A/N - Hello everyone :) thank you for waiting patiently for the latest installment of Twilight Maiden! I hope that you all enjoy this chapter. Thank you to everyone who favorited, followed, and reviewed my last update. Keep the love coming! Happy reading :D
*MINOR TW FOR MENTIONS OF ASSAULT*
PERSEPHONE
Closer and closer, inch by inch, Persephone was brought to the dark castle, but not of her own accord. And despite her ceaseless cries for mercy and pleading to let her go, her words fell on deaf ears.
Persephone would have welcomed anyone, even Hades, to come snatch her away from this captor. At least Hades had been gentle to her. This Nymph was violent, raging, digging into her hair with a vengeance and dragging Persephone along the hard ground as if she were prey.
Because of this, there was not much that Persephone could see past the tears blinding her sight. From the forest to the steps leading up to the castle, the journey was a bleary blur. There was no doubt now that she was about to be taken inside of that strange building. A sense of dread washed over her as they were on the threshold of the castle.
Persephone was crying to the the Nymph, begging her to let go. Fresh waves of panic coursed through Persephone when she heard the unmistakable creaking of heavy doors opening.
"Where are you taking me?" Persephone cried out wildly and she heard the Nymph above her scoff. "What are you going to do?"
"Stop your wailing, you silly little fool!" This demand was emphasized with a hard yank on Persephone's head, which only drew yet another pained cry from the girl. The nymph's fingers still cruelly tangled into her hair, pulling her body through a set of impossibly tall black doors and onto a smooth, dark marble floor. With a final forceful pull, the Nymph flung Persephone aside and the young goddess landed in a heap on the floor.
Persephone managed to sit up, preparing to flee at a moment's notice, but before she could even get a decent look at the room she was in, a few more Nymphs swarmed her, blocking her view. All she could see now were the muted tones of the robes they wore. They spoke all at once with their voices excitable and nervous. They seemed to be chastising the red-haired Nymph, now looming over Persephone with a vicious scowl on her face and ignoring the others around her.
One Nymph with velvety brown hair and eyes the color of amber pushed away from the others and knelt down next to Persephone, placing her hand on the goddesses' shoulder.
"What is your name?" She asked gently. "Why have you been brought here?"
"Her name does not matter! She is a trespasser in Lord Hades' realm." The other Nymph cut in before Persephone had a chance to even open her mouth.
"I did not ask you, Minthe." The brown haired Nymph replied with ice in her tones. "I was asking her."
Green eyes and amber irises hardened like steel as they locked together, staring at the other with burning animosity. They were silent for a tense moment before the Nymph called Minthe shoved aside the kind Nymph and took her place kneeling at Persephone's side.
"Well now, little trespasser. What is your punishment going to be?" The Nymph crooned, a bite to her voice that made Persephone's heart leap into her throat.
"Trespasser?" She shook her head and began to rise to her feet. "I'm not trespassing! I was forced—"
"Hush!" The Nymph cut her off and suddenly Persephone was on her back and Minthe was practically kneeling on Persephone's chest. A slim, silver dagger was procured from out of nowhere and the blade was held against Persephone's neck. The Nymphs all gasped but did not make a move to stop their companion. "You are not welcome here in the Underworld. I'll take care of Lord Hades' problem on my own."
"He brought me here against my will! Just take me back home and then there won't be a problem anymore." Persephone argued, willing herself to sound strong and unafraid, but that dagger against her skin was not easy to forget.
"This is more fun though." Minthe retorted with her lips curling into a wicked smile as she pressed the dagger against Persephone's skin. The blade dug into her neck, only one more push away from drawing blood. She brought her gaze to the Nymph above her, meeting her eyes. For the first time since she had been snatched away by her, by Minthe, Persephone was able to observe her.
She was a stunning beauty with her fiery red hair and eyes the color of emeralds, but the twisted mask of scorn that adorned her face made her seem more like a snake about to strike at its prey.
"What have I done to you to deserve this?" Persephone's voice was hushed and pleading, echoing through the otherwise silent room.
"Minthe." The Nymph with the amber eyes broke the silence. "Just let her go. If what she's saying is true, and Lord Hades brought her here himself, then we shouldn't treat her like a criminal."
"Why do you have such an interest, Annis?" Minthe questioned, not even glancing over at the Nymph who was named Annis. "Just leave me be."
"I have an interest because if Lord Hades wants her here, then we should not interfere, lest we fall victim to his wrath." Annis argued hotly and attempted to wrangle Minthe off of Persephone. Minthe was stronger and used her free hand to keep Annis at bay.
"I'll take my chances with Lord Hades! I can handle his wrath." Minthe darkly promised. Annis tried to grab Minthe again, but there was a swish of air and then the resounding sound of Minthe's palm meeting Annis' cheek. The Nymphs gasped and Annis stumbled back a few steps. In her attack, Minthe had stood up, just enough for Persephone to feel the weight of her knees off her chest. She hastily glanced up at Minthe and saw that a smug smile was plastered on her face.
She was distracted. This was her chance.
Persephone acted quickly. With one swift movement, she used all of her strength to roll to the side. This sudden movement threw Minthe out of balance and she fell off Persephone, freeing her. Minthe crashed to the floor while Persephone scrambled to her feet, slipping on the slick black marble as she tried to gain her footing. Annis cried out, demanding that somebody stop. Persephone did not know if she was saying it to her or to Minthe, but she did not waste any time finding out.
As soon as she was able to, Persephone began to flee. The doors that she had been dragged through were closed now and Persephone had every intention of flinging them open and escaping to...to where, she did not know, but she was desperate to get away from this Nymph. Even Hades would be a welcome change from this vicious woman.
But no sooner than she had taken a few frantic paces, Persephone felt an arm wrap around her waist like a vice and another snaked across her chest with that damned dagger held to her throat again.
"Where did you think you would go, huh?" Minthe hissed into Persephone's ear. "Even this world is dangerous for immortals, you silly little fool. I'll be happy to show you how."
Persephone cried out for help, hoping that the other Nymphs would do something, but nobody did anything. Annis though, was demanding that Minthe let her go and Minthe was screeching at her to stay out of it. Persephone struggled against Minthe, but the woman's grip was far too strong.
The voices of three women mingled together in the vast, dark room, rising in pitch and emotion. They hardly heard the booming of the doors that were forcefully thrown open, spilling in hazy light over the marble floor. A figure stood on the threshold, backlit by the twilight. Persephone caught sight of him before the others did. She inhaled a sharp breath and ceased her struggling. The other two had yet to notice, and the rest of the Nymphs were suddenly nowhere to be seen. Hades stood in the doorway for a moment more before his voice thundered out above the others squabbling.
"STOP THIS AT ONCE!"
The command reverberated throughout the room like thunder from a storm. His fast was cast in shadow so she could not see what expression he wore, but Persephone did not have to see his face to know that he was furious. Anger seethed from his presence and an eerie tension fell over the room.
Instantly, the arms holding Persephone back melted away and the presence of Minthe behind her lessened as she roughly pushed past her and quickly made her way to Hades. The god had stepped inside and was marching over to where the trio was standing. Persephone was frozen on the spot, watching Hades' every move. He did not meet her eye. He did not glance her way at all. Instead, his deep brown eyes were fixated on Minthe, a cold, steely fury in his gaze.
"What do you think you are doing, Minthe?" He demanded. Persephone shivered at the sound of his voice; it was so different than the tender tones he had used before, when he spoke to her. As he glowered down at the Nymph, there was danger in his voice. But Minthe seemed unfazed by his obvious anger.
"Just getting rid of a little nuisance for you, that's all," she crooned sweetly as she waltzed right up to him.
"You have no right to do that," Hades growled in reply. "I brought her here, so she is no nuisance, as you say."
"Why did you bring her here?" Minthe questioned softly in a deceptively sweet voice. It irritated Persephone that this woman who had just held a knife to her neck and used such a hateful tone with her could turn around and be so alluring. Minthe lifted her hand and trailed her fingers along his bearded jaw.
Persephone's heart began to beat strangely when she saw this small action. Touching his face seemed such a bold thing to do. Was this Nymph Hades' lover? The idea that they were loves made Persephone's stomach turn uncomfortably. If had a lover, then why would he need her?
But this thought did not last long; Hades reached up and pushed Minthe's hand away. He was not forceful or rough as he did so, but it was clear that Minthe's touch was unwelcome. Minthe had her back to Persephone, so she could not see her face, but she saw how the Nymph's shoulders tensed at Hades' rejection.
"That is none of your concern," Hades replied sternly. "All you need to concern yourself with is staying away from her. If you so much as touch her again, you will come to regret it."
Minthe bristled at this command. She whirled around and fixed Persephone with a hateful glare, arms crossed over her chest, but she obeyed Hades' words and did not come near her.
"I don't understand why you need to go to the surface to find somebody to warm your bed. You know very well that you are the Lord of the Underworld and have your pick of the ones who are already here." She remarked snidely before turning back to Hades. She walked past him, letting her shoulder brush his.
"You know that I know this as well," Minthe added as she sauntering off, letting the implication hang in the tense air. Hades simply ignored her, not even giving her notice as she brushed against him and he made no reaction at her parting words.
Instead, his eyes had found Persephone. This time, she could not bring herself to meet his gaze. Instead, she met the pitying eyes of the Nymph who had shown her kindness. Annis, who had remained silent during this entire exchange, now stood beside Persephone. She wound her arm through Persephone's and it gave her a sense of comfort to find a friendly touch in the Underworld.
Hades sighed, exasperated and heavy all at once, and closed the distance between them. Persephone could not look at him now. She could feel him staring at her, but she could not tear herself away from Annis' concerned amber irises. The Nymph tightened her grip on Persephone's arm, but not in the cruel way that Minthe had done; she meant to set her at ease, but Persephone could not be at ease in the presence of the god who had taken her against her will.
"Pay no mind to Minthe," Hades assured, the fire gone from his voice. "I'm sorry that she was so harsh with you. Her animosity towards you was unwarranted and she will be punished for it." Persephone just turned from him and Annis both, looking over her shoulder.
In that brief moment, Persephone was finally able to observe the room that she was in. Every surface was made from the same black marble with veins of silver cutting through the dark surface. Most of the room was cast in shadow, so she could not make out the features of the walls, but she could see pillars lining the room. At the far end, opposite of the doors, there was a throne. It was cut into the wall, dominating and ornate; the seat of Hades. It was only a few seconds of Persephone's pointed silence before Annis spoke up on her behalf.
"I think that Minthe is the least of her concerns right now, Lord Hades..." she began hesitantly. "Forgive me for being so frank, but if what you say is true and you took her from the land of the living against her will-"
"I understand, Annis," Hades calmly cut into her words, though Persephone could hear a heaviness weighing on him as he spoke. "You don't need to go any further. I understand that this is all my doing. I was just…" He trailed off and the mood in the room shifted from tense to defeated. Persephone allowed herself to look back over at him. The god was still gazing at her with a sorrowful demeanor.
For the first time since she had been forced to come to the Underworld, Persephone held his gaze with a clear mind. She studied him, noticing how his shoulders sagged and his lips were pulled into a frown. What was he thinking, Persephone wondered. What was he going to do with her now now that she was here? Part of her was afraid of the answer, but another part of her did not sense any danger, despite the circumstances. As if he was able to read her thoughts, Hades gestured to Annis and addressed her.
"Annis, thank you for trying to keep Minthe from harming her. I trust that you will take care of Pers—of her. If you will, please go and make her comfortable.
Hades did not want to say her name. Persephone once again felt a strange, nervous sensation in her stomach when she realized that he did not want to say her name. Why so? What did this all mean?
She did not have long to think about it. Not even waiting for a reply from Annis, Hades turned away from them and in a hasty manner, marched to one of the shadowy corners of the room and disappeared into the darkness. Persephone watched him go, the room suddenly feeling empty without his presence. There was a slight tug on her arm and Persephone's attention was drawn back to the Nymph at her side.
"Come on," Annis smiled mirthlessly down at her. "Let's get you cleaned up. You look a fright."
"Do I?" Persephone questioned, glancing down at her dress. True, the hem was ripped from running through the forest and her skirt was soiled with dirt from when she had fallen through the earth to the Underworld. She could only imagine what the rest of her looked like. But did it really matter right now?
"I'm not going to stay here." Persephone remarked, half of a question and half of a demand. Annis did not reply to her, but steered Persephone in the direction of another shadowy wall, the one opposite of where Hades went. Anxiety pricked her heart as Annis ignored her.
"Does this mean that I'm going to be a prisoner here?" Persephone demanded, unable to keep the fear from wavering in her voice as she spoke. "Are you going to clean me up so that I can be nice and pretty for him when he decides to come for me?"
Annis continued to keep her lips sealed shut as the pair dipped into the darkness, walking in between two columns and to a closed door that Persephone did not see until just then. Annis went to push the door open and Persephone followed closely behind her.
"Please, answer me! What is going to happen to me now?" Annis' refusal to speak only added fuel to the frantic fire that was threatening to consume Persephone.
"Nothing will happen to you." Finally, Annis responded to her, no doubt able to hear the panic in Persephone's insistent questions. The Nymph pushed the door open and Persephone followed her as they made their way down a stone corridor lit with sconces burning dimly.
"What? How can you say that? I know what happens to maidens, immortals and mortals alike, when the gods fix their desires on them." Persephone was incredulous. "I may be innocent and young, but I am no fool. Don't try to deceive me."
"I am not lying to you. Truthfully, I cannot say what was going through Lord Hades' mind when he took you and brought you here but…" Annis kept on marching down the corridor, but peeked over her shoulder at Persephone.
"Things are different his realm, my lady." She assured. "Lord Hades is not like the other gods or goddesses that you may know. For the time being, the only thing that brings you any danger is Minthe and I am sure Lord Hades will make sure that she doesn't lay a finger on you again."
This made Persephone pause. Not like the others? Then if he was so different, how did she end up here? But Annis was sincere in her assurance. Persephone had an unusual knack for picking out liars, and she did not sense any deception in what Annis told her. She continued trotting behind her, pondering what kind of a god Hades was. From all the tales told about him, he should be exactly the type to do what she feared. So why was Annis so sure that he would be different?
"Well...in any case," Persephone murmured, her voice echoing softly on the stone walls. "You don't have to be so formal. You may call me Persephone."
"Persephone?"
"Yes. I am the daughter of Demeter and I belong in the land of the living."
"I know that you do." Annis sighed. They made their way further down the corridor, going slightly downhill. There were a few doors that they passed along the way, but they did not stop until they reached a dead end. There was a set of large wooden doors and Annis leaned her weight against them to push them aside.
The doors opened to reveal a cavernous space. Steam from an enormous hot spring wafted through the warm, moist air. The water was a pale, crystal blue. Steps cut from the white stone of the cavern led into the water. Hundreds of candles, placed in alcoves all over the room, already burning as if anticipating their arrival, lit the cavern with a warm glow. Persephone was taken aback, shocked that a warm and comfortable place such as this could exist in the Underworld. Annis directed her to the steps and Persephone gingerly tiptoed down into the steaming water. She removed her tainted clothing and set them aside on a rocky outcropping that served as a seat of sorts.
Annis sat there while Persephone bathed. It was not unusual for Persephone to be so exposed in front of another; back at her home, she was constantly surrounded by Nymphs. In fact, she could never remember a time when she had been truly alone. Even when she by herself, the Nymphs were never father than shouting distance away.
Persephone waded further into the spring until the water came past her chest. She threw a splash onto her face and reveled in the sudden comfort that the warm water brought. A few minutes went by as she bathed, Annis watching from a distance, perched on an outcropping with her toes trailing over the surface of the water.
"So? Will he let me leave?" Persephone asked while she worked the water through her locks. "If it is as you say and he is not the kind of god who would do me harm, what would be the point of me staying?"
"Persephone…" Annis grimly spoke her name. The goddess turned away from Annis and brought another splash of water to her face. Hot tears spilled through her fingers as she held her face in her hands.
"I cannot leave, can I?" She whispered shakily through her fingertips. Hopelessness weighed down her every muscle.
"Unfortunately, I do not think that would be possible." Annis explained. "Even though Hades is Lord of the Underworld, he is bound by the rules of of this realm. Once one has entered the Underworld, they cannot simply leave. There is a select few who have the privilege of moving between the realm of the living and the dead. I am not sure that you, immortal you may be, can do this."
Persephone lowered her hands, certain that her tears were dried.
"Surely, there must be an exception," Persephone mused. "I was forced to come here. I am the daughter of Demeter and…"
It was not easy to finish that sentence. Persephone sucked in a steadying breath and forced herself to continue.
"...and Zeus." She cut her eyes to Annis and sure enough, the Nymph's face betrayed her surprise. Persephone continued on, leaving Annis' questions unspoked and unanswered. "Surely he can command Hades to break the rules of this world and let me return home."
"Perhaps. But Zeus keeps himself at a distance from the Underworld and from Hades. He pays no mind to what goes on here and I fear that he would give little heed to the situation. Especially given his reputation with how he treats those he desires. He would find nothing wrong with Hades' actions."
"But I am his daughter! That should change things." Persephone retorted, wading through the water and making her way back to the stone steps.
"How well do you know Zeus, your father?"Annis inquired. She offered a hand to Persephone as she carefully walked up the slick steps.
"Honestly, all I know of him is what I have been told by my mother, and stories from the Nymphs that live with us." As soon as she was out of the water, a soft towel was draped over her shoulders.
"You have never met him?" Annis was curious. Persephone did not mind giving a basic explanation of her family history, so long as she did not pry any further than warranted.
"No, I have not" Persephone muttered, unable to keep the bitterness at bay. "And I am perfectly content with that. He knows that I exist. All of the residents of Olympus know that I exist, but none of them have seen me. And I have seen none of them."
The pair was quiet while Persephone dried off and changed into a gray robe that Annis had handed her. Where she produced it from, Persephone did not know, but as the fabric fell over her skin, she found that she rather liked the color. At home, Persephone wore either white or shades of pastel; her mother loved seeing her in virginal, fresh spring colors. This gray robe, the color like ashes from a fire, was a rather nice change and Persephone was a bit amused at herself for liking it so well.
Wordlessly, Annis and Persephone left the cavern and she followed her guide back up the stone corridor. It was then that Annis finally broke the silence.
"You are isolated from your family."
"No, I am not isolated. My family is my mother. The Nymphs are like my sisters. They are all that I need."
"Do you not feel a desire to know the other gods and goddesses?"
"I've never had an interest," Persephone lied. In fact, she had forever been curious to know the ones who shared the same blood with her, with the exception of Zeus. She knew all that she needed to know about him, but the others piqued her interest. She could never tell her mother that though. "I doubt that Demeter would allow me even if I did," Persephone added.
Persephone and Annis passed through another set of doors and wound their way through hallways that were in what Persephone presumed to be the main part of the castle. To her right was a long, sweeping, open balcony that ran the length of the entire side of the castle. That brilliant dusky sky flowed into the shadowy hallway. To her left was a wall of the same black and silver marble that was in the throne room. There was the occasional door that led to what she could guess would be rooms of some sort.
"How did you come to be so…" Annis searched for her next words. "Disconnected from the gods and goddesses?"
"It was my mother's choice. She did it to protect me." Persephone's heart clenched at the thought of her mother now, undoubtedly searching frantically for her missing daughter, having no idea that she was trapped in the Underworld with the god of death.
"Protect you from what?"
"From things like this happening." Persephone gestured to the dark castle and the perpetual twilight around her. "She did not want what happened to her to happen to me. It was all in vain, I suppose."
"What happened to her?" Annis stopped in front of a door and placed her hand on the latch. Persephone froze, wondering if she could trust this Nymph she had only just met, with her mother's story. She quickly decided that even if she could trust Annis, she was not in any state to recant it. It hit far too close to home and she feared the same thing was doomed to happen to her...
"Let's just say...there is a reason that I never met Zeus."
"I'm sorry that you have been brought here, Persephone," Annis sighed. She pushed the door open to reveal a small room beyond.
"It's not your fault. You have been kind to me and I am grateful for your companionship." Persephone managed a smile and stepped into the room.
Her room? She observed the dark but lovely and simple decor of the room, comparing it to her light and airy one back home. Annis watched Persephone observing her room.
"This is where you will be staying while you are here, which hopefully won't be long." Annis leaned against the stone frame of the door. "If it were up to me, I would let you go back."
"Thank you" Persephone turned back to Annis. "Now if only you could convince Hades!"
They both laughed, but their mirth was mingled with nerves, especially Persephone. Annis' words in the cavern haunted her; the chance that Hades would allow her to break the rules of his world and allow her to leave seemed slim, but there had to be a way!
Their laughs died away and a tense emptiness filled the air. Persephone felt flutters of fear in her chest once more.
"Are you certain that nothing will happen to me?" She asked timidly.
"I can only be certain that if anyone or anything were to harm you, it would not be Hades." Annis answered gravely. "He is not the monster that the world has made him out to be. You will have a far easier time here if you understand that."
But he still took her against her will, she wanted to scream! To Persephone, Hades was still monstrous for that action alone. Annis seemed so set on defending Hades and trying to make Persephone see him differently, but how could she when she was in the Underworld because of him? She did not respond to Annis' assurances. Persephone just shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
"Can I ask one more thing?" Persephone asked, not wanting to talk about Hades any further.
"Certainly."
"Might I have something to eat or drink?"
As soon as those words left her mouth, Persephone watched as Annis' face turned white and her eyes wide.
"What is wrong?" Persephone stepped closer to Annis, worried that she had somehow overstepped her bounds.
"Persephone, don't you know?"
"Know what?"
"If there is ever any chance of you being allowed to leave, you must stay away from any food or drink in the Underworld. Anything that you consume here will bind you to this world forever. You would never be able to leave."
That hopelessness she had felt in the cavern when she learned that she might not ever leave the Underworld, was back and now it crushed her. What kind of a forsaken world was she in that the very food would bind her here forever? Annis placed a hand on her shoulder and Persephone could hear the worry in her words.
"You don't need any nourishment, right?"
"No." Persephone breathed. "I don't but I like to indulge in mortal foods from time to time."
"Well, thankfully you don't need it." Annis seemed relieved. Maybe she thought that Persephone needed it. As awful as she felt at the moment, Persephone was touched that Annis seemed to care so much about her well-being.
"I guess. It's just that, and my mother hates this, but indulging in mortal food brings me comfort when I need it so I thought…well it doesn't matter now. Thank you for warning me." Persephone conceded. She crossed her arms over her waist and sighed. Annis gave her shoulder a friendly squeeze and continued her gentle warning.
"Just stay away from any and all food. If anyone tries to trick you into eating or drinking, resist them! Don't let yourself be fooled. Trust what I say, Persephone. I am on your side. I would not lead you astray."
Persephone imagined a Nymph with red hair and green eyes trying to entice her into eating a fruit or drinking wine. But that image faded as Persephone remembered that for whatever reason, Minthe hated her and would surely want her gone and not tied to the Underworld. If anything, she would try to lead her into greater danger than that.
"And what about that Nymph with the red hair? What should I do about her?"
Annis scowled at the mention of this Nymph. Persephone could still see an angry red mark on her cheek where she had been struck by Minthe.
"Stay away from Minthe, if you can," Annis said with a voice that was hard and cold as steel. "She is sly like a fox and as poisonous as a snake and she has decided that she doesn't like you. Tread carefully when you are around her. Hades told her to stay away but I don't expect her to obey him for long."
"Don't worry, I wasn't going to seek her out. I was already planning to stay far away from her."
"I know you weren't but...this place and the residents who call it home are not like what you are used to on the surface. Just...stay careful. I will look after you as best as I can."
"I appreciate that." Annis smiled and pulled Persephone into an embrace.
"Rest now, Persephone," She whispered into her ear before pulling away. "Perhaps you will get some good news when you wake."
"I hope so." Persephone wrapped her own arms around her shoulders, missing the comfort that Annis' embrace brought. She just needed somebody to hold her together. Every inch of her felt as though it were about to fall apart at the seams. Annis slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her with a light push.
And Persephone was alone in the Underworld. The gentle darkness of the room closed in on her while she stood there, still holding her arms around her body. She shivered from the cold fear that gripped her. Annis' warnings, not of Minthe or of food, raced through her thoughts.
This place might be where she spent her eternity. Hades might not be able to let her leave. That seemed impossible to her; he was the god of this world! Why would he not be able to break his own rules and just let her go home? And even more impossible to her was Annis assuring her that he would do her no harm.
She wanted to believe that. Maybe he would do no harm at first. But what would her fate be if he changed his mind. Would she suffer the same as Demeter did, so many years ago at Zeus's hand?
Persephone let the tears flow freely, though she did not cry aloud. They streamed down her cheeks, falling onto that ash gray cloth of her robe. Even if Hades never touched her, she hardly found comfort in that because keeping her in the Underworld would be just as excruciating for her. It would be her eternal prison.
For what seemed like endless hours, Persephone stood in the dim room, unable to move or cry or breathe, waiting for nothing and nobody.
Her sentence had begun.
Persephone promised herself that once she learned the Underworld a bit better, she would not rely on Annis' help or Hades' mercy to be free.
She would find her own way.