Part Four

The Snow Queen: Thawed


Percy was getting real tired of passing out from blood loss. Although, at least this time he woke up to the grand, low-ceiled infirmary of Queen Demeter's palace and not the esteemed sloping ceilings of Hades' ice castle. Percy blearily blinked at the painted ceiling, beautiful golden trees stretching their limbs up towards an endless purple sky. Hm. Maybe the artist had never stepped outside before.

"You are awake."

Percy turned his head to stare wide-eyed at the visitor beside his bed. Queen Demeter smiled kindly at him, her warm, open face a, albeit it confusing, balm on his soul.

"My queen," he croaked in respectful confusion. Queen Demeter's eyes crinkled with fondness.

"My fair knight," she greeted warmly. "Welcome back."

Percy blinked up at her. "My queen," he repeated rather stupidly.

Queen Demeter's eyes sparkled as her smile widened. "You gave Persephone quite a scare, brave knight. Twice, apparently. Fear not, though your body is indeed weakened it shall make a full recovery. You will have a jagged scar on your arm but that is the extent of the longevity of these days."

"Oh," Percy said, still not really understanding. "Okay."

He continued to stare at the queen, sitting regally at his bedside, dressed in her rich, royal clothes. What a weird few days, Percy thought. Maybe he was still dreaming.

"The princes!" He remembered suddenly, trying to sit up.

Queen Demeter was faster, her pale but strong arm coming out to firmly press him back into the bed. He flailed a little, noting for the first time how tired he felt and how his body dully ached.

"Persephone! Persephone is she—"

He cut himself off sharply there, his mind working sluggishly. The word betray ran through his head. Queen Demeter mentioned Persephone, didn't she? Percy recalled the vague image of his dearest friend standing over him, her warmth pressing against him. Was that real or a delusion?

"My daughter is safe, dear knight, calm yourself," Queen Demeter soothed, hand still firmly pressed against his chest. "And the young princes of Weselton are also hale and whole. All thanks to you, so they three tell me."

"Oh," Percy said, finally relaxing.

His mind spun dully. It was good the princes were safe, but that just left him with the nauseating fear of Persephone and their friendship. Oh god, he didn't know what he'd do if Persephone hated him. He would do anything to just have her friendship, any other desires be damned.

"Perse—I mean, Princess Persephone—"

"My daughter and my sister brought you to the village doctor," the queen kindly explained, straightening out the blanket draped over him. Her hand took a detour and brushed back some sweaty hair from his forehead and Percy made a vague noise of protest. His queen shouldn't be—she tapped him gently on the nose.

"Hush," she said fondly. "It is well. A queen must care for her people, even more so for those who are wholly loyal to her and her line. You have always served us so well, dear knight, and I will be forever in your debt. How forever grateful I shall be for that day all those years passed when first you came to us."

"Now, where was I?" The queen mused, sitting back in her seat. "Ah yes. The doctor stopped the bleeding and they brought you up to the palace once it was declared the journey would not aggravate your injuries. The young princes accompanied them after the . . . passing of the late king of Weselton."

Queen Demeter pursed her lips here. "And with them came the one we call the Snow King."

Hades.

"Although, the young princes called him by another."

"Hades," Percy croaked.

"Indeed, that is what I am told," Queen Demeter agreed with a gentle incline of her head. "I have also been told by my humble and fool hearted, however good-willed, daughter of the manner in which these hours of last have come to pass."

"Oh," Percy said, blinking up at her. "She did?" Then, "What did she say?"

"Indeed, what did she say," Queen Demeter hummed thoughtfully, smiling benignly down at him. "That is for her to say I believe, not I. Know that all is well and you have done us all a great service. Now, rest."

With dignity and grace, Queen Demeter got to her feet, still smiling kindly at him. "I do believe my daughter anxiously waits outside your door. If you should feel up to it, I imagine she would like to enter in."

Percy hesitated, torn. Part of him wanted to jump right up and say yes of course because why wouldn't he want to see Persephone, his princess and oldest friend? Because of the ice castle, a snide voice reminded him and Percy grimaced. Queen Demeter waited for his reply, her face open and kind.

"Yes," Percy finally croaked out, his head spinning.

Queen Demeter inclined her head, the crown atop her head shimmering in the sunlight, before curling one hand around the infirmary door. Percy's throat clenched and he licked his lips. Get a hold of yourself, he internally scolded as the door swung open and . . . and two boys stumbled inside. Zeus and Poseidon sheepishly looked up at Queen Demeter, whose face twisted in exasperation and mild amusement. Half a smile curled up her face, eyebrows raising.

"I daresay you two are not my daughter," she said evenly as the princes scrambled back to their feet. "Rather a pair of eavesdroppers it would seem."

"Sorry Queen Demeter," Zeus said immediately and Poseidon elbowed him before both brothers fell into a slightly awkward bow.

"Indeed?" Queen Demeter asked, peering out into the hallway. "And where, dear young princes whom I have allowed to recover in my own palace and home, is my daughter?"

Both princes winced, sneaking angry looks at each other. They not-so-subtly elbowed each other back and forth before Zeus blurted out, "She left to use the washroom. We were merely keeping her place outside the good guard's sick bed until she returned."

"How very noble and considerate of you," Queen Demeter said dryly, looking over her shoulder at Percy with the patience of a saint. "Would you like the kind and thoughtful princes to keep you company until my daughter returns?"

Zeus and Poseidon stared avidly at him. Zeus twitched a little, Poseidon shuffling his feet. They looked anxious and perhaps a tad desperate. Percy took pity on them.

"Sure, why not?" He relented and grins split both of their faces.

They tried to duck into the infirmary with little noises of excitement but Queen Demeter smoothly stretched her arm over the doorway. The princes pulled themselves up short, Zeus colliding with Poseidon's back as they came to a stumbling halt.

"He is on the mend," the queen reminded them firmly. "Be gentle and do not cause him to exert himself. I shall be most cross if you do."

"Promise to behave," Poseidon said smoothly.

"We would not even dream of it, Your Highness," Zeus agreed with a bow.

Little shits, Percy thought fondly as his queen pulled back, allowing the young princes to stumble into his room. They made an obvious effort to control themselves, taking slow, measured steps across the room to Percy's side. Queen Demeter shook her head, smiling warmly. She met Percy's eyes and he gave a small nod. Understanding, his most benevolent queen stepped outside the infirmary, closing the door softly behind her royal robes. Percy caught sight of something dark and glimmering right before the door swung shut and he tried to tilt his head to the side to get a better look but the door closed. The princes were on him the next second, pulling chairs up to his bed and demanding his attention.

"You saved our lives," Zeus said, his voice louder than the queen's. It filled the infirmary, leaving Percy no room to dwell on his fears as he turned to the prince.

"Kinda put them in danger too, Kronos wouldn't have gone all berserk if I kept my stupid mouth shut," Percy couldn't help but point out with a raised eyebrow. Both princes rolled their eyes, Zeus waving a hand dismissively.

"If he had not lashed out yesterday, it would have occurred sometime in the future and we would not have learned the truth, or had you there to protect us," Zeus insisted.

"Well, you do have your own guards—"

"They would have done nothing," Poseidon snorted. "They are loyal to the king, not the kid princes. Hades fired most of them last night, drove them away when they started shouting about treason and whatnot."

"Kind of was treason," Percy felt compelled to point out. "He was the king. But you two are princes so by trying to kill does that mean Kronos committed treason?"

"Your head is a strange place," Zeus declared. "All that matters is that the throne is secure in my brothers and me, thanks to you."

"Right, gotcha," Percy said, nodding.

He wondered which prince 'secured' the throne. Zeus, the crowned prince? Poseidon, the rejected crowned prince? Or Hades, the first born? That honestly sounded like a civil war waiting to happen.

His thoughts must have shown on his face. Poseidon laughed, turning to his brother with a sly grin, "He's worried about conflict between us three brothers."

"I'd win," Zeus said immediately, regally drawing himself up and puffing out his chest.

Poseidon snorted, whacking the younger prince on the back and causing Zeus to sharply exhale, losing his dramatic pose, "Oh, with what? That pretty little oddly shaped blue sword you like so much? Hardly likely—"

"Hades is literally a sorcerer why are you even debating this?" Percy asked loudly before an argument could start. The brothers made faces at each other before turning oddly seriously eyes back to Percy.

"I don't want the throne," Poseidon said seriously, his eyes clear and truthful. "I am a free spirit, kinghood is not for me. Being a prince suits me just fine."

"I am still Crowned Prince," Zeus said slowly, trying each word out carefully. "Hades will coach me until I am ready to assume the throne. We have decided that this would be for the best. Poseidon does not desire kinghood and I have been preparing for it. Hades, for all that he is older and wiser—" Percy wrinkled his nose a little at that "—has been away for a long time. He doesn't remember how to be around people, much less rule a country. His court days are over, we are afraid. He will help us, guide us, but he wants not the throne."

Percy nodded slowly, taking in Zeus' words. That made sense, he thought. He carefully eyed the youngest son of Kronos, sitting purposefully at his bedside. Zeus' young eyes were clear, his back straight and head held high.

"You'll make a fair king one day," Percy decided and a grin split the young prince's face right in two. At his side, Poseidon gave a little huff.

"Shut up," Percy told him good-naturedly and the green eyed prince drew himself up, nose upturned in mock offense.

"You shan't speak to me like that, I am a prince," he said with mock haughtiness. Percy reached up and bopped him right on the nose, ignoring the uncomfortable twinges it sent down his arm.

"Shut up, you'll like five," Percy said, grinning, and Zeus laughed.

Both princes fell silent after that, their mirth fading as they glanced at each other. They stared at one another for a long moment before turning back to Percy, their gazes holding the serious weight he often saw on Persephone or Hera's faces.

"You did not have to defend us," Zeus said.

"We are not your princes, it was not your fight," Poseidon added.

Percy tried to shrug, his shoulder burning idly under the bandage. He resisted the urge to scratch it, that seemed like a bad idea, even to him. "Yeah well. I thought I might miss you little shits if he killed you."

Little smiles broke over both princes' faces.

"We might have missed you too had you bled to death," Zeus offered neutrally.

"Who would have stopped me from beating Zeus to death with his own crown?" Poseidon mused.

"Little shits," Percy repeated far too fondly and they both grinned widely at him.

There was a creak outside the door and both princes' eye flickered to it. Percy thought for a moment, weighing the almost hopeful looks on the brothers' faces against the flash of darkness he saw before Queen Demeter shut the door.

Taking a chance, Percy cleared his slightly raw throat and called, as loud as he could make his voice go (it wasn't very loud but ah well), "I know you're out there oh curator of that lifeless season."

Both Zeus and Poseidon's eyebrows skyrocketed at that. There was a pause and Percy had a moment of uncertainty, wondering if he drew the wrong conclusion, before the door slowly opened. There was a trickle of cold air, barely noticeable were it not for Percy's weakened state, and the Snow King stood in the doorway. He looked utterly, almost comically, out of place in all his wintered glory among Queen Demeter's warm and bright palace halls. He still wore his icy robes, that darkened element curling around his form. He looked otherworldly, unnatural.

"It's not polite to lurk in the doorway," Percy croaked.

"Impertinent imp," Hades grumbled under his breath, shooting Percy a dark look as he stepped inside.

He looked even stranger inside, a shadow walking among the light, but Percy shoved that thought away.

"Overly dramatic prince," Percy shot right back and he could have sworn Hades' lips twitched.

Hades took long, calculated steps towards the bed, reaching one pale hand out to pull a chair up next to Percy's bed. On the opposite side of his brothers, the Snow King elegantly took a seat. Zeus and Poseidon just stared at him, their eyes wide and slightly reverent. Of course, their brother did more or less come back from the dead and it turned out he was an all-power sorcerer so Percy guessed that was kind of understandable.

"Your princess tells me you will recover fully," Hades said slightly stiffly.

Percy had a brief flash of pain, Persephone's face flashing through his mind. He could mean Hera, Percy tried to console himself, then snorted. Sure, because that was more likely.

"So they tell me," Percy said, leaning back in his bed.

"You are weary," Hades' lips barely moved as he spoke.

"Well, I did lose a lot of blood. Twice, on the same day." He raised his eyebrows meaningfully, mouth twisting slightly as he gave the prince a disapproving look, a snide comment about the unnecessary violence that Alecto inflicted upon him on the tip of his tongue.

"We shall leave you then—" Hades said, starting to rise. Zeus and Poseidon's faces twisted, obviously reluctant to leave but they dutifully rose with their brother.

"Sit back down," Percy said, rolling his eyes. "You can't get rid of me that easily, Hades. You're going to have to tough it out. I still need some answers. And seeing as I nearly died protecting your brothers—" all three of the Weselton princes' faces convulsed at that, in varying degrees of distress, worry and inwardly directed anger and self-loathing "—I think I deserve them. So sit your overly dramatic robes back down."

Hades' face twisted in irritation this time. He huffed as he arrogantly held his chin up, gathering hisrobes that were literally made of ice together as he sat back down. Zeus and Poseidon gave the pair a confused look, slowly sitting back down themselves.

"Great, now that that's settled," Percy said cheerfully. "What the hell?"

"You recklessly inserted yourself into a situation that had no bearings on yourself and of which nobody asked of you—"

"Your brothers almost died, cut the crap," Percy snorted. "Time to stop hiding, Your Most Frozen Highness. What gives?"

Hades shot him a displeased look, settling back in his chair. Percy thought he was going to sulk in silence but to his surprise the curator of that lifeless season took a deep breath before beginning to speak.

"Magically abilities have always run in our family," Hades rumbled slowly, staring out the window just behind Percy's head. His eyes were distant, lips pressed in a thin line. "For generations. Only, not consistently. It would sometimes skip several generations, other times blessing entire generations. For the last hundred years, it made itself dormant and we thought that perhaps the line had been broken and the ability lost."

"Until you," Percy guessed.

"Until me," Hades agreed unhappily, face twisting slightly. "It manifested when I was a young boy, no more than four or five years of age. Kronos desired to keep it a secret, to let our people believe the line had in fact been broken. I thought . . ." Hades' face was blank, his eyes dead. "I thought perhaps he was trying to protect me. He said it had been so long, the people had all but forgotten. That it would frighten them. That they would hate me. He tried to teach me to conceal it. The magic thrives on emotions—I had to try and control them."

"What, when you were five?" Percy asked, wrinkling his nose.

Hades nodded vaguely. "Then Poseidon and Zeus were born. Kronos was worried, but neither of them showed any signs of the ability. We were all grateful."

The prince fell silent, staring broodily over at his wide-eyed brothers. "It was hard," Hades said slowly, carefully rolling each word around in his mouth. "To keep my emotions in check around my brothers. Without even realizing it, I would let my magic curl around them. To protect them. To entertain them. When they were irritating me, the entire castle would frost over. When they were sad, it would snow. I had . . . very little control over it."

"And that scared Kronos," Percy guessed.

"He led me to believe it was fear for Zeus and Poseidon," Hades said stiffly, turning his gaze to stare at Percy's feet, as though they were immeasurably interesting. His face was as hard as stone, his ice-like mask firmly in place. "My magic was under control before they were born. I would hurt them, he told him. My magic would kill them one day."

One of the young princes made a noise, but both Percy and Hades ignored it. Percy stared at the eldest prince's face. Hades' jaw was clenched so tightly it had to cause him pain, his fingers curled into fists at his side. This must have been the injustice Alecto spoke of. Kronos manipulated Hades until he thought the greatest danger to his brothers was himself.

"You said he promised not to touch them."

"Kronos always had a temper," Hades said. "That is why I was so wary of leaving. But my powers grew stronger and my fears darker. I foolishly and naively thought that if Kronos was so concerned I may hurt them then surely he must put their safety first. I thought by keeping me in the palace and not allowing me to attend court Kronos was protecting me and therefore he would protect them too."

Hades snorted. "How foolish of me."

"No," Percy said immediately. "No, not at all. You were scared and god what? Sixteen?"

Hades nodded idly.

"And he was your dad and dads are supposed to protect their children. That's not a stupid or foolish thing to think."

"That's a very passionate defense from someone who only a few nights passed stormed my castle with the intent of doing me harm," Hades said dryly.

"Shouldn't have not-kidnapped my princess then," Percy shot back. "Serves you right. Gods only know it would have been too common and un-dramatic for you to sit down and talk with Persephone like a normal person instead of whisking her away to your sloping ceilings."

To Percy's immense surprise, Hades' lips twitched.

"A fault on me I suppose," he drawled. "But, to be fair, she agreed."

"You're both idiots," Percy huffed, crossing his arms, valiantly ignoring how stiff and uncomfortable the one Kronos split open was. "Next time you want human contact, try to be a normal person about it yeah?"

"You talked to Alecto," Hades said disapprovingly, frowning. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, looking over at his unnaturally silent and oddly respectful brothers.

"You saved my brothers," Hades said slowly. "For that, I suppose, I can afford you some honesty."

He paused here, brow furrowed. He looked rather pained actually. "Often times, I went months, sometimes even years, without human contact. Alecto and my other furies—" other? Percy mouthed in disbelief "—afford me enough company to keep me sane. However . . ."

"People need other people," Zeus whispered.

Hades' jaw clenched, flexing.

"Yes," he said and it sounded like the admission was painful. "And when Persephone . . . willingly spoke to me, it was the first time anyone had done so in almost four years."

Percy grimaced because yikes.

Looking like a man condemned, Hades continued, "And she . . . smiled. I can't . . . I can't remember the last time someone smiled at me."

This was painful, Percy thought, it was really, really painful to hear. God how depressing.

"For a moment, I remembered what it felt like to be wanted, to have people willingly talk to you. What it felt like when someone smiled at you. And I admit, I didn't want to let that go. I was . . . desperate for it."

"So you took her up to your castle," Percy finished.

"I thought maybe it could fix what my castle was always missing," Hades breathed, his lips barely moving, words barely audible.

He cleared his throat, "But it couldn't. My halls were just as empty and cold. And then you showed up." The Snow King shot Percy an almost annoyed look. "And ruined everything. I had not thought of my brothers for a long time, I all but blocked them from my memory for fear of losing my nerve and heading back. Then you crashed into my home and ruined my carefully crafted walls."

Percy wasn't a hundred percent sure if Hades was talking about his real, physical walls here or some metaphorical ones. He could never tell with the overly dramatic prince.

"And I remembered. I remembered being happy. I remembered being angry, being irritated, feeling anything at all. I remembered being around people, the stupid way Poseidon was always trying to sneak off to the pier and Zeus stumbling around in his too big crown. I remembered being happy and . . ."

"She couldn't stop talking about you after you left," Hades said, switching gears so rapidly Percy had to blink, momentarily lost before he connected she with Persephone. "She was so upset. She couldn't even concentrate on talking about my abilities and the threat they held to Arendelle."

Hades snorted a little. "She kept saying 'I shouldn't have said that, why did I say that?' She was so worried you'd stay mad at her, 'what if he never calls me 'Seph again?'. It was real annoying. She apologized and said she had to return to Arendelle right away to apologize."

"Really?" Percy interrupted, perking up. "She said that?"

"She wouldn't stop saying it," Hades grumbled. "She said you were the only true friend she had."

Percy's throat constricted, his chest felt oddly tight. Hades watched him with carefully disinterested eyes.

"You love her."

Percy blinked, feeling a stab of panic. "She's my princess," he warily supplied, eyeing Hades suspiciously. The Snow King looked far from convinced.

"Of course," he smooth agreed, his tone flat as he drew himself up to his feet. "Well, that is far more secrets that I ever wanted anyone to know. Guard them well, knight of Arendelle, least I be forced to eternally freeze you."

"Cerebus would never forgive you," Percy snorted, unimpresssed.

Hades snorted in turn and turned his head, but not before Percy saw the honest to god smile that flickered up his face.

"Come Poseidon, Zeus, we have bothered the invalid long enough."

"Hey now!" Percy objected as the three princes gathered themselves together and Hades ushered his brothers towards the door. Poseidon did manage a little wave as the Snow King shoved him out the door, which was nice.

At the doorway, Hades paused and turned around. His eyes were as dark as they were at the ice castle but Percy was more or less positive by now that it was merely a front to hid his emotions. He did have, like, eight years of repressed emotions to sort through after all.

"You will forever have a friend in Weselton, Perseus Jackson," Hades declared. "Should you ever desire anything, call upon the winter and it shall answer."

"And come visit us!" Zeus shouted over Hades' shoulder.

"I'll take you fishing!" Poseidon promised and Percy laughed as Hades shoved them both aside, looking exasperated.

Door half closed, the Snow King glanced back at Percy, lying still in his bed. Hades' face had closed off once more, the blank icy mask firmly in place.

"She would be a fool not to accept you," Hades said solemnly.

Percy flushed, his face growing hot as he sputtered. Hades didn't give him the chance to say anything more as he disappeared in a burst of cool air and swishing robes.

"That was unnecessary!" Percy shouted after him, his voice hoarse and cracking. He swore the wind laughed at him as he sulked, settling back down in his bed.

"So was that," a dry voice commented and Percy peeked up to find both of his princesses standing in Hades' vacated spot.

Percy's mouth went dry. Hera and Persephone stood side by side in the doorway, Hera's eyebrow raised as she spoke. They both looked as regal and poised as ever. Hera's hair was swept back, an elegant evening gown flowing behind her. Actually, she was dressed less flashily than usual. Percy wondered if she was feeling alright but the thought evaporated as he took in the sight of Persephone. Her arm was linked through her aunt's, looking just as beautiful and composed as ever. But her face lacked the open warmth and fondness that it usually held when she gazed upon him. Percy's heart caught in his throat. Maybe Hades was wrong, maybe she hadn't fretted over him, what if she was still angry, what if she told him to call her Princess Persephone again—

Persephone made no move to enter the infirmary. Instead, it was Hera who unhooked their arms and purposefully stepped forward.

"Are you in any discomfort?" Hera asked without preamble.

"Just a little sore and hot," Percy replied, trying to look away from Persephone's face but only managing to let his eyes flicker over to the speaking princess for a second before returning to his best friend.

He saw Hera nod out of the corner of his eye. "The doctor shall be in later to check on your injuries and ensure all is well. You gave us all a fright."

That got Percy's attention and he frowned at Hera, glancing at her just enough to keep Persephone in sight. The elder princess' eyebrows rose challengingly.

"You are most invaluable Perseus," she told him, rather haughtily actually. "A nuisance and frequent annoyance . . . but a rather irreplaceable and loyal one at that."

Percy blinked. Maybe Hera was feeling sick. An odd and highly alarming smirk graced Hera's face and Percy inwardly panicked, wondering if they should call the doctor.

"Worthy to be a prince, one might even say," Hera said, eyes gleaming as she turned to her niece. "Daren't you say Persephone?"

She smiled at her niece, gently tapping her on the nose like Persephone was a little six-year-old again before sweeping out of the room without waiting for a reply. The door slammed shut behind her. Percy almost thought he could hear her cackling.

"Is she sick? Should we call someone?" Percy croaked.

"No she's—" Persephone said with a wave, clutching something tightly to her side. She dropped the train of thought, not finishing her sentence as she took a few quick strides to be at his bedside, a hand on his forehead. "Oh Perseus, how do you feel?"

"Very confused," Percy truthfully admitted, staring, transfixed up at Persephone's face.

A little furrow appeared between her brows as she ungracefully collapsed onto the seat Hades occupied earlier. Percy's eyes widen in alarm at the lack of her usual grace as she dropped something heavy onto his bed before reaching forward and taking one of his hands in both of her own. Her hands were warm, or maybe his were cold. Either way, she wrapped his hand up in both of hers, bringing it up to her mouth to press a kiss to his fingers. Anything Percy may have said cut off sharply as he just stared at her.

"Forgive me," she whispered against his fingers.

"Of course," Percy said without thinking, no hesitation. To his utter fascination, he could feel her smile against his fingers.

"Ridiculous knight," she said fondly, dropping their hands so he could see that wonderful smile. "You should not forgive me so easily."

"Well—"

"I should not have spoken so harshly. Truly, my words were grossly unfair, especially to you, my dearest friend, and spoken in anger, a tone I should never take but especially not with you."

"Well—"

"Hush now, I am apologizing," Persephone lightly chastised, her eyes crinkling fondly. "I thought I knew best, and while I still think my actions were justified, even if their execution left much to be desired, I should never have spoken such ill-words in such an unjust manner to you. My temper and my fears blinded me. Forgive me."

"'Seph," Percy complained. "I already said I forgave you."

Persephone huffed a little. "Far too easily too, my blindly loyal friend."

"I shouldn't have doubted you either," Percy diplomatically countered. "Although leaving to join an all-powerful sorcerer in his creepy ice castle all by yourself is still a stupid thing to do."

"It is something you would have done," Persephone said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah well, I'm not a princess," Percy huffed.

Persephone gave a gentle laugh. "I daresay not, dear one."

She gave his hand a squeeze and Percy just then realized she hadn't let go of it. He blinked down at their clasped hands. Well. That was new.

"Here," Persephone said and, stilling holding onto his hand with one of her own, reached across the bed to pick up the object she dropped earlier. She put it on his lap and Percy blinked down at it.

"A book?" Percy said in confusion, staring at the rich, darkly purple book that rested across his lap.

"I do believe I promised to teach you how to read," Persephone said softly. "And it shall pass the time while you are recovering your strength."

Percy peeked up at her. "You'll be the one teaching me, right?"

She squeezed his fingers. "I would not allow anyone else."

Percy pretending to think about it. "I can call you 'Seph right?"

"Oh, my darling knight, forever and for always."

Percy grinned, squeezing her hand back. "Well. Okay then."


A/n And I thought the last chapter was dialogue heavy chapter. Anyway, I hope this was a satisfying ending to the Snow Queen! Probably doesn't make up for the six-month gap but I hope you at least enjoyed it! This turned out to be very different from the original Snow Queen and more like a mashup of Frozen, The Lightening Theif, and the myth of Persephone and Hades. I don't think that's a bad thing, but it makes me a little sad because the Snow Queen is great. I highly recommend it. The next fairy tale should be out soon-ish (I have 8k written so far). I love you all dearly and let me know what you thought ~ *

(If you're reading Murkiest Intentions I'm so sorry the chapter is late, promise it'll be up soon)