Vin's fingers trailed the low hanging branches of the trees on her path.
Soft sounds of laughter trailed off as she left the other nymphs at the lake and headed towards the meadow on the far side of the forest.
It was a warm day. The sun was high in the sky with thick clouds occasionally blocking it from view. The woodland creatures crawled, jumped and flew all around her. She smiled when a white rabbit crossed the path in front of her.
She'd reached the meadow and the sight of the different flowers colouring the field brought a smile to her face.
She sat beneath the oak tree and pulled her knees towards her chest, letting her chin rest against them as her gaze swept across the field.
A gnawing feeling settled on her chest and she took a deep breath to release the tight feeling.
It wasn't that she didn't enjoy spending time with the other nymphs, she just wasn't comfortable with how kind they were. She wasn't used to kindness, certainly not after being captured by mercenaries hoping for some magic for themselves.
Her gaze settled on a faraway place near the edge of the meadow, near the forest. Standing, she glided her way to the flowers that had caught her attention.
She knelt down. They were the most beautiful flowers she'd ever seen and strange enough, they formed some sort of path, leading towards the forest.
Curious, Vin followed the strange flowers and was shocked when they led to the entrance to a cave.
Biting her lip, she glanced back towards the meadow before deciding to go on.
The further she walked, the darker it became and the brighter the flowers glowed.
She continued to take the lightened path and the more she walked, the deeper she felt she was heading. As though moving towards the centre of the earth.
Vin walked for what felt like hours.
Her eyes had adjusted to the dark and when a bright light suddenly appeared, she held up her hand.
Blinking, she took in the sight. She's appeared in a room. Not a room precisely but a library.
Tomes and tomes of books floated off tables and settled on shelves while others simply hang in the air.
Gaping, Vin slowly spun around, taking in the sight. She'd never seen so many books before.
"What are you doing here?!"
Startled, Vin jumped in the air and turned to face the owner of the voice.
He was handsome, with messy brown hair and eyes that stared at her in, thankfully, confusion and not anger.
"How did you get in here?"
Vin swallowed and pointed.
"I found a cave that led me here."
He frowned.
"That's impossible. No one can find that entrance. I made sure of it."
Vin couldn't help herself, she scowled.
"I'm not lying!"
He stared at her amused. "No I don't think you are."
Vin continued her assessment of the stranger and when her gaze landed on the symbol in front of his dark robes, she felt her heart stop.
"You're the Hades?"
He placed the book he was carrying on the table next to him and crossed his arms. "I am."
Vin gave an awkward curtsy. "Lord Hades."
He waved away her formality.
"There's no need for that. You've managed to somehow find my secret entrance, so I believe that makes us acquaintances at least. I'm Elend."
She nodded. Still unable to believe she'd managed to sneak into the god of the Underworld's home. The god named Hades.
"And you are?"
Vin shook her head. "Right. Sorry. I'm Vin."
He smiled and she couldn't help but find it charming. He didn't quite look like what she expected the Hades would look like.
"Pleasure to meet you Vin." He gave a short bow.
She smiled. Her attention was captured by a book flying between them before landing on a nearby shelf.
"I've never seen so many books before."
"Ah. Well you're more than welcome to read some of them. Careful though, some of them bite."
Vin laughed and for some reason the Ha-Elend, seemed to brighten.
"You barely know me," she couldn't help but point out.
He shrugged. "Anyone capable of getting past my shielding is special in my case."
Warmth spread to her cheeks and she coughed to fight off her blush from spreading farther.
"Thank you for your hospitability but I must be leaving now."
He nodded.
"I understand. You are still welcome whenever you feel like it."
She nodded in thanks and turned back towards the way she came in.
"Wait!" He called out right as she was about to take a corner to disappear.
She turned, expectantly.
"Are you named?"
She smiled.
"Persephone."