Hades
I hadn't given much thought to my wedding night.
Well, that wasn't entirely true. I had actually given a generous amount of thought to that particular topic, maybe even more than I should have.
The problem was that until this very moment, standing outside Persephone's chamber, I realized that perhaps I hadn't been thinking about the right things. Maybe instead of fantasizing about what she looked like under those clothes, I should have been thinking about what I was actually supposed to do.
Heat climbed into my face. It was time to go down to the party, and I had come to fetch my bride. I had spent a torturous night lying awake in my bed thinking about the little woman down the hall, making up a thousand excuses to go check on her and crushing them all one by one like ants under my fingers.
Now it was time to see her and all I could do was stare at the door, the long night looming before me like the yawning pit of Tartarus. I wondered for a moment if this was what a murderer felt like as he walked towards Judgement Hall. Shaking away that thought, I steeled my nerves and rapped my knuckles against the hard wooden door. I could hear low female murmurs on the other side and I strained my ears, trying to make out Persephone's voice. I could only hope that she had time to recover from her fright yesterday. I didn't want a repeat of the terrified screeching.
Don't touch me! Her words resounded in my mind like a clashing cymbal. I'd felt them like a slap at the time and now they left a dull ache in my chest. I needed to make it right.
THe door swung back with a click, the girl behind it bowing when she saw me.
"I'm here to pick up my..." My words died away as she came into view. Persephone rose from her position on one of the couches, the flowing fabric of her gown seeming to float around her like a halo. The long white peplos brushed against the floor and trailed behind her so far that a serving girl held the end so it wouldn't get dirty. Sparkling jewels bedecked her slender wrists, and she wore a crown of laurel leaves on her head. Her face was hidden behind a gauzy veil that fell around her as soft and fragile as new fallen snow. Golden threads were spun through both her veil and gown, catching the light. I had never seen anything half so beautiful and I stood there like moon struck youth, unable to make a sound.
"I am ready to go, my lord." The voice behind the veil said shyly. I believe hearing it was the only thing capable of shaking me out of my daze.
"Good." I said, trying not to let my nervousness show as I took a few steps closer to her. I reached out my hand, half afraid that she would refuse to take it. Just like when we were out in the courtyard yesterday she hesitated a moment before resting her hand in mine. Hers was trembling almost imperceptibly. Compassion filled me and I wanted to pull her veil out of the way and tell her that there was no reason to be afraid of me, that I would never hurt her. But there were servants in the room, and I doubted that she would find much encouragement in my words. It would take time for her to learn to trust me, I thought to myself a little sadly.
Instead, I led her out of the room. I was very aware of her hand in mine as cool and delicate as fine pottery. She walked beside me silently, the rustling of her dress the only noise. I forced myself to break the silence that had fallen.
"Did you sleep well?" I asked. My voice seemed unnaturally loud.
"Yes." She answered simply. Was I imagining the false note in her voice?
"I'm glad. I know it was a hard day for you." I glanced away from her guiltily, looking at the wall as if it were suddenly interesting.
"It was." I looked back at her. There had been little tone in her voice. She'd been making a statement of fact, not necessarily an accusation but I felt it like a blow all the same. I wished I could see her face.
"I'm sorry. It wasn't how I wanted you to meet me, but I had no choice." I spoke earnestly, willing her to believe me. She said nothing, just kept looking straight ahead. The silence threatened to return but there was something she needed to know.
"Tonight," I began, wondering how I should explain without frightening her more "When you are presented at Court, the nobles will come to pledge themselves to you. You aren't expected to do or say anything, just sit. You should know however that these people..." I hesitated. How did I even begin to describe them? In the end Persephone herself supplied the words.
"They are not like people back home." Persephone turned her face up to me.
"Yes, exactly." I said relieved, glad she was catching on. I shouldn't have been surprised though. Of course she would have a quick mind to go with all the other wondrous things about her. Even now I could see her aura glimmering out from behind her veil, a living light that left starburst in front of my eyes if I stared to long.
The wraiths had sensed her soul out in the Fields, screaming and crying in confusion at the brilliance of a living spirit among them. Being alive myself they reacted much the same way when I passed near them, but never had I seen them carry on so. Obviously I wasn't the only one who could be overwhelmed by such a presence. I could only hope that the people in the throne room tonight would be able to keep their heads. I didn't need Persephone to mistake their surprise for disdain.
It was almost humorous that such a slip of a girl could cause so much uproar. Innocence permeated off her like sweet perfume, fragile as a flower petal. Yet the soul inside her raged like a bonfire. Denizens of the Underworld were especially sensitive to such things. That was why the daemons rushed us last night. They had been able to feel Persephone's life force through the stone walls of the palace where I had told them to wait for their queen and had been drawn towards it like moths to a flame.
And she had burned one of them. I hadn't believed my eyes when the white fire burst out of her hand. From the expression on her face it had been obvious that she had been surprised as well. I hadn't thought a minor goddess capable of such a feat. A theory had been growing in my mind about that.
"Your Majesties," We had arrived at the door of the throne room. A woman stood before us, hair done up in intricate braids. She curtsied without bowing her head, her gaze fixed upon my bride. Her eyes were a pale, almost sickly looking green and seemed to reflect the light of the torch she held in her left hand. She stood there, waiting expectantly. Suppressing a sigh, I gestured towards her
"My queen, this is the Lady of the Crossroads. Lady Hecate you know to whom you speak."
"Yes I do indeed." Hecate purred in her three-fold voice. I felt Persephone stiffen upon hearing it. "She Who Destroys the Light and yet burns like a flame in Erebus. Welcome to the Darkness Your Highness." and with that the goddess of magic pulled the door open and guided us into the throne room.
In my brother's court, a herald is used to announce the entrance of the king and his queen. I only bother with it at the Ninth Turning when there are hundreds of people in the room. Tonight I had given orders that both should be announced upon our entering the throne room but as I glanced around I saw that there had been no need. The moment the door opened every head in the room turned towards Persephone, standing there looking as etherial as a spirit in her wedding clothes, her spirit shining like a star. The silence was deafening as I drew my wife up the dais, the whisper of her dress against the floor the only noise in the place. In the stillness I could all but feel the feathery heat of Persephone's soul brushing against me, along with the gnawing anxiety that was growing inside her by the second. Her anxiety stirred my own and I wanted to shout at the crowd to stop their absurd gawking.
Guiding her to the second throne situated next to my own, I let her hand slip from mine.
The silence went on and on. Frustration built inside me. I'd told them what to do, why was it taking so long?
And then Nyx came forward, her noble head held as high as ever as she glided towards the front. Only her pale eyes, burning like tiny suns, showed her disapproval. She barely cast a glance towards me as she swore her allegiance to both myself and my queen. Her eyes were fixed on Persephone, sizing her up. Nyx had been the last queen to rule this world. With an uneasy stirring in the pit of my stomach I realized that she did not appreciate having another rule in her stead. She stalked out of the throne room the moment she had finished speaking, the sound of the door slamming behind her echoing around the room. I swallowed, not allowing my unease to show. Nor did I reach out to take Persephone's hand to comfort her. Both would have been construed as signs of weakness.
The rest of the crowd took their turn coming up to the dais. I barely heard a word they said, I was to busy worrying about Persephone. While I had had centuries to grow accustomed to the hideous physiques and burning eyes of the Underworld, I could just imagine what such sheltered girl would think of the snake-haired Erinyes with their gutteral voices and savage claws. And while Thanatos was elegant with his black eagle-like wings folded behind him, his cold, dead eyes could have frozen the Phlegethon.
As it was, I spent most of the evening watching Persephone's reaction out of the corner of my eye. Time seemed to drag until I starting thinking about what was going to happen after all the people had left. Then it seemed to rush merrily forward, seeming to know just how unprepared I was.
Before I knew it, I was guiding my queen down quiet corridors back towards her chamber. My heart was slamming against my ribs almost painfully and I was kicking myself for not asking one of my married acquaintances for advice about my wedding night.
But who would I have asked? I could hardly just walk up to one of the neighboring gods and start up a conversation about physical intimacy. My brothers would be just as unhelpful, Zeus because he was Persephone's father and Poseidon because no one was supposed to know about my marriage. Even if I had been able to tell him he would have only have laughed at me.
I sighed quietly. I had never been able make either of my brothers understand why I had never given into my baser instincts and had a woman. To them, their ability to get a girl underneath them was proof of their prowess as men. The fact that dogs seemed to be able to do the same thing with a bitch didn't seem to make any difference in their minds. In my opinion it didn't take all that impressive of a person to be able to have sexual intercourse.
But to train, to strengthen your mind and body in order to destroy your enemies, that was something worth putting your energy into, not running after every pretty face that walked past. That's what I concentrated on during those ten years, learning how to fight with dozens of different weapons and control the magical forces in the world around me. My skills in magical warfare began to exceed those of my siblings and I soon became one of our best strategists. When the day finally came when I killed my first Titan I felt just as entitled to be called a man as either of my more licentious brothers. I found that I didn't need to get under a skirt to be respected as an adult and as time went on I began to scorn those who gave into their bodies' desires so easily. I began viewing lust as a weakness, a failure meant to be overcame through hard work and meditation. That's not to say I didn't have those same desires, there had been plenty of times when I had considered giving in, but I always fought it. Call it foolish if you'd like but I've always been stubborn and until only a few weeks ago I had been determined never to give into my more carnal desires.
Now I was beginning to feel like a fish out of water, flopping around on the burning sand. I knew the basic mechanics of what I was supposed to do of course, but as for what else was expected of me I was at a loss. Did I kiss her first? Speak to her? What would I possibly say?
I was no closer to an answer by the time we rounded the last corner and the door of her chamber came into view. We paused in front of the door. I peeked at her out of the corner of my eye. That veil kept her expression hidden but I didn't need to see her face to feel the tension radiating off her in waves.
Pressing my hand against the door I pushed it open, allowing her to step inside. Following after her I closed the door behind us. We were alone at last.
Persephone moved a little away from me, standing with her hands clasped tightly in front of her. I shifted from foot to foot, nervously running a hand back through my hair. A depressing little voice in the back of my skull hinted that this was going to be disastrous. Sucking in a deep breath I was about to tell her that she had done well at the banquet.
"Perseph-" My voice choked off when I saw her reach for the pin at her right shoulder, beginning to unfasten it. My whole world stopped, becoming entirely focused on that pin. My thoughts shattered into a million pieces like a crystal goblet tossed off a cliff. What had I been about to say? Something about earlier? What had even happened earlier?
She looked up at me, expectant.
"Yes milord?" The voice coming out from behind the gauzy fabric was nearly expressionless. Anyone who had not been surrounded by stoic people for as many years as I had would never have noticed the trace of fear marring her words. That fear seemed to clear my thoughts like ice water. Taking my eyes off her hand, I took a step towards her, moving carefully as if she was an injured animal, a little bird with a broken wing.
"We don't have to do that right now Persephone. Not if you don't want to." Part of me rebelled at the words coming out of my mouth but I pushed that aside. I couldn't bear the thought of her being so afraid of me. The very knowledge of it caused something deep in my chest to ache. She tilted her head to the side at my words and I imagined a frown puckering her eyebrows.
"What do you mean?" She asked, a hint more color in her voice now. Hearing her voice always sent a little thrill through me, even now.
"I mean that, well, if you're not...ready." Struggling to find the right words to say, I wanted to melt into the ground. This was going about as well as I had expected. Trying to save myself, I switched topics, suddenly remembering my earlier speech.
"You did very well tonight. At the party. I know that it must have been difficult, having all those people stare at you like that." Persephone let out a shaky breath, making her veil twitch. I wished she would uncover her face, I wanted to see those eyes again.
"Thank you." she murmured sounding unconvinced.
We lapsed into silence again and I hesitated, deciding if what I was going to do next was a good idea. Slowly, I eased my way across the room, feeling her unease grow with every step I took. Within moments I was standing mere inches away from her. This close I could make out some of her features through the white veil. Gingerly, I raised my hands, barely hesitating when she flinched, and pulled up the bottom edge of the veil. Lifting it up over her head, I pushed it back, getting my first real look at her.
She was stunning, her face heart wrenchingly beautiful. Her dark eyes caught mine, just as they had at the festival. They were slightly different now, red rimmed and frightened. She kept her expression neutral though, as if she was determined to hide her anxiety. I was impressed at her ability to control herself as well as she could, though saddened that she had such good reason to despise me.
"You're a beautiful woman Persephone." I murmured. Her eyes darted to my hand as it rose to brush her face. Feeling her skin beneath my fingers sent an electric current up my entire arm. Something new hung in the air around us as soon as I touched her, a feeling of anticipation that had been missing moments earlier. Some of my unease faded.
"I am not going to hurt you." I said softly trying to infuse as much warmth into my voice as I could. She eyed me warily.
"You're my wife now Persephone, my queen. That means I am responsible for you. No harm will come to you, I swear it. I want you to be happy here, with me. I know that it will take time," I added quickly, seeing her dubious expression, "And I'm not expecting it to be easy for you, but I promise to be good to you Persephone." My hand moved to cup her face as I spoke, leaning in closer to her so that our foreheads nearly touched. Her breath caught. "You'll be a queen with everything you could want at your immediate disposal. You'll lack for nothing." I scrutinized her expression. She had gone very still, bracing herself. I was only a breath away from her now, both of us afraid to move. The tension in the air thickened, and I could hear my blood pounding in my veins.
"You don't need to be afraid of me." I breathed. She didn't answer but a flickering behind her eyes told me she didn't quite believe my words. My gaze roamed across her face, finally landing on her mouth. The world stopped again, narrowing down to her full lips, only just barely parted. I'd dreamed about her mouth for weeks, dreamed about what it would be like to kiss her, to be that close to her. I felt a little dizzy and realized that I wasn't breathing.
I leaned a little closer to her, our noses almost brushing together. Persephone's eyes were slightly unfocused as she watched me come nearer.
I hesitated only a moment before I breached the gap between us, carefully pressing her mouth with my own. Color exploded behind my eyelids at the sensation and heat shot through my entire body, starting where my lips tentatively moved against hers and snaking out like tendrils of lightning, scorching my fingertips and rooting my feet to the floor.
Cupping her face in my hands, I held her to me, winding my fingers into her thick hair. At first she didn't respond, but as the kiss grew more insistent, her lips timidly began to move against mine. Feeling her kiss me back sent another bolt of lightning through me. I felt her hands come up between us, trying to unfasten the clasp again. I pulled back a little, meeting her gaze as her eyes slowly opened. My eyes flicked to where her hand had paused it's work and then back to her, tilting my head in a silent question.
"I-It's alright." She murmured a little breathlessly. "I'm fine." That's all I needed to hear. Capturing her mouth with mine again, I felt her working to get the pins undone. I moved with her towards the bed as they fell to the floor with a pinging sound. Pressing her back into the covers, I hovered over her, our lips still connected. I brushed my fingers down her throat, following after them with little kisses when Persephone pulled back for air.
The lightning was still burning my blood, the rush making me dizzy. All the nervousness I had been feeling fled, replaced by excitement. This was really happening, the most captivating woman I had ever seen was here, lying in one of my beds, allowing me to make love to her.
Persephone made a little noise in the back of her throat as my hands skimmed over her warm skin, pushing the fabric of her peplos down her torso as I did so. Hearing it brought at smile to my face, as did the feeling of her hands in my hair as she held me close. Unfocusing my eyes, I could see the color around the edges of her soul change from the pale reddish orange of anxiety to deep, ruby red.
Soon more clothing was shed to be unceremoniously kicked onto the floor. The rest of the world slipped away as I lost myself in the bliss that was my wife, my Persephone. The taste of her skin, the smell of her hair, the warmth of our bodies pressed together was enough to make me forget the world. She was all that mattered, the only thing that had ever mattered in the history of time. Persephone.
As we neared the final peak, the colors of the Cosmos swirling around us, I looked into the blinding light of her soul, letting myself fully see her for the first time since the harvest festival. The force of it hit me like a battering ram and held me like a vice until I could no longer tell the difference between the heat of her body and the fire of her being. The fire was Life itself, all the beauty and sweetness and hope of the world contained in the one little body curved around mine. And when everything broke apart, I was swallowed up by the Life, drowning in it, drinking it in, luxuriating in the intensity of it all.
I vaguely remember groaning her name as everything went white, and distantly feeling the pain of her fingernails scraping down my back. But neither one particularly bothered me because I was already floating, drifting with a blissful Persephone on the beautiful waves of endorphins that carried us towards the Shores of Sleep.