My hair was still damp from the bath water I had nearly drowned in from laughing so hard when I witnessed my love's amazement at soap bubbles and their many wonderful uses. I was warmly wrapped up in the carpet and several towels beside the now almost empty bathtub. I smiled sleepily and stretched. Standing with a towel around my torso I walked to my room and got dressed. My hair was finally starting to dry when I decided that I was still quite dirty a needed another bath.
Later, while walking through the gardens in the Elysian fields, I felt a summons to the throne room. The Underworld would call us when business concerns arose that required both of us. In this instance, it was to receive an messenger from Olympus.
My love was already on his throne and he stood as I ascended the stairs to the throne, holding my hand to guide me to my throne next to his. Once we had settled, there was a click and the wooden doors slowly opened, a herald wearing white and gold entered and bowed at the foot of the stairs.
An invitation to a banquet on Olympus later and I was once again sweeping through my room to prepare, then finished, and finally back in the throne room ready to leave for the mountain of the gods. "Honestly, my love, do you change your clothes enough? Not that I mind of course..." I grinned and kissed his cheek as I felt him wrap his arms around my waist from behind and rest his head on my shoulder as he spoke. We stood still for a moment, not leaving. Then my love let out a sigh, followed by a groan. "Damn traditions. Every time a snotty little pixie who thinks he's an important messenger comes down into the Underworld with an invitation from 'their royal majesties' I am so sorely tempted to refuse him and dip him in the Styx." I laughed and spun away although I still held onto his hand.
"Come on, we'll be late enough as it is. Besides, this will give me a chance to check with those invited to the party." He made a face but I ignored it and pulled him towards me, closed my eyes, and when I opened them, we were standing in the courtyard outside the doors the palace of the gods.
We entered the great hall and I almost immediately found myself whisked away from him by Aphrodite and Eros. I cried aloud with delight as I was hugged fiercely and had my cheeks covered with kisses. The three of us sat on a side settee and chatted quite happily. Apparently there was to be a game hour before the banquet for all the gods to participate in. I visited with the others for while but soon found myself standing on the outskirts of the group of talking gods simply watching. I had noticed that my mother was absent almost from the time I arrived, but pushed it to the back of my mind, she was probably busily avoiding my husband and I. My musings were interrupted by a slight cough next to me.
A moderately tall, wavy haired man stood next to me. I blinked, realizing that he was a mortal. I blinked, stunned, but before I could speak he said, "Forgive me for interrupting you, but you looked too pensive to be merely enjoying the view." I smiled and looked down. Then shook myself mentally. Those green eyes in the tanned faced were vividly imprinted in my mind.
"I am Persephone. Please forgive me for asking but what is a mortal doing at a feast of the gods?" For his mortality was quite obvious when compared to the gods, no matter how splendid he looked in his tan robe and wavy brown mocks. He smiled, and his teeth were as bright as the stars.
"Not at all, my lady. I am here as a guest of the Lady Aphrodite, she is my village's patron goddess and has been very good to us. I am called Adonis."
"Indeed..." I muttered the word under my breath because I hadn't missed his glance exchanged towards the goddess of love, who had looked back at him the same way. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. It wasn't very common for Aphrodite to take a human lover, but of course, she was unpredictable, more so than the others I mean. I spoke for a few more moments with Adonis and found myself quite eager to have someone who shared my joy for the brightness of Spring.
The games were extremely fun. We had musicality contests, art demonstrations, races, and word games. By the time I had finished playing a battle of wills with Athena for the 6th time however, my head hurt and I was ready to go home. I stood, hugged my Aunt goodbye, and searched for my husband. Of course he was sitting off to the side, talking to Ares and Poseidon. I giggled as I snuck up behind him. I could tell by his posture that he was annoyed, and most likely at Poseidon, he can't stand his arrogance.
Like he's one to talk.
I slipped my arms around his neck from behind and leaned down to murmur in his ear. "I've got a headache, I'm leaving, I'll see you when you get back, alright?"
He seized the opportunity, "If you're not feeling well, I should go with you." I smirked.
"Oh no, don't worry, I know how much you enjoy group discussions. I'll see you later." I kissed his cheek and didn't look back as I left, but I knew he was glaring at my back.
When I appeared in the throne room where we had left from I slumped my shoulders and walked back to our room. I opened the door and went inside, my glow illuminating and lighting the candles around the gray blue room. I blinked.
Then blinked again. Sitting on the edge of the bed was a slender wood nymph. She was wearing only a small green shift that made her eyes glow. She stood with an eyebrow raised, and her head tilted to the side. I opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it. "So you're the little wife, hmm." It wasn't really a question, but I responded anyway.
"Well, you seem to know who I am, but I still find myself wondering who you are and what exactly you are doing here." She grinned and tossed her long light colored hair. I frowned inwardly, she was exquisitely beautiful.
She purred when she spoke. "I am sometimes called Menthe. I was... am... a long standing guest of the Lord of this place."
I pursed my lips. "Well, I don't know why you felt the need to invade our privacy, but I think it would be best if you leave now, he'll be back late. But I'll mention that you were looking for him." I walked over to show her the door but she ignored me and walked over to the side table to glance at a small flower arrangement.
"And how do you know I didn't come here looking for you?" It was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "He will call me when he wants me. I expect he will soon enough if you are the wife he's stuck with." My mouth fell open.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I am my lord's mistress. I have been since long before you came along. Then suddenly he ended things. A few months later and here you come prancing around acting like the queen of the gods. You really thinks he loves you?" She turned her back to me. "You're deluded. Why would he settle for you when he knows what I can do for him? As a woman to a woman, don't kid yourself, and grow up."
I gritted my teeth trying to hold back the sheer rage that was building up inside me by the second. "Who in Tartarus do you think you are? I would suggest that you leave right now, or I will not be accountable for my actions. You have–"
"Oh please, like he would let you harm me..." No sooner had she said this than the door opened and the object of our conversation walked in.
He stopped, his face blank, and looked from me, to her, and back and forth several times. "Good evening."
I froze and turned to look at him. "Good evening?" My words felt like ice slipping off my tongue, "You return to find you're wife and your EX-mistress at each other's throats and that's all you have to say."
Menthe obviously felt it her responsibility to defend him and said, "Oh be quiet. Why don't you run along and turn some rocks into weeds or whatever it is you do. Let the grown-ups talk this one out."
"Silence!" I had had it. "I will not warn you again, nymph. Leave now."
She smirked and crossed her tanned arms over her chest. "An empty threat, from a deluded little girl." Hades stepped forward before I could do anything and pulled her up by the arm, walking her to the door. Talking quietly to her.
"What did you say to her? Bring her back here, I'm not finished with her yet!" He ignored me and closed the door behind her, his back still to me. Then he turned as he spoke, calm.
"My love, it isn't your job to deal with her, I told her to leave and not come back, she will not bother you again."
"She insulted me! It's my right to punish her as I see fit!"
"You need to stay calm."
"This was my fight!"
"This is my home!"
I paused, struck. "Our home..." I corrected quietly. He paused then let out a breath and nodded.
"But it still was my place as lord of the Underworld to punish her, I chose to simply remove her, if she returns, she will be dealt with."
"Oh indeed? Some punishment that would have been. A roll around on the bed and a promise to be good and stay away from your wife next time?" I turned away and started to walk away but he seized my arms and spun me around so I was pressed up against him. His grip almost bruising my arms.
His freezing eyes blazed into mine. "You are the only woman I desire. You know that. Now calm yourself. This rage isn't good for you."
My eyes flashed and I spoke slowly and quietly, power coursing through my veins, emboldening me. "How dare you. Release me." He ignored me and continued to stare into my eyes. I felt the heat of my anger explode. "I said now!" He was shoved back by energy and I dropped a few inches to the floor. He straightened and looked down at me, furious and hurt.
"Very well, my lady. I wish you a good night." I glared, then spun around and returned to my room.
When I had bolted the door I fell on my bed and sobbed. Why were we fighting? I had no idea, but my pride wouldn't allow me to return to him yet. I don't remember falling asleep, but when I woke, tears were wet on my cheeks. I had cried throughout the night...
I postponed the party to an unspecified time. I hadn't seen him since the fight. I asked the Underworld if Menthe had really left and it truthfully told me that she had, it would no longer allow her to enter. I found myself wandering through my gardens and feeling very self-pitying. I created a single flower that bloomed only for several moments, than was crushed by lack of sunlight and wilted. I had no idea why we were still upset, except for our stubborn pride.
I desperately wanted to damn my pride and go to him, but some part of me held me back. So the next day I planned to visit Olympus for a few days, just to get away, maybe gain some perspective.
I am no longer upset, I just feel confused from the aftermath of my rage. He was right that such anger wasn't good. I only hope he understands.
A/N: NOreviewsNOupdate
If you're wondering about the long delay, I apologize, but lack of reviews, and a lung infection prevented me... . Thanks!
Also, please note that Persephone's disbelief at the nymph's boldness is that she has always been respected by nymphs and was raised around those who basically did her bidding - she's kinda in shock...