by M. M. Kin
“Yes, but...” She tapped her chin. “Daydreams are a part of the Dreaming?”
“Yes. There are different kinds of dreams, just as there are different kinds of sleep,” the God of Sleep explained. Despite her initial irritation with him, she was liking this conversation. His voice was still velvety, but not as much as before.
“I thought there was just one kind of sleep.” Of course, she had heard of death being referred to as the long sleep a couple of times when she had still been living in Enna, but she wasn't sure how Hypnos would feel about being compared to death. Even to a god, thanatos was a fearsome phenomenon. She hadn't been in the Underworld for too long, but it was clear that the surface gods didn't want to come down here. Hades himself had reinforced that fact.
“What would make you say that?” he was smiling again, in an amused way. Fortunately, it wasn't the kind of smile she found condescending. Rather, it seemed as if he enjoyed her questions, and this reminded her of Hades.
“Well... I mean, sleep is sleep. I close my eyes, and then I wake up. It is the same for gods and mortals, right? Animals too?”
“Yes. All living things require sleep. Even the plants sleep. The sleep that comes with night is the most common one, of course. It is that sleep that helps you to rest and rejuvenate.”
“Mhm.” She nodded.
“And you have dozed off or taken a nap, yes?”
“Indeed.”
“That's another kind of sleep. For everyone, it is different. Some hover close to the surface, ready to act at a moment's notice, like a cat. Others can go in deeper, almost like night-sleep, but for a short time and come out feeling refreshed. Some become half-asleep, often daydreaming.”
“Oh. I never thought about that before.” She smiled faintly. “What about meditation?”
“Yes. Sleep is a form of oblivion, but a much-needed one in any form. Dreams or not, we all need it for our bodies and just as importantly, our minds.”
“Until you mentioned minds, I never thought about how important sleep was. I mean, yes, I would get tired after a long day, but my mind...” Sleep helped her to process things that had happened the day before, or important decisions or the like. Before she fell asleep, she often thought about the new things she had learned in Dis, and the next morning usually felt more clear-headed, better understanding of the sometimes overwhelming new knowledge to be found here. “But what about dreams? That does not seem restful for the mind, especially if you are doing something in the dream or having a nightmare...”
“Good or ordinary dreams are needed for the mind. Nightmares are another thing. If you have more questions about dreams, you can ask Morpheus.”
“I have not met him yet. How do I reach him or you?”
“The shades of this place are at your beck and call. After all, you are Queen of the Underworld, my dear.”
Persephone looked away. She had seen how responsive the other shades were to the needs of Hades, and how the shades of Tartarus obeyed Kampe without question. As the daughter of a goddess, the nymphs afforded her a certain level of respect, but there was that gulf between them in age and the standards Demeter set for her attendants. The nymphs were as much her minders as companions.
“We might not always answer your summons, as we all have our duties, and you have the same privilege. The shades are much more efficient and without a question, trustworthy.” The pale-haired god stroked his chin as he glanced down at her.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“You are more than welcome. Since you asked so many questions, I would like to ask a few,” he replied. Persephone glanced at him, raising an eyebrow before she nodded.
“You have not been here a month, and there already is strife between the King and Queen of the Underworld! I cannot help but be curious. He is not mistreating you, is he?”
Persephone crossed her arms, wondering if she could appeal to Hypnos for help. If she said she was being abused...
No. That was a horrible lie. Hades had treated her kindly, and it would be cruel and unfair to make up such a story about him. Angry as she might be with him, she knew he didn't deserve to be slandered. She shook her head in response to his question.
“Then why are you unhappy?”
“That is not something I am going to discuss either." She raised her chin. After all, as Hypnos said, she was Queen of the Underworld. It wasn't a title she wanted, but she saw how important it was to act a certain way. She would keep her secrets close to her heart as she worked her way through her dilemma.
“Then what do we talk about?” Hypnos asked in a light tone.
“You.”
“Me?”
“If you are going to ask me personal questions, then you should be ready to talk about yourself.”
“Fair enough. But I must be honest, I do wonder about one thing.”
Persephone nodded. If she didn't like the question, she wouldn't answer it.
“That you are a goddess I do not doubt. But where do you come from? Who is your father? I know that Rhea has a hair color similar to yours, only hers is a bit less red.”
Persephone hesitated. “I... do not wish to speak of my parents.”
“... Very well,” the pale-eyed God of Sleep replied. “So, what do you think of the Underworld?” Hypnos asked, changing the subject.
“Much better than I had thought it would be.”
“I certainly hope so,” he replied dryly, winking at her. They continued their walk, talking about Dis for a while before he stopped, turning to her.
“My lady, I fear we must part. It has been a delight talking to you. If you wish to see me again, you have but to summon me.” He took her hand before she could react, and raised it to his lips, kissing it.
“I do not think Hades will want you doing that,” she commented.
“It will be a secret between us,” he teased. “But neither of you need worry. I am a gentleman who is merely paying his respects to a lady.”
She nodded.
“Until then.” The sunny landscape faded away to black, and Hypnos disappeared from sight.
o0o
Persephone gasped softly as she opened her eyes, seeing the garden around her, its colors brilliant despite the gray sky that hung above her head. Wait, gray? Had she been out here all night? From the color of the sky, she calculated it was early morning, and wished that there was a sun down here so she could figure the time more accurately. She loved sunrise and sunset, seeing all the brilliant colors splashed along the heavens.
As she sat there in her ruminations, she slowly realized that there was a tube-shaped pillow behind her neck. When she reached up to touch it, she felt soft velvet under her hand. It was one of Hades's pillows. Had he come down here to ensure that she slept comfortably? She blushed faintly at that thought. He could have easily put her in his bed, though she knew that would have irritated her. In her other hand sat the pomegranate.
She remembered the visions she had. Had all of that been Hypnos's doing, or was the image of the pomegranate of her own imagination? When had she fallen asleep? She remembered being angry with Hades and coming down here, and taking the pomegranate, feeling its cool weight in her hand. She ran her fingers along the crown, tempted to grab hold of one point and peel it back to reveal the seeds within. Her stomach grumbled, and she shook her head.
She knew that Hades loved this tree. Sometimes he would sit here by himself and think. It was the only tree or fruit within this garden, its branches heavy with the omnipresent ruby-colored fruit.
Persephone picked up the pillow and tucked it under her arm, processing the events of last night. She was fairly certain she had been awake when she had the vision about the pomegranate; it had been in her hand when she woke up.
She climbed up the steps to the terrace. As she entered Hades's chambers, she left the pillow and pomegranate on the table before tiptoeing to the doorway of the bedchamber. He looked so appealing even when he was sleeping, the blankets pulled up to his waist, leavi
ng his arms and chest bare. Despite the issue with her body that she was dealing with, she still felt a warm flutter of arousal within her loins.
It's so easy to be angry with you... yet it's also so easy to appreciate and desire you. She held back a quiet sigh as she retreated to her room.
Cloe appeared, and Persephone slid off her clothing as she did a cursory examination of herself. Nothing seemed worse than last night, and she made note of that. Sleep did help to clear the mind.
She donned clothing of deep purple. Cloe arranged her hair in a crown much like her mother often wore, pinning it back with amethyst-studded pins. What would she do today? She had plenty of choices, but there were a couple of things that were on the top of her list. Hmm...
Her thoughts were interrupted as the door opened slowly. She had been seated on her divan, and she glanced up calmly as Hades entered. He was wearing a dark blue tunic that set off the color of his eyes, with a black himation that draped off one shoulder, held by a thick silver pin that matched the silver band that sat atop his head.
“Good morning,” Hades said softly as he glanced at her, almost as if he was fearful of her reaction.
“Good morning to you too,” Persephone replied. She had no desire to get into another fight, and had decided to make this day as amicable as possible. “Thank you for the pillow. I think that I would have woken up with a sore neck if you had not done that.”
She was gratified to see his eyes widen in surprise, and held back an amused smile. Her eyes moved to the pomegranate Hades held in his hand, but she said nothing about it.
“I was thinking we could go for a walk. Would you enjoy that?”
“No breaking the fast?” she asked, wanting to make sure he wouldn't make her sit through another tantalizing meal.
“You brought me my morning meal,” he replied with a smile, lifting the pomegranate and admiring it briefly before glancing back at her.
“Oh, good. Enjoy.”
“I intend to.” He extended his free hand. She rose off the divan and reached for it, feeling his fingers wrap around her own. Without a word, he led them outside. She found his grip reassuring, even more so when he gave it a gentle squeeze.
Chapter XXV
o0o
Hades didn't seem to have any particular destination in mind. Before, when they had gone down to the Styx, the path had been rather direct. But now as they walked down the same path – at least Persephone was fairly certain this was the same one they had started on before – she wondered if Hades guided her down a turn she had not noticed. Along the path were black and twisted trees with leaves that appeared to be made of pale crystal, and stretching out at either side was a grim landscape of grays that disappeared into infinite blackness. There was not one sound to be heard except for that faint whispering that she sometimes heard if she really strained her ears.
With Hades's arm draped across her shoulders, Persephone felt safe and warm. She appreciated the comfortable silence between them as she ruminated over her own concerns. She still felt hurt by Zeus's compliance with Hades's decree and by his refusal to even include her in the decision. The mighty King of the Gods couldn't even manage a 'Hello, Kora! How are you? It has been so long since I’ve seen you, what have you been doing? Oh, just so you know, Hades said he wanted your hand in marriage. He is not a bad person, really, and he will be a good husband! By the way, tell your mother I send my kindest regards!' Would it have been so hard for him to do that? Yes, Mother was fiercely protective of her, but goodness! Zeus was the King of Olympus and the man who had sired her! What if Hades had asked for one of his other daughters? Would Zeus have been so compliant if Hades had asked for Athene or Aphrodite?
She looked up at Hades as he stared forward thoughtfully. Seeing her turn her head, he glanced down at her.
“Hades..... I would like to see Olympus and meet the other gods. After all, they are my family... I mean, I would just like to be able to see them and meet them. You say that knowledge is important. I learn new things here every day. But there are also things up there to know, and you can not learn about everything simply by reading about it or listening to stories." She felt his hand squeeze her shoulder as he stared down at her for several moments. The stark, gray sky above their heads made Hades's skin look nearly white.
“It is not an untoward request you make of me,” he finally responded. No impatience, no anger. But he said nothing more. He lifted his arm off her and raised the pomegranate in his other hand. Taking hold of one of the tips of the crown, he pulled it back, revealing seeds that glittered like rubies under the clear sky.
“Eat with me, Persephone. To you, I offer my kingdom and my heart. Be my queen." He fished a seed out of the pomegranate, lifting it to his lips.
“Mmm. Sublime. Like you." He smirked faintly. "You wish to learn more of the world and of the gods? As my consort, you would enjoy the privileges that come with being bound to the Lord of this realm." He lifted the pomegranate again. "Do not see this as some kind of death sentence, love. It is... merely a commitment to a new life, to me. A life that is more glorious than your old one."
She stared down at the fruit, considering her options. Finally, she shook her head slowly.
“No.” She looked away.
“Very well. I suppose I will have to eat this pomegranate all by myself, then.” Hades ate several more seeds, walking at her side in silence.
“Look, Persephone... I understand that you are hurt by what Zeus did... or did not do. It would have been wise for him to talk to you, but I suspect he did not want to deal with your mother.”
“You did not want to deal with Mother, either,” Persephone reminded him, wagging her finger.
“I acknowledge that the circumstances were unusual, but I am a loyal mate. It is only you that I desire. I am not like my brothers or nephews. Surely you have seen that?”
“I have not even been here for a moon. What will happen after a year? A century? People change. Look at me!” She gestured to her own body.
“The change in your body does not lessen my desire for you. Your body is growing to match who and what you are inside. You are not a child. You are a goddess, a powerful one. Here I let you do as you please. I love you, you know that. I have told you before and I am happy to say it again. Trust me, Persephone. It is here that you can reach your potential.”
“I have no power down here. You know it. I cannot use my Gift.” The Fates had told her that she had other Gifts, but she saw no indication of them. You have but to embrace it, they said. Did these new abilities come with her womanhood, or from surrendering to Hades and eating his offering?
“You do have power. After all, up there on the surface, you were able to sense me. Nobody else has ever been able to do so, not even your mother. With time, you can discover other facets of your Gift. I am happy to help.”
“You will do nothing to hold me back?”
Hades smiled. “I do not want a weak and pampered wife. I want to see you achieve your fullest potential. I would be a rather poor husband if I thought otherwise.”
“... I do not know of any other man who would ever say that to me,” Persephone responded quietly, looking down at the ground, feeling her cheeks warm further with unexpected pleasure from his words.
“Would I be such a bad husband? I have already committed myself to you, I merely wait for you to do the same.”
“The truth...” The young goddess let out a quiet sigh before looking up at him, “I do enjoy your company. I simply cannot bear the thought of binding myself to this place, to cut myself off from the other world. Please do not ask me to cast myself away from the light forever.”
Hades nodded, offering no argument.
“I can understand... and respect that,” he conceded. “Khthonios is a mysterious, and to many, even the immortals, frightening place. I do hope that you would not be averse to seeing more new places here or giving me a chance to impress you.”
“Not at all.”
After another c
ompanionable silence where Hades finished most of the pomegranate, Persephone spoke again.
“What if I were to wish to do something else now?” she asked.
“You have but to ask.”
“I have not yet seen the Judges at work. I would like to observe them. You can keep us invisible, right? I just want to watch quietly.”
“Certainly.” He bowed his head before draping his arm across her shoulders again. She leaned into him comfortably, feeling him squeeze her.
The path they walked on led them to the large clearing were the souls waited, observing the Judges at work. Nobody looked their way, and Hades guided her over to one side of the podium where the Judges sat, seats forming out of shadow for them.
“Normally, the judging of a soul is a quick process. As the Judges of the Underworld, the three of them share the power, and responsibility, of being able to distinguish between good and evil, to see how much of each lies within the balance of any soul, and the record of their life is written in that very balance.”
The soul of a young woman was ushered forward by a shade. As she approached the Judges, she glowed white faintly, standing out amidst the identically-hued souls. Minos glanced at her for a moment before nodding.
“You are a soul worthy of Elysium, but some time in the Asphodel Fields will give you the contemplation you need.” She was led away by the shades without protest.
Most souls took on a faintly white or gray tinge as they came forward for judgment as if a light shone upon them. Their judgments were generally brisk, and they would be sent to the Asphodels, whether for a bit of time or indefinitely. Sometimes a soul would glow more brightly and thus be sent directly to Elysium, while a few became dark gray or black as if the light had drained from them, bearing the stigma that would send them to Tartarus despite their pleas.
Of course, there were a few souls who would plead with the Judges to be allowed to go back and take care of their loved ones – such as a mother who had died in childbirth, leaving a newborn and three other children behind. Persephone stirred at that and felt Hades's hand on her shoulder.
