For two days, the new Queen of the Underworld remained in her room. She declined all visitors and any attempts of food. Hecate finally got her to take a bath on the third day, persuading the new queen to speak. "It tears my heart to see you this way, my queen," she sighed, watching Persephone brush her wet hair.
"Please don't call me that. I've done nothing to deserve such a title." Her voice was raw and cracked from days of silence and sobbing.
"You have every right to be angry," Hecate stated. "But please do not lock yourself away. Perhaps a walk in the gardens-"
"I am not angry," Persephone whispered. "I am heartbroken." Her emerald eyes met Hecate's violet ones in the mirror. "He didn't trust me to say yes. He took me away. I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye."
"I am deeply sorry, Persephone. He alone has his reasons."
The Spring Goddess nodded. She wasn't ready to see Hades. The hurt she held would no doubt boil into anger, and the fates only knew what kind of insults she'd throw at him. She needed to let her mother and the children know she was safe. If she got on Hades's bad side, who knows what punishments he would inflict on them? She turned to face Hecate.
"You mentioned the gardens?"
xxx
Hades was relieved to hear his wife was out and about exploring the Underworld. Thanatos and Hecate took turns introducing her to various deities as Hades remained in the throne room, judging souls.
"Should I show her the Asphodel Fields, my lord?" Thanatos inquired, disheartened to see such a heavy sadness across his friend's face.
"No. Not yet anyways," the Dark Lord answered. "She has a fondness for learning. Show her my library."
Thanatos bowed. "Of course, my lord."
xxx
"And in here," Thanatos opened a heavy marble door, "is our library."
Persephone was in awe. The entire Underworld continued to fascinate her- from the rivers, to the gardens, and now this welcoming room full of knowledge. Shelves encircled entire walls, organized by subject matter. A mahogany desk and elaborate divan stood at opposite ends of the room, and a deep fireplace roared with life. The smell of cedar circled the room, and Persephone inhaled its glorious scent.
"I take it you like it?" The Death God smirked.
"Oh, Thanatos," she laughed, hugging him hard. "This room is magnificent. All these stories..." As she ran over to the section marked "History", guilt began to fester inside him.
"Persephone, I must confess something. It was not my idea to show you this place."
"Oh?"
"It was Lord Hades's."
"Oh."
"My lady, I've never seen him as happy as when he returned from visiting you in the Upperworld for all those years. He still has all of your letters in a drawer by his bedside." Thanatos sighed. "I know he has hurt you. I can not phantom why he did what he did. His actions may be monstrous. But he himself isn't."
Persephone nodded. "Thank you, Thanatos. You know him better than most, I suppose. I simply can't get through the anger right now. And I don't think anything productive can come of it."
"Very well," the Death God bowed. "Shall I leave you here til supper time?"
"Yes, please."
xxx
Hades found her hours later still in the library, her face buried in a scroll. She sat cross-legged at the desk, one hand curling a random strand of hair. He received word from Charon, his ferryman, earlier today on how delightful his wife was. The three judges inquired about her after judging had ended. Thanatos's budding friendship with the new queen grew by the minute. And Hades marveled at how protective Hecate was over her.
His wife had done exactly as he knew she would - enchanted his realm through her genuine spirit. They respected and admired her, gaining her loyalty within days of meeting her. Was it any wonder he loved her so? But he dare not utter those words now. She'd never believe him.
"Enjoying yourself, my lady?" he asked from the doorway.
Persephone's head popped up from the history of the Underworld. Her mind took a moment to adjust to her surroundings and the man infront of her. "I was." Her voice was dull and flat.
"What captures your attentions today?" Hades didn't dare enter the room. He saw the daggers of hate in her eyes.
"The history of Chthonia." Knowing her consentration was broken, she began rolling up the scroll.
His eyebrows rose. "Interesting subject, no doubt." Out of all the topics, her choice delighted him. But he knew better than to show it. "If you have any questions, I'd be honored to-"
"I do not want to speak with you. On any matter."
"I understand, " he sighed. "May I escort you to dinner?"
It wasn't a question, and they both knew it. Persephone stood and took the arm he offered. "I will join you, but I will not eat anything."
"Persephone, please. You've been here now nearly a week. I don't want you to starve."
"I am deathless, Lord Hades. I do not require nourishment. Besides," she continued, raising her chin high. "I have no interest in being bound to this place nor to you."
His face fell. He couldn't have planned a more disastrous outcome. "As you wish, my lady."