Hades had never been so afraid in his life, though he would never admit to it. He had battled Titans, ruled over deadly creatures and sneered at the very idea of death….but now true fear was seeping into his soul for the first time. He did not show it though, his face remained as hard and calm as ever but his heart was threatening to escape up through his throat. A thousand scenarios ran through his mind, the greatest being Persephone coming to her senses and cursing him for a fool for loving her. The throne room was packed with the occupants of the Underworld, several of whom had come from the Elysian Fields to view their new Queen. Hundreds of torches filled the hall with golden light and a few musicians played softly in a corner. Hades sat stiffly on his throne, Hymen stood to his left while the Fates stood to the right of Persephone's vacant throne. Hermes stood on the steps of the dais and was already drinking heavily from his wine goblet.

"This is a bad idea," Hermes grumbled, taking another long drink of his wine.

"A little dramatic, Hermes. It's just a wedding." Hymen responded coolly.

"This is a very bad idea. Even if we forget Demeter for a second- think about Zeus! You are marrying his daughter without his permission. Why couldn't you pick some other goddess?"

Hades was about to curse Hermes for his insufferable whining when a flutter of color caught his eye. He turned his head to see one of Persephone's butterflies was fluttering near his right hand. Once the little creature caught his attention it flew up to squeak happily into his ear.

"She comes..she comes….Our Queen has come."

With one last squeak the creature flew away. Excitement pulled Hades to his feet and the room immediately fell silent, all eyes had turned towards the large stone doors. At once they opened to reveal Aegeus escorting the most beautiful sight Hades had ever seen.

There she was, His Queen. His Persephone.

The fabric of her gown resembled black flowing water as it danced around her legs with every step she took. Her long hair fell freely around her glowing face. The crown he had commissioned for her was designed to look like a crown of freshly picked flowers. Only each of the blossoms was preciously detailed from gold and white opal. Persephone held her head up high with pride and her eyes shined with unashamed love as she stared up at her future husband. Aegeus brought her right up to the dais, bowed to Hades, then released her arm to take his place next to the Fates. Persephone's own heart began to dance as she climbed the steps and reached out for Hades' outstretched hand. Hymen stepped forward and it was only then that Persephone realized that he was there. Her eyes had only been for Hades. Hymen gave her a smile and a wink before placing his hands upon hers and Hades'. As he spoke his voice rang out loud and clear so that the whole room was filled with the sound of his baritone voice.

"Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Demeter, have you come here to join into the house of Hades in matrimony? To take on the role and crown as Queen of the Underworld?"

"Yes," Persephone replied quickly.

The smile Hades gave her was so warm that it made her heart melt even more. Hymen turned to Hades.

"Hades, King and Guardian of the Underworld, are you willing to bring this maiden into your household as your wife? To share your throne with her, protect her from harm, to be Lord and husband to her?"

"Yes," Hades all but shouted the word. His powerful voice echoed even louder than Hymen's, no one in the room could have denied his enthusiasm.

"Very well, I bless this union as is my right. I decree that you, Hades, and you, Persephone, shall be man and wife from this day until the end of days."

Hymen released their hands and stepped back, Hades pulled off a gold ring that bore his symbol. It was so small that it only fit his little finger, he slipped in on easily onto her ring finger.

"I, Hades, Lord and Protector of this realm, name you, Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. What power I hold so now shall you."

That was truly a bold statement, not even Hera shared such power with her husband. At his words, a new power suddenly coursed through Persephone's veins setting her blood on fire. Gods and goddesses who held dominion over specific realms were given greater powers than other minor deities. Stronger, more primal power was now filling her.

It was intoxicating! Did Hades always feel this way? Persephone thought. No wonder he usually looked so confident.

Hades escorted her to the twin black thrones and she took her rightful spot next to her Hades to look upon her subjects for the first time.

Aegeus threw his fist up into the air, "Hail to the Queen!"

The whole hall took up the cry.

"Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Queen!"

Persephone had never felt so loved, and so powerful in all her life. Immediately an army of servants came rushing into the hall with long wooden tables and benches. Everyone began scurrying around to make room while more servants marched in loaded with platters full of food. Roasted boar, platters of fish, wheat cakes drenched in honey, bowls of olives, loaves of freshly baked bread, and baskets full of every type of fruit imaginable. The music once again started playing again and everyone delightedly dived into the feast. Soon enough cups of wine were being toasted and laughter rang out loud.

Persephone watched it all, holding tightly to Hades' hand as if letting him go would wake her from this beautiful dream. Wanting to test her new abilities Persephone concentrated and conjured a ball of bright blue fire in the palm of her right hand. The pale flames tickled at her fingertips but did not burn her. Next she called forth a thin stream of liquid obsidian from deep beneath the Earth. The liquid metal snaked up her arm and morphed itself around the blue flames. She willed the two to merge into a handsome black dagger, not anywhere near the craftsmanship of Hephaestus but it was smooth and sharp.

Hades grinned in approval. "Excellent. That is only a child's trick to what your new powers will allow you to do."

Persephone presented the dagger to Hades, "A wedding gift, my love."

Hades kissed her fingertips and took the dagger graciously. Hymen walked up to the thrones, smiling at both of them in his good-natured way.

"My services have been completed."

Hades snapped his fingers and a small chest of gold appeared at Hymen's feet.

"Oh for me? Hades, you spoil me." Hymen replied in his cool voice though it was flecked with laughter.

"A token of friendship from my Queen and I. And for your…discretion."

Persephone knew that Hades was bribing Hymen for not running off and telling Zeus what he had just done.

Hymen waved nonchalantly, "It was my duty plus…anything to shake up our divine family. I, personally believe it is good for Zeus to not know everything."

A very non-discreet snort could be heard behind him; Hermes was glowering from behind his wine goblet.

Hyman ignored him, "I must be off though, King Midas wished to consult with me about the upcoming marriage of his daughter."

"Oh Hymen, please stay and enjoy yourself for at least a while." Persephone pleaded.

Hymen looked out over the array of festivities and suddenly caught the eye of a very pretty woman who was carrying a large wine jug. Her smile indicated that she would not mind at all getting to know Hymen a little better.

Hymen's face cracked into a very mischievous grin. "Persephone, my dear, I do believe I will go enjoy myself."

"Take Hermes with you." Hades muttered to Hymen's retreating back.

A serving girl walked up the dais just then carrying a basket loaded with fruit. With her head bowed respectfully she offered her delicacies to Hades and Persephone. Gazing at the deliciously colorful fruits Persephone realized that she had not eaten anything since entering the Underworld. It was widely known that once you tasted the food of the land, you became a part of it and it would fight desperately to keep you. Hades choose a pomegranate from the basket and used the dagger she had given him to slice it in half. Bringing the first half up to his lips he devoured the ripe red seeds with relish. Persephone felt herself go slightly pink as she watched his lips… wishing to see them doing other things. When he has swallowed he brought the other half of the fruit up to her own lips, a look of hunger that had nothing to do with fruit darkened his eyes.

"Eat, and we will be connected forever. It is you choice but I am not too proud to beg….not with you. Eat…please….and be mine."

Persephone stared right into Hades' eyes as she leaned forward bit into the pomegranate, no fruit had ever tasted sweeter on her tongue. Persephone felt the smallest trickle of juice run down the side of her mouth as she swallowed but before she could wipe it away Hades pulled her into desperate kiss.

"HADES! I'VE COME FOR MY DAUGHTER!"