by Melody Rose
My heart soared. Persephone felt exactly the same way that I did. How was that possible? What did this mean?
Wait, I couldn’t get ahead of myself just yet. This was the first time we had spoken. I still knew absolutely nothing about this woman except for the fact that her mother kept her locked away from the world. She knew nothing about me, I was sure. Before I could allow myself to get too comfortable in this feeling of bliss, I decided to rip the band-aid off now.
“Persephone, before you get too excited, there’s something you should know. Unlike the people in there,” I gestured to the temple, “I’m not some god of something fancy or pretty. I don’t dabble in love, water, alcohol, parties, or music. I’m… different.”
“Different how?” Persephone asked, raising a brow. I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. Better to get it over with now and save myself the heartache, right?
“I’m the God of the Underworld….” I muttered, bracing myself for the panic that was sure to follow. “I rule over the dead in Tartarus and am pretty much the final judge when people die.”
Persephone fell silent for a moment as she processed this information. As she mulled it over, I felt a cold lump growing in my stomach. I knew that allowing myself to get close to anyone was going to bring me pain and disappointment, but when it came to Persephone, I couldn’t help myself.
There was something about Persephone that made me want to sit down and just tell her everything that weighed heavily on my mind and my heart. I wanted her to know about my brothers’ treacherous act against me, I wanted her to know about my father and the horrors he had put myself and my siblings through, I wanted her to know about my loneliness.
Most of all, I wanted her to know what a part of me, and I couldn’t be sure how strong this part was, she completely captivated me. Even if she rejected me at this very moment, my heart would be quite unwilling to let her go.
What is it about you that I want so badly, Persephone?
“I’m the Goddess of Spring,” Persephone replied.
I blinked at her. Wait a minute… She wasn’t going to run from me? She wasn’t going to tell me that that was too depressing for her to deal with? That floored me.
“Spring?” I asked, still trying to process how I felt.
Before Persephone could reply, a shrill voice called across the courtyard. “Persephone!”
Persephone and I swung around to see a woman marching towards us, her traditional white himation billowing around her wildly with every enraged step. Persephone gasped, then took a frightened step towards me as the woman reached us. I recognized her almost immediately.
“Demeter,” I muttered under my breath.
10
Aphrodite
I had painfully waited for this moment to arrive all week. And now that the moment was here, it was time for me to teach that stupid little bitch, Persephone, a lesson. That snot-nosed little brat needed to learn how to obey her mother and just stay indoors. If she’d just done that from the start, I wouldn’t have had to take such drastic measures.
I had convinced Athena to keep Artemis distracted while I waited for my last party guest to arrive. In order to pass the time, I had asked my Zeus and Poseidon to put on a little display for the newest young goddess who I invited to join us. Once Zeus and Poseidon laid their eyes on the little bitch, they just couldn’t help themselves. They brought out their biggest tricks just to impress her.
“Pitiful,” I snarled in disgust. I had made sure that I mingled with the crowd, ensuring that I stayed out of Persephone’s sights so she wouldn’t come to speak to me. Honestly, if she had, the evening would have ended right there because the chances of me tearing those brown locks right out of her pretty little head were high. Thankfully, however, I managed to keep her at bay.
Shortly after Zeus and Poseidon had set a unicorn and a dragon against one another, I noticed that Persephone was trying to slip away unnoticed. Oh, no, you don’t, I thought to myself as I followed in her footsteps.
I watched as Persephone hid behind the banners that ran along the walls of my temple and slowly inched her way across the length of the temple. When she was close to the entrance to the rose garden, she paused.
Standing roughly five and a half feet from where she hid behind the banners, Apollo stood at the banquet table. Persephone watched as Apollo stuck his greedy little fingers into every bit of food before his selections satisfied him. But it wasn’t that she was watching Apollo that made me curious, but rather, how. I could see her terrified little rat-like face as she cowered behind the banner, silently praying that the young god wouldn’t turn around and spot her.
How curious. I’m sure there was a juicy reason behind that one, but that wasn’t what I was interested in tonight.
When Apollo moved on, Persephone darted out from behind the banner and hid behind a statue of Zeus. I rolled my eyes. What in the world was this little idiot doing? Did she honestly think anyone cared about her enough to follow her? Please.
A moment later, Persephone made a mad dash for the entrance to my rose garden. Just when she thought she could taste freedom, she slammed into someone else.
Who in the hell what that?
I moved closer and hid behind a statue of Ares, making sure to keep myself completely concealed. When I peered around the statue to get a better look at what was happening, I stifled a laugh. Oh, this was just too perfect, I thought to myself. Hades, Mr. “I’d-Rather-Be-A-Single-Lonely-Hermit” had crashed my party.
According to my son, Eros, Hades had been quite taken with Persephone when he had seen her at the club in the human world. If that was true, then it would only be a matter of time before they went off together for some privacy. I watched as Hades and Persephone made idle chit chat for a moment before they slipped out into the garden. Finally, it was time.
I came out from around the statue and made my way back to where all of the other gods and goddesses were watching Zeus and Poseidon. At that exact moment, Athena and Artemis returned from a quick walk they had taken to a neighboring temple to retrieve my final guest. Artemis noticed me first, her large emerald eyes wide with terror as she stepped aside for Demeter to enter the room.
“Demeter, darling!” I called to the goddess as I crossed the floor to meet her in three long strides.
Demeter nodded at me and smiled softly, her eyes shifting quickly to and away from Zeus. I wrapped my arms around her in a warm embrace, glaring at Artemis behind her. Artemis clenched her teeth together as Demeter returned the hug.
Demeter was a beautiful woman. Despite the fact that Demeter wore little to no makeup, one truly couldn’t tell. The woman was positively flawless. Not nearly as flawless as I was, but she was a closer runner up if I had to choose. Silver peppered her long brown hair as it rested in a bundle of braids on the crown of her head. As usual, Demeter was wearing a traditional white himation with a single golden clip holding the dress together on her right shoulder.
Her bright green eyes regarded me fondly as she returned my embrace. “Aphrodite, you’re even lovelier than I remember. How long has it been, my love?”
“Too long, Aunty,” I replied as I took her arm in mine and led her away from Athena and Artemis. “How have things been, Aunty Demeter? You’re looking a bit pale today. Is everything okay at home?”
“Oh, yes,” Demeter said as she gazed longingly over to Zeus. “I’ve just been a little preoccupied lately. I’m glad you reached out to me. I feel like it’s been so long since I’ve left the temple. I spend more time on my harvests than I do in self-care.”
I forced a chuckle as I led her closer to the entrance of the garden, where Hades was alone with Persephone. “Yes, your duty does seem quite tedious. But what about help? Do you have enough handmaids to help you tend to your garden?”
Demeter nodded before she said, “Yes. It’s just time-consuming.”
“And what about your daughter? Is she doing what she can to help?”
Demeter balked and stared at me, he
r eyes wide with confusion as she pulled her arm out of my grasp. “What did you just say?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
I smiled now, a wide toothy grin that came when an annoying little brat came face-to-face with her karma.
“Your daughter,” I said again. “Persephone? Is she helping you at home?”
“How do you know about Persephone? Have you been talking to Artemis?” Demeter asked as she whirled on her heel and glared back at Artemis and Athena.
“We all know Persephone, Demeter.” I shook my head and chuckled lightheartedly. “She’s hung out with us a couple of times. Didn’t you know?” I asked, feigning innocence.
Demeter’s face transitioned through three shades of red before she finally exploded. “She did what!?” she shrieked. I placed a hand over my mouth, raising my brows as if I had no possible idea that Persephone leaving home was forbidden.
“Oh, my, my,” I tsked. “I thought you already knew. She’s quite the party girl, that one. I tried to take her under my wing, but I fear it may be too late. Why, she’s already here with someone. I’m worried about her, though. I don’t know if I trust who her date is tonight.”
Demeter was foaming at the mouth now as she scanned the faces of everyone in the room with us. “Where is my daughter, Aphrodite? Who is she with!?”
“Why, Demeter,” I said with a purr, “your daughter is right outside in the garden…. And she’s alone with Hades.”
11
Persephone
“Persephone!” my mother screeched.
Hades and I whirled to face my mother in unison, just in time to watch as she stormed towards us. Her himation snapped around her like an enraged viper with every step, and her gaze promised murder. I stiffened beside Hades. How on earth had my mother found me? Artemis and I had been so careful with the enchantment before we left. I just couldn’t understand what went wrong.
Just over my mother’s shoulder, I could see all of the faces of the party guests crowded in the doorway, watching as the spectacle unfolded. I felt my heart drop to my stomach. Standing at the base of the stairs that led to the garden’s walkway stood Aphrodite with her arms crossed over her chest, a smug smile plastered on her beautiful face.
No, I thought to myself. No, no, no! Why would Aphrodite do this to me? A sudden realization hit me as I recalled Artemis trying to warn me against coming tonight.
Stupid girl, my subconscious chastised me. If I had just listened to Artemis in the first place, none of this would be happening. But on the same note, if I hadn’t gone to the party, I probably would have never gotten another opportunity to speak to Hades.
I took a step towards Hades, cowering behind his arm as my mother came to stand toe to toe with him. My mother craned her neck to look up at Hades and glowered at him. Hades, not intimidated by my mother, squared his shoulders defiantly.
“Demeter,” he said softly as his eyes narrowed.
My mother’s top lip curled away as she bared her teeth. Even for being so much smaller than Hades, my mother had a frosty air about her that matched the coldness in Hades’ eyes.
“Get away from my daughter, you bastard,” my mother snapped.
Hades said nothing. Instead, I felt him place a warm hand on the small of my back. My body went rigid at the feel of his touch. It was all I could do to keep from fainting.
“I can assure you that your daughter is in good hands, Demeter. You have my word,” Hades replied, his tone even.
My mother was unconvinced. She took a step forward in an attempt to move around him, but Hades blocked her.
“Hades,” my mother snarled, “I will forcefully remove you if you do not willingly step aside. You’ve already tainted my daughter with your presence. She reeks of death and decay. I will not have you poison her innocence further. Step. Aside.”
“Mother, please! Hades did nothing wrong,” I said, poking my head around Hades’ shoulder. My mother cut a glare to me so coldly that I recoiled in fear.
“You will not speak, child. I have explicitly forbidden you from leaving the temple. Not only have you deliberately disobeyed me, but you have fallen into the arms of this… this monster. Do you know what Hades has done to our pantheon? Has he explained his evils in Tartarus?” The veins on my mother’s forehead were close to bursting with her rage.
This time, it was Hades who stiffened at my mother’s accusations. I reached out and placed a hand on his arm reassuringly. While I wasn’t sure about what Hades had done in the past, that meant nothing to me at present. No one person came without some sort of tragedy hidden within their past. My mother had her own tragedies that had formed her into who she was at this very moment. At least, regardless of what Hades had or had not done, he was still a proper gentleman and was calm in the presence of insanity.
“No,” I said under my breath. My mother snapped her head at me with a brow raised.
“What did you say?” she asked incredulously. This time, I moved around Hades and came to stand directly at his side. Like Hades had done, I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin defiantly.
“I said ‘no,’ Mother,” I repeated, louder this time. “I don’t care about what Hades has done. He hasn’t done anything so wrong for you to be treating him like this right now. I came out of my own volition, and I intend to stay here.”
“You insolent child!” My mother’s voice cracked as she shrieked. “How dare you?”
“How dare I, mother?” I asked, finally finding strength within myself to confront her. “You have kept me hidden away from everything. You have told me that the world was out to kill me, that men were out to rape and enslave me, and that the only way to ensure that I remained pure and untainted was to be confined within four walls. You claimed all of this was for my safety and wellbeing, Mother, but I can’t live like this anymore. I am a grown woman, and I will live my life as such.”
Aphrodite’s eyes grew wide as my mother flushed with renewed hatred. She glared up at Hades and sucked her teeth. “You did this to her. She has never spoken to me like this before. This was you!”
Before Hades or I could retort, my mother raised a hand and clenched a fist. From Aphrodite’s garden, thorny vines erupted from the rose bushes and launched themselves towards Hades. He shoved me out of the way, and I bit back a scream as I hit the ground. When I glanced back up, the vines had coiled around him, digging their thorns into his delicate flesh.
Hades cried out in pain as the vines raised him up off the ground and began to constrict him. I could see that Hades was struggling to breathe, and his face turned blue and purple as the vines grew tighter. From above us, his blood dripped down the vines and onto the pristine white walkway of the garden.
“Mother!” I cried as I jumped to my feet. I dashed towards the vines and tried with all my might to pull at them in an effort to free Hades. As I clawed at the vines, the thorns ripped into the palms of my hands. The gods and goddesses now all rushed out into the garden with mixed looks of fear and surprise.
“Get back, child!” my mother ordered as I continued to rip at the thick green vines. I glared at her, and for the first time, I felt true hatred bubbling beneath the surface of my skin.
“Go to hell, Mother! You are a cruel, hateful woman! I hate you.”
My mother gasped and recoiled as if I had slapped her. Suddenly, the vines dropped Hades onto the walkway with a loud thump. I rushed over to him as he lay unmoving on the ground, his blood pooling beneath him. I could feel my cheeks burning as tears stained my cheeks.
“Hades?” I whispered, trying to turn his face towards me. He groaned lightly but didn’t open his eyes. In fact, he barely moved. Even now, I could see his wounds were starting to heal themselves as he lay stiff in his own blood. I turned at the sound of shuffling footsteps and looked up over my shoulder to see my mother standing there, her expression blank. I took a deep breath to speak, but my mother slapped me hard enough across the face that I tasted my own blood. Somewhere behind my mother, someone gasped.
; “You will never leave the temple again,” she whispered between clenched teeth. I held a hand to my face. Behind my mother, I watched as Aphrodite placed a hand over her mouth in shock. I didn’t bother to look at anyone else’s reaction.
“Demeter,” I heard Hades grumble beneath me. I looked down at him just in time to see his eyes fluttering open before my mother snapped her fingers, and I was gone.
12
Hades
“No!” I cried as I rolled onto my stomach and attempted to get to my knees. My broken ribs ached as I forced my body to stand. It would take a long time for this kind of damage to heal, but I didn’t give a shit about that right now. Persephone was gone. One minute she was there, being slapped by her own mother, and then she was just gone.
“What did you do to her, Demeter? Where is she?” I asked, my eyes growing black with my dark rage. Demeter threw her head back with a sharp laugh.
“She’s where she belongs,” Demeter said, matter-of-factly. “And you will never see her again if I can help it, you son of a bitch. You and your family stay away from my daughter. You’ve done enough damage to her.”
I was seething with anger now as I took an uneasy step towards the goddess. Persephone was almost an identical twin of her mother. But where Persephone was full of compassion and sympathy, Demeter was an empty husk of her former self.
“The only one causing Persephone any damage around here, Demeter, is you,” I scoffed at the goddess. “You’ve gone absolutely fucking crazy, haven’t you? Do you plan on keeping Persephone under lock and keep for the rest of her life?”
