Author's Note: I stayed up late again! Awesome! Now, on to my weekly ritual: Thank you very, very, very much for your reviews, favorites, and follows! They mean the world to me, and they make me happy! Αlso, I'm really glad you liked the trial, it took me quite some time to write! Bye bye!
The goddess of spring stirred in her sleep. Something softly brushed against her hair, her lips…So delicate, like the wings of a butterfly…But the sensation was soon lost, and the girl drifted further into slumber.
"Good morning! You'd better hurry if you want to eat! Charon's paricularly hungry today; he might as well eat a horse!"
Persephone's eyes shot open just in time to see Hecate walk out of the room. Confused, she shook her head and sat up on the bed. Why did she feel so strange? Was she missing something?
Her eyes darted to a small package placed on her nightstand. Curious, she opened it, and gasped when she saw a lovely silver chain, a single sapphire drop hanging from it. It was the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen…
A piece of paper caught her eye. Persephone read the note, her heart racing.
I hope you like it.
There was no need to wonder who had sent her the necklace. She clutched it to her chest. Last night…everything was wonderful. The moon, the starry sky…
His dark eyes piercing her soul, his lips on hers, his hands all over her body…
A soft sigh escaped her lips. She hugged her pillow, trying to cool down her burning cheeks. She had never felt this way before. And now, Hades gave her this jewel…Why? Was it because he thought he could convince her to continue from where they left off yesterday? Persephone's face turned red with anger. The nerve of him! She did wish to stay with him, and get to know him, that much was true, but that was all about it…Yes…
Yet last night's events, so vivid in her memory, incited conflicting feelings in her heart.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Persephone headed to the dining room.
"Good morning, Persephone…"
"Good morning," she said dryly.
Hades placed a hand on her shoulder. "How did you like the necklace?" he asked, smiling.
"It's alright, I guess," she replied nonchalantly, and his expression hardened.
"Could it be that sapphires are not to your liking?" he asked jokingly.
Persephone looked at him, her expression blank, despite her increasing heart rate. "Oh, no, sapphires are fine!" She flashed an innocent smile. "It was a very thoughtful gift. Thank you, Uncle Hades!"
Ignoring her blushing face and Hades 'dumbstruck look, she slid in the dining room. Hades followed shortly after, informing her that Athena would be visiting her today. Persephone was excited to see her sister after all this time, but her elation was short-lived.
A blonde nymph walked in, a jug in her hands. "Would you like some more nectar?" she asked, smiling suggestively at Hades.
He turned to her, a seductive, yet calculating smirk gracing his features. "Yes, Minthe, thank you very much…"he said, his voice low.
Somehow, Persephone knew that Hades was not really interested in that woman, yet she was bothered by the attention he was giving her. Wide-eyed, she watched as the nymph poured nectar in Hades' goblet, whispering in his ear. Minthe glanced at Persephone. With her curvaceous body, luscious blonde hair and full lips, she made the spring goddess feel like child. The shrewd look in those frozen, almond shaped eyes unnerved her. I don't like her; she's way too provocative, she thought, appalled. However, Hades did not seem to mind. On the contrary, he found her presence rather amusing, and this made Persephone feel even worse.
"Thank you, Minthe, you may go," Hades dismissed the nymph, who smiled.
"If you need anything, all you have to do is call me…" she said, and gave Persephone and Hecate a mocking bow, closing the door behind her.
"Such a sweet, charming girl!" Hecate exclaimed. "I love her so much!"
Persephone held back her laughter.
"She truly is quite…willing," Hades said. The witch made a face, and walked out of the room. "Athena should be here soon; we had better not be late," Hades told Persephone.
"Alright, Uncle," she said casually, standing up. Hades' astonished, dark look escaped her notice. Distraught, she returned to her apartments, and took the necklace in her hands. What transpired between them was wrong, and…if he wanted more, she had to keep him away.
She frowned. It wasn't like he would have trouble replacing her! He said so himself; that Minthe seemed all too willing to…
Persephone kicked a cushion that was lying on the floor. "I don't care!"
"Is that so? Well, then, I guess I'll just go back!"
"Athena!" Persephone cried happily, and flung her arms around her sister. "Glauca! You're here to see me too!" she told the small owl, who looked amiably at her mistress's friend. The girl giggled, and placed a gentle kiss on the top of Glauca's head.
"You'll be staying with Hades, then," Athena remarked, looking around her sister's chambers. "I must say, I was surprised. I never expected the Underworld to be like this. Only the sun is different, courtesy of dear Apollo."
Persephone was shocked, and disappointment overwhelmed her when she heard Apollo was to blame for the dim sun. She shook her head. "I heard you gave him a run for his money," she smiled. "Hades won the trial thanks to you."
Athena shrugged. "I don't know if he won thanks to me, or because he presented a good image…Anyway, the point is that your mother wants to kill me," she said with a bitter smile. "What was it that made you change your mind about this place?" she changed the subject.
"Everything here is so different," Persephone muttered. "You were right. I was imprisoned, but I couldn't see it. But now…I am free. It sounds crazy, I know. I mean, I can do as I please. I walk around freely, I talk to anyone I want…And everyone's so nice to me! The souls, the gods, and-"
"What about Hades?" Athena interrupted her.
Persephone lowered her eyes. "W-What does he got to do with anything?"
"Come on, Persephone, we aren't children anymore. And Hades didn't bring you down here to make him flower crowns…" she said softly, making her sister blush.
"I…Well…"
Despite her initial stammering, Persephone gave in to Athena's unrelenting gaze, and told her what happened the night before. Although she said nothing about her own feelings, her sister could read them on her face and voice. "Hmm…Someone's in love…" she smiled.
"I am not!"
"You are," Athena said dispassionately. "It's obvious."
"Oh, really? How come? You've never been in love; how do you know? Unless you have been in love…?"
Even Glauca seemed intrigued by their discussion, and looked her mistress inquisitively. The goddess of wisdom raised her eyebrows. "Of course I haven't. I don't have to be in love myself to read the signs. You won't see me kicking cushions around!" she smiled. "You are jealous, little one, and I can tell, although I've never been jealous…" Why did her heart beat so fast all of a sudden?
Athena looked outside, and Persephone bit her lips. "Yes, but…I don't want this to happen again…And that's why he gave me that necklace…"
"Don't say that," Athena said earnestly. "Hades is not that kind of man. As for what you say you don't want…Your blushing cheeks and shaky voice tell me otherwise."
"I don't!" she insisted.
"He won't force you, then. But darling, falling in love isn't a bad thing," she said, taking Persephone's hand in hers, smiling at her sister affectionately. She looked so lost, her innocent green eyes full of naivety and worry, as she treaded into unknown waters, experiencing new feelings…Yet Demeter's beliefs were still firmly implanted in her mind.
"But feeling like this…It's wrong," Persephone whispered, confirming Athena's suspicions.
"Who determines what is right or wrong, Persephone?" she asked sweetly. "There's nothing bad about your relationship, so-"
"Enough with this talk, okay?" Persephone cut her off. "Though I still don't understand how you know so much about love if you yourself have never fallen in love…"
"I am a few centuries older," Athena said dryly, hoping Persephone wouldn't press the issue.
"Please don't tell anyone about this!" her sister begged.
Athena gave her a reassuring smile. "There's nothing to worry about. I'm not so sure about Glauca, though…"
The owl blinked, baffled, and haughtily turned around, while the two girls laughed, before a knock on the door interrupted them.
"Athena…" Hades said with a small smile.
As the two older deities talked, Persephone petted Glauca, scowling. Hades hadn't paid her any attention since he came in…Well, she didn't really care, but…She didn't want to-
"…Is that alright with you, Persephone?"
She raised her head. "Huh? Sorry, I wasn't listening…"
"What could you be thinking?" Athena wondered, petting Glauca. Persephone glared at her.
"You will take Athena back, is that alright?" Hades said, and cocked his head to the side, trying to decipher her thoughts.
Persephone averted her gaze. "Okay, Uncle."
He looked at her for a moment, and left the room without a word.
"Uncle?" Athena raised an eyebrow.
Persephone did not reply, and the goddess of wisdom shook her head. "I'd rather you had inherited Demeter's cooking skills instead of her stubbornness!"
"I just want to make sure he won't try anything…" she muttered, feeling sad all of a sudden.
"Are you certain? He doesn't like you calling him that…"
"He won't!"
"Quite on the contrary, you might push him to do a lot…"
Persephone remained sulky until they reached the main gate, when she hugged her sister tightly.
"I love you very much, "Athena said warmly. "We'll see each other soon, yes?"
"Yes…" Persephone breathed, and gave Athena a kiss on the cheek. "Be careful!" she said, seeing the older goddess walking away. Why did I say that? she asked herself.
Lost in her thoughts, she almost did not see Hades, who was waiting for her in the entrance to the palace. "W-What are you doing here?" she stuttered. "Don't you have souls to judge?"
He gave her a scrutinizing look. "The others can manage without me. Now, would you mind telling me what's gotten into you today? And why do you keep calling me-"
"Uncle?" she asked with a mischievous smile. "But it's true. You are my parents' eldest brother."
He did not miss her mocking tone. "I cannot say I am fond of that…appellation. In any case, I would like you to come to my chambers after dinner, if you do not mind."
Persephone's eyes were like saucers. D-Did that mean…"Why?"
"I would like to have a talk with you."
"W-What if I refuse?" she sputtered, trying to sound bold and defiant.
Hades was about to leave. He glanced at her over his shoulder, and walked up to her, his eyes darker than ever. "Then, my dear Persephone, I will come to you…"
As expected, the trial caused a major ruckus on Olympus, and the results were a heatedly debated subject among the gods.
"Poor Demeter, it was a hard blow for her!" Hera said, yet her eyes were glinting with malice.
"All this fuss over a brat! But really, I never expected Hades to win," Aphrodite commented.
"If it wasn't for Athena…Her words stung, but she was right," Hephaestus said gruffly, and Apollo nodded, holding no grudge against his sister.
"If you think about it, she only managed to change Hestia's mind…" Dionysus noted, a thoughtful look on his face.
"You see, brother, Hestia was the only one who actually cared for Persephone!" Artemis said pointedly, eyeing Apollo, who returned the glare.
Although the opinions varied, everyone agreed on one thing: Athena had helped Hades greatly.
Only one god refrained from the discussions. The King of the Seas was, standing further from the rest, looking out of the window. He was unusually quiet, his jaw clenched and his eyes dark. Those who wanted to talk to him would think twice, and would only glance nervously at his direction. His stance, threatening and unbending, was like the calm before the storm.
"But he's so tempting when he's angry…" Aphrodite purred, ignoring Ares' frowning countenance. Hera rolled her eyes, but made no comment.
Sighing longingly, the goddess of beauty glided gracefully to Poseidon's side, yet a few moments later she returned to her seat next to Hera, pouting.
"My, my!" Dionysus exclaimed, and bowed comically to Athena, who had just walked in. "What a great honor, Athena Areia!"
Athena sneered at him, and joined the others, smiling at Hephaestus' sincere words of admiration, and overlooking Aphrodite's jibes. "I didn't do anything exceptional. I only did my duty as a judge; anyone would have done the same. Or should have done the same…" she said quietly.
The others exchanged confused looks, but Poseidon could feel her eyes on him. His face was a mask of apathy as he moved past the small group, and left the Parlor.
Athena lowered her eyes. She…She didn't mean to…
Her expression hardened. He was the one to attack her yesterday!
But she was not used to such a blatant display of indifference…
Why?
Persephone was growing increasingly nervous. Hades did not show up for dinner, and she would have to go to his apartments soon. She had contemplated discarding his invitation, but then he would come for her himself…
She took a deep breath. She had to get done with it. Raising a shaky hand, she knocked the door and entered.
Hades was sitting in an armchair, examining a set of small gems. He lifted his head. "I am glad you came…" he said softly, rising from his seat.
Persephone mastered her fear, and did not retreat. "Well?"
"Well, would you like to tell me what's wrong with you today?" he went straight to the point.
She took a step backwards, but her eyes were hard. "Why did you give me this?" she asked aggressively, pulling the sapphire necklace from a fold of her cloak. "What was your purpose?"
Hades was surprised by her question. "It was a present, Persephone, from me to you. What is this purpose you speak of?" Persephone could see that, despite his grave tone, she had hurt him. "I wanted you to have something of mine, a beautiful and elegant jewel to wear whenever you please."
"But why?" she insisted, although her voice faltered.
"Do I need a reason to give a gift to the one I… Anyway, do you expect something in return when you make gifts, Persephone? Because I do not."
She did not reply, and they regarded at each other for a few moments. The dim light of the candles cast a shadow on Hades' face, and his form gave off an ominous, yet melancholic air.
Persephone bit her lips. His reason was straightforward and honest…But what did she expect anyway? She had never felt so embarrassed in her life. "Hades…I…I really am sorry. I…I didn't mean to…I'm sorry…" she said, lowering her head.
A playful smile appeared on Hades' lips. "I'm afraid that this won't do," he whispered.
"W-What should I do?" she murmured, reminded once again how intimidating and handsome he was…
"Let me put this on you," he said softly, and took the necklace from her hands with a gentle move. Persephone tensed when she felt him brushing her hair aside.
"Don't be afraid…" he purred, and his smooth voice was like velvet, as he caressed the side of her neck soothingly. "See?" he whispered. "It looks great on you."
His lips ghosted over the shell of her ear, and she shuddered.
"You are so beautiful…" He lightly pressed his lips against her skin. The kiss was almost impalpable; Persephone thought her mind was playing tricks on her. She took a sharp breath, but she was unable to move…
Eventually, Hades pulled away. "It is a beautiful necklace, and it suits you," he said casually, but he was still smiling. "I can accept your apology now."
She nodded, bewildered, yet disappointed that he had stopped…But did all this really happen? It seemed so fleeting…
Hades walked her to her room, and wished her goodnight. As she watched him go, Persephone thought that he looked less dangerous in the light, more human…Yet this strange feeling would not go away.
The usually calm seas of Attica were at a state of unrest, and the grey sky was a sign of a coming storm, while a god was standing at the top of a hill, observing the city before him, his face grim. Unseen to the mortals, Poseidon stood tall and imposing; only his eyes betrayed the rage that was boiling inside him.
He had no idea what compelled him to visit Athens. This city agitated him, stirred unpleasant feelings in him…Yet, he needed to be there.
Athens. The city that carried the name of his most hated rival. From the moment he met her, at the time of the Second Great War, he-
He did not wish to think about it any longer.
Poseidon recalled her taunting smile a few hours ago. He had not seen the bitterness in her eyes when he left, without as much as glancing at her…
She was selfish, vengeful…
Just like him.
"What can I say? You really are incompetent."
Incompetent…
Incompetent.
His eyes reflected the tempestuous sea in the horizon. How dare a petty little goddess such as her insult him like this? She would pay dearly for her insolence. He wanted to see her in agony, to tear her apart, to make her feel like he did at the War, when everyone laughed at his expense…
A marketplace extended to the foot of the hill. Poseidon's eyes stopped on a young woman. She was wearing a long white dress, and was talking to one of the shopkeepers. The girl climbed to one of the carriages that were heading to the Acropolis, and the sea god decided to follow her. She was still blooming, with her wavy dark hair and soft blue eyes. A sweet smile graced her features as she thanked the carriage driver. Her white cloak indicated that she was still a virgin. Lust for the girl overwhelmed him, and he was notorious for his impulsiveness.
He meant to approach her, but he noticed the candles and herbs she was carrying, objects intended for a temple. She must be one of Athena's virgin priestesses, then.
Clueless of what would soon befall her, the girl entered the Parthenon.
Poseidon smirked.
Small note: "Areia" is a title Athena earned after casting the deciding vote on Orestes' trial on the murder of his mother, Clytemnestra. If I am not mistaken, it means "Athena of the Areopagus".
