So…I'm back from the dead! I know, I'm so sorry. I have a ton of excuses for this but…well, I really am sorry? Anyway, if anyone is still reading...Here's chapter three! I'm actually so excited for this...Maybe I just love this form of Hades, all cold.

So in this, we see a somewhat softer form of Hades, some foreshadowing perhaps?

*waggles eyebrows*

Love you guys!

*Hades*

When she fainted again, I was not surprised. She was not raised to be strong-and I did go looking for a compliant woman, someone who would not make my horrendously frustrating job even more trying.

So I enter my castle, ignoring the stares of my undead servants, even ignoring Morpheus, one of my chief advisors.

The god of sleep does not take kindly to my attitude, I'm afraid. Sighing, I plan out how I'll smooth over his ruffled feathers over dinner as I carry the beautiful sun-kissed goddess to where I'll have her stay.

The room I have for her is simple yet elegant, the focus of the room being a grand fireplace. I had thought she'd want this comfort, as the stone walls of my palace will not provide one for her. Not too far from the hearth is her bed, adorned with white sheets, pillows, and other bed-things. I draw the duvet and set her on the bed, then cover her, thinking she will be cold nonetheless later. I then quickly will the fire to start, and the room instantly gets warmer then I am used to. The room already smells less like wet, dreary death and like flowers, sun and earth…I shake my head. I must have taken a sniff of the lotus-eaters plant, for the way I am acting.

I leave the girl's room quickly then, and draw myself a bath in my own quarters. My head begins to clear, and I remember the way she struggled. The fear and contempt in her eyes as she learned my identity, of her disobedience. When she comes-to, I will have quite the event on my hands. Oh, of course nothing I will not be able to handle, a simple woman in my place of power, my sacred hall.

She must be given at least a basic tour, I decide. I will be able to debrief her further then, on out situation and how this shall work.

But, tomorrow can be the day for that. She will need time to come to her own bearings, I am sure. Besides, I must meet with Morpheus, and a god has a right to enjoy his dinner, his evening without worry, without work!

Can I wait until tomorrow to see her face?

*Persephone*

I'm surprisingly comfortable when I wake this time, and I find myself not wanting to open my eyes. Not until I remember the days earlier events do I do so, and still reluctantly.

I find myself in the same clothes I had been wearing earlier, but pleasantly swaddled into warm sheets, a fire roaring in the hearth nearby. My feet hit the floor and I instantly regret it. Without a carpet the stone floor is awfully cold, and sends me back to the beckoning bed. Finally I realize that it is not the cold that deters me, but the man I will find on the other side of the door. So I tell myself to be strong...

And spend another ten minutes curled up in the bed.

But what am I expected to do? Go out there to face a…a kidnapper! A vile, perverse man with terrifically rancid motives. How does one escape the inescapable-death?

I suppose getting out of bed would be a fine start.

For the third time I sit myself up, separating myself from the tempting blankets, and stand. The floor is cold but I am newly determined, for I must get back to my loving parents, I must return. Why, if only Zeus, my father, knew what had happened!

I walk a few steps to the door, when I realize I am still in the now-dirty clothes I had been wearing the day before. So I search the room for a wardrobe, and to my surprise I find one. I warily open it and find that fresh gowns are inside. To my eye they even look my size. I take a red one down, fingering the smooth silk; wondering how red would look on me. I do not wear such bright colors on Olympus-no, soft colors are found in my clothes, being a spring goddess.

Then a thought comes to me, and I drop the dress.

How would have clothes for me already here? How would he have dresses tailored to fit me, if he had not had information on me? Or at the very least have seen me before?

I rack my brain, but I cannot think of another time when I have met Uncle Hades, and if I have it would have been as too young of a child for me to remember. So that means he has been

planning his capture of me. I shudder, what a horrid thought. I thought my life would always be as peaceful as it has been. I never thought I would feel as tremendously helpless as I do, as a prisoner does.

I drop the dress, settling for the torn slip I slept in. I have been reminded of my desperate need to get out of here.

So I walk towards the door, my bare feet barely making a sound on the cool, smooth floor.

I try the handle, and it is not locked. Was Hades careless, or was I meant to venture outside?

Whatever the reason, I manage to heft open the heavy door, and slip out into the hall.

It is time for me to explore the beasts castle, west wing and all.

I'm sorry it's been forever! But please, don't give up on me, for there are many updates to come this summer! I love you all so much! ~Skye

Song of the day: Seven Nation Army, by The White Stripes.