Listen, I know it's been a while and the computer deleted my chapters because my baby sis had to mess with everything. I'm sorry. But I promise I will update A LOT more when I'm done with regents. But for right now, enjoy! P.S. This chapter is really sappy.

Insanity

Chapter 7: We Got A Problem…

A Self-Sufficient Rose

The larks were singing with the bright sun, gently warming the lads while sending away the cool breeze. Persephone struggled to keep her eyes to keep her eyes closed but failed. She opened them seeing Hades sleeping soundly. She caressed his hair out of his face. Persephone noticed how he wasn't as skinny as she remembered, in fact he looked like he had gotten more exercise but he wasn't huge like Ares.

She gently shook him, hoping that he would release her. But instead, his hold on her tightened. Persephone knew it would come to this; from talking to Hermes she learned that he wasn't a morning person. A sly smile appeared across her face when she spoke in a seductive whisper in his ear,

"Oh, Apollo, I can't do this I front of Hade-" Hades quickly sat up and started growling as he released Persephone.

"Where's the rotten bastard?" Hades black nails began to grow as claws with his eyes glowing red, soon his teeth became fangs. His growling was similar to that of a lion. But over his fumes, you could hear a soft giggle coming from Persephone.

"Remind me to never give you bad news in the morning," she laughed. Hades turned a deep shade of blue and quickly retracted his fangs, claws, and his red eyes.

"Really, Persephone? Why would you lie to me?" Hades sighed.

"You wouldn't let go of me," she said. 'Plus its fun watching you get jealous,' Persephone thought. "Crap, what time is it?" she asked Hades.

"By the look of the sun, I estimate that it is half past the seventh hour."

"No!No!No!No!No! Mom's gonna check on me soon!" Persephone quickly stood up and started pacing. Hades stood up and stopped her by grasping her shoulders. "It shall be fine, your nymph will call Herms and he shall bring you back before Demeter notices," he said calmly.

Persephone took a deep breath and spoke, "You're right. I should get going now, I'll ask Herms to send you a note when I can see you again. Okay?"

"Yes," Hades said. Then by instinct, like a man to his wife, gave her, her very first kiss on her lips and released her not realizing what he had done until he picked up his jacket from the ground behind her. He froze and tried to hide his face from Persephone, feeling ashamed that he defiled her lips. At least that's how he saw it.

Soon, he felt something hugging him from behind. Then he could have sworn that two rose petals brush against his cheek. Then he was released and heard the sound of rustle grass behind him with a shout calling, "See ya later!"

Hades gave a small smile to himself and walked back with lighter steps.

Everything happened just as Hades told Persephone. She made it to her bedroom without getting caught, thanks to Evalyse and Hermes. She felt like she needed to do something for them, it was the least she could do. Persephone had just covered herself in her blankets without changing her clothes when her mother burst in a sing-song voice,

"Persephone! You will never guess what has happened!" In response to her mother she gave a whiny muffle.

"Persephone, don't be like that. Get out of bed; I have some good news for you!" Demeter ripped the covers off of her. "Child, you not change into your nightdress?"

"I was tired. I didn't feel like changing," she whined tiredly.

"Well, you are going to need to drop that attitude if you are going to get married," Demeter said as she used her plants and vines to bring them breakfast and drinks when she sat on the bed.

"Married? Mom, I told you that I don't want to get married yet. I have my whole life ahead of me," Persephone rolled her eyes.

"Then listen to me, I saw you with Apollo last night, I saw how giddy you were around him. Last night, just as you went to bed, Apollo asked me for your hand… And I agreed!" Demeter announced proudly.

Persephone did a spit take all over the floor of her room, looking at her mother dumbstruck.

"Why would you do that? He should have asked me! He just asked you because he knew you would agree with him!" she exclaimed.

"Persephone, you won't get married now. Just as you have said you have your whole life ahead of you. You decide when you want to get married, you are just going to marry him, that is all," Demeter said calmly. "Oh, that means we need to get started on your training, you just don't wake up a perfect lady and wife. Also, you can no longer spend any time with your male companions. It's just not proper for an engaged woman."

"That's not fair! This is my life! I decide what to do with it!" Persephone argued.

"It's too late for that!" Demeter shouted. Then the sky began to grow dark along with Demeter's eyes. She then spoke with a deep tone, "Once an agreement of marriage has been made, it cannot be taken back unless another force interferes! And there's no chance of that happening now that the gods know that you belong to another…"

With that, Demeter quickly exited the room slamming the doors behind her, allowing sunlight back into the world. Persephone didn't know what to do but she had to think of something, and fast.

Hermes kissed the palms of Evalyse's hands. He took into account how dainty they were. She was so soft and smooth, which made him want her even more, but that gave him sadness.

"Evalyse, is this the closest I shall ever come to you?" Hermes asked.

"If I could, I would let you have more of me just as I want more of you," she responded blushing.

They both sighed knowing what would happen if they were to go beyond that boundary. A defiled nymph working under the Goddess of Fertility, surrounded by virgin goddesses would be a disgrace. Most likely, Demeter would punish Evalyse and send her someplace where Hermes could never find her. A broken-hearted god is a dead god.

"Let us run far from here, start a new life, have a family!" Hermes exclaimed.

"I want that so much, but would we not keep running? Running and running is not a way of life," Evalyse responded.

"You're right, you deserve better than that. You deserve more than what I can give you," he smiled sadly as he looked to the ground.

Evalyse placed her hands on both sides of his face and made him look at her. "With those sweet eyes staring only at me, what more could I need?" She smiled.

With that, she gave Hermes a deep kiss and held him close to her, not wanting to let go of him. Then, the exotic forests surrounding them seem to still in time. Nothing moved, nothing was heard, with only the sun as their company to witness them. Hermes then got down on one knee and held onto Evalyse's hands as she stood.

"Evalyse, this is my promise to you. I promise to protect, cherish, and care for you until the very moment I lose my breath. And if I no longer find myself in your favor, I will still protect, cherish, and care for you until I lose my breath. I am forever yours," he proclaimed.

Evalyse just stood there in a pause with an unreadable face.

"Evalyse, I will feel like a fool if you do not respond. Please give me a word?" Hermes asked.

Evalyse just giggled at his nervous face. "How can I say anything when I'm so happy?" she smiled as she laughed. "I accept your proposal and I promise to love and adore you with all that I am."

Hermes smiled, stood up, and kissed her, feeling her smile pressed against him. Suddenly, a rustle was heard from behind the tree and bushes. Hermes took a defensive pose in front of Evalyse, quickly pulling out his dagger in front of him. The rustle grew louder and louder as the creature approached. Evalyse held onto Hermes but looked on in curiosity. The sound grew until Persephone stumbled out of the bushes and fell on her face. The two gave a sigh of relief as she ran to the hastily.

Persephone was wearing a pink, ½ sleeved, baggy shirt that fell a little past her shoulders with white jean shorts and brown gladiator shoes. Her hair looked longer than it did yesterday with a calm wave to it. She still had on the necklace that Hades gave to her for her birthday, even though she was surprised that her mom had missed it.

Persephone ran to them, panting harshly. "My lady, what has happened?" Evalyse asked in concern.

"We- got- a- problem," she said in-between breaths. "Hermes, - take me- to the border- of the underworld."

Hades moped around all day, at least he appeared to be. Inside, his heart was about to gush and he felt the burn on his cheek that Persephone gave him. And yet he enjoyed every second of his fever. He changed out of the attire he wore earlier. Instead, he head on his black toga skirt and remained topless, since he wanted to cool down from his fever. Silver bracelets adorned his arms with black, shiny cuffs on his wrists while he wore his tied sandals.

He basically paced around his bedchambers wondering if Persephone made it back without any trouble. He got his answer when Hermes flew into his room causing the doors to crash against the walls.

"Hades, Persephone is at the door of the Underworld. She needs to speak with you, it's urgent," Hermes spoke.

With that, they both quickly cross the Styx River to the opening of the Underworld with Persephone and Evalyse waiting for them. Hades felt a little embarrassed that he was not fully covered in front of the women. Persephone turned to him with seriousness in her face and walked up to him, standing very close.

"Hades, will you marry?" she asked.

Please review