"It can't be!" shrieked an outraged Demeter. "You bitch, it's all your fault!" she accused, turning to the dark haired woman laughing in the row across from her.

She stopped laughing and her lips curved into a feline smile. "Be careful, Demeter. You wouldn't want to insult your queen, would you?" she asked tauntingly.

Demeter glared at her. Her status as Zeus' former mistress and mother of his bastard child while Hera ruled as his queen had always rankled. They had numerous fights when Hera and Zeus had first married, Demeter accusing Hera of seducing her lover while knowing all the while the trick that Zeus had played on Hera to despoil her and coerce her into marriage. Knowing from previous experience that she was no match for Hera physically or mentally, Demeter turned angrily to her daughter. "Persephone, how could you do this? Fall in love with Hades?"

Persephone smiled at her mother then tipped her head up to look into her husband's eyes. "I don't quite know when it happened. I just know that I love him now."

Hades returned her smile, his lead lowering to kiss her again.

Demeter screamed in frustration. "Aphrodite! You…"

Aphrodite sniffed haughtily. "Don't look to center your blame on me. The love arrow that hit Hades was designed to fade after two or three months tops. As for Persephone, her love blossomed on its own. You know as well as I do that love that forms on its own is beyond my magic. They are truly in love and I for one could not be happier".

Hera had taken the opportunity to walk up to the couple engaged in a passionate embrace. "Brother, I offer you and your wife my blessing".

He bent his head to kiss her gently on the forehead, before lifting her hands in his to his lips. "I thank you, my queen."

"Now, none of that," she replied smiling at the slight jealousy she saw in Persephone's gaze. Hera inclined her head towards her, a small but marked sign of respect.

Persephone's mouth fell open in a little O from shock at such an honor being bestowed upon her.

Hades spoke again. "I will forever be grateful for your meddling, my dear".

Hera arched an eyebrow. "So, you uncovered my plot, did you, brother? I just wanted you to be happy."

Hades smiled. "I am. I thank you, Hera".

Demeter pounced on this information. "What meddling? What plot?" she hissed suspiciously.

Hera turned to her and smiled condescendingly. "I always thought they would make a wonderful couple and that Persephone would do well to escape your smothering influence. Who do you think encourage Aphrodite to send Eros to shoot an arrow into Hades' heart?"

"It's true", Aphrodite's muffled response came from the corner of the room while her mouth was pressed against her husband's lips. Her lust could be contained for so long and they had been waiting for quite a while before the ceremony began.

Demeter turned to Zeus. "Do something!" she ordered.

Zeus sighed. He had grown tired of Demeter's temperament a long time ago, which was part of the reason he went after Hera. "You agreed to the situation, the division of time. There is nothing to be done."

Demeter's eyes glowed triumphantly as she remembered she could still keep the couple apart for a few months of the year.

"Actually, I was meaning to talk to you about that, Zeus," said Persephone. She had never felt the urge to address him as her father. "I never had any say in the decision that was made. Hades was appeased, as was my mother. No one thought to consult me." She looked at her husband with a smile. "I feel it is time to use my influence as Queen of the Underworld. I can threaten much worse than my mother can. I want to stay with my husband."

"You can't do this, Persephone!" cried Demeter. "I…I can still ruin the crops, kill the humans, spread frost across the land!"

"Yes, but you see, mother," pointed out Persephone as she mimicked Hera's feline smile, "I can reverse any of your actions. I have your powers."

The gods in attendance watched the proceedings raptly. Could little Persephone actually counteract her mother's actions? What did this mean for Hades and Persephone?

Demeter shook with fury. She realized she would get no help from the pantheon of gods around her. "Fine," she said her voice icily cold. She gathered her tattered pride and swept out of the room.

Hera placed a hand on Persephone's shoulder. "Well done, my dear."

Persephone smiled. "I learned from the best".

Oh, we are not done yet. Aella hasn't come back yet, and we've still got a secret to reveal. Keep reviewing, my darlings! Much love, Cat.