A/N - Another update? So soon?! How can this be? Thank you to all of you who reviewed and faved and followed my last chapter. You guys rock my socks off! Happy reading and keep sending the love :)
HADES
The Elysian Fields called him, or rather, the company of an immortal who resided in the realm of the Underworld reserved for heroes and mortals who shared blood with the gods. Hades could consider him a friend of a sorts. This particular person had no qualms about being brutally honest with Hades and he was one of the few that Hades would allow to be so frank with him.
Though, it was a risk coming to this individual. He was not known for his tame and chaste tongue. Even so, he spoke honestly and did not shy away from speaking the truth to spare feelings; it was useful to have a companion such as that when one was ruling an entire realm.
And Hades did not have to search far to find him.
"Have you come for my council, fearsome Lord of the Underworld? If so, I have only one thing to say to you. What a damn, silly fool you are."
Hades had hardly entered past the ornate white marble gates that led to Elysium when a taunting voice drifted from above him. He turned to find the source of the voice and spotted a man perched on one of the ancient, gnarled olive trees that grew just inside the entrance. He was sitting on one of the twisted branches, just above Hades.
"I see that my situation has not escaped your notice," Hades observed dryly as the man hopped down on to the ground.
"My eyes and ears all over this realm have never failed me," the man replied with a smirk decorating his, clean shaven, youthful face. To any mortal, he might have been an ordinary man, apart from his unusual color of hair, but Hades knew that this was Rhadamanthus; a son of Zeus and judge of the Underworld.
The immortal's long, white-blond hair fluttered in the air as he sidled over next to Hades.
"You have gotten yourself into quite a predicament, Lord Hades." His icy blue eyes glittered with mischief as he spoke.
"Indeed I have. Your counsel is…" Hades let out a dry laugh. "Well, as usual, it will be considered. Do you have any words of wisdom for me, old friend?"
"Yes in fact, I do, but I can't be sure that whatever I tell you will differ than what you already know." Rhadamanthus took a few steps over to the olive tree and casually leaned against it.
"And what is it that you think I already know?" Hades followed the other god over to the tree and stepped in front of him, crossing his arms defensively over his chest.
"You cannot keep the young goddess here forever in this strange suspension; either you make her a part of this world or send her back to hers."
"Damn it." Hades cursed. "I do already know this! I do not need to be reminded. And you should know that what you suggest is not that simple and you know it."
"You came to me for advice, this is what I have to tell you," the god shrugged, unruffled by Hades' frustration. "Now, what makes it so complicated? When I say it, it seems rather straightforward."
"You know that I am bound by this realm's rules just as much as its subjects. And if I change the rules, let somebody leave the Underworld, then I compromise my standing as a ruler. I make myself weak in the eyes of others." Hades explained. Even as he stated his case, it fell hollow on his own ears. They were all just excuses. Cowardice. Weak reasons to not face the troubles that he had caused.
"Then are you willing to let another one make that choice for you?" Rhadamanthus questioned. There was an implication in his question that caused Hades to grow cross.
"What are you getting at?" Hades grumbled, internally denying what he knew the god was trying to say.
"If you don't make a choice, then Demeter will push Zeus to get involved. Do you really want that? If you are trying to save face by not compromising control of your realm and breaking your own rules, how well does your credibility hold up when somebody has to force you to do it?"
A breath of air that Hades had not realized that he had been holding back escaped his lips in a heavy sigh. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose with his finger and thumb. It was not Zeus that concerned him; the god of gods had never set foot in this Underworld and likely never would. Either he would drag his feet on addressing the issue or not even care one bit that Hades had taken a woman for himself.
Demeter was who worried him. Rhadamanthus was right. She would be the one to push the indifferent Zeus into action, if only to make her stop bothering him. And if Zeus would do nothing, then she would surely take action into her own hands. A part of him was secretly shocked that Demeter had not already swooped down into the Underworld herself and taken her daughter back.
Neither one was desirable. He dreaded each option that was before him. But as much as Hades knew that this choice might have to be made for him if he did not act soon...
"I can't let her go. Not yet…" He breathed. Now his fingers stroked his beard. "I am a damn silly fool. Now that she's here, a selfish part of me hopes that…"
Hades let his wishes trail off into silence. There would be no point in finishing that fantasy. Persephone would never chose to stay here of her own accord. Rhadamanthus already sensed what Hades was too cowardly to say.
"Do not wait for the goddess to decide what she wants. If you want her here, then keep her here. Force her to stay. Trick her into consuming food or drink and then bind her here for eternity. That would only strengthen your credibility as the dreaded god of death; the dark god who deceives young maidens into being his bride."
"Never." His voice was a quiet rumble of thunder. "That is not acceptable. I will never stoop so low to get the things that I desire."
The laugh that Rhadamanthus allowed to fall out of his mouth was mocking.
"Did you not do just that by bringing her to your home in the first place?" His question was a jab to Hades' heart and he glowered menacingly at the god.
"It was a mistake. A brash decision made in the heat of the moment."
"Why did you do it then?"
"I was about to be discovered and I…"
Why had he done it? That moment seemed as if it happened ages ago, in a different lifetime. He recalled the voices of the Nymphs calling out to Persephone and the panic that rose inside of him.
"I feared that if Demeter caught wind of me seeking out her daughter, then she would take her away to a place where I would not find her. Then...then I would never see her again. In that moment, I chose my selfish desires over Persephone's wellbeing. I acted."
"And you acted foolishly." Rhadamanthus finished for Hades. "Now you have to chose a path to follow. Do not waste your time, Lord Hades. Act fast and decide before Zeus does it for you." He pondered his own words for a second and then a devilish grin spread across his face.
"Perhaps I should pay this Persephone a visit. I've heard how lovely the goddess is. If you won't act, then perhaps I will. Maybe she will turn to me for comfort and decide to stay in the Elysian Fields. It is possible. You know how irresistible I can be."
Hades did not even feel his own feet move as he swiftly closed the space between him and Rhadamanthus. His face hovered inches from his smirking features.
"Don't you touch her." He growled threateningly. "I am not ignorant to how you are with the ones you desire."
"Look at you, worrying about her wellbeing when you were the one who put her in more danger than anyone else," Rhadamanthus was still grinning. "I'm not the one she needs to worry about. It's you who ruined her life."
"Don't you dare test me." Hades clenched his fists until his fingers dug into his palm, forcing his every muscle to refrain from striking this smiling bastard.
"Oh, you're far too serious, Lord Hades. I would not risk stirring your ire by laying a finger on your prize, but you are far too fun to tease." Rhadamanthus was enjoying himself far too much and Hades was finished with him. He turned his back to his companion and wordlessly marched away from him.
"Have you had enough of me?" Rhadamanthus called to his retreating back.
"I have had enough of everything," Hades mumbled only loud enough for himself to hear.
He needed to rest from all this madness he had created. His chambers were calling him. Hades stalked back through the marble gates, wove through the Asphodel Fields and made his way into the forest that separated his home and the rest of the Underworld. Scenes of what had just happened in this tranquil place flashed through his thoughts; Persephone running away from him, chasing her so that she wouldn't come to any harm, sitting in front of her, finally feeling the soft skin of her cheeks in his hand—
"So why did you take her?"
A roguish voice from the shadows of the trees rudely interrupted his thoughts. Hades whirled around to see a tall, slim figure emerge from behind one of the countless pine trees. Minthe smoothly glided her way over to Hades and took her place at his side, matching her pace with his.
"That is none of your concern," he grumbled in response. Hades was in no mood to deal with her now. Minthe edged closer to him until her shoulder was brushing against his. Hades in turn changed his pace so that he was not so close to her.
"Maybe I should rephrase that question, since it is obvious why you took her," Minthe cooly replied, unphased by his obviously displeased tone of voice. "The real question is, why that little goddess in particular?"
Hades could not help but sigh at Minthe's insistence.
"Rephrasing the question still doesn't change the fact that this is none of your concern," was Hades' exasperated reply. Together they ambled slowly through the forest, the only noises around them was the sound of their voices and footfalls on the ground littered with pine needles.
"She's special to you, but I'm trying to figure out why." Minthe mused aloud, her voice playful and teasing, but Hades was not amused by her antics. He could not stop picturing her on top of Persephone's chest, holding that dagger to her neck. His heart surged with anger when he remembered the look of terror on the goddess' face.
"What makes you believe that she's special to me?" Hades demanded roughly. Minthe suddenly swooped in front of him, stopping Hades in his tracks.
"Because I saw it." Her voice was not playful anymore. The striking features of her face were pulled into a grimace. "In the forest, just after you returned. You and her were together for a moment before she ran away. There was a look in your eyes that I had never seen before."
"And what look was that?" Hades challenged, wondering just how much Minthe saw in that moment. He bristled at the idea of Minthe, of anyone for that matter, catching him in such a private moment, spying on him when he was at his most vulnerable and seeing a side of him that he preferred to keep hidden.
"Love." Minthe stated bluntly, the word spat from her mouth like poison. "You gazed at her with love."
And with that, Hades pushed past Minthe and stormed off. He wanted to get away from her, from Rhadamanthus, from everyone. Embarrassment burned his cheeks. Frustration nagged at his senses. The slow-burning ember inside of him was quickly igniting into a blaze.
Minthe would not let him escape so easily. She chased after him, taking three strides for his every one.
"And I became jealous when I saw that!" Minthe cried while she trotted behind him. "Never once in our time together, did you come close to anything like love. Passion, yes, Lust, of course. We were companions who greatly enjoyed one another's company, but there was nothing more than that. Why do you love her and you never loved me?"
Hades stopped in his tracks. Was she honestly going to bring this up again? Now, of all times? Minthe nearly ran into him when he stopped so abruptly. He exhaled a steadying breath, willing himself to cool his own ire.
"Minthe," the god started in a steady, but firm voice. "First, I will say again that this is NONE of your concern. Whatever you think you saw is not your business. Secondly, I thought that I told you to not bring this up again. You keep insisting that we talk about it. You keep insisting that we are not finished. I have to tell you time and time again that whatever happened between us ages ago is finished."
"I keep insisting because I refuse to believe that we are done!" Minthe protested. She moved in front of Hades once more, fixing him with her emerald irises. She lightly placed her hand on his chest. "I want to go back to how we were. How can you so easily forget us?" She gazed up at Hades, her expression softening and the tone of her voice laced with desire.
Hades took her wrist and simply moved her hand off his chest. It was not a rough or forceful move, but Hades hoped that he made it certain she was not welcome to touch him that she was not to do that again.
"From the very beginning, you told me that you did not want my love. You told me that there was nothing more to it than what we made it. You were the one who decided to walk away. You were the one who left to find true love with someone else. Why would I return to the one who so easily cast me aside?
Minthe shook her head, making her wild red hair spilling all over her shoulders.
"Because I regret it every second," she admitted. "I've long since come to my senses and realized that it was you who I wanted all along. Please don't turn me away. Please don't find comfort in the arms of another."
Minthe's pleas fell on Hades' ears and he unwittingly felt his heart clench with pity. He might have been the god of the Underworld, but his heart was not dead and cold. He hated to hear the desperation in her voice, but Hades knew that he could not help her. His mind was made up. There would be no going back, and truth be told, he resented that she was trying to make room in his heart for herself again when he had made it clear dozens of time that she was not welcome.
"Why is it that you are free to follow your heart, but mine must be bound to yours and yours only? How fair is it that I was supposed to wait for you to change your mind and come back to me, while you came and went as you pleased?" Hades asked Minthe. He was careful to keep himself level-headed as he spoke to her, trying not to wound her any further than she already was. He just needed her to understand why he had made his choice. But as Minthe continued to press the matter, it seemed to Hades that she would continue to refuse his denial.
"Because I was a fool to think that anyone else could suffice," Minthe reasoned. "Now, I covet your love. I've wanted it for myself for so long, and when I see you easily give it to a woman that you don't even know, how can I keep myself from feeling jealousy? I will always fight for what I want."
"You cannot force love simply because you want it," Hades sighed before closing his eyes and raking his fingers through his hair. That advice coming from him was hollow and empty. It was a lesson that was still too freshly learned. "Trust me. Nothing good can come of you forcing your desires on another." Hades could only hope that Minthe would heed his warning seriously. "Hear my words, Minthe. Our chance for love has long since passed. This pursuit of me must end."
"Hades!" His name was a plea from her lips. "Please give me another chance. Surely, you haven't forgotten our time together. Don't you remember how we were?"
Once more, Minthe raised her finger to brush against his face, but Hades grabbed her before she could touch him.
"I remember," he murmured deeply as he held her hand. "I remember that there was a time when you could be so informal with me but…" Hades allowed her hand to fall from his grasp where it hung limply at her side.
"But you must remember, Minthe, that things are different now. Too much time has passed and my feelings have changed. I am Lord Hades to you, and Lord Hades only. That is how it will be."
Those green eyes welled with tears and her skin flushed red beneath her freckles.
"I'm sorry to hurt you like this. Truly. I'm sorry to cause you pain." He dared to take a step closer, not to initiate affection but for Minthe to see how serious his next command would be.
"But you must know your role in my realm. Don't stray from it. And don't cause any harm to anyone in my kingdom. Do you know what I am speaking of?"
She blinked back her tears and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I haven't the slightest clue what you mean." Minthe snipped. Hades groaned inwardly. She had to make this difficult.
"I know you, Minthe. I know that you are no fool. You know exactly what I mean. This is your final warning." Hades looked over her and he saw the haughtiness in her expression falter.
"Stay away from her."
The weight of this sentence could be felt in the still air of the forest.
"And if I don't?" Minthe toyed with his threat, cocking her head to the side and peering up at hades through her lashes.
"I did not punish you for your earlier actions, but if I hear another word of you laying so much as a finger on her again, you will regret it."
Minthe let out a "humph" and flipped her long scarlet locks over her shoulder. She rolled her eyes before turning back to Hades.
"You wouldn't do anything. You're not like the other gods."
Hades closed the space between them until they were toe-to-toe. Minthe wanted to be close to him, but this looming, angry god was not what she had in mind.
"You are right," he darkly agreed. "I am not like the other gods. I do not dole out cruel punishments on a whim or for the smallest infractions. I am just. I am fair. I am merciful. But there is a reason why being the god of the Underworld suits me best. I am not one to be crossed, Minthe. My punishments are fearsome. You should know this." Hades scowled down at the Nymph, who fearlessly matched his stare.
"Do not test my mercy." He warned with a harsh whisper. Minthe narrowed her eyes and wrinkled her nose in displeasure.
"You would be so protective of the one you love? But not of the one who used to share your bed?" She hissed like a snake. Those words were biting. Accusing. Carefully chosen daggers meant to strike deep.
Hades straightened up and backed away from Minthe like he had just been stung. "Enough. Leave me." He ordered, not caring to keep his frustration at bay any longer.
"Hades, wait. I'm sorry—" Minthe hastily tried to ease his temper, but he was having none of it.
"Now," Hades demanded. "And do not address me so informally again." He would not budge until Minthe did first. She stood there for a few seconds, unsure if she should leave or attempt to console him, but after one last withering glare from Hades, she decided against it. Wordlessly, the Nymph slipped back into the shadows of the trees.
For the entire way back to the manor, Hades was fuming. Minthe was an expert at getting under his skin, at anyone's skin for that matter. She was unafraid of challenging authority and crossing boundaries. Minthe knew no way of controlling her mouth or her temper. For as long as Hades had known the Nymph, even far before their brief liaison, she loved to make him angry. It was a sport for her and Hades hated it.
But now it needed to come to an end. He had no room for any other problems or irritations in his life. Things were too complicated, too strained for him. He was stretched thin. Once Hades reached the manor, he threw aside the doors to this throne room and stormed inside, his destination his chamber.
Until he saw the lone figure, like a startled deer caught by a hunter, standing alone in front of his throne. Hades stopped when he spotted her. His breath caught in his lungs and Hades felt his heart drop to his knees.
Persephone.
A hazel gaze pierced his senses and Hades longed to bring himself to her side. The fear and anger that Persephone exuded when she had seen him earlier was gone. Instead she was unsure of herself, timid in his presence. She nervously rubbed her hands over her arms that were crossed protectively over her chest.
The two of them both remained silent as they stared at one another in the empty hall. Persephone's mouth fell open as if about to speak, but no sound came from her lips. Hades wanted to do everything at once; to leave her be, to spill every ounce of his feelings for her, to gather her in his arms, to apologize for taking her. All of it lingered on the tip of his tongue, ready to spout of like a spring bursting from the earth. But nothing that he wanted to say or do would make any sense.
So he said the only clear thing that came to his mind.
"Look up."
Persephone blinked a few times, comprehending his words, clearly not expecting him to say that.
"W-what?" The goddess stammered. Hades just calmly repeated himself.
"Look up."
And Hades watched as she hesitantly tilted her head upwards, his eyes following the way her neck gracefully curved, how her ash blonde hair fell off her shoulders, how the soft gray of her robes flowed around her body like mist in the dawn. Hades wanted to graze his fingers over the skin of her jaw. He wanted to—
"Oh!" Persephone exclaimed. His wandering mind eased out of where he had been going with his fantasy. He fixed his sights on her face, watching her timidity melt into pleasant surprise.
"I hadn't noticed before." Hades did not have to look up himself to know what she was seeing. It was his favorite feature of his home; the ceiling of his throne room was open to the forever twilight sky above. The dusky shades of purple and blue swirled above the pair as Persephone marveled at the sight.
"It's beautiful." She murmured, in awe of the dusky sky. Then her lips curled up and there was a spark of life in her eyes that Hades had not yet seen since she had been here.
Her genuine smile warmed his heart. There was one more sight that he wanted to show her; one more piece of his home that he hoped she would find joy in.
"I want to show you something else," Hades grew closer to her as he spoke. Instantly, Persephone snapped her head away from the sky and fixed Hades with a suspicious glare. The spell was broken. The fleeting peace of the moment was gone.
"What else?" Persephone's brow was furrowed. Hades would not be deterred. If she could find at least some happiness here in the Underworld, could he change her mind about staying? Could he change her mind about him?
"Come with me." Despite himself, Hades stretched out his hand to Persephone, offering his hand to the goddess. When they were in the Asphodel Fields, Persephone had ordered him to never touch her again. He would not touch her again if that was what she wished, but perhaps would she touch him?
Persephone glared at his outstretched fingers and seemed to wrap her arms around herself more tightly.
"Where?" She demanded softly.
"You will come to no harm," Hades assured. "Just, please, come with me." Persephone regarded him for a moment more. Then she conceded, saying yes in a whisper that was hardly heard. Hades' hand was still open to her, but she walked right past it. It did not matter to him that she denied his touch; it mattered to him that she was trusting him enough to go with him alone. And truly, no harm would come to her.
A courtyard was settled in the middle of the manor. The garden was vast and diverse, growing foliage and fruits and flowers from all over the god and goddesses' earthly realm. It was easy to get lost in, easy to believe that one had been taken to a different place altogether. It was easy to forget that you were in the Underworld when you were there. That was why Hades thought to bring Persephone here; not only was she a goddess of Spring and would appreciate this display of greenery, but he wanted to set her at ease and bring a part of home to her.
Persephone was speechless as they explored the courtyard together, but Hades saw how her shoulders relaxed when she was enveloped within the familiar sights of the world above. She stopped when they came to a fruit bearing tree. The thin trunk twisted as it grew upward, ending in a burst of long, green leaves where scarlet fruit hung from the branches.
"These are my favorites," Persephone extended her hand and held one of the heavy pomegranates in her palm. "What a gorgeous fruit. I've never seen one so rich and red before. If I could, I would take one for myself but…"
Her voice, though solemn, was like music to his ears. Hades wanted to relish in the sound of her voice so close to him. As she spoke, Persephone tore her gaze away from the fruit in her hand and turned her face to Hades.
"It would bind me here forever if I did," the goddess lamented. "I would have no chance of leaving. Annis told me. She warned me."
"Annis spoke the truth," Hades somberly replied. "And for that I am glad. I would not have wanted you to be deceived."
"How strange that you say that to me," Persephone let go of the pomegranate and turned to Hades. He stilled the beating of his heart as she closed the gap between them. Every inch of his body burned with anticipation as she drew the fingers of her right to him, placing them lightly on his shoulder.
"How strange that you care if I am deceived by consuming this fruit, but you are the one who brought me here in the first place. If you wanted me so badly, then why would you not do everything in your power to keep me here against my will?"
Hades did not reply. He couldn't. Her touch was far too distracting for him to form a coherent thought. Instead, his own hand flew to grasp hers, closing around the smooth skin of her fingers.
And as quickly as he had touched her, Hades let her go.
"I am sorry." He hastily apologized, stepping away from Persephone. Her nearness was clouding his mind and he needed to give himself space.
"You're sorry?" Persephone's eyelids fluttered in confusion. "For what?"
"You told me not to touch you again. I acted against your wishes and held your hand."
"You…you would respect that? You would not touch me if I told you not to?" Persephone was stunned. She placed her hand over her heart and stared at Hades with wide eyes. The wheels in her mind were frantically turning, and she shook her head in disbelief.
"It has been said to me that you are different from the other gods," she started in awe. "This is the first time that I've seen proof of it. Maybe it is as Annis has told me."
Her gaze locked with his and for the first time since she had spotted him in the shadows, she did not look at him with fear or apprehension or anger. He could not say what he saw gazing back at him, but her words that she spoke next made his heart beat faster.
"Maybe, you actually are different."
Hades did not reply. He ached to hold her hand once more, but he refrained. If Persephone was waiting for him to say or do something, she did not wait long. Once again, she stepped into his space, carefully choosing how close she came to him.
"Tell me this then; am I still trapped here? Will you not let me go home?" The hope in her question tugged at his heart. Hades closed his eyes, rubbing his fingers with his temples and he exhaled a steady breath.
"That is not a simple matter," he tried to explain. "Once you have entered the Underworld, it is impossible to leave. Annis surely explained this to you as well. I have made a terrible mistake that cannot be easily fixed." Hades lowered his hand and opened his eyes to see a forlorn face staring up at him.
"I am sorry to have done this to you, Persephone."
The sound of her name coming from his mouth, being said in his voice, seemed to move something inside the goddess. Her skin turned red and she glanced down at the ground, all while running her fingers through the ends of her hair. .
"I just want to go home," she muttered to the ground. "All will be forgiven if you just take me home. Please, Hades."
How terribly he wanted to hold her now, as his name spilled from her lips. Persephone lifted her head up and for the last time, stared intently into his eyes. For what seemed like a lifetime, they stood together in that garden. A strange suspension, as Rhadamanthus would have called it, neither one willing to walk away but neither wanting to linger. Their limbs were frozen in place, but there was fire in the air between them, the unspoken feelings and emotions burning through the thick tension in the garden of the Underworld.
So this chapter was fun; I liked introducing more of the characters of the Underworld (so excited to give you guys more of Rhadamanthus - he will definitely come back in future chapters) and I was eager to explore more of Minthe's character. I don't want her to be a one dimensional character who just hates Persephone/is jealous of her arbitrarily. I hoped that this chapter gave her a bit more dimension and motivation behind her actions. Also, I think that after this chapter, things will really start to pick up. Thank you X 567456 for reading my story and I hope that you come back for more!