Persephone breathed deeply and savored the fresh summer air. She smiled at the wildflowers and lush green trees. Suddenly she felt a twinge of sadness. It was nice to be in the woods, but it would be a lie to say that things were as they used to be. She was no longer Kore, and never would be again. Every time she came back to Enna or Olympus to live with her mother, it took at least three weeks for the color to return to her cheeks and the vibrancy to return to her eyes. But her aura would never fully recover. There was something cold and grim about her now. Her old friends had lost the old cheery familiarity they once treated her with. They called her 'my lady,' or 'Queen Persephone' and regarded her with seriousness, deference, and often even fear. She wanted to assure them that she was still the same person, they could call her Kore, and they need not stand on ceremony with her, but that wouldn't feel right either because the nymphs were correct. She was different, and she couldn't change back into Kore no matter how much she wanted to.

As she made her way through the forest, she heard voices accompanied by the sound of flowing water. She froze in her tracks, surprised when she recognized a deep masculine voice. She hurried toward the voices and peered behind a large tree, taking in the scene before her.

A beautiful naiad with raven hair and dark blue eyes sat on a fallen log by a river which flowed into a large cavern. Facing the naiad, his back to Persephone, stood a tall man in black robes. To his left was a glowing golden chariot. Sunlight danced off the water and brought out shining blue highlights in the naiad's long silky hair. Lush ferns and flowers danced gently in the breeze around the log and the riverbank. It would have been a very romantic scene, indeed, if the man had not been Persephone's husband. The Naiad was giggling and gazing at Hades with her large, sparkling orbs. Persephone's eyes narrowed. Since when did Hades have a sense of humor?

"I'm certain I've seen you before," stated Hades to the naiad.

"I'm certain you have, too, my lord," she answered. She gestured to the river. "This river here flows underground and into the Cocytus, my home. I often visit this wood when I wish to enjoy the sunlight and flowers."

"Ah, yes," Hades said kindly, "I remember you now. It is nice to see you again, but I should be going."

"Must you leave so soon, my lord?" cooed the naiad. "Do I not please you? We in the Underworld all know how you long for your wife."

Hades chuckled slightly. "That is why I must leave you. My queen would be displeased if I lingered here too long."

The naiad smiled slyly. "Oh, but would she truly? She treats you with cruel contempt. I am just as beautiful as she and a great deal kinder." She rose to her feet and drew close to Hades. He leaned over and their lips met.

Their lips unlocked and the naiad happened to glance over the King of the Dead's shoulder. Her eyes widened and her expression twisted in fear before she suddenly disappeared. A small green herb appeared where she once stood.

Hades whirled around to face an enraged Persephone. They stared at each other for a few minutes, his black eyes shocked and her brown eyes murderous. She turned and tried to run, but Hades caught her arm.

"Persephone," he pleaded, "please don't run off."

"Let go of me, you two timing lout!" She thrashed and pulled, but his icy grip only tightened.

"I will not let go of you until you agree to calm down and sit with me for a while," he answered calmly.

She glared at him with utter hatred but allowed him to lead her to the log. She sat down beside him, glowering at the new plant she created. They sat together in uncomfortable silence for a few moments before Hades cleared his throat. "Persephone," he said contritely, "I truly am sorry. I confess I don't know what came over me." He glanced around the forest. "Has Eros been lurking around here, I wonder?"

"You gods blame Eros for everything!" snarled Persephone.

"Have you met the boy? He's an absolute menace!"

"That's no excuse for- oh, never mind."

Hades gestured toward the plant. "Do you think you were a bit harsh on Minthe?" he asked.

"I was not!" She cried indignantly. "She was a nature spirit. When the plant dies, she will be reincarnated back into nature, only she will have hopefully learned a lesson!"

"What lesson?" inquired Hades.

"A lesson to not go around making eyes at another woman's husband! Especially a goddess's husband."

Hades smiled. It wasn't a cruel smile, or a sly smile. It was a simple, genuinely happy smile.

"What on earth are you smiling about?" snapped Persephone.

"You're jealous, Persephone," he grinned.

"J-jealous?" she sputtered, "of you? Don't be daft!"

"Then why are you so upset?"

"Because you're my husband!" she cried angrily. "You shouldn't be going around kissing another woman simply because she's pretty, or she flirted with you! And, if I were truly jealous, what cause does that give you to sit there smiling like an idiot?"

His expression became hopeful. "Because it means, my dear," he answered gently, "that you do care for me, if only just a little."

That floored her. She stared at him in shock. She took in his shaggy hair, his neatly trimmed beard, his handsome black eyes, and his smooth ivory complexion. She looked away. "R-ridiculous," she stuttered.

He tentatively put his arm around her. She did not shrug it off. "Persephone," he said gently, "I'm sorry, and I'm glad you came along. My behavior was inexcusable."

"What are doing here, anyway?" she muttered, still not looking at him.

"Even I need fresh air sometimes," he said, "and, I missed you…" he trailed off.

She turned and peered at him suspiciously. "You truly must have missed me if you arranged a rendezvous with that naiad hussy!" she countered sarcastically.

"That," he said, gesturing with his free hand, "was an accident. I had no intention of meeting anyone here. By the way, what did you turn her into?"

"I haven't the foggiest idea."

"Smells nice."

"More than she deserves," Persephone grumbled. "So," she continued bitterly, "Do these 'chance meetings' occur often while I'm away?"

"No," he said firmly. "I swear on the Styx that this is the first time something like this has happened." She continued her suspicious gaze, but his eyes were earnest. She finally softened her expression and turned away. Persephone would sooner be cast into Tartarus than admit it, but something Minthe had said was troubling her. She treats you with cruel contempt. Was she really so unkind to her husband? Would this have happened if she had been more wifely toward him?

They sat in silence, but it was more comfortable now. She allowed herself to relax against Hades. The forest truly was beautiful. At first, it felt bit strange sitting with her husband in such an idyllic atmosphere, but after a few minutes it began to feel almost normal. Why couldn't she enjoy the warm summer breeze and musical flowing of the river with her husband? Wasn't this something a normal husband and wife would do? It should be, but unfortunately she and Hades were not a normal married couple. He couldn't see her in the spring and summer months. Her mother would not allow it.

Suddenly, she sat bolt upright. "Mother!" she exclaimed. "I told her I would only be gone half an hour! She'll be frantic. And then, if she sees me with you…"

Hades scowled. "I'm not afraid of your mother."

"Yes, but if she sees us together, she'll consider it a violation of our agreement. She'll be furious."

Hades sighed sadly. "I suppose I've lingered here too long anyway. I look forward to autumn." He looked at her hopefully.

She managed a small smile. "It's only a few months, my lord." She turned to leave, but Hades pulled her back. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "What're you-"

He pulled her close and kissed her firmly on the lips. Her eyes widened and she pulled back. His eyes glinted mischievously. She didn't know it was possible, even for a goddess, to feel so many emotions at once. Confusion, fear, indignation, shock, and something else. Passion? Desire? What was happening to her? She needed to get back home. She needed to sort out all these jumbled feelings, but somehow she couldn't leave. Not just yet. There was something she needed to do first. She lifted herself up and kissed him back.

A/N: Please review and tell me what you think!