ShadowZone85: Yay your back! =). Thank you very much for the review, what Persephone does is a secret hidden up my sleeve. But don't worry someone will pay a hefty price, for what is happening. Glad to know your enjoying the story, hope you enjoy this chapter.
Amari412: Thank you for the review. =) Sadly Menthe is how shall I put this... Intolerable? Sure there is anther word.
Pacing back and forth hands clasped behind his back, brow furrowed, bags hovering under eyes that yearned to see darkness. Hades was on the verge of a anxiety attack. Today marked the start of winter, yet his beloved wasn't upon the boat which silently sailed towards him. Only shades. The few who wanted to find peace, it was getting harder to keep track of how many remained upon the surface tormenting the mortals.
The gods couldn't do much about it. The Underworld was his realm.
With his back to the shades they blindly made their way through the dark to the judgment room.
Hades huffed and resumed his impatient pacing. Fingers began to sweat the tighter he gripped them.
He knew it was silly, knew that it was far to mortal of him to think such wicked traits.
But the dreams. The dreams are what bore him to believe his own cursed mind. Hands began to tremble, he was tempted to rip the hairs from the roots.
Turning back around sharply he saw nothing. Wait... Eyes narrowed a breath escaped his lips seeing another figure bundled up in a thick ebony coat with crimson stitching.
She stepped with elegance off the boat, not even stumbling when it dipped deeper into the pool. Hades felt a twinge of jealously as Charon got to hold her hand before he could. The boat man seemed to sense such thoughts, as he dismissed himself with a comment of needing to count his money.
With his arms full of her Hades didn't notice they were alone. Burying his face against the cleft of her swan like neck, Hades rained it with kisses.
Pulling back causing her to whine, Hades pushed down the heavy hood, allowing the flushed face of his bride to stare back at him. His stomach twisted painfully. Breath hitching within his throat, Persephone only smiled in his direction.
"So, did you miss me?"
The teasing question was answered with a dominant kiss. If only Persephone knew just how much he truly missed her.
Trickery from Tartarus
"What were you thinking?!"
The loud screech caused even the heavy mirror on the bedside drawer to quiver and quake. Hecate was close to pulling her hair out. Pacing in the large bed chamber, Hades sat on the edge of the bed eyes narrowed not enjoying the feeling of being treated like a scolded little boy. Hecate stopped, turned around and marched towards Hades. Hades didn't even flinch when he noticed the venom in her eyes, and saw her hand risen to slap him.
Rising his hand, he sent a gush of black out the palm sending Hecate harshly against the wall. Hades stood up sharply following her swiftly, pressing his body against Hecate's relishing in the sound of her gasp, as the darkness of his power and his clothing enveloped them both in a thick dark shadow.
"Remember who you serve"
Hades hissed into Hecate's ear. The lord of the Underworld's vision had become clouded by his own ego. This scared Hecate. Something other than the nymph was claiming Hades. Hecate's body rolled forward when Hades finally yanked himself back, like she was made from hot coal. A dark hue circled her throat, it burned much like her cheeks. The door swung open yet Hades had his back to Hecate, fingers entwined as he glanced towards the far wall. Not needing to hear the command Hecate pushed herself from the door, pausing in the door way she turned towards Hades.
"Only a few months pass, before she returns to us. Just think about your child.."
The words were meant to sting but there was also wisdom. The door was slammed in her face. Hecate felt her stomach flip. Turning around sharply she marched down the long corridor the tails of her dress rustling against the sound of her pounding feet. She'd already lost Hades twice already. Hecate just hoped there was enough sense left in Hades, that he would see what was happening before it was to late.
"Well, that could've gone better.."
Hades turned glancing over his shoulder with a cold look seen in his eyes. The same man from his dream starred back at him from the mirror, the vision was blurred making Hades walk forward. If it wasn't Persephone's mirror he would've broken it. Waving his hand in the air Hades walked towards the large bed, finger tips trailing across the creased blanket.
"You shouldn't let Hecate get to you, what happened was a dream nothing more."
Adam watched in satisfaction as Hades began to relax. The fool needed to hear what he wanted. Licking around his lips, shifting around making sure that his body remained hidden and his face blurred, Adam strained his hearing in order to listen to the mutter.
"What was that my lord?"
Hades turned staring at the mirror, his brow creased as sweat began to trickle down the back of his neck.
"What if Hecate was telling the truth, she's never lied to me before.."
Such a confession should've made Adam frown though he felt the smirk creep across his lips, the quiver in Hades voice symbolised that the mortal mind was starting to take effect. However Adam had to tread carefully, to break them up so soon would foil his plans. He needed them together. Even if it pained him.
"What should I-"
Hades stopped mid sentence. The mirror was empty. A scarf which belonged to Persephone remained hanging limply over the thick frame, its strange image created what looked like a face. Hades found himself blushing hotly realising, it was just his imagination. 'Lykaios' just the name made his stomach twist in knots. That was the man Persephone had fallen in love with.
Snarling under his breath Hades spun around heavy boots smacking against the ground. So many thoughts floated through his mind, none of them made sense. Damn Hecate.
The mortals no longer frolicked in the fields. Animals now huddled together using what they could of their fine summer coats for warmth. Winter was still a few weeks away but already it was like the fair land of Greece, was preparing for a well earned rest.
Persephone's bump had gotten a more oval shape during her time upon Demeter's island. The goddess of the harvest doted upon the young goddess, bringing her everything she needed and more. The attention made Persephone uncomfortable, but she couldn't bring herself to kill the light shining Demeter's eyes. Persephone had seen less of Menthe since her secret meeting with Hades. At first Persephone feared she'd offended the nymph who befriended her so willingly.
However it was after many conversations with the other nymph's who wondered upon the island, in which Persephone discovered Menthe hadn't been feeling very well. Persephone would've gone to bring some joy to her friends sick bed, but summer was far more busier than spring.
Powers came easily to the goddess in training. Mortals began to find the correct use of many of plants, some of which managed to prevent infection upon simple things like grazes. Their offerings consisted of simple home made gifts to expensive jewels.
Taking one of the few moments of peace Persephone walked bare foot through a more secluded area of the island. Here the flowers grew to tremendous heights, their heads would curve as if bowing. The air was always crisp, making the sun no long as over bearing. It was here that Persephone seated herself, hidden amongst the wildlife where her hand soothed the growing bump, humming gently.
"I miss your father little one."
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. Hades. He seemed like a shadow of his former self.
"He's changed so much since I first laid eyes on him." Persephone allowed herself a giggle, remembering those wide dark eyes that would peer from underneath hay ledge when she came to bring him food.
How many nights had it been? Three.. Maybe more..? Ever since the stranger had moved into the barn, the storm ragged on as if in a vengeance. Many times Persephone feared it was trying to rip her house from the ground. Other times it would keep the doors locked, preventing the food going to the hungry man. Descending up the stairs, hair tangled, teeth chattering. The sound of hay rustling was enough to bring the spark within her eyes.
"Its only me sir."
The playfulness in her voice did little to lessen the colour of the elder mans cheeks as he seated himself up pulling strands of hay out of his long hair. Dark eyes looked towards the shivering maiden. Opening his mouth to question her sanity of coming out in such weather, he was struck down by her own concern.
"Are you alright sir? I can bring you an extra blanket?"
The only thing the unknown lord of the Underworld could think was 'what a remarkable woman..' They sat together during the storm, him eating while Persephone pulled straw from his hair.
The innocent giggling of the spring goddess didn't go unnoticed. A shadowed figure stood in the realms between two trees, leaning against the thick bark of if running for hours. No face. Not even an outline of a body. It shifted the ground leaving foot prints. The ground burnt to nothing more than a pathetic black crisp.
"Keep dreaming. Keep dreaming.."
The voice trailed off, it shivered like a spooked doe. A tanned hand stroked the shadow, pursed plume coloured lips kissed what could be an ear. Maybe even a cheek. The shadow shifted turning away from its goal. From Persephone. Laughter became muffled as the shadow grew darker, enveloping the unknown third participant.
Persephone turned her head. Eyes squinted in confusion. Just a moment ago she could've sworn she heard someone speak. Feeling a light tremor across her stomach, she continued the circular movements. All fear gone replaced with enjoying the last few moments of warmth.
"Come along Lykaios!"
The cheering tone was enough to drag the usually shy resident out of the barn. Cyrus, Persephone's father long ago left to the market. Stumbling at first as his legs felt unbearably stiff being stuck up in the loft for so long, Lykaios rose a hand shielding his eyes from the sun light which bore down upon him. Even the tree was hanging as if in disarray of the weather.
Glancing around Lykaios made out the spinning image of Persephone. Her long hair swayed with the light breeze, the ribbons tied at the end looked like a rainbow. Lykaios smiled. The girl was truly enchanting.
Sitting back, allowing memories to take her too another land, Persephone had no idea how much danger she was in.
The shadow returned. Thick. Shaking. It crawled upon the ground, a bulge representing a belly, brushed against the many plants which weren't quickly enough to dart away. A pair of glowing eyes which represented more the flames of Tartarus, shifted around. Almost expecting an attack. The tanned hand from earlier no where to be seen, only a light pale hand print in its place. Reaching the side of the sleeping spring goddess, the shadow rose to its full height. Only a few feet taller than Persephone.
It hissed.
Starring down at the woman that bared Hades child. The shadow saw nothing more than a bitch in heat. A thick grey tongue (the only thing solid about the shadow) slithered out. Rolling back down upon knees, it pressed its self against Persephone, hand moving towards the bump copying the light movements of the mother.
"Your afraid. Not even properly formed and your afraid."
The voice purred as the tongue slithered back becoming part of the shadow once again. Rolling his head back, it lunged forward sending a mixture of clumps of ash and golden specks into Persephone's mouth.
Laying upon her back, a cloth against her forehead, Persephone lightly groaned. The room spinned. How she got back to her room was unknown, all she remembered was becoming physically ill. It wasn't the typical vomiting of pregnancy, it was like something had crawled down her throat, and wrenched her throat. Turning around sharply while trying to protect her bump, Persephone vomited loudly into the vase. Demeter entered immediately, pulling Persephone's hair back, lightly rubbing her back. Speaking soothingly.
Persephone's eyes rolled in the back of her head, falling backwards. Darkness loomed over her. Eyes flickered behind closed eyelids. Demeter picked up the cloth and began to lightly dab at the sweating face.
"What's happening to you child?"
Demeter asked in a worried tone. Continuing to lightly stroke Persephone's forehead, Demeter didn't notice the way that Persephone rubbed her stomach. Nor the faint laughter as the shadowed figure, was being leant against by a certain nymph.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. My apologies for the length in which it took me to update, hope you enjoyed the small snippets of when Persephone and Hades first meet. (Wish I added them in the first story..)
Persephone will be returning shortly. Right now its just many mixed emotions.
- Signed The Broken Ghost