I awoke some hours later in my bed. Electra noticed me and came to my side.
"You seem to have over-exerted yourself, my lady." She told me, her perfect brows furrowed in concern.
She held a glass for me to drink from. I did so gratefully.
"Was Lady Hecate terribly mad?" I asked sleepily.
"No my lady, she was extremely pleased with your work, but she was concerned about your condition." She shook her head. "Perhaps you should sleep more?"
I made a small humming noise, before rolling over and doing just that.
"Lady Persephone?" A soft voice asked. I recognized Cyane.
I answered the door, allowing her entrance.
"Forgive me for my intrusion, I was wondering if you needed some company," Cyane gave me a hesitant smile.
I stood there, taking her in. This wonderful being was concerned about me, coming to offer her company, when only a the day before she had been lost herself.
"Cyane, please come in," I opened the door wide enough for her, and closed it behind her.
"How are you feeling, my lady?" Cyane asked sitting in the plush seat.
"Cyane, I am confused, hurt, and in love, I believe," I said, letting myself fall into the spot beside her. "More than that, I am ashamed that you are a much more thoughtful friend than I am."
She blinked at the overload of information.
"I left you alone when I saw you were distressed," I clarified. "I convinced myself it was for the best. However, you come, concerned, to me when I am in distress. Please accept my apology and gratitude."
"There is no need to apologize," She waved away my words, embarrassed. "Or feel grateful. I needed silence and time alone. However, what is this that you are in love."
"Cyane," I turned to her, taking both her hands. "I do not think it is the arrow anymore, although I am not sure. I have fallen in love with Hades. It is definitely not fading as I promised, instead it seems to be getting stronger." I recounted my garden encounter with him.
"It seems to be strange," Cyane coaxed her head to the side. Her platinum hair falling over her shoulder. "Are you certain he does not reciprocate any feelings at all?"
"I am certain," I shook my head. "He was attempting to be civil and I blighted the situation."
"Perhaps he interpreted your reaction as one of any other creature?" She considered. "Any other being from the Aboveworld, and probably most from the Underworld would run away if they touched the Lord of the Dead."
"Oh but that is so much worse!" I felt my stomach sink considerably. To have Hades believe that I feared or was repulsed by him was devastating.
"But it would explain your behavior," Cyane pointed out. She was correct of course.
"You are incredibly perceptive," I gave her a smile. Although the thought was horrifying, it was better than him knowing the truth and sending me home. "Thank you. Now please, I wish that you be completely honest with me, how are you feeling, Cyane?"
"I am fine," She answered. I gave her an incredulous frown. "Truly." She squeezed my hands. "Perhaps I would have been shattered before, but not anymore. After drinking from Lethe, the burning memories have become warm whispers. It is sad and refreshing at the same time to sit and listen to the whispers."
"Truly, Cyane?" I could not help but recall the woeful woman she was at the beginning of our acquaintance. The one whose brokenness and devastation stirred my shallow heart, the start of my awakening.
"Yes, Lady Persephone," She said with a laugh. "Please do not worry yourself over me. It had been decades since I have felt this free, this happy."
"Decades," I echoed softly. "Would you mind telling me about your love?"
"Oh, Lady Persephone," She was facing me, but her eyes became focused on a faraway past. "I wish I could tell you, for you are my closest confidant and, may I say, dearest friend, but my love is a beautiful and tragic story that I wish to keep to myself. It is a secret that I treasure, that I know no one but the two people who lived it can fully understand it. I hope you understand."
I nodded. And I did. I could never understand the challenges and triumphs Cyane felt and experienced in her love. It was special to her, and she would not be able to stand someone not seeing it as she did.
"However, I will tell you Lady Persephone, that I do not regret loving." She settled back, the saddest and happiest smile on her pink lips. "It resulted so much pain, such terrible pain. I regret so many things that I did and that happened. But I would never regret the love."
"Even when love hurt?" I asked, releasing her hands to feel my heart. My silly, naive heart beating for an impossible love.
"Love does not hurt, my lady," Cyane shook her head at me. "Love is the wonderful fluttering of butterflies and the passionate dance. It is the happiness that you are feeling. The pain you feel is because, unfortunately, love is accompanied by fear, worry, jealousy and confusion, those hurt."
"Cyane, you are entirely too wise," I dropped my hands. She gave me much to think about.
"Thank you, Lady Persephone," Cyane nodded. "Now I suggest you not think too deeply on it. Distract yourself a bit."
"Perhaps, we should take a walk?" I stood. I enjoyed speaking to Cyane, and I wanted to spend more time with her. "Have you explored the castle more deeply?"
"Only what you have shown me, my lady," She said. "Truthfully, I am a bit frightened of the darkness of this palace."
"There is no need to be frightened," I pulled her along behind me. "Unless, you run into the god of battles, but I have not yet."
I wanted to show Cyane the library I had found Lady Nyx in. However, I could not become lost enough to find it. Some of the tapestries and portraits frightened Cyane, she clutched my arm but I could tell she was intrigued.
"Where does that staircase lead?" Cyane asked coming around me finally. She tentatively touched the banister. It was white marble, polished into glittering perfection.
"Let's find out." I pulled her along up the stairs.
I let my hand drag on the banister for a little ways up before I got an idea.
"Cyane," I said, to make her stop. Looking around, I did not see any shades or any other beings milling around.
In a swift movement, I mounted the banister. I gripped the steep monster with my hands and knees, my stomach pressed up against it. I was facing Cyane, and I saw the perfect "o" her lips formed when I let go, and she receded quickly.
For a moment, there was only terror. It was slippery enough that I regretted my decision almost immediately. However, halfway down, thrill replaced fear. I released sound of exclamation, that could be interpreted as either. I knew I was reaching the bottom because it was even steeper and I fell quicker.
Tightening my hands, I tried to slow my decent and I felt myself rise a bit before I was unceremoniously dumped on the floor.
"Oh," was all I could say.
I heard a muffled yell, and I looked up to see Cyane halfway down the banister. Her lips were pressed together to keep her screams inside. Her eyes were closed as well.
I laughed at the innocence of it, the pure delight of harmless mischief. I caught her when she reached the bottom, but we both fell back with her momentum.
Untangling myself, I hurried up the stairs again. Reaching close to the point of last time, I mounted again, but this time facing forward. Cyane was coming up the steps.
I loosened my hands and I moved forward, sliding quickly. I let out a sound of glee, but cut it short. There, stepping out into sight was the Lord of the Underworld, in all his dark glory.
I desperately tried to slow my decent, tightening my hands, but it was of no use.
As before, the banister was steeper toward the end, rushing me straight into Lord Hades's arms.
He caught me, gracefully, unlike I had Cyane. He dissipated my momentum by spinning a turn. That turn, with his arms around me, would be etching into my memory for the rest of my existence. I forgot to battle with my feelings for that moment, and just allowed myself to take a turn in the arms of a very handsome man.
He set me down then, and I took a step back, hesitating.
"First, you disturb my gardens, now you are disturbing my banisters," he said, crossing his arms.
I frowned. Must he be so severe always?
"I was not disturbing your banister, Lord Hades" I emphasised his name so he knew I used formality in a mocking way. "I am using them, they probably have never been used for anything other than to be dusted."
"Something are not meant to be used and abused by Spring goddesses," He retorted.
"Very true, sir," I gave a sharp nod. "But I will be the judge of what shall be used and/or abused at by me."
He was silent at this. I managed a good glare at this point. Was it possible that I rendered the Lord of the Dead speechless?
"Then I shall leave you to your abuse," He said finally. With a nod to me, and a second to Cyane, turned back from where he'd come, taking his gloom with him. "Do keep from abusing harmless vases, though."
Heat climbed up from my neck to my face. I watched his retreating back in complete mortification.