Three creatures, beyond bent, beyond twisted, beyond horrific, were the Sisters: The Erinyes. Alecto, Tisiphone, and Magaera were their names.

Wraith-like, the Sisters hovered over her, keeping guard for their Master.

Persephone, neither bent, nor twisted, nor horrific, did not know who the Sisters were or their purpose. She did, however, know precisely where she was.

The Land of the Dead. Or more specifically, the home of its Ruler.

The Erinyes made no move to touch her, but hovered motionless before the closed door, unspeaking.

Persephone's heart raced unnaturally. This didn't make any sense. She was not dead. She did not belong here. In any case, she certainly didn't deserve the method in which she had landed here.

"Who are you?" She called to them, her voice strained and unnaturally high.

The Erinyes responded as one.

"We are the punishers of the damned."

Persephone's will broke, and she wept, "Am I damned?"

One of the Sisters stepped out of the pack.

"My Lady Persephone…Our Lord Hades bade us watch over you." Her voice sounded like a stream, running over rocks. "You are far from damned, you are our guest here."

Persephone hurriedly wiped at her tears, embarrassed, but more continued to flow.

"But…" Persephone had just interjected when suddenly, the doors flew open and Lord Hades strode in.

At first sight, his height and appearance made him appear merely fearsome, but his eyes suggested (if she had only seen) a keen intelligence and concern.

"Sisters…" Hades said, and Persephone shivered involuntarily. His voice was like steel wrapped in velvet.

"…Thank you for your assistance. You may go."

With one synchronized bow, the Sisters departed.

Overwhelmed, Persephone slumped against the wall, her eyes fixed on the dark God.

Hades didn't speak for a moment, but only gazed at his young charge.

"You have no need to fear me."

Persephone's chest heaved.

"Do I not? Why have you taken me here?"

Hades was direct. "To be my Queen," he said quietly.

He was impressed. From the way Charon had described it, he had expected her to have been terrified of both the Erinyes and himself. Hysterical, even. She was clearly not.

She was afraid, perhaps, but not intimidated. He admired her.

"Why would I be your Queen?"

"Because I am a powerful ruler. My realm is huge and indispensable, and I am well-respected. All the riches of the earth are mine."

She looked at him as though he was insane.

"I have my own place to look after. You duties have nothing to do with me."

"You could be greater still by my side."

"I have no need to be 'greater still'".

He tried to mentally process such a remark.

"Of course you do. Being immortal means striving for power."

"Perhaps to you."

Hades switched tactics.

"You defy Zeus in this."

"Then perhaps he will strike me down for my insolence."

Hades was silent. When he finally spoke again, his voice was very soft.

"I have made this room for you. Feel free to stay here whenever you like. This room will also remain yours after our marriage, though, of course, the whole castle will be yours to inhabit as you will. Feel free to call on our Shades if you need anything."

…And he was gone, his words ringing in her ears.

"…after our marriage…"

She looked around her room, noticing for the first time her surroundings.

She had a huge, marble fireplace, on the mantle of which rested several glass orbs. Each, she realized, contained a flower from the surface, preserved from the deadly breath of the underworld by the glass. Thick tapestries covered the walls. She also had a cherry-wood vanity on which were several toilette items.

Persephone crossed the floor and opened her wardrobe. Several gowns hung inside, silk. She touched fur-lined cloaks and boots, marveling at their beauty and wishing, in the cold, that she could wear them. Her thin wool shift and sandals were utterly inappropriate for this place.

Clearly, though, the focal point of the room was meant to be her bed.

It was huge, and four-postered, with mahogany finely carved into leaves and vines. Her bedclothes were black velvet and fine curtains surrounded her bed.

It was beautiful. Everything was beautiful. She couldn't accept any of it.

It she accepted his gifts, she would accept this marriage, and that wouldn't be happening.

Her knees buckled under her, and she sat on the cold marble floor. On her hands and knees she crawled over to the hearthrug and curled on it in front of the yawning fireplace, shivering.

Suddenly, there was a knock at her door.

Persephone scrambled to her feet.

"Who is it?" she demanded.

"My name is Danea, Lady. Please permit me to enter."

The voice clearly belonged to a girl, and a young one at that.

"Come in," Persephone said, curious.

At the girl's entrance, Persephone instantly felt guilt over her earlier tone of voice.

The girl was tiny and malnourished-looking, and she couldn't have been more than 18 when she'd died. Her hair was very long and curly, and hung down her back in a loose bundle. She shone, as though lit from the inside, and when Persephone looked at her from a certain angle, she could see right through her to the opposite wall

Persephone realized she was looking at a shade, for the first time.

The girl entered, closing the door behind her.

"Oh, Lady!" Danea said, clearly distressed, "Why won't you light the fire? You must be freezing!

Persephone crossed her arms over her chest. It was true, the Underworld was miserably cold.

"…But…I don't want to take his favors. He's holding me here against my will, but I will never consent to marry him."

"Oh, Lady," Danea said, "If he wants you as his Queen, he will have you. But this is a beautiful lace, and you should make it your own. Here, I will light the fire.

Realizing the sad logic in this, Persephone made no move to stop Danea as she knelt before the fireplace.

Warmth and light blazed into the room, and admittedly relieved, Persephone sunk down to sit in front of the fire, holding her numb hands out to its warmth.

Danea wandered over to her closet and pulled it open.

"What beautiful gowns Lord Hades has given you. Why won't you wear one? Your tunic is not well-suited to the Underworld."

But Persephone's attention was already wandering as she stared into the flames.

"Shall I leave you, Lady?"

Persephone finally realized how desperate the situation really was.

"No!" she exclaimed, tears springing to her eyes. "Please stay with me. I am alone here."

Danea knelt before her, and took her warmer hands into her own.

"Of course you're not! Your fiancée will gladly attend to you."

"No, no," Persephone shook her head, crying openly. "I wouldn't give him the satisfaction!"

Danea's already wide eyes widened further. "Hades is a merciful man, Lady. He only wishes for your happiness. His realm is grim but I have always known his heart to be kind."

"How…how can you say such a thing?"

"He has saved me from eternal torment in Tartarus."

Danea moved over to Persephone's bed, and picked up a flowing dressing gown and jacket. Suddenly, the room seemed very quiet.

"Come, Lady. You must sleep. You'll feel better for it."

Persephone didn't resist as Danea took her by the arm gently and led her to the bedside, or as she slipped her tunic off and replaced it with Hades' dressing-gown. She had reached the end of her resourcefulness and energy.

Danea wordlessly helped her into bed.

She slept, but she did not dream.