In the two days that followed, Persephone spent no alone time with Hades. He was busy organizing his soldiers and corresponding with Poseidon the best tactics to use to get to Zeus. They didn't want to dethrone him if they could avoid it. Persephone and Hermes were they only two that argued to have him imprisoned, at the least, but all the others overruled them.

In a way, their reasoning was sound. If Zeus was no longer king, a power struggle would erupt amongst all the other gods and goddess. It would tear the earth apart, much like the Titan War almost had. Of anyone there, Persephone could sense that nothing would rebound from another war.

Yet how could they stop Zeus without taking away his position?

He'd needed to suffer consequences for his outrageous behavior. Getting him to apologize wouldn't teach him anything, and the next time he acted out like this would be so much worse.

Persephone was asked not to return to the tactic meetings (they needed Hermes to communicate with Poseidon). That gave her ample time to wander the palace halls, reminiscing and marveling at what had changed since her other life had ended.

Many memories flooded her and left her both elated and drained. At the end of the first day, she'd sought one of the places the servants went to fondle each other to cry until she felt all moisture had left her body. It sapped her energy like nothing had, but she was glad for the intense emotional outpouring; it was overdue.

On the second day, Persephone did much of what she'd done the previous day, but less sadness clung to her. She explored rooms she hadn't bothered to investigate when she'd been Daemon Queen.

In one of them, she discovered Hecate putting together a potion. The Witch Goddess didn't seem surprised when Persephone stumbled into her room.

"I didn't mean to intrude," Persephone said despite Hecate's non-reaction.

"Does the answer suit you?" Hecate asked; her attention on her task.

Persephone didn't hesitate. "It's better than I feared."

"In the days that follow, you'll settle better into your new reality."

"You could have made this easier."

Hecate grinned, and a shiver ran down Persephone's spine. If she didn't know any better, she'd have sworn Hecate and Melione shared blood.

"What enjoyment would that have been?"

Persephone shook her head, close to laughter.

How could she have expected any other answer from the Witch Goddess?

Hecate was predictable in her selfish desires, much like Melione, though Hecate wasn't as physical.

"It's a relief to know not much has changed."

Hecate frowned at her potion. "No, it hasn't."

"Is that for Zeus?"

"I'm not allowed to kill him nor harm him, but this should produce the outcome my King wishes." Hecate's frown deepened. "If Zeus can be conquered."

Persephone sighed. "I'm not sure the Underworld's might will prevail. I assume not all daemons were pleased when Hades took the throne."

"The discontent has grown worse over the years."

Unlike when Persephone had been the Daemon Queen, the under-dwellers wouldn't put aside their prejudices to stop the God King. Zeus wasn't the same threat as Cronus had been. Even if they'd let the Titan King alone, he would have attempted to conquer the Underworld.

Zeus had no interest in the realm. If the under-dwellers stuck to their home and the God King never saw them, he'd pretend they didn't exist.

Bleakness invoked tears, but Persephone wouldn't let them fall. Crying had never solved her problems, not in this life nor her past one. She squared her shoulders.

"I'll leave you to this," she told Hecate.

Hecate gazed at Persephone for a long moment before saying, "I hope... you can return to us. The Underworld was darker in your absence."

The Witch Goddess' unexpected sentiment touched Persephone, but she knew better than to draw attention to it.

"That's my intention," she said.

Hecate nodded and turned her back on Persephone.

Persephone left the room.

In the hallway, she composed herself before she continued her exploration of her—Hades'—palace. The thrill had faded, but she couldn't think of a better activity to occupy her.

She spent an unnecessary amount of time in her old bed chambers. Nothing had been moved, and it was as spotless as she'd demanded it be.

Was this Hades' doing or had the daemons yet to mourn her past life's end?

Maybe they couldn't because, somehow, they'd sensed their Daemon Queen had never left them. This idea pleased her as she poked around the set of rooms.

Soft knocking on the chambers' doors pulled Persephone out of her reminiscing. She set aside the vase she'd been admiring (and reliving the day the youngling who'd crafted it for her had presented it to her) and looked over her shoulder.

She found a delicate-boned, small female fire daemon standing in doorway. Her hair, like cooling embers, had dimmed in color and fine lines pulled at her mouth and eyes as purple as a crocus flower, but Persephone recognized her in an instant.

"Mulstra!"

Her old handmaiden paled. "I-I'm sorry, my Lady. I don't recall us meeting."

"I'm—"

Persephone paused.

Should she reveal the truth?

It would become common knowledge, but should that be before or after they took on Zeus?

Why wait, though?

"I'm Kore."

Mulstra's gaze narrowed. "That's a cruel joke."

Persephone took Mulstra's hands. "I would never harm you; I let no harm come to you. In fact, I recall gutting that stable servant that tried to force himself on you."

Shock replaced her anger. Only the two of them knew of that incident. Mulstra had begged for secrecy, not wanting her shame echoed in the halls, and she'd feared what Kakos would do to defend her honor. So, as far as everyone knew, the stable hand had caught the eye of a harpy.

"How have you returned?" Mulstra whispered.

Persephone shrugged. Best not to get into it. "I'm not sure myself."

"Oh." Mulstra's face brightened. "Does this mean you're Queen again?"

Persephone shook her head. "I don't believe I can be. Besides, Hades has done an impressive job."

Mulstra frowned. "You'll leave us?"

Persephone squeezed the fire daemon's hands. "Not if I have my way."

"But—"

"Let us get through this current ordeal."

Mulstra took a moment before she murmured agreement. "Would you like me to keep this secret?"

"For now, yes."

"Yes, my Qu-Lady."

Persephone smiled. "Why did you seek me out?"

"Oh! My King wishes to see you."

Excitement pooled in Persephone's stomach, followed by a punch of guilt. Now was not the time to be concerned with matters of the heart, yet she couldn't help herself. She hadn't been able to when Hades had sought her out to help him hunt down the Hecatoncheires.

Why would now be any different?

"Take me."

With a jolliness Persephone was sure wasn't too prevalent these days, Mulstra led Persephone—by the arm—down to the bottom floor.

The servants they passed stared at Mulstra, horrified. Whether by the breach of protocol or for Mulstra's life, it wasn't clear. Either reason, the fire daemon would face repercussions.

The one time Persephone suggested they walk normally as to not bring suspicion, Mulstra hummed in response. She tightened her hold on Persephone and smiled.

Persephone shook her head.

Poor, stubborn thing.

They reached the room that had been Persephone's personal weapons' room in her previous life.

Mulstra rapped her knuckles against the wood, and Hades' smooth command followed. "Enter."

Mulstra flung open the door with an unnecessary flourish and announced Persephone's arrival with a knowing smirk.

Hades raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

Mulstra wished them both a splendid day and left before she was dismissed.

"You told her?" he remarked.

"She was more my friend than a servant. I had to."

Hades grinned. "I'm glad you have. She doesn't smile much, not even with Kakos."

Persephone chuckled. "The secret romance prevails?"

"Less secretive than ever in the years."

Persephone was happy for them. Mulstra and Kakos complimented one another.

As Daemon Queen, she'd always encouraged Kakos to forgo proprietary and marry Mulstra, but he could never bring himself to. Yet his reluctance never stopped him from seeing her.

"Why this meeting place?" Persephone asked, unbothered to visit a place she'd been at with Hades. She would travel the route they'd taken in Tartarus if he was at her side.

"I need a break, and I wanted to see you."

As he spoke, Hades crossed the scant distance between them and swept her into his arms. She let him and sighed into his shoulder when he pulled her close. Her flustered nerves settled.

"I'm so glad we got you," Hades said. "I wouldn't fair well if I lost you again."

Persephone looked up at him. "This isn't the prelude to you telling me I can't fight?"

Hades frowned. "Can you?"

Persephone stepped away from him and over to a wall lined with swords. She picked one of ones crafted for her previous body. The weight was off, and it was too long for her new form, but it wouldn't throw her off by much.

She gestured to the wall. "Care to see?"

Hades didn't hesitate. He selected a sword that was balanced for him and then faced her. He wore a bright smile.

Persephone attacked, and Hades just avoided a smarting blow to the side of his head. His smile widened, confident and admiring, before faking to her left and doubling back to swipe at her hips.

Like in the cave, Persephone let her latent knowledge take over, and her body knew how to respond. She pretended like his rouse had convinced her, but at the last moment dodged his advancement. Then she dived for his legs.

Hades couldn't whirl out of her path, and Persephone slammed into him. Their weapons were lost as they both fell to the floor. Persephone landed on top of him and pinned Hades in place.

She wiggled her hips and smiled when she felt Hades' body respond. "Can I fight?"

Hades grabbed her waist. "That wasn't much of a demonstration, but you fared better than I expected."

Persephone bent down and let her mouth hover near his. "I haven't shown you all I know."

"No!"

Persephone and Hades looked to the door that Mulstra hadn't closed.

There, like a chronic illness, was Demeter. Her enlarged hate-filled eyes examined the weapons before resting on the pair on the floor.

"Let her be," she told Hades.

Persephone hurried to her feet. "You don't speak for me."

Demeter grabbed for her daughter. "You're too young for this."

Persephone slapped her mother's hand away. "That's not for you to decide."

"Demeter, you don't understand," Hades said as he came to stand beside Persephone. He took her hand. "I care deeply for your daughter; I have since her first... life. I only wish to make her happy."

Demeter chortled. "When have you ever made anyone happy?"

Persephone's raged bubbled over. She hit her mother in the face. It was with an open palm, but she used great intent and left a bright mark on Demeter's cheek.

Her mother didn't wince or cry out, only stared at her daughter with abject horror. "You struck me?"

Persephone squared her shoulders. "You won't speak to Hades that way, and you will stop running my life. I'm not a godling. I'll do as I choose, and you'll either accept that or I won't have anything to do with you."

Demeter rubbed her wounded cheek. "You struck me." She now looked through Persephone. "My daughter wouldn't do that."

"She did, and I'll do it again if you continue."

Demeter shook her head. "Not my daughter."

"Yes, Mother, your daughter."

Demeter turned and walked from the room; hand still on cheek and mumbling "my daughter".

Persephone watched her leave, curious if she'd broken her mother's psyche. A part of her ached to chase after Demeter, to ensure she hadn't caused permanent damage, but Persephone didn't let that urge overtake her. This moment had been a long time in the making. It was good to happen.

Besides, Persephone couldn't be sure her mother wasn't acting to gain her sympathy. It wouldn't be the first time she'd used emotional manipulation to get her daughter to do as she wished.

But Persephone was through with giving in to Demeter's wishes. She was the Goddess of Spring and had once been the mighty Daemon Queen. She needed to reflect that.

Hades squeezed her fingers. "Will you be all right?"

Persephone nodded.

Regardless of how the future turned out, standing beside Hades and basking in his affection, she knew she'd made the right decision.