by M. M. Kin
Mother looked so stricken that for an instant, Persephone regretted eating the food Hades had offered her. She hated how all of the other gods gawked at them, treating Mother's pain like a spectacle. Let us be alone. Give us the privacy we need, she thought to herself as she closed her eyes.
“Persephone?” The shock was evident in Hades's tone, and the young goddess opened her eyes, gasping softly when she saw that she was alone with Hades and Demeter amidst seemingly endless darkness. No wait, not quite alone. She saw a faint silhouette of the other gods, as if she was gazing at them through a veil of black silk.
“You did not...” She stared up at Hades. He shook his head.
“I just wanted us to have privacy, and...” As she spoke, the shadows faded away, revealing them to be in a place she remembered from a decade ago – the garden she had first encountered Hades. How did she... Her mind reeled with the implications of what she had done and how this might be applied to future situations. She just had to understand what it was first, but right now she had more urgent matters to attend to. She glanced at Hades before going to Mother.
“Mother, you have not lost me forever!”
“But you have eaten the food of the dead! After I warned you so many times!”
“I remembered that for four months. I refused to eat anything Hades offered me...”
“Why would you give up, then? Did you think you might never be rescued from that dreadful place?”
Persephone looked away, feeling Hades's intent gaze. She had allowed Hades to feed her those seeds.
Quick footsteps brought her attention to the presence of Zeus striding out of the Hall. Demeter spun towards her brothers, glaring at both of them.
“Damn you! Damn Hades!”
“Demeter, you know that Hades is not a cruel man. Persephone would have told us, asked us for help. Can you not see she is happy with him? Remember the prophecy.”
“What prophecy?” Persephone asked, her voice edged with keen interest. Hades raised his eyebrow, sharing her curiosity.
“Don't tell her!” Demeter flared. “I will not have outside forces determine my daughter's fate!”
“Demeter...” Zeus sighed.
“No!” the Harvest Goddess cut Zeus off, raising her chin to him. Persephone stepped forward, raising her hand for silence.
“The Fates merely tell us what will happen. Their word is inviolate.” The Queen of the Underworld's voice was filled with calmness and confidence as she spoke of the three – who were also one – manifestations of the mysteries of the universe. “Regardless of whether we fight against them or accept, our destinies are fulfilled. Ouranos told Kronos that his offspring would rise against him, just as he and his Titan brethren had overthrown their heavenly sire. He sought to avert that prophecy and cast his children into a pit to seal them away for what he thought would be eternity. Yet you escaped and fulfilled the prophecy.”
Demeter stared at her. Persephone continued.
“When I was in Hades, the Fates summoned me and issued a prophecy of their own for me. I fought against it, yet it has come to pass. Please, I would like to know what the Fates told you about me.”
“That you were radiance, and many men would desire you. That you were born of the earth and the heavens, but Death would take you,” Zeus replied before Demeter could stop him, so awed by this elegant, collected goddess who stood before him, as regal as Hera in her own way; and mysterious and alluring. Her eyes were a shade of clear green-blue, full of wisdom and cool aloofness. Hades was silent, pondering the revelation. He and Persephone had been fated to be together, after all.
A sad smile crept across Persephone's lips before her gaze shifted over to Demeter. “Mother, I know you love me and you want what is best for me. Do not worry that I am unhappy. I am honest when I say that the Underworld is a good place for me, and Hades is the best husband I could ever have.”
“Kora, I am your mother... am I never to see you again? I lost the man I loved, now am I to lose my child to Death as well?”
“My name is Persephone. I stopped being a little girl a long time ago.”
Zeus swallowed. He remembered when Hades had notified him of his decision to have Demeter's daughter as his wife. The King of the Gods had been afraid that her time in the Underworld would change her... and it did.
“Zeus, do you remember when you bade Mother to bring me to Olympus? You gave me a wish back then and said I could use it anytime.”
“Yes. You did promise her one thing she desired,” Demeter whispered, staring at her daughter before glancing at Zeus for a moment. “Daughter! Use that wish to make Zeus annul your union with Hades!” she said in a desperate, last-bid effort to keep her child.
Zeus stilled as he heard Demeter's words. He had never considered the consequences of giving his children wishes. They had been children, their wishes innocent and easy to grant. Even though Persephone hadn't immediately acted upon his offer, he had been fairly sure she would act upon it soon after. Days turned to weeks and then years, and Kora had been all but forgotten until the ugly confrontation with Ares.
“Yes.” The Queen of the Dead tilted her head to one side, tapping her chin. “You know, back when I was newly captive, I remembered the wish that you had given me. I challenged Hades and said that surely you would not allow this to happen to your own daughter. Not the little girl you were so kind to, the one who had smiled at me so warmly and asked me how I was.” Her voice had taken on a light timbre, sounding much like when she was a little girl, sweet and pure.
Demeter was now staring at Zeus, open resentment smoldering within her eyes.
“There is one thing that I learned I could count on from Hades. Honesty. Not once has he told me a lie. I did not want to believe that you would be so... careless. You didn't even bother to pay me a visit and tell me of this, at least. You still owe me that wish.”
“I cannot...” Zeus started to shake his head. He hadn't sworn by the Styx, but a promise was still a promise. He would lose face before Demeter and Hades as well as his own daughter, along with anyone else he had granted a wish to, especially given this situation.
“I could demand that you annul the union and take me away from Hades. After all, I am here on Olympus, aren't I? I am certain you could prevent Hades from forcibly removing me from this place. You are after all, King of the Gods, and a father's duty is to protect their children. Here, I am protected, yes..?” The last line was spoken in a knowing tone, a drawl to the yes that made it clear to Zeus that she knew differently.
You know better than that, my love. Hades thought as he stroked his chin. Oh, wait. She was baiting Zeus, wasn't she? Oh ho. This should be fun to watch, and he observed the conversation in gleeful silence.
“You owe her that much.” Demeter leaned over, growling into Zeus's ear. Zeus was distinctly uncomfortable under the gazes of his daughter, brother, and former lover.
“Demeter, don't... this is Hades we're talking about.”
“He goes too far!” the Harvest Goddess retorted hotly.
“I could demand that you protect me and keep me here. It would be a fair request,” Persephone said. Zeus did not even realize he was holding his breath as his daughter continued, “But oh, that would displease Hades. And Death is not to be trifled with.” She raised her chin with just the right amount of haughtiness, “He would make his wrath known. It is within his power to take Olympus as his own, and crown himself High King. To be Lord of the Upper and Lower Worlds, no god has ever had that awesome responsibility! And since it is I that he has chosen to rule at his side, so would I be queen of both worlds!”
“Indeed. I did say that I would lay the world at your feet,” Hades intoned from behind the others. She looked over her shoulder, giving him a brief but warm smile.
Demeter merely stared at her daughter, stunned after this short monologue. Never would she have imagined she could ever hear such lofty words from her own child, the girl she had raised to be modest and humble! However, she had to ad
mit that it was pleasing to see how nervous Zeus had become.
“When I was in the Underworld, I was certain that I knew what to use my wish for. I have changed my mind, since I do not need to use it at this moment. I will hold onto it for the time I need to call upon you for a favor... and you owe me greatly. Never forget that.” She gave Zeus a pointed stare before she turned to her mother.
“Mother, I know you do not want me to go back, but I must. I care for Hades, and I want to be with him.”
“My daughter...”
“Hades treats me well. He is not unmindful of my needs. I told him that I wanted a real wedding ceremony, and I want you to be part of it.”
Demeter stared at her daughter, conflicted over the request. It felt good to be asked to be part of her daughter's ceremony, it was her role as a mother, anyway! It had infuriated her to no end that Zeus and Hades had excluded her from their decision regarding her own child!
“A superb idea!” Zeus said, happy for the distraction. “I will hold a fine banquet! It will be quite the affair! It is not every day that my oldest brother marries - “
“No.” Hades stared at his brother, his tone flat with disapproval. “The last person I would see about hosting my wedding would be you. I will not have my ceremony turn into one of your rowdy affairs.” He looked at Demeter. “I am sure that my sister has better ideas for her daughter's wedding.”
“I will not endorse your wedding!” Demeter shot back. Hades took a deep breath before Persephone spoke.
“Mother, it would mean a lot to me. I understand if you do not want to do it now, and we can postpone the ceremony until you are ready, but I would really like you to be a part of this. I want to be with Hades.”
Demeter stiffened as she heard her daughter's words.
“You would rather be with him than me, your own mother?”
“I love you. It is not that I never want to see you again or spend time with you, but I am not a child. I enjoy being Hades's companion. I really do.” She moved forward to touch her mother's shoulders.
“How can you stand being in the Underworld?”
Hades glanced at mother and daughter before he spoke. “You would be surprised. You and Persephone are alike in a few ways, but you are also quite different. There are certain things in the Underworld that amuse me, and she is able to enjoy them with me. Being King comes with its comforts and privileges. However, I have agreed to let my bride have some time on the surface world. She is a grown woman, after all, and needs no more supervision from her husband than she does her mother.” Hades and Persephone shared a smile with one another.
“How much time?” Demeter was quick to ask.
“That is not for you to ask,” Hades replied, refusing to let his sister try to dictate Persephone's time. “You and I have something in common. We both love and want what is best for Persephone. I truly am sorry for the grief I have caused you, and I have no wish to cut you off from your daughter forever, but you will refrain from making any demands of me... or her. Is that clear?” Hades didn't wish to be so harsh with his sister, but he had to make it clear to Demeter that he would not tolerate any attempt on her part to manipulate the situation.
“Persephone wants a wedding ceremony, but we will not do it until you are ready and willing to participate. Is that fair?” he asked. Demeter stared at him silently before moving her attention to the other deities.
“I can have a say in the location and other things?”
“Certainly. Persephone says she does not want a ceremony on Olympus. She wants it simple and said she thought you would feel the same...” Hades shrugged and gestured towards his bride, who nodded in agreement.
“I need to think about it,” Demeter muttered.
“Take your time. You can come speak with me any time,” Hades offered.
“Last time I tried to reach you, Styx pushed me back.”
“Only because you wanted to take Persephone away, but as long as you come in peace, Kharon will be happy to ferry you.”
“Of course I wanted to take her away. Would you expect any less?” came Demeter's terse reply.
“No.” Hades brought his hand up. “I do not want a fight. I came up here in peace, to talk to you myself. You can see that Persephone is well. She wants you to be part of her life, and I will not deny her that, but if you attempt to be disruptive...”
Demeter bristled at the use of that word. Her, disruptive? After what Zeus and Hades had done? As hot-tempered as she might be, she could be patient. She would figure something out. Her daughter still had her wish, after all.
“And I am to go back to Eleusis alone?” she muttered. Persephone's expression softened.
“You will see me again, Mother. And Hellas needs you. Eleusis needs you.” Persephone turned towards Zeus. “You will not meddle in my affairs, or Mother's. I will have my wedding ceremony on my terms.”
“Olympus is such a grand place for a party! You cannot mean to tell me that you would rather have it elsewhere? I can make it a glorious affair...”
Persephone turned her back to him, hooking her arm through Hades's own and leading him through the garden, ignoring Zeus's protests.
“Wait, you can't just walk away...!”
“Oh, shut up,” Demeter snapped at Zeus before she followed her daughter.
o0o
As the other gods talked about Hades and Persephone, Aphrodite was besides herself with envy. Persephone was beautiful, and it seemed to be all the men – and some of the women – could talk about. It would be a good thing if Persephone was stuck in the Underworld, she had eaten the food of the dead, after all! Then Hades would have her all to himself, and the other gods would never see her again!
She crossed her arms with irritation as she overheard Dionysus say how beautiful Persephone looked all dressed up as a queen, though he added that she looked just as lovely in plainer garb!
“The right amount of jewelry or expensive fabrics can make anyone look less ugly!” Aphrodite said acidly. Dionysus grinned at her.
“Jealousy is not becoming of the Goddess of Love and Beauty. Besides, she does not have the snotty expression you often do. She actually looks friendly.”
Several others chuckled, and Aphrodite blushed angrily. “You certainly were not complaining the other night, were you? Oh, the praises you sung of my beauty...”
“I am not complaining about Persephone, either...” He grinned at her.
“They are coming back!” someone whispered excitedly. The chatter died down as Hades and Persephone walked into the light from shadows that had surrounded the garden. Hades was aloof, glancing at his family as if they bored him. Persephone had to bite back an amused reaction as she took notice of his attitude.
Zeus and Demeter came up from behind them before the shadows faded away under the light of the brilliant lamps. The gods stared at the quartet expectantly.
“The situation has been resolved,” Hades announced as his gaze moved along the throng. “I must make one thing clear. Persephone is my queen, and she will be treated with the same respect as I am. I expect no less.” His gaze lingered on several faces, namely Ares and Aphrodite's.
He turned to his brother and sister. “I came up here to talk with you and resolve this matter. Now that it has been done, I see no further reason to stay.”
“Leaving so quickly?” Zeus blinked in surprise. Hades nodded.
“It has been a long day.” It was all the Dark God felt he needed to say. There would be time later for Persephone to become more acquainted with her family. He could see that she had made quite the impression on them, and he wanted to leave them with that. He looked at Persephone, and she nodded with agreement. As she turned, she caught Aphrodite's gaze and held it, instantly recognizing the Goddess of Beauty. Well, she certainly fit the title.
Hades was right, her beauty is only skin-deep, Persephone mused as she caught the veiled animosity in Aphrodite's glare. She lifted her chin, staring back levelly.
“I will see you
soon, Mother.” Persephone gave her mother a reassuring smile before Demeter drew her into a tight hug. She smiled to herself, taking comfort in the warm embrace, and hugged her mother back just as fiercely.
o0o
Since they returned to the Underworld, Persephone was quiet and contemplative. She declined to share some wine with him, but she did not seem upset. She retreated to her room, coming out in a plain, comfortable robe. She settled into bed, staring at the fire that burned cheerfully amidst the shadows in the room.
“Are you all right, my love?” Hades asked, concerned that the talk on Olympus hadn't brought her satisfaction. Demeter hadn't agreed to a wedding, but she at least no longer tried to fight Hades. The Lord of the Dead was more than willing to give her the time and space she needed. Hopefully after a visit or two from her daughter, his sister might be happier about the whole affair.
“Yes, my lord.” Persephone continued to stare at the fire as Hades gently brushed his fingers against her cheek. He could not help but be impressed by the way she had used her Gift to ensure privacy for their discussion. It truly was fascinating, and he wanted to ask her about it, but he held back his inquiries.
“Are you sure? Is there anything I can do for you?” His voice offered promise if pleasure if she wanted it. She smiled and shook her head.
“I just want to sleep.”
“Mmm. Very well.” He didn't sound angry, or put-out at the least. “Pleasant dreams.”
“You too. Good night, Aidon.” She continued to stare at the dancing flames until her eyelids fluttered shut. Hades let out a contented sigh, placing his hands behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling, listening to her steady, peaceful breathing. Before long, he let himself relax, comforted by the warmth of her body next to his own.
Chapter LIV
o0o
Persephone stirred awake, feeling luxurious fabric against her skin. For a moment she was disoriented, but the familiarity of her surroundings rushed back to her in a pleasant cascade of memories. The drapes were halfway open, letting in gray light. She could tell by the particular tint of light that it was early morning in the surface world. Hades didn't have to change the sky for her, but he had arranged this to make her more comfortable. For someone who had kidnapped her and had such a fearsome reputation to both mortals and gods, he had certainly proven to her how sweet he could be.
