Chapter III

"Over here, Persephone!"

Raidne called Persephone over to see the flower she found. It was a yellow chrysanthemum, one of Persephone's favorites. They one of the most common flowers they found in the fields, other than daisies, poppies, and lavender. Raidne added the flower to her crown of flowers. All of them were making flower crowns to see who could make the best ones. Himerope and her sisters were using no more than two or three flowers, but with various shades of red, orange, yellow, blue, and purple.

The girls were so busy making their crowns, they didn't see Apollo was hiding in the trees with Eros, the god of love. Eros was smirking while Apollo was shifting nervously.

"Maybe this is a bad idea." Apollo whispered.

Eros snorted. "No, it's a brilliant idea. When you go out and talk to Persephone I'll shoot her with my arrow and she'll fall in love with you on the spot."

"I love her, Eros, but I don't think it's fair. I believe that she needs true love. Remember what you made me do to Daphne?"

"Oh, come on," said Eros, elbowing Apollo in the arm, "That was an accident. What could possibly go wrong?"

Down the stream, Hades stopped his chariot several feet from the girls, not wanting his horses to freak out if they got too close. Nightmare Steeds didn't like anyone but one of the underworld to come near them. Hades took out his helmet of invisibility and placed it on his head. He walked closer to the girls. Hades knew about the sirens' magical voices and hoped they wouldn't break out singing anytime soon. As he got ten feet away, Persephone ran over to the river to wash her hands off.

Hades' heart seemed to stop beating. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on. Even Aphrodite was a pale comparison to this young girl. Her fair skin glowed with great radiance. Her long golden waves shone in the sunlight like the crystals and diamonds of the mineral caverns of the underworld. Her eyes reminded Hades of brilliant emeralds and her smile filled him with a feeling her never thought to feel in four hundred years. He couldn't believe that the young baby he forgotten about for many years had become such a beautiful flower.

A high-pitched scream from one of the sirens snapped Hades out of his trace. Eros and Apollo jumped behind the trees.

"Aw, snap!" squeaked Eros, "Did they see us?"

Raidne had been knocked out cold by an armor-clad man. The Sirens were fleeing as five more soldiers appeared behind him. Hades looked into the eyes of the man who grabbed Raidne. Sisyphus! Even the Lord of the Underworld recognized the snake under that helmet. He had came to take Persephone. She had ran with her friends, but tripped over a tree root and got her foot caught.

"MOTHER!"

Sisyphus sneered under his helmet as he threw Raidne to the side. "Go ahead, girl. Call for help." Hades had removed his helmet.

"No one can save you." Sisyphus taunted.

"Get away from her!" Yelled a voice from the trees.

"Wanna bet?" Another voice yelled from the skies.

Apollo ran out from the trees and tackled Sisyphus to the ground. In the air, Hermes dove down at Sisyphus's soldiers, and blew them into nearby rocks and trees. Apollo got up, but was clutching his stomach. Sisyphus had driven a sword through the god. It couldn't kill him, but it did made him weak. Hermes made another dive at Sisyphus who held up shield. Hermes smacked headfirst into the sheild with a loud crack. Hermes fell to the ground, dazed and disoriented. Persephone whimpered as Sisyphus approached her slowly.

Apollo looked up, struggling with the sword in his stomach. "Persephone..."

Eros was so scared by the turn of events, he didn't notice that he was losing his grip on the arrow until it slipped and shot from his bow. Hades flinched as the arrow struck him in the leg. He knew immediately what arrow it was and it was already phasing into his body.

No. No, no, no! Hades panicked as he tried to pull the vanishing arrow out. No! NO!

Eros dropped the bow. "Oops!"

A warm feeling overcame Hades's mind and body. Stars danced before his eyes. He rubbed his eyes before seeing Persephone shaking helplessly as Sisyphus reached out to grab her. A great rage overcame Hades, one he had never felt before. It was like he wanted to kill Sisyphus. How dare that monster try to harm his precious little flower! Hades growled and charged at Sisyphus with a cry of rage. Sisyphus had no chance to react as Hades picked him up in the air with his magic, and threw him twenty feet into a rock outcropping. Sisyphus slammed against the rocks and fell on the ground, the wind knocked out of him. The dark god brought the limp king over with his magic and glared at him.

"How dare you harm her!" Hades roared.

Sisyphus groaned as he looked up. "My lord..."

Hades grabbed Sisyphus by the throat. "How dare you attack a goddess! I'd ought to lock you in the darkest pits of Tartarus for such blasphemy!"

Sisyphus choked as Hades tighten his grip. Apollo and Eros had never seen Hades this angry before. Hades didn't care. Sisyphus had ruined many lives, but this was personal. He had tried to kidnap to woman he loved. The arrow didn't make Hades fall in love with Persephone, it just made his feelings for her stronger. Hades threw Sisyphus into a tree trunk and the king ran away. Hades turned to the soldiers who were cowering on the ground.

"I'm going to send you all to a place so horrific, you'll think your worse nightmares where your sweetest dreams!"

A crack opened in the ground and the five soldiers screamed as they fell in. With Sisyphus and his men out of the way, Hades turned his attention to Persephone. Hades walked over to her and offered his hand to her. Persephone hesitantly took his hand and he helped her to her feet before pulling her into an embrace. Persephone was surprised to be in the arms of this tall, dark stranger who saved her from those men. She had no doubt he was a god. He looked like he was twenty-five, but his eyes showed him to be hundreds of years older. Though he was handsome, something felt intimidating about him. But what she needed was someone to hold. Persephone softly cried as the man held her close.

"Kore!"

Demeter ran from the trees, Artemis following close behind. Persephone broke away from Hades and ran into her mother's arms crying.

"Oh, mother!"

Demeter looked around at the scene.

"My child! Are you alright? Where is the creature that harmed you?"

"He's gone" said Hades. "I don't think he'll be returning anytime soon"

"Hey!" Apollo yelled, holding onto the sword still impaled inside him. "Need a little help here!"

Hades walked over to Apollo and pulled the sword out. The wound instantly healed. Hermes got up from the ground, shaking his head.

"You okay?" Asked Apollo.

"I'm fine." Said Hermes, "I run into obstacles all the time. I've got a thick head."

"Come home, Kore." Demeter lead Persephone away. "You need some soup and a nice long rest after your terrible experience."

Hades' heart broke at the sight of Persephone leaving. As protective as Demeter was, he knew as long as Persephone was on earth, she wasn't safe. He would not let Sisyphus or Cronus take his beloved.

No... his queen.