Chapter 1
Sitting by my window I stare outside and let out a soft sigh. I can feel the sun's warm touch caressing my skin, as I close my eyes and smile softly. It's such a lovely day outside and it's a pity I'm still not allowed to go outside. My mother isn't here and until she gets back home, she has a strict policy of staying inside.
Sometimes, I wish I wasn't the obedient daughter and instead show her my rebellious streak. I could be that girl today, but I don't think I'm brave enough to stand against my mother. Not yet, at least. You see, my mother is Demeter, the almighty goddess of agriculture and fertility. She has an important place amongst the gods and since most of them haven't even met me yet, it's useless to say who they are going to support if I ever needed them.
My only friends are Artemis, Athena and Aphrodite, even though she gets jealous at times, claiming I'm bad for her confidence. Apparently I'm too pretty and it's a good thing my mother keeps me secluded otherwise her son, Cupid, would have a lot of work to do. Her words, not mine. I call my friends 'The Triple A' . Apart from these beautiful goddesses though, I also spend a lot of time with the nymphs. They're very nice to me and since my mom allows me to hang out with them, it means I'm safe as well.
You'll think that at the age of 20 years old it's insane to live an isolated life, but I don't blame my mother's need to keep me safe. She was raped when she was young and for a goddess that wanted to remain a maiden forever and get her wish taken from her against her will and not only that but getting a child as a reminder of that terrible day, yes it's not hard to understand her. On the other hand, I wish she could be less overprotective and allow me to get outside to the world, even if I wasn't alone, but with a secure company of hers, but no. I'm asking too much and causing unnecessary stress to her.
"Persephone! I'm home! " She calls my name and I smile brightly immediately , hopping on my feet and rushing to the living room. Even when I'm home alone, I love spending my time in my room, it's my little private bubble and it may sound crazy, coming from a girl who lives already in a bubble, but I'm loving it. When mother gets back home though, I have to spend some quality time with her, before I'm allowed to go outside. I live by her rules, so I have no other choice.
Walking outside, I'm greeted by a perky tall woman with all the right curves around her hips and narrow shoulders. She smells cookies today, so I assume she spent some time with aunt Hestia. I hope she brought some, because they are incredibly delicious.
"Hello mother. How was your day?" I ask and try to give her a brief hug, although that's not the case with my mother, who squeezes me tightly in her arms and rains kisses all over my face.
"Oh my sweet daughter, I missed you so much!" She exclaims and I start coughing. "Mom! You're choking me!" She immediately releases me and holds my arms from a distance.
"Sorry, sweetheart, sometimes I get carried away and forget that you haven't developed fully your powers yet. I don't want my sweet baby to grow up and reach the point that she won't need me and my guidance anymore, but I'm looking forward to witnessing the peek of your powers the day you will turn 21." She looks at me and I blush.
"Not so long now. My birthday is next week. I'm so excited!" I exclaim and sigh softly. I am truly impatient for that day to come. It is said that in the night of my 21st birthday, I'll finally develop fully into the Goddess of Springtime and my powers will be overwhelming and uncontrollable at first, but later on with practice, I'll be equally powerful as any other greek deity.
"Actually, I'm mostly excited because I will finally get to meet all of them. They will have a party on Mt. Olympus in my honor and my mother will officially present me in front of everyone. I have read and heard so much about all of them and my body fills with adrenaline and excitement just in the thought that I will finally come face to face with them. With important gods and goddesses who have done magnificent actions and have quite the reputation.
"Well, don't you just stand there and come join me for a cup of tea. You know I love spending time with my beloved daughter." Demeter said and pulled a chair out of the small table they had seated near the window. The curtain was pulled aside and I could watch outside at the greenery. Demeter rushed to prepare their tea while I took a seat and waited for her.
"So tell me. What's new from Olympus? You went to Aunt Hestia?" I asked and smoothed my hands on my dress. Mother brought at the table a small plate with cake and cookies and a moment later their two cups of tea.
"How did you know? I don't recall leaving a note and I'm sorry for that." She said and bit down on her lip.
Smiling I shook my head "No, you didn't leave me a note, mother, but you always smell cookies whenever you visit auntie Hestia." I explained and grabbed a slice of cake shoving it into my tiny mouth. I always thought that my lips were small compared to other women I knew. Especially Aphrodite had the biggest lips she had ever seen.
"Ah, yes, of course! Her cookies! Damn, even if I wanted to hide I couldn't!" She smirked and shook slightly her head. "Aunt Hestia is fine and she's sending her greetings. She's missing you and she's planning a visit sometime soon." Demeter replied as she lifted her cup and brought it to her lips, taking a sip.
Mimicking my mother, I took my cup and blew over it to cool it down, before I brought it to my mouth and took a sip. "Lovely. Can't wait to see her again." I said and looked outside, looking forward the time that I could go outside and enjoy the warm weather.
"She will definitely be here before your birthday. She even told me that she has something for you." Her mother said and her small smirk told her that she probably already knew what aunt had planned for her.
"Wonderful! I can't wait for it! I'm so excited, mom! I don't know what to put on, how to make my hair, ahhh I'm so nervous! I will meet all these almighty gods and goddesses! Friends, family but also people I've never met before, but I've heard so much about them! Gods, this is going to be amazing!" Persephone exclaimed and let out a soft dreamy sigh. It was obvious that she was daydreaming. In her mind she could see herself in a big room full of marbles and columns, wide open spaces and people dressed in gowns, glittering and glowing. She could see charming men and beautiful women and herself walking around them. She could see everyone staring at her and her becoming the center of attention. She was wearing a long pink dress that would even cover her feet, a tail following her steps as she walked in the room. Her long hair were let down in loose curls and she was wearing a crown made of colorful flowers.
"Persephone! " Her mother snapped her out of it and she came back crushing into reality.
"I'm sorry mother. I'm just so impatient to meet everyone." Apologizing I looked down on my lap and nibbled on my lower lip, knowing my mother would preach me once again about how careful I must be around others, especially around men.
"Perse!" I snapped suddenly my head and looked out of the window, staring back at my best friend's Athena's face that was standing outside waving at me. Yes! I was saved the day!
"If you'll excuse me, mother, I've got company waiting for me. And it's not proper to make people waiting, right?" I said and after placing our empty now cups into the sink I rushed towards the door. I opened the door, but before I walked outside, I ran back inside, giving a soft peck on my mother's cheek. "I'll catch up with you later." I said and then with a giggle I ran out of my house.