A/N: Once again i want to thank every one for their support, especially a guest called MrX, your first review was especially helpful :)

now enjoy

Chapter 3:

I feel lifeless, that's all I can really feel right now. I don't know how long I have been in this room for, only leaving to use the bathroom. I guess I've been here for 3 days now, and the candle I stare at now is my only company. For the past three days I have been asked if I would accompany Hades for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and with each invite I decline. I focus on the hollow feeling where my heart once was, is this what one is meant to feel in the underworld? Perhaps I have truly died and this is my torment in the next life. I have no appetite, no energy and no hope. I don't even notice I'm crying until I feel my damp pillow as I move my head. Agatha has been kind to me, she seems to be always waiting for my orders, any little sound I make in my room I hear her knock on my door and question if I am alright. I'm waiting for the next invitation to dine with Hades, I will find out then what time of day it is. I don't know how long a goddess can go for with out eating or drinking, but I guess I'll soon find out.

But what a ridiculous request on Hades part to ask me to dine with him, did he not think his actions through, realize the consequences they will have on me? I shudder at the name Hades, he rarely leaves my thoughts as I go over what he has done, where his hands burned and torn out my soul. Perhaps he truly does have my soul, he already took something from me that was never meant to be taken. My mother, oh how I miss her, my mother always wanted me to remain pure, turning down any suitors that may have wished for my hand. How will my mother love me now, how will she look upon me when she realizes my fate? I should of fought more, when he tore my dress, when he threw me onto the bed, when he first dragged me onto his chariot. I should of runaway when I first heard the hooves of horses, the rumbling of the earth or the shaking of the ground beneath my feet. I should of never left my mother's safe haven or picked that beautiful, foreign flower. I cry a little louder at the thought of my regrets, how I could of saved my self from the fate I now face. My mother will be so disappointed in me for what I allowed myself to become.

My thoughts are interrupted as I see Agatha walk through my door, a forlorn look on her face, I know instantly my time is up, that Hades hasn't finished with me. Slowly I lean up to sit on my bed, eyeing her while I wait for her message from Hades, "Mi'Lady, Lord Hades, King of the Underworld, commands you to join him for dinner", she waits for my answer as a frown fills my brow. 'Commands' I think to myself, he has never 'Commanded' me to dinner. I look back up at her and ask, "what do you mean he commands me to dinner?" I see her grimace some more and I brace my self for her answer. I know he is the ruler of the underworld, but he is not my father, Zeus, who commands the gods and goddesses. "Lord Hades rules this realm, seeing how you are his guest, you are obliged to follow his orders, he has grown frustrated by your declines to eat with him." Agatha says, standing strong though her eyes show empathy. "Can't you tell him I aren't well, Agatha?" I silently pray that I wouldn't have to see his face again, rather stay in this empty room alone with my nightmares than look upon his face. "No miss, he has grown tired of that excuse, I am ordered to prepare you for dinner, Mi'lady" Agatha explains as I try to resist the bile that has risen in my throat. With a shaky voice I try to put on a brave face, one of a goddess and not of a fearful mortal as I stand weakly from my bed saying, "Very well then."

She leads me out of the room and into the baths, the only other place I have been during my stay, besides his bedroom. I stare at nothing as I sit in the bath full of smells that once made me smile as she washes my hair with scented oils. I shiver as I get out of the bath and allow her to dry me, groom me and make me presentable for the Lord of the Underworld. But all I could think of is my fears, would he try something at dinner? Would he expect me to bed him tonight? Would he take me again with out my consent? I can't help but bite my lips as I try to blink away unwanted tears. No he will not see me afraid, he will not have that power over me, I will walk in to the dinning hall with my head held high and behave like the Goddess my mother taught me to be. Before I am able to leave the bathroom I am shown my reflection. Holding a mirror before me Agatha speaks words of praise but I hardly hear them, all I see is a stranger. The image before me is of a woman, who wears a black gown that hugs tightly at her curves and generously shows her cleavage. The straps of the dress ties around her neck and add support to her bosoms as the dress catches in around her waist. The gown then flows down to the floor where it hides her bare feet. While her hair is perfected in the fashion of the goddesses, it is in a half bun that lets her curls roll down her back. Never had I looked like such a woman, such a goddess, but as I look at the reflections green eyes, I see they are broken and know that this reflection is definitely mine.

Agatha leads me towards the dinning hall, and not even my pep talk can quiet the screams in my head. I stop dead in my tracks as I try to control my breathing, never have I felt more helpless than I have in the last few days. I am meant to be immortal, a goddess, above all sickness and disease, but why do I feel so much pain, why can't I breath? I stumble my footing as I lean against the wall, my hands support me as I hear my strain for breathe, it seems I can not get enough oxygen, as if I'm being strangled. Agatha notices me immediately and grabs my shaking form, holding it close to hers as she moves away all of the hair on my face. I focus on her eyes as she catches my face and notice how she breaths, telling me to copy her breathing. It's hard at first and almost seems impossible. How can I be so weak? My lungs scream for oxygen but soon fill with air, soon I can breath again and lean against her form, exhaustion taking it's toll. She holds me close and whispers the same meaningless words to my ears as she wipes away my tears. I ask her with a hitched voice "what is wrong with me?", and hear her reply " a panic attack, my dear. That's all it was, a panic attack". I nod my head still not knowing what she means by panic attack and I fear that perhaps my godhood has been stolen, that I am just a mortal. I tell her my fears but her reply is a simple smile and "you are still the Goddess of Spring, Persephone. This is all in the mind. The feeling of nausea and headaches are from shock, while your struggle for breathe is a panic attack, this is all in your mind." she rocks me back and forth as a another concern hits me, "am I going crazy?" my voice sounds strange to my ears, as though all emotion has been ripped out of it. "No Mi'Lady, how you are reacting to the … trauma is very natural, but you will find your footing, Hades will help you with that". I push off her at the name of Hades and glare daggers at her, hating the helplessness I feel, the pain that God has brought me. She bows before me and says "Lord Hades will be waiting for you" and continues walking down the hall, where the man I loath waits for me.

I take in my surroundings as we walk along the cold marble floor. This is the first time I can actually inspect my surroundings and I take advantage of it, knowing that I am just procrastinating before I see Hades. The marble is white, though shadows roam without restraint due to the limited light.

Contrasting with the white walls, wrought iron is pressed against them. Looking like charcoal vines, it spreads across the walls designed in such a way images can be seen. The scenes of history that are shown all seem barbaric, but the beauty in the artwork fascinates me. No shame is shown for the naked beings that I can see the resemblance to. Zeus stands proud holding his lightening bolts while looking down onto the Titans. All are in sequence I notice as I try to examine the art works while I walk towards the dinning room, using my hand to feel the cold rough metal beneath my fingers. Pillars divide the wrought iron scenes as they are in alignment with the wall. They seem to be more for decoration than to help keep the structure, deterioration of time leave it looking cracked and chipped.

I go to examine the next scene on the wall but I see it is of Hades. I can't help my body's reaction, fear begins to spread as I am reminded of his deeds. My eyes linger on the image of him for too long as I inspect it, it's of Hades on his chariot. Closing my eyes I remember seeing it come out from the ground, the smell of nature disrupted by the smell of death. I look at the details of the man upon it, angular jaw with high cheek bones, strong muscles hidden beneath the armor and lifeless eyes. I don't seem to recognize the features of the statue, although I know it to be Hades.

I've replayed the event time and time again in my head, from first seeing the flower to when I fell asleep on his floor. But I only remember seeing his face when he held his bare palm to mine, as I begged him to stop. I still don't know what that look was in his eyes, perhaps desire, the intensity scarred me and still does. I don't want to experience it again, from another or from within. Agatha's voice pulls me out of my thoughts as I see her standing at the end of the hall before large double doors. I guess they are made out of some sort of dark oak as I walk towards her, steadying my breathing and reminding my self to be brave. He has nothing more to take from me, I came to the decision during my first night here. My mother wouldn't want me back after she finds out what has become of me, and I don't want her to find out, it would tear out her heart to know of his deed. Agatha opens the door before me and bows to me while I nod my head at her. She see's the flash of fear in my eyes and gives me a warm smile as she turns to enter into the dinning hall.

I take in the large room before me, dark marble walls with silk black banners flowing against them. Fire in large bowls stand at the corners of the room as well beside the entrances of the hall. My eyes fall to the man sitting at the table, seeming to be lost in deep thought. He seems to be biting his nails as he looks towards the ground, his face emotionless. I take a deep breath and take a step forward, my bare feet not making a sound, though he now turns his head and faces me. Even though his face is still emotionless his eyes betray an emotion before they too are masked.

He stands up now, still looking at me. I remember my manners as I formally curtsy before him and with a new strength I say, "Thank you for your invitation to dine with you this evening, Lord of the Underworld", as I stand before him his face is still emotionless, still stone cold like his statues. He takes a step forward to guide me to my seat but I flinch at his move, my new found strength and left over dignity are gone with in a moments notice. He see's my fear and decides to comply with it, not moving any further towards me, but with gracefully strong hands he shows me where to sit. I bite my lip as I go towards the seat next to his, hating the closeness he wants as he stands behind me and pushes me into my seat.

He knows I'm on full alert, if my previous actions didn't reveal it, my increased heart rate would surely give it away. He sits beside me and doesn't look at me, trying to think of what needs to be done. I can't read his face so I don't know what to expect from him, but nothing on his face gives away any cruel intentions. He clears his throat and I can't help but flinch, and I feel his gaze on my face, I look up as if I had not flinched but I can't meet his eyes, so I look at his hands instead. "I'm glad you could join me this evening Persephone, there are some things that I need to discuss with you" he says. This is the first time I've heard him speak, and although I didn't expect him to sound like a monster, I didn't expect him to sound like a gentlemen either. All that I can reply with is my manners, if I didn't stick with them I don't know if I would start to break down and cry or yell and scream in fury. "I am glad you welcome my presence, the last few nights I have been feeling ill" I say but neither of us believe my words. I don't stare at his eyes but I feel as though I have confused him by his silence. "Very well then, Seph… can I call you Seph?", he stops to ask me a question, getting himself comfortable at the table, leaning against the back of his chair watching me. I bite my cheek at this, I don't want him to give me a nickname, we aren't friends, I want the formalities. But I nod none the less in fear of his anger. "Good, well Sephie, as you probably know well by now this is the underworld," he gestures the around him, " and it's completely different than the fields you once lived at with Demeter, but you'll soon adjust, it is advised that you don't leave the castle with out supervision and you don't try to leave the kingdom, though there is no way out and it will just make me angry". My eyes widen at what I hear him say, I try fighting back the panic at being expected to stay here long enough to adjust, and I try to cover my fear, "I thought I would be going back to my mother, seeing how she will be missing me so and needs help with the harvest. As well as … " I can't finish the sentence with out tears welling up in my eyes. "As well as what, Seph?" he questions, amusement sounding in his voice. With the last bit of strength of my composure I reply, "you've already stolen something that was never meant to be yours, what value is there of keeping me here?"

He thinks for a second, most likely to irritate me, he knows what I am referring too and replies, "When I see something I like, I generally take it… and it wasn't stolen, it was given to me". I look up, my confusion can't be hidden. He see's that I've been silently crying and as he gets up I tense when he takes a few steps towards me. Standing behind me, he places his hands on my shoulder and I try so hard not to pull away. Unconsciously I have grabbed a knife and he glances down as he watches my knuckles turn white as I clutch onto it for dear life. Leaning down beside me, his large hand takes hold of my smaller one, and with such gentleness his hand takes away the one thing that made me feel safe in this room. He leans into my ear and whispers, "You were mine when you were born, Zeus gave you to me", I gasp at the thought, and in the corner of my eye I see him watching my reaction. Betrayal and hurt crosses my features, but fear over powers them all as I feel his hands on my cheeks gently wiping away my tears, while he says, "so my dear, now that you know that you belong to me, you aren't going home to see you beloved mother. You are to stay down here and be my queen, rule beside me, be my wife " a sob escapes my lips and my hands cradle my face, not wanting him to see me this weak. He must of nodded to Agatha because I feel her warm hands on my back trying to soothe me and notice he leaves the room, with a slam of the door.

A/N: I don't know if this has too much detail for your liking, with the hall and how she is dressed. It will be a few days before the next chapter is up and as always constructive criticism is welcomed :)