by M. M. Kin
“Do not worry about it," she assured him, seeing the confusion and pondering on his face. "You can go to Lethe soon. You deserve happiness."
“Thank you, my lady.” He bowed again. “May I ask something of you?”
“Yes.”
“Might we walk together a bit longer?”
“Yes, of course.” She actually seemed pleased that he asked that of her. Now, if she were a stranger, he would wonder at why she had been so agreeable to the walk. But if she was indeed Kora, then...
As they walked along the shore, he would steal glances at her. Back then, they had enjoyed taking walks, whether through the village or in the woods. He had been the one to point out various things and what was safe to eat, or not. Since Enna had become fertile, the forests had become a much more pleasant place to explore, rather than the sickly countryside he remembered from his own childhood. Sometimes they would talk, and other times they would enjoy their meanderings in silence.
“When I was still alive, I took walks with my daughter. I miss her too.”
“Tell me about her.”
“She was a lovely and sweet little thing. She made everyone, including myself, happy. I could not have asked for a better child. She was so full of spirit, and I always liked watching her dance. Every festival, we would go and dance and eat and laugh and just... have fun.”
As he talked, recalling happy times with his wife and daughter, he was careful to note her reactions. She appeared very collected, but he did not miss the glimmers of emotion that flashed across her face before, or the sudden wistful expression when he recalled a particularly happy moment he had spent with his daughter. That's it.
“I had hoped to see my daughter again, but I did not think she would pretend she was not mine,” he finally commented after another short bout of companionable silence.
She stilled for a moment as she looked at him before averting her eyes.
“It was hard to... decide what to say. To be frank, I did not expect to see you, in Hades's court. I thought you were happy in Elysium, but now I feel silly for not thinking about the fact that Mother is a goddess and you are not. I have missed you so much.” She blinked back more tears before Iasion closed the short distance between them and pulled her into a hug, his strong arms wrapping around her.
“It is all right, Kora.”
o0o
She let out a quiet sob as she leaned into him, burying her face against his shoulder. Ever since Hades had kidnapped her, she didn't feel much like 'Kora' anymore, but when Iasion said it, it made her feel comfortable.
He continued to hold her, stroking her hair just as he had done when she was little. She wrapped her own arms around him, hugging him tightly. After a while, he finally loosened his embrace, and they pulled away to face one another.
“You have grown into such a beautiful woman! Your mother must be proud of you!”
All Persephone could do was nod.
“I... Oh, Kora... Persephone... there are so many things I want to ask you. I barely know where to begin.”
“Do not worry about it. You do not have to go to Lethe until you are ready. So take your time.”
“Time? There is so much I have missed. Look at you!" His face was full of awe and admiration. She blushed as she smiled at him. He looked just as she remembered him all these years ago since he had died in the prime of his life. That was one thing about dying young – people remembered you in your youth and prime, and you were never old or weak in their memories. She remembered Grandmother very well and had sometimes wondered what Eurycleia had looked like in her youth.
He took her hands and squeezed them, and she smiled and squeezed back.
“But you are so pale.” He glanced at her with concern.
“So I am.” She glanced down at her hands before shrugging.
“You are not... dead, are you?” he asked, an edge of alarm in his tone. She might be the daughter of a Goddess, but even the mightiest of demigods were still mortal. What could have caused her death? Had Lord Hades taken her in the moment of passing?
“No, no. I am still very much alive," she assured him, her hands moving to his shoulders to squeeze them. Now that she was grown, Iasion definitely didn't seem as tall to her as he did when she was little, but even now he was an impressive sight, frozen in time as a youthful and strong man.
“Oh, thank goodness. Death took me so early, and how cruel it would be if it had taken you as well!”
“He has already taken me.” she could not help but reply, thinking of Hades. “The Lord of the Dead is a kind man. You need not worry that I am mistreated.”
“How... how did this happen? I never thought that Hades would choose a bride. And my own daughter!”
“Believe me, I was just as surprised as you.”
He did not miss her sideways glance, and his curiosity was piqued.
“Is something the matter, daughter?” he queried. She shook her head.
“No. This is a lovely place.” In this sunny land, the Eternal Sea was a cheery turquoise-teal color, the sand pale and providing an excellent contrast to these clear depths. It was a stark opposite to the shores of Tartarus, where the Sea was black, with its crests looking much like sharp blades that lapped at a rocky, gray-black beach.
“It is, isn't it? But I still miss home and your mother."
“She misses you too." On this subject, Persephone was happy to discuss. "After you died... well, she had no interest in anyone. She lamented your death and even went to Hades to ask him, but..." She shook her head and sighed softly.
“She still loves me?” The hope in his voice was clear. Persephone nodded in full earnest.
“Oh, yes. She still talks about you, and continues to mourn your absence.” She sighed softly. Perhaps, if Iasion was reborn and eventually became reunited with his lover...
“Oh, Demeter...” He stared off wistfully for a moment, clearly grateful for this news. “But what about you? I do not want to just leave you behind, not after being reunited with you such a short time ago!”
“I want what will make you happy. I have missed you dearly, never doubt that. But do not let my presence affect your decision.”
“You sound so wise.” He smiled at her fondly.
“Come. Let us walk,” Persephone said after a couple of moments. He nodded and fell in step, remaining at her side as they continued their stroll. A light breeze blew along the shore, causing the tall grass to rustle and sway, making a pleasant complement to the gently-lapping waves. Most of the Underworld was silent, but Elysium provided a soothing backdrop of ambient noise, making this place feel a bit more real.
“You are certain I can go to Lethe? I have wanted to be reborn for a long time, but now I want to spend more time with you...”
“You would not remember any of it,” she replied lightly.
“Then I would not remember Demeter...” he frowned. She shook her head.
“Lessons learned remain with the soul, and souls meant to be together eventually find their way back to one another.” She smiled confidently. “Please, go to Lethe with no regrets. You have my sincerest blessing.”
He took her hands again and smiled gently.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” She blinked back tears as he took her into his arms again.
o0o
Persephone would not tell her father about her true paternity because it wasn't something he needed to know. He loved Demeter, and had raised her daughter as his own, and had been happy. How could she blame Mother for the deception when she had been tricked by Zeus? It didn't change her love for Iasion, so why dwell on harsh truths? They talked of other things before lapsing into a comfortable silence as he showed her some of his favorite spots in Elysium, much as he had pointed out interesting places in the forest and village during their strolls.
Hades took supper without her, not wishing to interrupt her afternoon and evening. He did not begrudge her the time spent with Iasion and bore no jealousy towards
either of them.
It was not until very late that evening after he had settled into bed for the night, that Persephone entered his bedchamber. Her hair was pulled back into a loose braid that was draped over her right shoulder. She was wearing a comfortable robe and looking very much relaxed, her face serene as she approached the large bed and climbed into it. He regarded her fondly as she wiggled under the blankets. She looked so satisfied that Hades felt safe asking her a certain question.
“How did it go?” he asked as he reached over to toy with the end of her braid, twirling it between his fingers.
“It was wonderful. We talked about the past and our family. And then he showed me his favorite places.” She sounded wistful, even a little sad, but he detected no trace of regret or anger. “I am glad to see that he had such a nice place to be, that all of the good souls gain such rewards. Perhaps you can show me some of your favorite places.”
“I would be delighted to.” He rolled over onto his side so he could see her better. “Will he be staying here?”
“We spent a lot of time together. I am tempted to have him stay longer, but I told him that he should not let my presence change his decision. Besides, everybody ends up here again, anyway. Life on the surface is wonderful and he should be able to enjoy it.” Her tone was relaxed, so her mention of the surface world seemed to be entirely coincidental.
“Let us hope the Fates are kind to him. I wish him the best of luck,” he returned easily, drawing her into his arms where she snuggled contentedly.
“Thank you. I appreciate that. Good night.” she whispered, and he smiled as she draped an arm across his chest.
“Sweet dreams,” he replied. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes as she dreamed of past days.
Chapter XXIX
o0o
As days turned into weeks, Persephone was no longer as concerned with the passage of time as she had been. She spent most of the last few weeks in a state of serenity, barely noting when the sky above Hades's Palace darkened to mimic the rhythm of the world of the living. She always had plenty to keep her occupied, whether it be time with Hades engaged in various activities, visiting with Hekate, or by herself.
She was content to lay there as she felt the warmth of his body, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest against her back. The blanket was pulled up to her chin, and she stared with half-lidded eyes at the muted fire that burnt within the impressive hearth. After sharing the bed of a caring and attentive lover, she knew she would have an impossible time sleeping alone. She loved to snuggle close to him, basking in the heat that came from his form. Down here in the Underworld, Hades was the only other living person she saw on a regular basis. Like any god, he had a steady, warm pulse of life, and that comforted her in this dead place.
She rolled over to face him and snuggled closer, pulling up the blanket further as she inhaled his scent, nuzzling her face against his bare chest.
o0o
“Mmm. Seph." Hades purred softly, pulling her into a tight embrace. He immensely enjoyed her presence and comfort, which was in a way amusing considering the fact that he had spent the last few centuries alone. His hands slid along her face, neck, and shoulders as if he couldn't get enough of the feel of her skin, and she cooed in delight, wiggling against him. Sometimes he was surprised with how much he enjoyed these non-sexual displays of affection, and he smiled faintly before leaning his head down to rain kisses on her face.
Naturally, with such an enjoyable companion and eager lover, he felt his maleness respond. It wouldn't be the first time that they had started off the morning in such a rousing manner, but when she felt the evidence of his desire press against her thigh, she shook her head before pulling away demurely.
“You are just going to leave me like this?” Hades pouted, trying to tug her back. A tempting peek of her breast was visible through the opening of her robe, and he teasingly reached for it, intent on pulling the robe off her body.
Realizing his intent, she scooted away just in the nick of time, climbing off the bed before he could try to ensnare her further.
“You would deny the mighty Lord of the Dead?” Hades demanded as he sat up, the blankets falling to his waist to reveal his sculpted chest and arms.
“It is not my fault you wanted to turn a morning cuddle into something else.”
“Can you blame me?” He asked this with a wide grin. She smiled back as she shook her head.
“No, my lord. But I just started... bleeding again.” Her voice was almost inaudible as a faint blush crept across her cheeks. He stared for a moment before giving her a brief nod.
o0o
Not surprisingly, a breakfast banquet was set out on the table when she emerged from her room, dressed for the day. She ignored it, going over to the windows and tugging at the golden rope at the side of the heavy curtains.
“This room needs more light,” she declared as Hades smirked in amusement. After another firm tug, the curtains finally gave way, bringing clean light into the chamber and illuminating everything from the veins in the marble walls and floor to the steam rising from the dishes.
“You did not seem to mind the darkness before,” he remarked as she remained where she was, looking out the window at the terrace and garden.
“I cannot remain in darkness all the time," she retorted. She looked over her shoulder at him, gazing at him steadily. While in her room preparing for the day, she had counted the days she had been here. If not for her bleeding she would have had a harder time keeping count since she enjoyed her time so much here. Today was the fiftieth day since she had been stolen by the Lord of the Dead to be his bride. That was almost two moons! It was almost hard to believe that that much time had really passed. It would be nearly autumn now on the surface world. Whenever she asked about Mother, Hades was evasive in his answers. The truce was peaceful, but realizing just how many days had passed gave her pause. She turned to him.
“It has been fifty days.”
“Fifty days since when?” Hades asked casually before he picked up a piece of spiced lamb meat, sinking his teeth into the otherworldly food.
“Since you brought me here.” She crossed her arms.
“Really?” he asked after he swallowed. “Down here, I do not bother keeping track of the days. After a few decades, you know, counting days loses its meaning.” He shrugged. Lacking the rules of Nature above, Dis had no sun or moon, or seasons. Nothing down here changed unless he decreed it. “The days of a god are endless.”
“Easy enough to say for someone who has lived as long as you.”
“Of course.” He shot her a grin before taking another bite of his food.
“Hmph. I want to see my mother. And Zeus.”
“Come and eat with me,” he replied smoothly.
“No.”
“When you eat...” She did not miss the fact that he said when and not if, “we can talk about it.”
“There will be no when. You can tempt me all you want, but it will not work. I want to see Mother!” She stamped her foot. “You say that Zeus is not without his faults. But you have your own, as well.”
He placed his hand over his heart, feigning pain as he glanced at her. “Love, you wound me.” For a moment, he mimicked a swoon, and if they had been discussing something else, she would have giggled at his theatrics.
“This is not funny. You barely tell me about what is going on in the surface world. Do you think it is right to let my mother worry and look for me?” She could only imagine what was going through her mother's head. Demeter must be fearing the worst after all this time! For all her faults, Mother didn’t deserve to be racked with anguish and worry over her child’s welfare.
The glimmer of pain in his eyes showed her that her words had found their mark. She would be sure to exploit that to her fullest advantage. He was usually so cool and collected, practically nothing seemed to faze him. She admired that… at times.
“I thought you cared about all of your siblings,
even Zeus. I know you have no children of your own, but surely you must feel some sympathy for Mother.” On her father's farm, she had cooed over the baby animals, especially the little chicks, savoring the feel of their soft, yellow fuzz against her hands. Goat kids and puppies were also adorable. She always felt sad when one of them was sickly – a rather rare occurrence in lush and healthy Enna – and mourned every time one of the animals died. She had also seen how Ptheia doted on her children, and how Grandmother would fuss over her entire brood – children, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law. There was nothing like the bond between a mother and her child, and despite Mother's protective ways, her love had been strong and true.
“Do you really intend to let this go on indefinitely? Will you condemn Mother to wander for eternity?" Her voice was sharper, more penetrating now, and she relished in the fact that he now had his gaze averted as if he was ashamed of himself. Like the legendary Furies, she closed in mercilessly. "You pride yourself on the truth. Yet you will not reveal it."
“I am the hidden one,” he replied firmly, returning his gaze to her, refusing to let her see just how guilty he felt. His statement was true – it was even the basis of his name, Aidon, or Άΐδης , literally meaning 'the unseen'.
“Is that all you have to say?” she asked coolly, meeting his defiant gaze. Right now he seemed like a child that didn't want to listen to his mother's scolding.
“I have made my decision.”
“Ugh!” Persephone threw her arms up in frustration before deciding to express her anger in a more blunt manner. Stalking over to the table, she grabbed the nearest dish and hurled it at him, stuffed olives flying through the air as he quickly dodged her missile, the silver platter bouncing off the cushioned back of the divan before clattering to the floor. Seeing that he had easily dodged her only fueled her wrath, and she grabbed one item after another, hurling them at him as he danced around the room. A bowl of stew disgorged its contents as she hefted it at him, the lid and container separating to shower thick, savory soup against the wall and floor, narrowly missing him. Her aim was improving!
