Pasiphae glided across the marbled floor to her stepdaughter's room, from which she could clearly hear the sound of heartbroken sobbing. Lightly knocking the door, she called the young princess' name. The sobbing abruptly stopped.

Pushing the door open, she walked into the little girl's bedroom, feeling a stab of pity when she looked into her stepdaughter's tearful face. The seven year old was sitting upright on her bed, peering at her with red eyes from between her hands. Something had upset her and the new Queen was determined to find out what.

"Ariadne, what is it?"

"I had a bad dream."

"I see." Pasiphae seated herself on the bed and placed an arm around the quivering child. "Tell me, what was it about?"

"Mama." Ariadne admitted, before dissolving into tears once more.

Pasiphae nodded. She'd never been particularly close to her own mother, the woman preferring Circe over her, but she, too, knew the pain of losing a parent.

"Don't cry so." the Queen tried to soothe. She gave her stepdaughter a hug and blinked in surprise as she clung back to her with surprising strength for one so tiny.

"I miss her." Ariadne wept.

Pasiphae found herself stroking her stepchild's soft, dark hair. She'd never much loved children, but this child had somewhat grown on her and she disliked seeing her upset. "What do you miss about her? You were only three years when she passed."

"I miss how she told me stories at night." Ariadne explained. "Papa is busy, so he can't."

Pasiphae nodded again. Her mother had never read to her or Circe, so she didn't see how a simple book could bond a parent and child.

"Pasiphy?"

Pasiphae grimaced at the nickname, and looked down at the young girl who was gazing up at her. "Yes?"

"Will you tell me a story?" Ariadne asked, somewhat shyly.

"Alright, I suppose. Go and get one." she was crazy. Here she was, a respected and feared woman and she was going to tell a silly fairy tale to a child.

Ariadne snuggled against her, all sadness forgotten as Pasiphae ended the tale. "Thank you."

"That's alright. Do you feel better now?"

Ariadne nodded, sleepiness weighing her eyelids down. "Yes."

"Good." Pasiphae stood and placed the book onto a little table. "I shall be joining your father now. Goodnight." she bent down and kissed her forehead, the action a habit now that she'd been living with the little princess for the past six months. Ariadne suddenly wrapped her arms around her stepmother's neck and Pasiphae lightly hugged her back, not wanting to keep the child away from sleep much longer.

"Night night, Pasiphy."

"Goodnight, Ariadne. Have pleasant dreams."

So, yeah. I think Pasiphae loves anyone who's loving her, hence the reason she's so nasty to Jason and Ariadne. She did seem to love Ariadne a tiny bit, but that's going to hell soon, I know. Also, I couldn't resist the thought of Little!Ariadne calling Pasiphae a nickname because she couldn't pronounce her name properly. So, I'm writing all these fluffy, romantic story things and prompts are welcome!

Let me know if it's good or not!

Love from Shania. xx