Amari412: Your so close to guessing the truth, of the new Thanatos! =') Adam's character will be discussed in more detail in this chapter, but in theory he's meant to be Adonis, but just darker and more threatening.
Hands bloody. I can feel the sting of the glass which lays scattered around my feet. My own reflection sneering back at me. How could I have been so foolish? So blinded? Grabbing a black polished cane, I whipped it above my head, before smashing the mirror. HER mirror. Sweat is trickling underneath my black armour. The smell of a court jester. Eyes sore from un fallen tears. I won't allow her the pleasure of seeing me cry over lies she promised where wedding vows.
I hate my wife.
All Magic Comes With A Price
'Promise me you won't give into your hate...'
She's weeping behind the door. I can hear her. Small fists pounding against the black oak. For once it keeps us separated rather though bound in comfort. I ignore it. No doubt her knuckles have burst. The smell reaching my twitching nostrils. Such movements make me feel like a rogue dog. It sickens me. I'm a god. The lord of the Underworld. Such trickery from a mortal is almost laughable. The sound of a pained howl makes my heart twist. Only when my throat starts to burn do I realise that its me. I'm howling. Sobbing. Falling onto my knees, the padding of my trousers protecting my immortal flesh from the various spikes of glass. Hands trembling rise towards my hair where I start to tug. The pain sending shivers down my spine. Making me arch as if I'm petted. Smashing shaking fists against the ground, watching through blurred vision as strands of my hair sticks out between sweaty knuckles I lick across my trembling lower lip.
Rising slowly, cloak wrapping around me enveloping me in darkness, I stare towards the bedroom door. Silence. If I listen really carefully I can hear, the few shades laughing in the Elysian fields. Unaware of what hardship I'm forced to go through.
I huff. The noise is undignified.
Heavy boots drag me towards the door. I expect to find Persephone on her knees pleading for forgiveness, arms around her bloated stomach which holds her bastard child. What I actually find, makes me want to spit venom. Standing tall. Cheeks flushing, eyes red and puffy. Persephone looks me in the eye. I use all of my will power to ignore the sudden urge to banish her to the cold of the Upper world.
"Hades" - Persephone bites back the urge to whisper Husband. One look at Hades red eyes is enough to make her feel guilty for a simple mistake. - "Please listen to me..."
Watching in distaste as Persephone rose her hand, I allowed it. The touch was cold. My fingers tightened around the door wanting nothing more than to slam it in her face. Something made me prevent such acts of a wounded man. Lykaios, it was he who kept on creating scenarios to what could've really happened. Only when Persephone began to smile did I realise I'd allowed myself to lean into her touch, it made me grow tense quickly pulling back with a hideous sneer to replace the relaxed frown.
"Speak. Quickly."
Such harsh words made Persephone cower. I should be feeling triumph. That's what Adam said. Adam... the man was nothing more than an over bearing thorn. Such acts of mutiny shall be dealt with personally. But why hurt him, when I could just inform Persephone of the cruel reality?
Snapping my eyes in her direction, I grinned exposing my pointed teeth. A glow in my eyes, sent her stomach twisting in terror. Could the child sense it to?
"Tell me Queen, did Adam ever give detail for the reason he is embedded in rock rather than chain?"
A crease formed upon Persephone's brow. I took a moment to watch the confusion, taking in satisfaction as the fake image of Adam began to demise and the real ugliness took shape. It was like drinking nectar. Stepping forward, looming over her pregnant form, I angled my head to gaze deep into her eyes. Such confusion. Naivety wouldn't save her now.
"I.."
Persephone became cut off by a raise of my hand hand. Inwardly she flinched expecting a blow to the cheek, though none came.
"Don't. Bother. I'll tell you what he did." - I dampened my lips with a flick of my tongue. - "He rapped women. Killed them and then ate them. Sometimes not in that order. The bodies were hidden in his own garden. Sometimes in his own bed."
The words surely hit Persephone like a kick in the gut. Watching in triumphant as her face began to lose all colour, I smirked in gratitude. It was about time she learnt you can't trust everyone. Turning to seek privacy in my room, I became stopped by the sound of her voice. So soft I would've missed it had she not reached to touch my elbow.
"What was that?"
Turning around slowly I looked down. The growl of my voice seemed ignored as she stuck out her chin, clearly not believing the truth even though I served it to her on a silver platter.
"I love you Hades. I... I... 'm sorry about what I did.. Just please believe me.."
Such sweet desperation. Snarling I shook my head, turning around muttering how I didn't believe her. Not anymore.
"Why won't you believe me?"
Something inside of my snapped. Turning around with speed, I grasped hold of Persephone's upper arms forcefully shaking her, as if trying to wake her from a nightmare.
"Because. No one. Nobody. Could ever. Ever love me! You've proved that tonight!"
I pushed her. Watching as she stumbled, landing heavily against the wall opposite from where I stood. Tears finally began to pool down her face once again. Huffing, finding no reason to stay and stare at her pathetic form I turned around slamming the door behind myself.
Grasping hold of my skirts, I turned running (more stumbling). The sting of grief made my eyes prickle. Hades words stung. My husband didn't want to believe what was right in front of him. Part of me wanted to use the powers I gained to break the door down, to force him out of the shell he created himself after years of being tormented and banished. Surely he could see just how upset I was about the kiss.
Running past the door which lead to Hecate's chamber, part of me wanted to go and console with my friend. Hecate had helped me through so much, before and during the pregnancy. But this was something I couldn't use her help for. This was a matter of marriage, which only me and Hades could fix.
As I finally allowed myself to come to a stumbling halt, heart beating fast, chest heaving. Shoulders shaking. It took once glance around to realise where I was. Elysian fields. The first gift Hades gave to me before we became wed. It was here beside the throne room where my lessons would be given. Where he would gently hold my wrist and guide my powers.
"No, like this."
Hades stepped from the tree he'd been leaning against. Pressing his back against Persephone's, head turned to lightly rub the tip of his nose against her neck. He took hold of her wrist, rubbing against the tensed muscles. Persephone felt herself relax instantly. The swelling of rejection and humiliation began to leave her stomach, when she felt something warm against the palm of her hand. Opening eyes (she didn't realised she closed), Persephone looked and noticed in amazement that she'd caused the tree in front of her to wither. It aged from young and fruitful to almost ash.
Feeling the butterfly kisses upon her neck, Persephone smiled realising that Hades was in fact praising her.
"Well done."
Blinking back my tears, I touched the tree. Though it could easily crumble to the ground in a cloud of dust and ash, it remains standing a symbol of my first lesson completion. A faint chuckle passed my lips. Not so long ago I thought that creating flowers and tending, to the mortals needs were hard. Magic from the Underworld was a whole other mistress. Curling my fingers, together I sighed before placing myself down on the ground, taking the weight off of my aching feet.
"When they come through, allow them to speak. Don't get fixated on their pleading. Not everyone can be sparred."
His deep glooming voice made Persephone shudder, pressing her legs together. A blush crept within her cheeks. This was a lesson. Time to focus. Nodding her head shyly, Persephone smiled sweetly towards Hades who gave her hand a gentle squeeze, before turning towards the shades who fell upon their knees before them.
"My lord Hades. Queen Persephone. Please spare me. I didn't have anything to do with it, I was judged unconditionally.."
Hades hide the roll of his eyes. This was Persephone's time to judge. Though he wanted nothing more than to banish the liar to Tartarus, it was up to Persephone. He only hoped her naïve judgment wouldn't cloud what was in front of her. Persephone shifted. The pleading didn't bring tears to her eyes, but instead made her blood boil in anger. This shade thought he could put the blanket over her eyes. Rising her hand up, surprised at first that he took heed to her mute gesture of silence.
"Enough."
Hades watched Persephone from the corner of his eye.
"Your lies mean nothing here. Tartarus."
The cries of desperation fell on death ears. Both Queen and King, looked to one another. Persephone visibly shaking. What she'd just done went against everything she believed in. Rising his hand Hades cupped Persephone's cheek, bringing her towards him, where he kissed her lips lightly.
"You chose wisely. My Queen.."
The purr in his voice made Persephone grin, never before feeling so safe even when Hades eyes glinted with another emotion entirely.
I sat up suddenly. The warmth against my cheek, wasn't my husband's hand. Just the warmth from my shoulder. The pain in my neck, made me inwardly wince as I began to lightly need the sore muscles, while glancing around the field. The pond which Hades made for Artemis twinkled. Smiling, I stood myself up with less difficulty than I suspected. Looking down towards the pond, watching as the fish flicked their tails, scales of different variety shimmered and sparkled.
"A rare beauty indeed."
Spinning around, not knowing who to expect, I lightly gripped my chest in a bid to silence my thudding heart.
"Oh, Icelos."
If the god of Nightmares was offended by my lack of politeness he didn't show it. Instead he stretched himself forward in a bow before rising up slowly. Glancing towards the shadowed figure, he wasn't what I expected then again the look suited him. It certainly explained how he was able to take on form of the most hideous creatures which plagued, mortal minds.
"I'm afraid Artemis is gathering what little herbs survive during this weather, if you were looking for her."
Watching as Icelos tilted his head. Though he bore no mouth or even a nose, just the shifting of his eyes I could've sworn he was pouting. Looking away quickly, I shook my head pushing aside a few streaks of hair which had been stuck to my cheek bones moments ago.
"No. I just came to think.."
My words trailed off. I didn't feel comfortable opening up what was happening between me and Hades. Especially not to Icelos. We rarely spoke, in fact this was the first time we'd been alone together. Never the less the shadowed god of nightmares stepped forward, causing the fish to scatter even though he casted no shadow. I felt no heat, then again no cold coming from him. It was almost like he was part of the air. Icelos dropped something in the water, on closer inspection it was some sort of food as the fish began to attack it greedily. I turned towards him arching a brow. His eyes became covered in more shadow. No doubt he was grinning.
"These fish were spawned from the Underworld. So I gave them fruit, grown from here. To give them food from the upper land would only confuse them."
I nodded remembering briefly, when Artemis had asked what to use as bait. Turning towards Icelos I couldn't help but feel pity for the god of Nightmares. He'd lost a family member, something that regardless of what status you took upon this earth, could hurt more than a dagger in the back.
"I know its not much but, I apologise for your loss."
I expected the sigh and tensed shoulders, but the squinting of eyes as if he was smiling, took me by surprise.
"Tiss nothing Majesty. A simple loss, which only me and my brothers carry."
'Majesty'. It was the first time I heard Icelos address me in royalty. For a startling moment it sounded foreign. Stretching my hand in a bid to rub the shadowed shoulder, I stopped myself by the way he twisted to stare back at the fish. Such simple words and rubs, wouldn't bring back what he lost. Not pinning the blame I pulled my hand back, resting it against my stomach instead.
The silence wasn't comfortable like with myself and Hades. A tight sob passed my lips. Hades. Rising my hand towards my eyes I attempted feebly to banish the tears with a flick of my wrist. It only caused them to fall at a greater pace.
"Your majesty. Might I be so bold as to ask what causes your tears?"
There was no comfort in the words formed from the shadowed figure beside me. Only ideal curiosity. I wanted to lie. Lying was easy. It was also the cowards way out. Turning towards Icelos who continued to stare at the lake as if pondering an attempt to startle the fish, I found myself spilling the whole story. Judging by the way Icelos tilted his head, but didn't look at me I must've sounded like a rambling idiot. But I needed to get my side of the story out. I spoke to Icelos with a firm tone, even going back to when I used to dream of terrifying monsters chasing me and Adam being the one to save me. When I meet him down in Tarturas I was confused. Terrified, to know the man I dreamed of was down in the fiery depths.
As I mentioned the kiss, I noticed Icelos visibly tense. His eyes darted towards the lake which trickled past the bank. I stammered for a moment before quickly finding my tongue once more.
"So. What your saying is that, the kiss was unintentional. You did it as a sign of respect and yet your blood boiled with passion you only feel when Hades is rutting between your legs?"
There was anger coursing in his words. It filled me with humiliation. My face turned so red I was afraid steam would start shooting out of my ears.
"You should know, Icelos, that I am Hades wife. What happens between us is none of your metaphor snark."
I tried to sound firm but all that happened was Icelos turning, shifting his shadowed upper brow as if to arch a brow. Starring at him as cruelly as I could allow, I quickly admitted defeat and bowed my head in shame. The low rumble of a chuckle told me that Icelos knew I'd been beaten.
After that I quickly held back my tongue. Why I even thought Icelos would show compassion or even pity for me was unknown. He just saw the truth and made you face it. Pushing back strands of my hair, I went back to thinking on what Hades had hissed. Adam. Could a man that charming and beautiful really be capable of such havoc? There was only one way to find out. Breaking my mental vow of silence I turned towards Icelos.
"Icelos. Can you tell me more about Adam?"
It was almost like I'd stepped on his foot by the way Icelos shivered, followed by a quick tense. I turned my head, expecting to find Hades behind me. There was nothing. Looking back, Icelos raised his hand an apologetic look in his deep red eyes. (Or maybe it was just my imagination) I expected Icelos to question me, ask if it was really what I wanted. But that would make him strangely out of character. As I hoped he dipped straight into the tale.
"Adam was a very cruel man. Cunning. Manipulative. He saw himself as a being sculpted by Aphrodite herself." -Icelos leaned forward, whisper. - "It would explain his strange unique beauty."
I arched a brow trying to cover the glow in my cheeks. I'd been first hand in both personality traits.
"For many years he patrolled the grounds of Athens, seeking out women. It didn't matter where they came from, they would all fall a victim to his witty charms. Of course Adam at first was coy. He'd dismiss them. Even give them a golden coin. Sadly of course, beauty makes a man do many strange things... He participated in the sport of hunting. Particularly seeking out the wild boar. Of course all hunting comes with a price. He was gorged in the upper left thigh by the tusk of a particular strong boar. The scar made him feel hideous. Inadequate."
Icelos let out a gentle chuckle as if taking pleasure, in another man's pain.
"Usually when you see a cripple walking the streets of Athens, you wouldn't pity them. But with Adam, his beauty made the women swarm him. He'd encourage it. Re live his days of agony waiting for help, by groaning in the forest where the Abraham River flows. Once the women fell for his love story, it was free pickings from there. He'd bring them back to his house. Back to his bed. Kill them. It was never the same. He'd see something in them, which made them more art than human."
I didn't need Icelos to paint me a picture. Already my stomach gave a painful churn just thinking about, what this man would've done to the women who lay in his bed like obedient pets.
"There was a time, when he found a mistress. It was when he first ventured to Argos, just after the first destruction of Kronos. There he meet a beautiful woman. She was different from the rest. He let her live. Used her body for sexual pleasure, while she did the same to him. There was nothing romantic about it. During the long awaited celebration, they found each other in the crowd. They fucked. Then he killed her. But he didn't stop there. He hunted down her husband and children. He-"
I rose my hand sharply tears burning my eyes, cheeks blushing in humiliation to realise what sort of animal I'd allowed to touch my lips.
"Enough!"
I snapped. I hadn't meant to. Icelos as always held no emotion of insult. Instead he turned back towards the pond, staring down at the hungry teeth filled mouths which waited for more food. I quickly designed there was no need for me to remain. Icelos would only see fit that I become either horrified or humiliated my truthful metaphors. Turning around without even muttering a good by, I took my leave towards the bed chamber where Hades would be sulking. I needed to make my husband see straight.
Walking towards the door I became frozen by the sound of moaning. Concern fuelled my body. Was Hades in pain? Suddenly forgetting the humiliation and fear, I ran towards the door. Without knocking I opened it sharply.
"Hades, are yo-"
The words became trapped in my throat. The reason for the moaning became evident. Hades wasn't in pain. I wanted to look away, but it was like someone had gained control over my body, as I became rooted to the spot starring in shock.
Hades was sprawled on top of a woman. They were both naked, judging by the trembling of his hips it was taking every ounce of himself not to start moving. As I looked at the sweat glistening off of Hades back, my eyes turned towards the female.
"Me.. Menthe..?"
I stuttered out her name. She stared at me with a look of triumphant. She didn't attempt to hide her naked form, and even hiked up her hips causing Hades eyes to roll in the back of his head. Though his body looked as if it was trying to escape. Finally my body started to work as I found myself stumbling backwards as Hades, pulled himself sharply off of Menthe like he'd been burned. I saw the confusion and concern in his eyes. It reminded me of a little boy who'd spoken his first swear. Tears trickled down my face, I turned running out of the room as fast as my trembling legs would allow.
"Persephone!"
I heard Hades cries, though ignored them needing to get as far away from the bed chamber as I could. I found myself coming to a stumbling halt. Being pregnant made it hard to run. Gulping down air, as I felt sweat mingle with my tears, the sound of chains scrapping against the ground made me rise my head. A cry of terror passed my lips. Walking around the corner was Adam. But not as I remembered. He was covered in burns. Blood. His limbs missing chunks of flesh and muscle.
Stumbling backwards as I stared at this bloody excuse of a man, I found my vision starting to become blurred. My head felt light. I only just managed to hear what Adam hissed at me.
"Hello Persephone. I've come for what is mine."
There were no words to express my horror, as Adam stretched a bloody hand in my direction, heading straight towards my swollen stomach.
I inturpritated the myth of Adonis into the background of Adam. (Wild Boar. Hunting. Abraham River)
Well this was a interesting chapter to write up. I wanted to do something different by writing in the POV of both Hades & Persephone. Hoped it worked. Do hope you enjoyed this chapter and please leave a review.
Signed - The Broken Ghost