Seeds Volume 3

by M. M. Kin

  Persephone shakily rose to her feet. She felt light-headed, but her body was right again. Looking down, she saw that she had curves where they should be and her graceful limbs stretched out from her torso; she was just as she was meant to be. When she focused on her mother, she noticed that whatever had just happened put her mother through a great shock as well. She had her palm pressed to her forehead, her other hand against the wall for support.

  “Never.... ever do that to me again.” Persephone raised her chin as she gazed at her mother. “I stopped being a child a long time ago, though you refused to see it.”

  “How can you want to be like this after what has happened? Ares tried to force himself on you and Hades kidnapped you! I am simply trying to protect you!” Of course, Demeter would not admit that it was more than just that. She had lost Iasion, and did not wish to lose another loved one.

  “I do not need to be treated like a child for my protection. I can take care of myself.” Persephone was calm and assured. She thought of the incident with Ares. Now that she knew she was a goddess, she understood certain aspects of her Gift more. Being able to heat up her own water last night had been an exercise in exploring her abilities.

  Hysterical at this sudden, unexpected development, Demeter involuntarily lashed out with her magic, trying to bind her daughter into her previous form again.

  To apply her Gift, Persephone had to create a mental image. She did so when she wanted to coax a plant to grow, and it had been an effective technique to focus against Ares or to protect herself from the Styx. As she felt the fresh assault of her mother's power, she envisioned a defense, something that would hold fast against the binding attempt. She imagined extending some of her own power to create a bodysuit that would keep anyone else's magic from reaching her body. It was inspired from when Hades would wrap her body in his shadows. To her surprise, the armor she saw inside her mind was black even though she had imagined forming it from her own glowing life-energy.

  When she looked down at her hands, there was no visible trace of any protective coating whatsoever, but she could feel it, encasing her in a snug but comfortable embrace, her own life-energy separated and insulated from Mother's own by these invisible shadows.

  It made her feel safe. With this invisible shield, Persephone barely felt the magic that was trying to assault her form. It was as if the dark energy surrounding her was swallowing, even converting Mother's magic into energy for her own use, feeding her defense. If she knew of an appropriate word, she might have used 'recycling'.

  “Stop that, it will not work.” Her voice snapped Mother out of her frenzied state, and Demeter blinked.

  “How did you...” She didn't mind letting Kora use her Gift to help plants grow. Gods needed to use their Gifts in one way or another, but she had never taught her daughter anything other than how to nurture plants.

  “It does not matter how I did it.” Persephone looked down at her hands again. “I may be your daughter, but I am not a child. Furthermore, I am a Goddess in my own right.”

  “Goddess? You?” Demeter had never counted on Kora finding out.

  “I know my paternity.”

  “Iasion was your father!” Demeter automatically replied. It was almost the truth, for Demeter absolutely refused to acknowledge Zeus as Kora's father after what he had done. Her husband had loved Kora with his whole heart; why deny him the happiness of having a child? She had tried to have more with him, but apparently her own power inadvertently overwhelmed his seed, an unfortunate occurrence that was often the burden of female divinities. Iasion was Kora's father, this she had repeated to herself so many times that after a while, she began to believe it, except for her moments of greatest self-doubt, regret, or anger.

  “I will always consider him as such, but I know who sired me.” It made sense, since Hades told her that Zeus had given his blessing. Why would he do that to just anyone? Why would Hades go to him in the first place? At least Zeus had wanted her to join the ranks of Olympus. Goddess of Spring, not a bad idea. Of course, becoming the bride of Hades made her uncertain as to how that would work out. “He is to be blamed for this...” Persephone gestured a loose circle in the air with her hand as she tried to say the most appropriate word for the situation. Mess? Mishap? Affair? Matter? “Situation.” That was the most neutral word she could muster up.

  “Who would tell you such a thing?”

  “Well, he did give Hades his blessing... Had I had a different father, Zeus would not have bothered to see me back then. I remember him asking me these questions and granting me a wish. Hades only confirmed it for me.”

  “No, no, no....” Demeter muttered, starting to shake her head, trying to deny the fact that Kora now knew the much-abhorred truth.

  “Oh, worry not. I love Father. I will always feel that way. After what Zeus did to you, and knowing what he has done to others... I cannot say that I am thrilled to acknowledge my paternity.” She shrugged and flipped her braid over her shoulder, revealing the elegant planes of her neck and jaw. “But the fact remains.”

  “Kora...”

  “No.” Persephone shook her head. “Kora was the little girl. She is no more. I am Persephone.”

  “I will not call you that.” Demeter was indignant, wondering where the hell Hades got the nerve to give Kora a different name. Kora's physical appearance matched her true age, but the sudden change unnerved Demeter. She would always be Kora; she refused to let her brother's machinations change that!

  “Very well. You do not have to say it, but I will not respond to Kora, and I will inform everyone here that I am Persephone.” Persephone was furious at what Mother had done to her, but was resolved to stay calm. If she threw a fit, as she sorely wanted to right now, Mother would just have an excuse to think of her as a child, and she just didn't feel like fighting again.

  “I am happy to be up here with you, but I cannot and will not be treated like a child. I am a grown woman. Now... these clothes are not appropriate for a woman. I am going to need something else...” Silently, she opened a chest, lifting out the largest pieces of cloth and laying them next to her pins.

  “I would like some privacy when I get dressed, please.” Persephone lifted her chin before raising her eyebrow, the way Mother had done to her so often in the past. It was the first time she had ever done it... and it felt great. Mother stared at her levelly for several moments before retreating from the small chamber.

  A thick linen cloth the color of freshly turned earth made up her skirt, ending just below her ankles. A green rectangle in a cheerful verdant hue and woven with red poppies made up her knee-length chiton.

  “Cloe?” she called out, having gotten so used to having the ethereal servant around to help her with her hair. Persephone smiled sheepishly as she realized that Cloe would not be able to appear here.

  Without Cloe, she had a hard time with her hair, but she managed by herself and braided it before wrapping it in a sash and tying it in a bun. The result was practical and attractive, and she patted it with her hands to make sure she had done decently. There was not a mirror to be found, but she wasn't vain enough to be concerned about it right now. There was one thing she did need – sandals. All the ones in here were child-size. With some improvisation, she fashioned suitable footwear from what had been meant to be a pair of winter booties.

  She wanted to refrain from asking Mother for everything she needed. If Mother was to see that she was an adult, she would not run to her every time she did not have something that Mother purposely kept from her.

  Besides, she was hungry. Well, she was certain that Mother wouldn't try to keep food from her!

  She pulled back the drape that covered the doorway to her room, seeing Mother sit in one of the chairs, staring off at a spot above her daughter's shoulder.

  “Mother?” Persephone asked with obvious concern, approaching the older woman.

  “What did Hades do to you?” Demeter asked as she slowly turned her focus to her daughter.

  “He di
d nothing. I am the way I want to be. Hades encouraged me to be myself. I am still your daughter, and I missed you when I was in the Underworld. I missed the sunshine and the flowers and life! I have longed to return to the surface world so many times, but I must be myself. I am not a little girl, and stopped being one a long time ago. You just refused to see it or let my body grow.”

  “Look at the attention being a woman has gained you! Need you be reminded of what happened with Ares? I kept you well-protected. You never lacked for anything.”

  “You never gave me freedom. You tried to keep me a child forever after you took me from the home I knew and loved. Now I am wise enough to be able to protect myself. You saw that just now when you tried to make me a girl again. And I made it so that Ares couldn't do it to any other woman. Should any god – or man – ever try anything, I can easily defend myself. My safety is no longer an issue.”

  Mother and daughter stared at one another for several long moments. Demeter clenched and unclenched her jaw several times.

  “Yet Hades was able to keep you captive.”

  Persephone refused to be swayed by that answer. “Had he captured you, you would be unable to escape, as well, and you know it. I noticed it right away, there was no life-energy. Hermes could not fly down there. It is no wonder you all dread that realm. I could have done no more than you could, it is not my fault that he is such a powerful God.” She gazed at Mother with a measuring expression.

  “Out of all the gods that ever took an interest in you – or anybody else – it had to be him. He has never seemed to show any interest in women until now! Why did he have to choose my precious daughter?”

  “Sometimes things just... happen.” Persephone shrugged. “I learned a lot about myself down there, and so much about so many things, but right now I am just happy to be here, and I intend to enjoy every moment of it. Now, I am very hungry, and I am sure you are too.” She looked around, finding no food items on the table.

  “Are we to eat with the family then?” she asked. Mother nodded hesitantly. That had been the plan, at least before the girl broke through her binding-magic. She had already told Metaniera to arrange for seating and dishes for them. She was a mighty deity and could do as she pleased, including skipping meals. As she looked at her daughter, she debated doing just that. But if she did, Kora would know that this bothered her overmuch. She might want to be called Persephone, but nothing could stop Demeter from using 'Kora' in her mind. She refused to let the jackassery of her brothers get any further than she could prevent.

  “Wonderful, then!” Persephone reached out to take her mother's hands, and Demeter allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. Besides, there were others who were responsible for this situation, and her energy would be better expended upon dealing with them.

  “Oh, would you tell me their names? It seems only appropriate.”

  “Certainly.” Demeter was happy to focus on a new subject. “You saw Metaniera last night. Her husband is Celeus, and they have six children. The oldest is Triptolemus, almost your age. Then four daughters – Thalassa, Melinoe, Aethra, and Eirene. And a baby boy, Demophon.”

  “And how did you come to live here?” Persephone was eager to know how Eleusis had come to become a fertile refuge in the bleak landscape of famine.

  “When I wandered this earth, I disguised myself as an old woman. The princesses showed me extraordinary kindness, and their family took me in. I was a nurse to their baby, and the people here were so kind that I decided to bless them. The family knows I am a Goddess now, of course, but I do not flaunt it in the city.”

  “A mortal identity? I like the sound of that. I do not want to flaunt myself.”

  She doesn't want to flaunt, Demeter thought with relief. Kora was startlingly beautiful, and the last thing she needed was vanity. Right now, her hair was just a bit messy, but enough to give her a more 'human' look, and her garb was modest.

  “Yes. Modesty and humility are traits that more people should emulate.” Demeter nodded approvingly.

  Persephone had a few choice words to say, but remained silent as Mother spoke of the building of the grand temple that they would visit later. The people of Eleusis regarded Demeter as their primary deity. Worship of the other gods had been all but abandoned for the practicality of the mighty Goddess who put food into their very mouths. She might have fed the people here, but so many others starved... What was the rationale in that? All these lives for a kidnapping?

  Her thoughts were interrupted as they came to the banquet room, where east-facing windows revealed a generous view of the gardens. A quick count of the people seated at the table revealed that the entire royal family was here. Two empty seats sat between Metaniera and the oldest princess, Thalassa. Persephone estimated her to be seventeen or eighteen. Like her mother and sisters, she was raven-haired. She let herself be directed to sit next to Thalassa and did a quick survey of the table's occupants.

  Celeus was a man in his middle years, and could not be called handsome, but he had a pleasant dignity to his features that more than made up for it. He bowed his head as she took her seat. Persephone smiled and nodded back. Next to him his eldest child sat, his features a mix of his father and mother's. The four princesses looked like one another from a distance but for their sizes, but upon closer inspection, one could see the subtle but distinct differences in their faces.

  The baby was being held by a servant just behind Metaniera.

  “Good morning, everyone. I am Persephone. It is nice to meet all of you. Would you mind telling me your names?” Even though she had already been told them beforehand, she wanted to get an impression of everybody before she shared food with them. Hades had taught her that; how to read someone upon introduction. Of course, she wasn't quite as good as he was, but she had practiced on the residents of Elysium and Tartarus alike.

  Celeus introduced himself first, and it went from oldest to youngest. Some of them were curious, others apprehensive, but she simply smiled at all of them. As everybody else ate, she sat back, listening politely, enjoying the food more than the company.

  o0o

  Oh, gods. How much more of this would Hades have to endure? He had supped alone and then gone to a bed that felt exceptionally cold despite the thick blankets and intense fire. He was still alone when he woke up, and there was nowhere in the Underworld that she might be hiding from him, since she was with her mother!

  He almost regretted letting her return to the surface world. He had but to remind himself that he had laid his incontrovertible claim on her and that he was free to come and take it as he pleased. If he truly desired, he could keep her a literal prisoner, kept in the confines of his bedchamber for his sole pleasure. However, watching her grow and become the woman he knew she was meant to be was more rewarding. He enjoyed her defiance and challenge.

  This walk wasn't doing much to distract him. He was tempted to go up there, and it had not even been a full day! He was usually so patient, a month should be nothing to a god that had lived for centuries!

  “Someone looks sad and grumpy on this lovely day,” Hekate said from behind him. Hades stiffened and slowly turned towards his unwelcome companion.

  “What is it?”

  “Come on, Hades. Everybody knows that Demeter got her darling daughter back. It is about time she did, this has gone on long enough.”

  “I know. That is why I let her go back.”

  There was something about Hades's words that raised Hekate's suspicions. “Let her go back?” she repeated. He nodded. She narrowed her eyes.

  “Oh, of course. You would not just let her go, would you? Not without making sure she would come back...”

  He gave her a tight smile, and her eyes widened.

  “Did she eat...”

  “Yes.”

  “And I suppose Demeter does not know,” she replied tartly.

  “Not yet. I figured she would want some time with Persephone before she gets the bad news.”

  “You are not still putting thi
s off, are you?”

  “No, no. I have set a deadline.” He shook his head firmly. No more postponement. “You must keep this a secret, though.” There was clear warning in his tone, and Hekate had no desire to rouse his wrath again. She would wait and see what happened before deciding to get involved, if need be.

  “Fine.”

  “Persephone will return here on the winter solstice. I will talk to Demeter.”

  “Good.” Hekate crossed her arms. “If you and Zeus had bothered to talk to her in the beginning...”

  “What is done is done. Let Demeter and Persephone have their time.”

  o0o

  Persephone sat in the weaving room. Even though Metaniera and her daughters were royalty, it was still expected of high-born women to know the arts of the household. A practical woman might rule over a household of servants, but by having intimate knowledge of the chores required for a family's comfort, she was better able to determine and care for the needs of her household.

  Demeter certainly hadn't considered her own daughter above the routines that fulfilled the basic needs of those who performed them. The weaving room wasn't quite the place Persephone would have wanted as a place to get to know the Princesses. She would much rather be taking a walk or sitting outside, but at this time of the year after the harvest, women did a lot of spinning and weaving, so this was an ordinary activity even in her old life. It was kind of odd to think of her past as 'old', but she had changed so much that she barely recognized herself.

  As some new dyed wool and linen was brought up in a basket by a servant, they went about comparing it with their existing supplies and deciding what kind of pattern or color to use. The colors were vivid, and Persephone could see her mother's hand in the making of the yarn.