the food overwhelmed her senses. The cushions she sat on and her own clothing was softer than anything she had ever felt. It almost felt as if this world were... hyper-real, at times. The world of Dis was just as real as the one above, according to Hades. It certainly felt so, much as she tried to tell herself otherwise.
The doorway to the dining room was wide and arched, so it was easy for her to see who was coming through the portal before introductions were made. The first guest was a tall and elegant-looking woman with skin darker than anyone that Persephone had ever seen. Her long, straight black hair flowed down her shoulders, barely distinguishable against the gauzy ebony layers of her veil and clothing. She had a long, oval face with a straight and graceful nose and sensuously full lips. Her eyes were nearly half-lidded, fringed by long and thick lashes.
Hades rose from his seat, motioning for her to do the same. Obediently Persephone stood, staying at Hades's side as he approached this mysterious and elegant goddess. She was the first of the ancient Protogenoi that Persephone would become acquainted with.
“Lady Nyx, it is always a pleasure to have you here.” Hades's tone was warm and welcoming, “I would like to introduce to you my queen, Persephone.”
“Greetings to you as well, Lord Aidoneus,” Nyx replied in a smooth, almost purring tone. Her eyes were black surrounded by clear almost-blue white, giving her an open, penetrating gaze whenever she opened her eyes wide. She extended her hands, fingers long and the white of the nails almost blue in stark contrast with her deeply-tanned skin.
Persephone lifted her own almost without thinking, touching Nyx's fingers. Before she could pull back, dark fingers wrapped around her own.
“I have known that this day was coming for a long time. Yet it almost feels strange that that time is already here. Time does fly when you give it no notice, does it not?” Nyx's gaze moved from her to Hades, and he slowly nodded. The older goddess returned her attention to the Queen of the Dead.
“Welcome to Khthonios, Persephone. I look forward to seeing what you think of this kingdom." A faint smile appeared on Nyx's face as if she were speaking of a secret.
“...It is nice to meet you too,” Persephone replied, bowing her head. Only then did the ebony-haired goddess release her hands, and she slid over – indeed, to Persephone it didn't look as if she walked – to the other end of the table, though she made no move to touch the food yet. A shade – there were several of them hovering about – poured her a glass of wine, which she sipped.
Another guest arrived almost as soon as Nyx made herself comfortable. Persephone recognized him as Aeacus. More greetings, a deep bow from him, a lighter one from her, and he was seated. His robes were somber, but they were edged with red along with a bit of gold. And then Minos, garbed in black with no colors, having only a gold belt as ornamentation. She knew they weren't full-blooded gods, but Hades seemed to regard them as so.
The next man had shoulder-length blond hair, so pale it was almost silvery. He smiled at her, his face looking youthful yet somehow ancient at the same time. His skin was as pale as Nyx's was dark, but he was a strikingly handsome man, garbed in black and various shades of pale blue. Despite their physical differences, Persephone had the feeling that there was a resemblance between Nyx and Hypnos. Perhaps it was the long face, or the full lips, or that almost sleepy expression.
“Hypnos, God of Sleep,” Hades whispered before the newcomer approached them.
“My lady Persephone.” Hypnos fell into a graceful and sweeping bow, almost as if he were trying to charm her. She had to fight back a small smile, thinking about how easily the nymphs she had known might be captivated by this suave display.
“Thank you for coming, Hypnos. I hope you enjoy yourself," Persephone replied neutrally, shielding herself against his charm by playing the role of hostess. He righted himself and as he strode past her, she could almost swear that he winked at her. Unlike Nyx, his eyes were pale blue, the blue so light it was almost invisible against the white, leaving his pupils floating in a great pale expanse. This might have made for an unnerving effect, but somehow, it suited Hypnos.
Rhadamanthus was the next person to arrive. Knowing her true paternity, it felt a bit odd to know that the Judges of the Dead were her half-brothers. Being the daughter of Thermasia – the name Demeter used in her mortal guise in Enna – and Iasion, she was an only child. But as the daughter of two of the mightiest gods of Olympus, she had how many siblings? Perhaps Zeus himself didn't even know just how many children he had, if all the tales about him were any indication.
She was still getting used to the fact that she was a goddess. A real, actual Goddess, rather than merely a demigoddess, a divine offspring still destined for mortality. Yet without means to use her Gift, she might as well be mortal down here in the Land of the Dead.
Hades's voice cut into her thoughts as he drew her attention to their newest guest. This woman had light tan skin like many Hellenic women, and her locks were dark and wavy, another relatively common occurrence in this part of the world. However, her eyes were a curious balance between purple and gray.
“Hekate, welcome. My dear, this is Hekate, the Goddess of the Crossroads,” Hades whispered as he gestured towards the other woman, who was clad in indigo and muted violet, with silver threads woven into the hems. Her hair flowed loosely down her shoulders and back, held in check only by the sash that ran around her head in a thick headband. The older goddess smiled at her, revealing a set of dimples.
Mortals often spoke of Hekate as a mysterious, hooded or dog-faced character, clad in shadows. Demeter didn't have much to say about her, either. But this woman looked open and friendly, and Persephone found herself smiling back.”
“Welcome to our home, Hekate. Allow me to introduce to you my queen, Persephone.”
“Pleasure to meet you, my lady. I trust Lord Hades has been a good host to you.” Her eyes twinkled, and Persephone heard Hades snort.
“The wonders of this kingdom are many,” Persephone said after a moment's hesitation. As she did, she took the opportunity to scrutinize the other woman. Hekate's physical appearance gave her the appearance of being in her late twenties or early thirties, beauty in full bloom but tempered with almost imperceptible signs of wisdom and age.
“I am not what you expected,” the older goddess replied in a friendly tone, and Persephone blinked as she registered this rapid shift in subject.
“No. Not at all. Not that I object, of course,” Persephone admitted. Hekate shot her a brilliant grin and winked at her.
After Hekate's arrival, Persephone was ushered back to the divan she shared with Hades. There were other gods, and Hades assured her that she would eventually come to know them. There was no need for her to meet everybody at once, he had said. She appreciated his concern but also felt annoyed because these deities had already been told that she was queen, that she was now the bride of Hades. What would they think of her if she told them she was a captive?
Could she appeal to Nyx, who was smiling at her in a mysterious but kind way? Or Hekate, who seemed to truly want to be her friend? The Judges, would they rule that her kidnapping wasn't fair? Hypnos looked as if he might consider it, but it was hard to read that half-lidded, distant expression of his. And they had all known Hades longer than she.
Music played, and lovely women danced around them, trailing sashes that seemed as diaphanous as wisps of smoke.
“Musicians and dancers from Elysium,” Hades whispered.
“And cooks,” Persephone added, glancing towards the food. He shrugged and smiled.
“I have access to the finest workers in Elysium, and they are happy to please their lord.”
She smirked faintly as one of the women twirled around the divan where they sat, slender chains with silver discs wrapped around her waist, making a light, chiming tinkle as she wiggled her hips. However, the dancer made no apparent overture towards the Lord of the Dead and moved towards Hypnos instead.
“That man has a way with women, as I am sure you will see. Although he seems to prefer to use his charms on the women in Dis.”
Persephone wasn't the center of attention, but she didn't feel excluded. Hades slid a goblet of wine in her hand, and she held onto it for appearance's sake. She did not sip the wine and shook her head when Hades offered her a savory-looking morsel off his plate, and he wisely made no further attempt to induce her to eat. She was grateful whenever someone asked her a question because these provided her with momentary distractions from the empty feeling of her stomach.
She was mentally debating which one of these deities might be willing to help her when she felt a hand lightly touch her arm. She turned from Hades to face Hekate.
“I am full, and not in the mood to watch these sirens dance around and sing. Let the boys have their fun, I was hoping we could take a walk out in the garden?”
“That sounds lovely.”
Hades glanced curiously at them but shrugged as Hekate led Persephone down the steps and into the garden, which spread out into what looked like a moor, bathed in the light of the Underworld's perpetual twilight. There were several streams running near the edges of this one, making for a charming landscape.
“I knew you were coming. I have known for a long time. Before you came, our circle of Khthonios was incomplete. The visions kept telling me that there was one more. I am glad you are here. I was hoping for another goddess, to balance out the gods we already have.” She grinned. Persephone was happy that she was at least welcome here, but she had to let this goddess know the truth.
“I... I did not come here on my own. Hades kidnapped me,” she replied in a quiet but clear tone, staring off at the weeping willow trees that marked the edge of the garden. The leaves were rich and dark-green, and made for a lovely screen for anyone who sought its shade and privacy.
“Really? My visions never said anything about that.” Hekate was now glancing at her with open curiosity. Persephone shrugged.
“Could you help me escape the Underworld? Mother is doubtless worried about me, and I do not belong here.”
“But Hades... he clearly cares for you. I have never known him to be interested in any women before. And I have known him for a long time.”
“Oh, Hades is very kind. I... do not hate him or wish him ill. But I cannot stay here. Please help me. Surely you must know a way out of here. You are able to travel to the surface, are you not?”
o0o
Hekate held back a frown and kept her face as calm as she could. On one hand, if Persephone had been kidnapped, a wrong had been committed. But Hades was an honorable man, and this captive bride admitted to the Lord of the Dead's kindness.
She had known Hades for many centuries, and not once had he expressed any need for a bride or even a lover. Yet this daughter of Demeter had caught the Lord of the Dead's attention – not for a simple tryst but to stay at his side as Queen. Hades was serious about
this union, that much was plain. And she could not go against her longtime friend, not if Persephone wasn't harmed in the very least. There was more to this situation than met the eye.
“I belong down here. I cannot go to the surface as often as I would like,” Hekate replied. It wasn't quite the truth, but close enough.
“But when you can, could you...?”
“But you said that Hades was kind. Is it so terrible being with him?” Hekate asked, evading the question with increasing discomfort. Hades was Lord of this realm, and she could not meddle in his affairs.
“No, it is not. But...”
“He has not forced himself upon you, has he?”
“... No. No. He promised that he would never force himself upon me. He has been...” She glanced at a point beyond Hekate's shoulder as she carefully considered her choice of words, “very respectful.”
Hekate nodded in relief and approval.
“I did not believe he was capable of such a thing, but I must be certain.” She swallowed. “Your husband is a powerful man, and lord of a mighty realm. It is not my place to interfere with his affairs.”
Persephone cast her gaze to the ground.
“I am not unmindful of your plight. But sometimes solutions to a problem are not always as apparent as they seem, and may lead to consequences,” Hekate explained. The younger goddess looked back at her.
“Count me as a friend, Persephone. I have my own affairs, and need not tell Hades everything.”
“You will answer my questions?” Persephone asked. Hekate nodded.
“Please tell me about the circle of Khthonios deities?”
“After expecting a question related to escaping the Underworld, the older goddess was happy to answer this one.
"Unlike the world above, there is no one high king. Each of us has our own realm, and when in other realms, we respect the lords or ladies of these places. Hades is the king of the Underworld. Hypnos's realm is sleep, and Morpheus, that of the Dreaming. The dead and sleeping of the Hellenes come to them. Of course, we can not forget Erebus and Nyx, the first of us, of the darkness and the night. Hypnos is their son, as well as Kharon, guardian of the border between the dead and the living."
