by Logan Keys
Persephone nods, but all she wants to do is sleep for a thousand years. Curl up with Hades and never wake. It wouldn’t be so bad and at least they’d be together.
“Styx.” Zeus’ voice is a silken caress. He steps out of the gloom, a golden shining light that scorches Persephone’s eyes. “We’re here to bargain.”
“Bargain?” Styx’s laugh is as sharp as a blade. “I think you’re too late for that. The damage is done. Their lives are forfeit. This is now about what to salvage.”
“Indeed.” Thanatos steps forward and walks to the edge of the riverbank. “We’re here to salvage for you.” He lays a hand over the water and smiles. “Bargain or I kill this river and everything in it, Styx. Now, what do you have to offer?”
Styx blanches. She floats backward before steaming forward. “You wouldn’t dare.” Her eyes flash red. “I’m a goddess. I was here when the Titans ruled. Before Chronos set time and invited the others in. I was here for the creation of other worlds and witnessed their destruction. I was here for the wars and it was my magic that brought peace and balance to the Lands. You. Would. Not. Dare.”
“Oh, I’d dare.” Thanatos’ quiet tone is deadlier than Styx’s anger. “If you care about this world, Styx, then you’ll bargain. This is Hades and Persephone. Have you stopped to think what would happen to our world if they died? It was the actions of their namesakes that brought rule to this world. It was the Original Hades who allowed you to live here free from harm when the other gods and goddesses wanted you dead for siding against them.”
“I didn’t side against them,” Styx shrieks. “I stayed neutral. It wasn’t my war.”
“But this one is,” Thanatos counters. “Bargain, Styx. Bargain or die. I mean it.”
Styx hovers above the water. Her corporeal form changes color with her mood. “The price will be high.”
Persephone never doubted it. “Then name it,” she demands clutching Hades tighter. “But heal him.”
“True love.” Styx’s eyes glitter. “What would you give me for that?” Her mouth draws back and her fangs descend. “What would you ransom for a King’s life?”
Everything. Anything. All the worlds and the galaxies they sit in.
“Wait.” Zeus puts his finger up. “Persephone, with your permission, I want to negotiate on your behalf.”
Persephone’s eyes slide to Thanatos. He gives a subtle nod. “Granted.”
Zeus flies at Styx. They swirl in the air around each other in a flash of gold and green until the colors blur. They argue in a language Persephone cannot understand. Their negotiations take forever and an instant.
The two fly apart and Zeus lands on the riverbank. His head dips and his shoulders slump. In comparison, Styx appears victorious.
Persephone braces herself. Whatever the price, she’ll pay it. Just so long as Hades lives.
Styx floats on the water in front of Persephone. “These are the terms of my bargain. You are no longer the Harvest Queen. That was forfeit the moment you landed in my river.”
Persephone puts her head up and meets Styx’s eyes. That is a small price to pay. It also means the River Witch is leading with the least costly terms of the deal.
“You will not be the Lady of Summer and Hades will no longer be the Lord of Winter.” Styx’s smile is chilling. “That, too, is forfeit.”
“Wait,” Thanatos snarls. “If Persephone cannot rule Summer, then Hades did all this for nothing. She’s the last living Demeter and the Demeters have ruled Summer in an unbroken chain since the Lands were created.”
Styx tilts her head. “Persephone cannot rule, not after the destruction she’s caused, but her descendants can. The Underworld will be its own realm, separate from the Lands and all the peoples in it.”
Persephone’s heart thuds in slow beats. Descendants. She and Hades can co-exist in the Underworld and have children.
Right now, the terms of the bargain don’t seem so bad. It’s what she’s always wanted: a full life with Hades in it and children playing at their feet.
“But you, Persephone,” Styx hisses. “You will rule as Queen of the Underworld. You will carry the cursed souls through your realm and judge them accordingly. Your name will be synonymous with terror. You will be more feared than your husband. People will pray to gods and goddesses to save them from your embrace. You will be unwelcome in any of the Lands.”
Persephone’s heart sinks. She should have known the bargain would have hooks and barbs. An eternity of sentencing cursed souls and being reviled.
“Those are the terms of my bargain.” Styx raises her arms and floats into the sky. She looks down at Persephone. “Do you accept?”
“So long as Hades lives.” Persephone narrows her eyes. “Then yes, I accept the terms of the bargain.”
“So be it.” Styx swirls into the air. A suffocating darkness fills the cavern taking any light with it. It’s worse than the river, hatred magnified with the tang of salty magic in the air.
The darkness rumbles and the earth shifts. Persephone is flung into the water and then agony hits her. She opens her mouth in a silent scream, but the pain has taken her air and voice.
Her body stretches. Her bones crack and splinter. Fire sears along her skin and then ice splits her open.
Persephone is being realigned. She writhes and begs for a mercy that never comes. The river witches point and laugh, imitating her agony.
They leave when the pain begins to ebb. Swimming and scattering as if Persephone is the hunter and they are the prey. Their bleating terror echoes through the water.
Persephone rises from the river. She walks toward her husband and their silent allies on the edge of the marsh. She stares out at the world with new eyes.
The darkness teems with life. Shadows cling to her and faces with red eyes peer out from the gloom. This is how Hades must see the world.
“Perse.” Cyane’s voice is filled with pain. “What’s happening?”
Cyane holds her hands out. Her blonde hair turns to tumbling gold and light billows out from her, causing Persephone to shade her eyes.
Persephone stares at her hands. Her fingers are elongated, her nails black with a starlit shine. She puts her hands to her face and it’s sharper, more angular. She drags a strand of hair forward; it’s no longer golden but white blonde.
“Why is it so dark?” Cyane hugs herself. “And I’m freezing. I feel like I’m dying.”
“Cyane.” Persephone’s voice vibrates. “You are now the Harvest Queen of Summer. I love you, but you have to leave here. The dark will swallow you whole.”
“No.” Cyane shakes her head. “I don’t want this. I don’t want to leave you.”
“You have to.” Persephone’s eyes water. She never imagined losing Cyane in this bargain. “You need to live in the light, sister of my heart.” She nods her head at Zeus. “Take her. Keep her safe.”
Zeus extends an elegant hand to Cyane. She pauses, tears dripping down her face. Cyane places her hand in Zeus’ slowly and they disappear taking their golden shine with them.
Persephone crouches down beside Hades. He’s breathing stronger. He’s still pale, but there’s a little color in his face. Gently, Persephone kisses Hades on the lips. His mouth is softer and there’s no sting or bite.
It’s true. Hades is no longer the Lord of Winter. Persephone waits, but there’s still no movement and Hades’ eyes remain firmly closed.
“River Witch,” Persephone hisses at Styx. “If you’ve shafted me on this bargain, there will be Tartarus to pay.”
“He lives.” Styx blinks, but not before Persephone sees the flash of fear in her eyes.
Persephone’s new form now scares even goddesses. “Then why won’t he open his eyes?” Her voice booms and shakes the cavern.
Styx flinches and the water is a flurry of river nymphs swimming away. “He will open his eyes when he’s ready.” Styx tilts her chin. “You two were always important. More than you know. I like the circularity of this. The original Hade
s and Persephone started the war with a forbidden love affair that changed our world. You and your Hades were doomed, but refused to accept it. Life and Death may live side-by-side, but not together. It’s the same with Day and Night, Summer and Winter—there are times when they can touch, but they can never co-exist. You’ve changed the world to how it should be.”
“Stop speaking in riddles,” Persephone snaps. “Are you saying you planned this? Because I don’t believe you.”
“Planned?” Styx blinks. “No. I didn’t even foresee it.”
“If you could have used your magic to change us, so we could be together, why didn’t you do it earlier?” Persephone demands. “Or is this just one of those loopholes you like so well?”
Styx bares her teeth. “You never asked and I would never have given. You had to shake the foundations of this world to be together, so the long outstanding debt could be repaid.”
“In plain language.” Persephone bares her own teeth. “You’ve asked a lot for a swim in your river.”
“Be careful, Queen.” Styx fizzes, the water hissing under her feet. “The Underworld was never supposed to be attached to a season. You and Hades have restored the balance. Rule your kingdom well.”
Styx disappears without a sound. Not even a splash or a drop of water. It’s as if she was never there.
“Well.” Thanatos raises his eyebrows. His robes and scythe are nowhere in sight. “This has been quite a day.”
He stares at Persephone until it’s uncomfortable. “What?” She waves her hands.
“You’re just kind of beautiful and terrifying.” Thanatos smiles. “But you still feel like you.” He dips his head. “Thank you for saving my brother. I won’t forget it.”
Persephone is alone with Hades on the riverbank. She strokes his beautiful face and then grips his hand. “I’m taking us home.”
Persephone
Cerberus and Brutus chase each other through the wild flowers, becoming black streaks against the purples and whites and reds. Persephone always ensures there is red for Hades. The Night Army tries to join in, but it’s not their type of fun. They wander away through the garden, a constant presence.
One skeleton sniffs at the jasmine on the trellis and sneezes. Persephone laughs, the sound echoing in the palace she built for her and Hades. It gives her a rictus grin before clinking off.
They’re waiting for their King to wake, but she is their Queen now, too. Humming to herself, she goes to check on her husband. Hades lies in the large ornate bed in their master bedroom, still motionless and his eyes firmly shut.
His beard has grown in thick and black while he’s been asleep. Persephone sits on the edge of the bed and trims it while she tells him of her latest day. There have been thirty of them since Summer, since the bargain she made with Styx at the river.
Thirty days without his voice or gaze. Thirty days of begging him to wake up. Thirty days of scratching X’s into the walls of their home to stop her from going crazy. Persephone presses her lips together to clamp back disappointment. One day he has to wake up. Otherwise, she’ll go to the River Witch and annihilate her.
She can do that now: kill gods and goddesses, men and women, immortal and mortal. Persephone doesn’t need a weapon or to raise a hand or even lift a finger. Her dread powers can kill with a simple thought.
“I had a horrible case today.” Persephone changes the bedclothes from white to cream. The color suits her husband’s skin tones more.
Persephone’s also now used to speaking to herself. She hasn’t been getting many visitors. At first, she and Cyane spoke to each other every day through mirrors until Persephone caught the flash of terror in Cyane’s eyes. It was quick, but Cyane couldn’t hide it, so Persephone let her only true friend go out of love.
“I had this man who killed his whole family.” Persephone gnaws on her bottom lip. “He didn’t think he’d done anything wrong. He had to be dragged to Tartarus in chains.”
The first time Persephone judged someone she cried and vomited. The second time wasn’t much better. She wouldn’t say she’s accepted her new position in the Underworld, but she’s become accustomed to it.
“Are you talking to yourself again, Perse?” Thanatos’ silken voice is a welcome respite to the silence. He nods at Hades. “No change?”
Persephone shakes her head and attempts a smile. “No change, but he’s still breathing.” She claps her hand and makes them thick, sweet tea the way Thanatos likes it.
“He’s not knocking on my door,” Thanatos says, bringing the cup to his lips. “If that’s any consolation.”
“It is and it isn’t.” Persephone tries to smile, but her lips tremble. “I just keep hoping and waiting. All we have is time and I can’t take the wait. I’m trying to be patient, but I just want to know when.”
Or if. She doesn’t need to say it. Everyone has the same question.
Thanatos’ warm hand smothers hers. “He will wake, Perse. Then all of this will be behind you. It’ll just be a memory, a blip in the love story that is you and Hades.”
“I wish I had your confidence.” Persephone’s voice cracks. “I keep thinking this is further punishment for things outside our control.”
Thanatos drags her into his arms and holds on. Persephone clings to him. It’s been so long since anyone held her or offered comfort.
“Brother,” a scratchy voice says from behind them. “Unhand my beautiful wife. Please.”
Persephone turns and her heart hammers in her chest. Hades stands there with his sleepy, brown eyes on her. There’s no frost, just a touch of white around the brown that will glow iridescent in the dark like hers do.
She takes two steps toward him and stops. Hades stares at her, a slight frown upon his face. He rakes her from head to toe before stopping and lingering on her eyes.
Thanatos gives a discreet cough. “Glad to see you’re awake, brother, but I’ll give you two some time alone. Before I go, I want to tell you that your wife fought like the goddess she is for you. You are a lucky man.”
Hades closes the distance. He reaches a hand out and then draws it back without making contact. Persephone grabs it and brings it to her face.
“There have been a few changes while you were sleeping. This is one of them. We are no longer Summer or Winter. We are King and Queen of this realm.”
Hades’ hands clasp her face and he kisses her forehead. “We can touch. I feel no burn, no pain.”
“I know.” Persephone’s laugh ends on a sob. She swipes at her cheeks.
“Your eyes are… crystalized azure. And your hair…” Hades shakes his head. “And skin.”
Persephone dips her head. “I know I look different. Do you not like it?”
A glimmer of a smile peeks out from the beard. “You are beautiful in any incarnation. My love for you doesn’t wane with the color of your eyes or hair. How? Tell me what happened.”
They sit on their bed and Persephone tells Hades everything. As the sky darkens and the air chills, they creep closer to one another. She ends her tale wrapped in his arms with her head on his chest and his heartbeat in her ear.
Hades kisses her on the temple. “I can make Styx take it back. Undo the bargain, if you want to return to Summer.”
“Are you insane?” Disbelief shoots out of Persephone’s mouth. “And while we’re on that, I thought you were the smart one in our relationship. Why did you march into full Summer and fight Narcissus? And you didn’t tell me you were going to do that.”
“It seemed a good idea at the time.” Hades laughs. The sound wraps around Persephone bringing tears to her eyes.
“Do it again.” Persephone pokes him in the chest. “Laugh.”
He throws his head back and puts his whole body into it. Hades shakes until tears spring into his eyes. It’s the best kind of music to her ears.
“I wouldn’t change a thing.” Persephone shakes her head. “When I said I’d give it all up to be with you, I meant it. Did you hear the part about our descend
ants ruling Summer and Winter? That means we get to have children and I want to raise them here in our garden.”
“I didn’t miss that part.” Hades’ molten brown eyes are on her. “I marched into Summer to fight Narcissus because I’d give it all up for you, even my life.”
They slink down the bed until they’re eye to eye. Persephone drinks in the changes of Hades’ face. “It’s going to be okay now, isn’t it?”
Relief threatens to choke her. It’s finally over. He’s here. They’re here. Together.
Hades’ traces her face with his finger. “Yes.” His mouth turns up at the corners. “Do you remember when we used to wish for this?”
Persephone grins. “I do. Maybe the gods and goddesses aren’t so cruel after all?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Hades leans over and touches his lips to hers. A different kind of heat consumes them, and they burn together.
Epilogue
Hades
Crouching down, Hades straightens his oldest child Zagreos’ white tunic. It has Summer’s sun emblem in the middle, perfect clothing for the little Lord of Summer. The boy is the image of his mother, white blond hair and azure eyes. As soon as he entered the world, they knew this boy was born to rule Summer.
“Are you sure it’s going to be okay, Dad?” Zagreos whispers. “What if I don’t like it up there? Can I come home?”
“You can always come home.” Hades smiles. “But I think you’re going to like it. You have to know the place you’re going to rule and the people who live there. It’s important.”
Zagreos charges off into the field of wildflowers, Cerberus and Brutus after him. A whine starts from the golden puppy at Hades’ feet. Picking the hound up, Hades sighs. “I know. It’s hard to let go, but I have to. You’re going with him to make sure he’s okay. You’re the first golden hellhound in history, did you know that?”
“Are you seriously talking to that dog?” Persephone pokes Hades in the ribs. Her stealth is better than his, these days.
