hello all, i know i suck, no need to tell me lol
school is absolutely wild but i swear a blood oath that i will finish
Hecate sat straight as a pin, her eyes taking in the tourists and citizens of New Orleans as they breezed by the outdoor café she had picked for her lunch with Persephone.
Although her beautiful face seemed emotionless, her mind was reeling with Hades' cold words. His threat was plain to see in his harsh demeanor, and if Hecate knew anything of her former king, it was that Hades' threats were always carried out.
Always.
Her body gave a slight shiver, and she speedily grabbed the glass of water placed in front of her, bringing it to her pink lips. Clatters of kitchen utensils and the various conversations around her seemed to drone out as Hecate remembered her life up until she moved to New Orleans.
After the Fate's second curse, Hecate wasted no time in taking Persephone far away from her home. Placing themselves in a small cottage near the northern Mediterranean, Hecate placed the young goddess in a guarded sleeping chamber, with Hecate having the only access to enter. She hid their immortal auras using spell books and old magic, leaving no divine trace of either of them to find. For centuries, she watched as Persephone slept peacefully, and often times, Hecate found herself spending time with the sleeping goddess and growing attached to the young queen.
Although Hecate was protective, nothing could have prepared her for Demeter's loud wails that could be heard throughout the land. Mortals would feel a strong breeze, hear the howling of a forceful wind, but Hecate knew better. The wails of Demeter lasted for five centuries, until eventually, Demeter had ceased, quietly mourning the loss of her daughter.
Hecate's eyes began to water as she remembered the look of Hades' pained face throughout the years of Persephone's disappearance. His look of anguish and torment as he mourned his wife in his everyday activities, her missing presence evident in his heart, haunted Hecate to this very day. She was the cause of her master's heartbreak.
The love that Persephone had shared with Hades was brighter than the sun and deeper than any of Poseidon's oceans. The first time Hades lost her, Hecate swore to herself that she would never see her master suffer as he did again. Her decision to take Persephone after her second curse was going to save both Hades and Persephone.
"My, my. Thinking of the ending of Casablanca again, are we?"
Hecate turned the soft voice, her smile growing at the sight of her queen, the goddess she had maternally bonded to. But in this life, she could not claim her as the grand and just queen she was, but the identity she had given her.
"Lily, darling, there you are. What kept you?"
Sitting in the seat before her, Lily smiled as she squeezed her hand. "I caught up with a professor at the university. It looks like I need a tutor in one of my requirement classes."
"A tutor?" Hecate frowned. "Which class is this, Lily? I thought you were passing all of your courses."
Lily opened the menu placed in front of her, her eyes never glancing up. "I am, it's just that I'm not comfortable in this specific class. I need some help with it to maintain a good grade, that's all."
Looking down at her own menu, Hecate raised an eyebrow, "That better be it, Lily Propolos. Or else I might have to ground you."
"Mother! Please, not this again."
"You know, I find it rather odd that you even have to look at the menu, since you order the same meal every time we come." Hecate slyly responded, her mouth turned into a playful smirk.
Lily looked straight into Hecate's eyes, her golden gaze holding an undertone of humor, "Change is good sometimes."
Hecate closed the menu, joining her hands together in front of her, "And I'm so glad you brought up the topic of change, my dear."
Lily rolled her eyes, "Oh no, what did I do now?"
"Not what you did, but what you will do."
"Do I even want to know?" Lily laughed, taking a sip of her sweet tea.
"Since I am on the committee of Louisiana's Business Owners, and we're co-hosting the Wildlife Charity Ball-"
Lily's smile dropped. "Tell me you didn't."
"Lily, it's for a good cause, and-"
"Absolutely not."
"You have no choice. I'm telling you to."
Lily sighed, folding her arms on the white mantle of the table. "As my mother or as committee chair?"
Hecate shrugged, "Both. Because I am your mother and also because I've already put your name down on the auction list. I'm surprised at you, Lily. You've always wanted to take part in the Southern Belle Auction."
"I didn't mean it literally," Lily grumbled. "But since I have no choice, because my loving mother is an absolute tyrant, I suppose I'll do it with a smile on my face."
"Aw, darling," Hecate said lovingly, reaching out to squeeze Lily's hand, "Like you said, you have no choice."
Lily laughed at her response, playfully snatching her hand away. "No doubt there'll be some big bets."
"Oh, I'm sure. Although not as big as previous years. The war did have some effect on us."
Taking another drink of her tea, Lily blushed, "Yeah, but you have some new…money coming about."
"Oh, really?" Hecate chuckled, "As in?"
"Henry Mavros, the diamond guy."
Hecate's blood ran cold. Had he made himself appear in front of Persephone already? Had he begun her clock of doom?
She thought that by warning Hades to stay away was proactive, but had Hades begun his plan without her knowledge?
"Ah, yes." Hecate responded, critically eyeing Persephone as she played with her silverware. "And how do you know about Henry Mavros? Last I checked, you weren't interested in jewelry."
Lily laughed softly, "No, I-he was a presenter at my school. He's the new partner to the Geology department."
Hecate's eyes widened, "Tulane's Geology department?"
Lily nodded, "He gave a speech, and that's where I saw him."
Internally, Hecate sighed. They hadn't contacted each other yet, so it meant that Persephone was safe.
"He also…" Lily laughed again, her eyes gleaming with an emotion that Hecate had not seen in her eyes for thousands of years, "He accidentally bumped into me on the way home. He introduced himself and helped me pick up my things. He's a real gentleman."
Hecate's glass suddenly burst into tiny pieces, glass flying over the table and sprinkling onto the floor.
Hades.
"So, what do you say, Mr. Mavros?"
Hades looked up from his paperwork, his eyes meeting with one of the committee chairmen for the charity ball. Slipping back into the smooth façade of a businessman, Henry Mavros' smile oozed charisma.
"I believe I can make your order for the deadline, Mr. Gentry. Diamondeus would be honored to create the chandelier for your ball."
Mr. Gentry smiled, "Swell! I knew I could count on you, Mr. Mavros."
Hades nodded, "As you should, Mr. Gentry. I speak on behalf of all work efforts here at Diamondeus when I say that you will not be disappointed. And as this is a charity function, consider it my donation to your efforts."
"Oh, I couldn't- I- that just won't do-" Mr. Gentry sputtered.
Raising a hand, Hades cut the speechless man off, "I insist. I have a fondness in my heart for nature actually." The ghost of a small smile played on his lips, the image of flowers and secret gardens filling his mind.
"Well," Mr. Gentry said, laughing as he stood up in his chair, a movement followed by Hades, "That's mighty kind of you, Mr. Mavros. I sure do appreciate it."
Hades shook the chairman's hand firmly, "Think nothing of it. I'll have it delivered promptly before the ball."
"And you're sure you can't attend?"
Hades' fist balled up, turning white at the mere force. He detested social functions.
"I'm afraid I'm very busy still. With a new office, I'm afraid I've still got loads to do."
Nodding, Mr. Gentry smiled. "I understand. But should you change your mind, you know where to find us."
Turning his back and exiting, Hades' eyes followed the short man as he exited his office. After Hecate's impromptu but intense meeting, the committee of the charity ball had implored Diamondeus to design and create a magnificent chandelier to place above the ballroom. Hoping to gift the chandelier to the committee to escape their expectation of him attending, Hades now sat angrily at his desk, his grimace returning to his pale face.
"Hey boss," came Thanatos' voice.
"Go away. I'm busy." Hades growled.
"I can see that," Thanatos said, rolling his eyes. "I've actually got something you might be interested in seeing."
Hades slammed his fist down onto his desk forcefully, his cold eyes glaring at Thanatos, "Unless it's Hecate's head on a shiny platter, I'm not interested."
Thanatos chuckled, seemingly unaffected by his master's dangerous tone. Tossing a roll of the daily newspaper onto Hades' desk, he put his hands in his trouser pockets, "Page three."
Hades rolled his eyes as he accepted Thanatos to humor him, silently turning to page three.
Louisiana Wildlife Ball: Let's Get Wild!
The committee of Business Owners are buzzing with preparing details for the annual exclusive Wildlife Ball, with donations by the thousands pouring in. But it's not the alligators and pelicans making Louisiana teem with gossip, but the guests!
According to multiple sources, Mrs. Propolos of Prop Shipping, has extended her invitation to the most powerful couple in the good ol' U.S of A. Elijah and Hannah Jameson.
That's right folks, Wall Street's own elite couple is heading to the Big Easy, but we wonder what it was that convinced the mighty couple to descend from their thrones. Is our little Haley Propolos in anyway affiliated with the Jamesons? Or are they here for the daiquiris and the infamous Bourbon Street?
Hades chuckled, "Well, well, well. Looks like Hecate has called in reinforcements."
Thanatos snorted, "Poseidon is also supposed to make an appearance. She's gathering all of the Olympians together, but why?"
Hades scoffed, "For ungodly reasons, I imagine."
"Well now you have to go to this ball. Hecate's obviously trying to get all the Olympians together, something might be wrong."
"I am not an Olympian." Hades gritted. "Let them drink and be merry in their ludicrous excuses of human lives, I want no part in it. I'm here for one purpose and one purpose only."
"So, you're not going?" Thanatos asked, an eyebrow perfectly arched in question.
"No." Hades snarled, shoving the newspaper back into Thanatos's hands.
Thanatos only laughed in response, leaving the paper on his boss' desk. Turning to leave, he called over his shoulder, "Looks like somebody didn't read page four."
Watching Thanatos' smug figure saunter out of the office, Hades once again ripped open the paper, almost tempted to burn the entire object once he caught sight of Haley Propolos' image on the page he had been reading. Turning the page, his interest was immediately piqued.
Annual Southern Belle Auction
Attention all gentlemen of New Orleans! Here's your chance to earn time with a beautiful lady! Take out your checkbooks and check your schedule, because here is the list of 1947's Southern Belles:
Jenna Armoire
Lee Breaux
Heather Fuller
Janice Klepper
Norma Jean LaCombe
Mary Martinez
Lily Propolos
Megan Sabine
Sarah Thibodeaux
Vanessa Winston
*All proceeds go directly to Louisiana's Department of Wildlife*
Putting the paper back onto his desk gently, Hades smirked.
Not only would he win Persephone back, but he would relish in the feeling of surprising the Olympians, and possibly turning their golden night into a nightmare.
Exiting his office, he stopped in front of his mousy attendant's desk. "Clara, please let the committee chairman know that I will be attending the charity ball after all." He barked.
"Yes, Mr. Mavros, I'll get on that right away." she squeaked in response.
Meeting Thanatos' smirk across the Diamondeus office, Hades simply laughed coldly. "Well Nathaniel, it looks like we have a party to go to."
Thanatos crossed the room rapidly, his laugh echoing around the office. "Alright, boss! That's what I like to hear! Oh, man, it's going to be loads of fun!"
"Yes," Hades replied quietly, holding the newspaper tightly in his hand, "Quite the party."
Lily sighed as she tried on yet another gown. Turning to view the different angles in the three-piece mirror before her, she frowned at the green tulle skirt that engulfed her short frame. After the interesting lunch with her mother, Lily spent the rest of the afternoon searching for the perfect dress for the charity ball. Participating in the Southern Belle Auction was a great honor, and she planned to do her very best to look presentable in her mother's honor.
She sighed in frustration as she shook her head, shimmying out of the disastrous green gown. Letting it pool around her feet, she gently stepped out of the ring of fabric and turned her head to the rack of dresses before her. As she slid the hangers of dresses across, Lily thought of her mother's anguished face once she had mentioned Henry Mavros. At first, Lily shrugged off her mother's nervousness, as she always was wary of her male friends and potential suitors. But the look on her face wasn't her usual condescending glare, but more of a worried, helpless look. To top it all off, her mother's glass spontaneously burst into tiny pieces, even though her mother assured Lily and the onlookers at the restaurant that she had simply gripped the glass too tightly.
But Lily swore she never saw her mother's hand touch the glass.
Reaching the end of the rack, Lily stepped back in disappointment. None of the gowns were her style; some were too brightly colored, others were duller than the concrete outside of the boutique, a few boasted enormous tulle skirts, and the rest were skin tight. Hardly Southern Belle material.
Quickly putting her regular cotton dress back on, she gathered her belongings and exited the dressing room, pulling along the rack behind her.
"Nothing ya liked Miss Lily?" asked the elderly woman behind the counter, her glasses on the bridge of the nose as she fixed the sewing on a luxurious ebony gown.
She smiled sadly, "Afraid not, Mrs. Celia. These dresses were a bit too…loud for me."
Mrs. Celia smiled down at her desk, her eyes never leaving the intricate beading she was creating. "Well go on dear, we have plenty of more." At the tone of her shop door opening, Mrs. Celia finally looked up, "I'll be with you in just a moment, sir."
Preoccupied with placing the rack back to where it belonged, she never suspected to hear his voice again so soon.
His charming, cool, voice.
"Miss Propolos,"
Turning rapidly, making her dress whirl around her, Lily gasped. "Mr. Mavros."
He smiled at her then, making Lily breathless. "Shopping for a gown?"
She simply nodded, silently jealous of his cool composure. He was dressed in his form of casual, his trousers neatly pressed and his black buttoned shirt rolled up to the crook of his elbows, but tucked in properly. The darkness of his suit complimented his dark curls, leaving the only source of light to be his pale skin and his blue eyes that had captivated Lily since the day she met him.
He simply chuckled in response, eyeing the different gowns on display. Making his way to a particular rack, he fingered the details of the dresses, his eyes roaming all over the small boutique.
His silence made Lily nervous. His icy eyes made her nervous. His mere presence made her nervous. Not necessarily a bad nervous, but her heart raced when he was near, and her thoughts became radical. She was sure that he affected her more and more each time they met.
"Are you going to the charity ball?" She blurted, mentally kicking herself.
He turned to her slowly, his grin widening. "Only if you are."
Taken aback by his response, her eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat. Ignoring the crimson blossoming on her cheeks, she looked him straight in the eye, drowning herself in his blue gaze. "Well then, you're in luck, Mr. Mavros. I-"
"Henry." He interrupted, his gaze never breaking.
"I'm sorry?"
He chuckled again, making Lily feel frantic butterflies in her stomach. "Mr. Mavros is for strangers and business partners. I'd like for you to call me Henry."
"Are we not strangers?" Lily questioned.
"We've met before."
A slow smile spread across her face, and for a moment, she felt as though she had been with Henry Mavros in a different time. In a different life. The way he looked at her made her feel as though they had lived through this before.
"And so, I implore you to call me as such, Miss Propolos."
The smile on her face threatened to split her being, "Very well, Henry." she tested, savoring the way his given name flowed through her lips. "I was just saying, that you're in luck. I happen to be a Southern Belle for this year's auction."
"Yes," He nodded, "I know."
She smiled in embarrassment in return, witnessing as a magnificent smile graced his handsome face. His teeth shone brightly, and were perfectly lined and straight. He came closer to her then, his large strides crossing the room rapidly as he stood directly in front of her. Lily craned her neck upward, wanting to never break their constant lock of gazes. She felt him grasp her tiny hand into his larger one, and swiftly bring it up to his lips, just as he had the other day.
Leaning down, his face was mere inches from hers. He smiled before his lips reached the skin of her hand, "Save a dance for me."
She shivered as she felt the coolness of his breath tickle her skin. His words made her gulp for air, and his request, as simple as it was, made Lily weak at the knees.
As fast as his lips descended on her hand, he made his exit. Lily couldn't tell if he had been in a hurry or if she was still dazed from his presence, and frankly she didn't care. Something about Henry Mavros felt dangerously pleasurable, and it felt so familiar.
Laughing softly to herself, Lily continued her trek to find the perfect dress. Now that Henry Mavros would be present, the pressure felt even more immense to find a flattering gown. Walking through the aisles of dresses, she found herself drawn to the section Henry had been in only moments earlier. Looking at the dark dresses he had been touching, a glittering, gold skirt caught her eye. Pushing the black dresses back, Lily gasped as she pulled the golden gown from the rack. The tight bodice had minimal jewelry on the bust line, cascading down into a golden tulle skirt, where the dress sparkled in the perfect lighting.
Grinning, Lily turned to the dressing room, her hopes raised high.
What will I do? He'll find me, I know it.
He won't let us live. He won't let us love.
This is the only way.
Falling.
Falling.
Lily awoke with a jolt, beads of sweat moistening her hair. Sitting up in her four-poster bed, she gasped for breath as she attempted to slow her breathing. Swinging her legs around to reach the wooden floor of her bedroom, Lily held her head in her hands, her elbows resting on her knees.
The moon shone brightly in her room, reflecting light onto her bureau and many trinkets. Standing up, she shrugged into her silk night robe, letting her brown curls fall delicately behind her. Walking to her large, French-door windows, she quietly turned the silver handle and stepped outside onto her balcony. The wailing wind comforted her as she breathed in, hearing the never-ending sounds of the French quarter beneath her third story balcony. Crossing her arms on top of the balcony, she leaned in, her thoughts racing.
She did experience a trying day. First the strange lunch with her mother, then surprisingly meeting Henry Mavros in the small boutique. She held the hand he had so tenderly kissed in her other hand, smiling at the memory of the electricity that passed between them.
But this dream.
She had nightmares just as everyone else did, but this felt different. Jumping at the sudden chime of St. Louis Cathedral, Lily groaned at the early hour of the morning. Deciding to go back into her room, she slipped back through the double windows, and laid back down in the comfort of her bed. This dream, it felt more than a simple dream.
Almost like a memory.
Shutting out thoughts of her nightmare, Lily focused on the hypnotizing reflection of moonlight that poured in through her large windows. Strangely comforted by it, Lily fell back asleep soundly, almost imagining the moonlight to be a surreal blue, dancing around her bedroom walls as if it had, many years ago.
listen i know it's slow, but it'll pick up after the ball (next chapter #lit)
thanks for reading love u
im sorry again for taking too long and being a dumbo dummy
