AN - another round of nanowrimo under my belt and another chapter fresh off the presses for you lovely readers! Thanks for all the love for the last chapter! Enjoy and happy, happy reading for all my new and returning readers.
Hades
He could not remember a time that he was happier than he was in these present days.
Hades sat on his seat in the throne room. The weather outside had turned gloomy, but not because of any mood that was tied to Hades. It was a natural part of the cycle of the Underworld's atmosphere. He could have stopped it if he wanted to, but Hades sometimes preferred the gloom. Something about the mist and rain pouring from the clouds above was peaceful and sadly beautiful. And he was in a mood to enjoy something pensive.
Not only that, but the rain was driving everyone inside. He also found himself in the mood for company; something rare for him, but since he was in such good spirits, Hades wanted to be around those he cared for.
There was a large gathering of immortals in the throne room with him. A group of Nymphs and goddesses were lounging on chaises and cushions around a brazier in the middle of the room, enjoying the gentle flames staving off the chill of the air. Around him, sat a few gods. They were conversing quietly, but Hades was only half listening to them.
His attention kept drifting over to a certain goddess who sat beside the brazier. Her blonde hair was illuminated in a shade of stunning gold by the flickering flames and she was laughing at something one of the other Nymphs had said.
He loved to see her happy. After everything she had endured, Hades wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.
She was largely the reason why his spirits were high and his mood was unusually light. The past few weeks had brought him an unexpected joy; spending time with Persephone more than he ever had before. The goddess seemed to seek out his company as much as he sought out hers in return.
And she never took off his ring. He had seen it adorn her thumb every time they were together. Even now, he watched as she idly twirled it on her finger. It made his heart burst with happiness. He tried not to let his mind go wild with what it meant for her keeping his ring, but Hades could only let himself hope that it meant good things. Even if those good things were merely an acceptance of friendship. Of course, he would love to be more than just her friend…
He wanted to be the one she gave her heart to. He wanted her at his side, during the day and during the night. He wanted to be her everything.
But if she could live her life in his world without loathing him, Hades would be satisfied with something as simple as a friendship. Her happiness was all that mattered to him, even if he was a part of that happiness or not. Even if her happiness meant that she found love in the arms of another.
Though his wicked heart hoped that man would be anyone but Rhadamanthus.
A fortnight had passed since the god showed him disrespect at the judging. A few days after the incident, the silver-haired snake had slunk back to the amphitheater. He acted as if nothing at all had happened, but he largely ignored Hades, who did not give a whit that Rhadamanthus was giving him the cold shoulder. If anything, he found himself glad for this change in attitude. It was better than having those poisonous whispers in his ear.
Nyx did try to warn him that this change might be a warning sign that things were about to shift yet again; Rhadamanthus could be luring him into a false sense of security to make Hades think that he had given up.
Hades was pulled out of his thoughts as one of the gods sitting beside him asked him a question. They drew him into their talk and for the moment, he was distracted. Hades enjoyed the company of his friends for a while before the topic eventually changed and Hades slowly eased himself out of their conversation.
His focused drifted back to Persephone. She was unknowingly distracting him. His heart would not rest easy. He kept turning his mind to a conversation that they had only the day before.
One in which they talked about Rhadamanthus.
Hades vowed to never bring up Rhadamanthus with Persephone. It would be her choice to talk of him if she wished, and he did not want to impose himself in any unwelcome ways by doing it himself.
What had compelled her to bring it up herself, he did not know and he did not press for the reason why, but Persephone sheepishly told him of the visit she had with Rhadamanthus in Elysian.
Persephone had mentioned to him that Rhadamanthus had only given her a whirlwind tour of Elysian and the Isle of the Blessed. He had been more interested in showing her a pavillion that he liked instead of anything else. Yet, what she said that stood out to her the most was how self-important Rhadamanthus made himself out to be. Persephone did not say as much with her words but it was her description of his demeanor and admitting the things that he said which gave Hades this impression.
Right then and there, Hades made a plan. Rhadamanthus made grandiose claims to Persephone that he was the rightful owner of that part of the Underworld, but that was far from the truth. He was merely the guardian of Elysian, only given his powers, immortality, and titles by the grace of gods greater than him. And he acted as if Hades had no hand in creating the world at all.
Hades and Rhadamanthus had become friends over creating that world together. Long ago, before the god gave himself over to arrogance and his companionship was something to be desired. Now it seemed as though Rhadamanthus was leaving that part out of his story to impress the goddess.
Hades wanted to show Persephone the wonders of Elysian since Rhadamanthus was too preoccupied with showing her the wonders of himself to do it properly.
"Where are you taking me?"
A gentle voice full of curiosity rang out over dew covered fields of rolling green hills. Hades was leading Persephone through the Asphodel Fields. Her arm was wrapped tightly around his and her hazel eyes were observing the scenery with interest.
He was grateful that she allowed him this small closeness. He hoped that he was not overstepping his boundaries by offering his arm to her. But Persephone was at ease while holding on to his arm. She showed no signs of being uncomfortable with his touch or being so near him.
They were heading down a path familiar to him, and likely familiar to her.
"We are going somewhere you have been before, but I wanted you to see it again." Hades answered her with an air of mystery. But the goddess was not to be fooled.
"You are taking me to Elysian, aren't you?"
Hades only nodded in reply. She gave him a funny look in which she wrinkled her nose and tilted her head to the side to show her confusion, but she muttered a simple "very well, then," conceding to whatever plan he had in store for her. They came to the shining white gates, which opened up for Hades as he approached.
"Does Rhadamanthus know that we are here?" Persephone questioned with an air of hesitation.
"No. He does not." Hades confessed as the two of them strolled past the gates and into the grove of olive trees. "But I do not need an invitation to enter Elysian. Rhadamanthus may be the guardian of Elysian, but I am still god of this realm. And since you did not get to see the full splendor of the world, I wanted to show you."
Persephone hummed thoughtfully as she studied the ancient, gnarled trees as their branches twisted together above them. She still seemed doubtful of being here. Hades wondered what was causing her to be so hesitant.
Until she carefully ventured a quiet question.
"Will we run into our friend while we are here?" Her arm tensed beneath his touch as she asked, her words betraying a worry that he could not quite understand. Hades wondered if she feared a confrontation between him and the other god.
"That is not likely," Hades told her. "He is busy, and will be busy for the remainder of the day."
Hades had made sure of it. He assigned Rhadamanthus to take his place as the lead judge for that day. Of course, the god had jumped at the opportunity to be in charge. Anything to take power for himself. Hades fought the urge to roll his eyes when some of that notorious Rhadamanthus arrogance returned as he made some cutting remark that was meant to insult him.
He could hardly feel insulted when he was about to spend the day with Persephone. Hades put the other man far from his mind to focus on enjoying his present company, and showing her the parts of Elysian that she missed.
"And you promise that we are not intruding?" Perspehone asked dubiously as they traversed the winding path through the grove.
"Not at all." Hades tried his best to reassure her.
"He made it seems as though this place was his and his alone."
"Then he was mistaken." How dare he mislead her to make himself out to be more than what he was. How insulting to her intelligence for him to try and deceive her. "Elysian is a facet of the Underworld, but it is a part of the Underworld all the same."
Persephone was eased somewhat by his reassurance and she let her arm relax. Hades guided her further into Elysian. He asked her where she had been before and Persephone told him that they took a path by a cluster of small buildings. Hades decided to take her a different way; down the other side of the river.
They walked slowly as he explained to her how he and Rhadamanthus built this world themselves. At first, Elysian had been much like Asphodel. Nothing more than wild scenery with a few rivers running through it. But when Rhadamanthus was granted the task of guardian of Elysian and he came to the Underworld with his dramatic flair and penchant for beauty, the world changed. The scenery was cultivated into the wonderful garden-like beauty she saw now. Buildings and fountains and pavilions were constructed for the souls to spend their days lounging and socializing and enjoying their afterlife. Rhadamanthus took pride in this world, even though he greatly needed Hades' power to accomplish his vision. Hades admitted to her that this afterlife needed the touch of flair that Rhadamanthus had to offer. Though he much preferred the wildness of the Underworld, he did admire the pristine loveliness of Elysian.
They traversed to the Isle of the Blessed, where she had been before but only saw a tiny, insignificant portion of it. Hades took her further into the Isle. He explained to her that the island looked like any other island from the outside, but once they were on the land, the world expanded to hold all the wonders within. He showed her the elegant, ethereal buildings built from the purest of marble. She had the pleasure of meeting Heroes of the mortal world, who she had only heard of from stories told to her by Nymphs.
Hades taught her that not every heroic figure on earth was able to come to the Isle. When a mortal soul had been granted Elysian, they were given a choice; to stay in Elysian or to go back to the mortal world to live life anew. If a person's soul was lucky enough to live a life worthy of Elysian three times, then they were granted to live out their eternity in the Isle.
Persephone and Hades did not linger long on the Isle. Once he had shown her everything that he believed she needed to see, they went back to where that boat was waiting for them. The small vessel cut through the clear, cold water and Hades marveled at the goddess at his side.
When her unease faded, she had come to life, becoming the vibrant woman he was falling in love with more and more each day. She smiled and laughed and listened to his tales. There was none of the apprehension that darkened their interactions before.
Persephone was herself with him, and nothing made him happier than knowing that in some way, she accepted him. Now, with the wind in her hair and the spray of the waves glistening of her cheeks, he thought that nothing in Elysian or on the Isle could compare to her beauty.
The boat dutifully stopped at its place on the opposite shore, and it was decided that they go back to the gates. They met a few more immortal souls along the way, saying hello to Hades and staring curiously at the goddess at his side. As they traveled past the pavilion where the souls were frolicking, Hades spotted two beings that he had not expected to see so quickly.
His fellow judges. He expected them to be tied up with their duties for at least a few more hours, but no matter. The two spotted Hades and they made their way over to him. They gave him a brief overview of what happened in the judging, littered with a few unveiled complaints about their third judge.
Persephone watched with wide curious eyes while they all discussed matters of judgement. Once the conversation came to a pause, Hades had the chance to introduce Persephone to the other judges of the Underworld; Minos and Aeacus.
Minos was the eldest looking figure of all the judges, with his white curly hair and snowy beard. He wore a diadem on top of his mane of white and he carried himself with a dignified, if not haughty, air. He remained aloof and uninterested in the goddess
Aeacus was more subdued in his appearance. He seemed nothing more than an ordinary man caught in the middle of his life. Gray woven through dark blond locks and a smattering of scruff growing on his chin. He was polite with Persephone and even asked her a few questions about himself.
Soon, Hades and Persephone said their goodbyes to the judges and headed back to the olive grove. As they took their leave of the judges, Hades told her that Aecus was rumoured to be a brother of Rhadamanthus but neither one were eager to claim the other. But Persephone only idly nodded.
The worry had returned to her face. "If those two are here, then it means that Rhadamanthus will be here as well," Persephone asked nervously as they left the two judges behind.
"Why are you concerned about him?"
"I cannot say." She said with a shrug of her slender shoulders, in a poor attempt to hide her unease. "I am just worried about running into him."
What was she not saying? Hades did not push her for more, but instead tried to reassure the worry she would not speak aloud.
"All will be well. I promise."
But Persephone was not listening to him anymore. Her hazel eyes were wide and she let out a little groan of displeasure.
"Well… I hope you are right, because we are about to have company." Persephone replied wryly, looking off into the distance at something. Startled, Hades followed her gaze, all the way to the line of olive trees. There, slinking out of the grove came the last being that he wanted to see in this moment.
Rhadamanthus.
He was wearing a tight smile as he casually strolled down the same path that Hades and Persephone were taking. His eyes were steely as they flickered back and forth between the two immortals.
"Persephone. Lord Hades." He addressed the two of them with his voice pinched and strained. "What are you two doing here in the Elysian Fields?"
Persephone was tense once again as all three of them came to a stop.
"I was showing Persephone this part of the Underworld." Hades answered innocently. "It seemed as though there was much she missed while she was visiting here with you."
"We were distracted by each other's company." He narrowed his eyes as he gave Hades a venomous smile. The implication hung in the air, the tension as heavy as the atmosphere before a wicked storm. Hades could feel Persephone growing more rigid by the second. Her skin was as pale as Rhadamanthus' hair. But she would not see Hades stoop to join in a confrontation with Rhadamanthus. He would make sure of it.
"Persephone, now that you are here, will you stay?" Rhadamanthus had sauntered over to the goddess, who watched him warily. "I am sure that our dear Lord Hades has neglected duties to attend to."
Now it was Persephone who glanced back and forth between the two.
"Are you ushering me out?" He asked calmly. If he was not wanted… then so be it. He would speak to this god later about kicking him out of a place that rightfully belonged to him. This insubordination was getting out of hand, but it would be best to deal with it privately when Persephone was already so openly frightened of Hades and Rhadamanthus being in the same place with her.
"Not at all. Just inviting Persephone to stay if she feels the urge to leave." Rhadamanthus wanted to reach out to her. He wanted to touch her. His fingers were twitching as they dangled only inches away from her hand.
"Persephone." Hades spoke her name calmly. He gave her arm the most reassuring, gentle pressure. His heart was aching but he smiled down at her. "You are free to do as you wish," he told her with the utmost honesty. He meant what he said. Persephone was under no obligation to him. She was free to stay with Rhadamanthus, and he hoped that she had no doubt about his sincerity.
Even as he declared this to her, he could not help the way his heart sank as he felt Persephone unwind her arm from his. She dropped it to hang limply at her side. Her face was unreadable as she regarded Rhadamanthus. He could see the wheels turning in her head, but what those thoughts entailed, he could not guess.
"I did tell Nyx that I would meet with her soon…" Persephone started off reluctantly. She glanced hesitantly at Rhadamanthus, who could tell that this was her way of gently letting him down.
Rage flashed in those icy eyes but it cooled quickly before Persephone could see.
But Hades saw. Rhadamanthus could not hide it from him.
"Very well," he answered in a clipped tone. "It would be bad manners to keep her waiting."
Persephone looked relieved. She smiled at him and made a promise to come see him as soon as she could. Rhadamanthus thanked her and boldly reached for her hand. Hades bit the inside of his mouth so hard that he nearly drew blood. But to all outside appearances, he seemed to watch calmly as Persephone blushed at the action.
Hades could not stop the flood of thoughts that tried to drown him.
He could not let himself become jealous or insecure. He could not give in to the way he wanted to shove Rhadamanthus away and order him to never speak to Persephone again.
That was not the kind of god he wanted to be.
So he stood there, biting his mouth and keeping his racing mind from running away. The only consolation he could find was that if anything happened to Persephone because of Rhadamanthus, he would be justified in any punishment the other god would receive.
He would protect her if anything ever went wrong. He just hoped that he would never have to.
Persephone pulled her hand out of Rhadamanthus', still blushing even as she turned to Hades and muttered that she was ready to go.
He had to accept her choices. He promised her that he would.
And he would do anything to make sure that she was happy, no matter what the cost would be to him.
Her heart was black as night and heavy as a stone.
Nothing had cut her so deeply than watching Hades enjoy himself with that wench. There was a peace to his aura that she had not yet seen before.
Never. Not even with her.
She was losing. Everything was falling around at her feet.
Minthe was waiting for Rhadamanthus at the pavillion he so loved. She knew he would come here. He would come here, and he could not be able to brush aside her worries as he did during their last meeting.
She was seated on a bench, her chin resting on her laced fingers. Her mind was going through every single attempt that the both of them had made; every attempt that only seemed to draw Hades closer to that wretched little girl. How could this have happened? How could they have failed so spectacularly?
At long last, Rhadamanthus stomped into the pavillion, not taking notice of his visitor at first. She could tell that he was lost in angry thoughts by the stormy look on his face. He stormed past her to the other side of the pavilion and leaned against one of the pillars.
"Did you see who came to Elysian for a romantic stroll amongst the souls?" Minthe called out sardonically to catch his attention. He jumped at the sudden sound of her voice, glancing over his shoulder to see who had spoken. Then he frowned when he spotted her.
"Of course I saw." Rhadamanthus spat hatefully back at the nymph before turning around and walking towards her.
Minthe hopped up from her seat and wasted no second before tearing into him. "I told you the plan was failing!" She berated hotly. "You did not believe me. You scoffed at me. And here is the proof, right before your eyes."
Rhadamanthus was not listening. He was lost in his thoughts once more, pacing back and forth over the stones.
"What plans do you have now? What are we to do? Or are you just going to wear a ditch in the ground while thinking?"
"Will you do me the pleasure of shutting up?" Rhadamanthus snapped venomously, not even looking up from his pacing. "I am trying to think!"
Minthe did not take well to this at all. She huffed angrily and planted herself in his path. He almost ran her down, stumbling over his own feet as he tried to make himself stop before he hit her.
"You are the one with the plans!" Minthe hotly argued before he had a chance to berate her for getting in his way. "You are the one who forbade me to make any more moves on my own! Since you are the only one who can do anything, then use your wisdom to figure out a new plan of attack!"
"A plan of attack?" He sneered. "Do not speak so much, your hopeless ignorance is revealed the more you talk. And how dare you act so wounded with me."
Rhadamanthus harshly shoved her out of his way. She would have fallen to the ground if she had not been able to catch herself on one of the pillars.
"I ordered you to do nothing because it is all your doing that the situation got worse! Now Lord Hades is traipsing around the world that rightfully belongs to me, with Persephone."
Minthe watched him with a vitriolic glare as she lowered herself to the bench beside the pillars. She had not wanted to believe how cruel of a nature he hid behind his cavalier facade. If she had listened to the women who had been on the receiving end of his worst self...
Once Hades was hers again, she would make certain that this scoundrel was punished for his treatment of her.
"That damned god," he resumed his pacing, growling like a caged beast. His hair flowed our behind him like pale, wispy clouds. "He fooled me by having me be in charge of the judgement today. I did not know that he had it in him to be so deceitful. Well, if he wants to play that game, then I must play it back."
"Meaning what." Minthe asked with her brow raised and her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Meaning that I must take full measures to ensure that Persephone will not be his. She must be mine. I must have her. And if I have her, then I have the leverage I need to remove this world from the Underworld. I can become a god in my own right. I will have everything… Persephone as my bride… Elysian all to myself… no longer existing under Hades' thumb. I cannot lose. I have to act."
"Which leaves me to do what, exactly?" She was getting tired of this man. Forming an alliance with him seemed a smart idea months ago, but his desperation was getting to be dangerous.
"Nothing. Just let me do my magic, and then that moody god will be yours soon enough."
Persephone
"He did not confront him?"
Annis was trotting along beside Persephone as they walked along a steep path by the River Styx. The rain had come to a stopping point and the friends decided to take a stroll while the weather was dry.
The goddess was trying to concentrate. She was sweeping her hand over the long, swaying grass that grew alongside the water. The grass was a pale shade of yellow, but Persephone was trying to make it turn into a vibrant green.
"No." Perspehone sighed as she summoned some of her power. The grass at her fingers seemed to follow her movements. Slowly, the green she wanted started to seep into the yellow.
But Annis was more interested in the tasty bit of gossip Perspehone had, and she wanted to hear all the delicious details.
"He did not berate him?" She questioned excitedly, digging for a scandalous tale.
As if there were any delicious details to divulge.
Perspehone feared that a meeting between Hades and Rhadamanthus would end in nasty words or fisticuffs. She had been petrified to see Rhadamanthus coming out of the olive grove and come their way. She expected him to be nasty. And he was, somewhat. She expected Hades to be angry and moody. The entire exchange was made with her hardly breathing because of her terrible nerves.
But she once again underestimated Hades' character. It was Rhadamanthus who tried to goad him into losing his temper, but Hades remained calm and collected.
Much to Annis' apparent dismay.
Persephone rolled her eyes as she answered. "No."
"He did not strike him with his fist?"
"No!" Perspehone groaned as she pulled herself from her task to fix Annis with an incredulous stare.
Annis was unphased. Her amber eyes were brimming with mischief as she grinned over at Persephone.
"How boring…"
"Annis, how could you say such a thing?" Persephone chided her friend but tried to stifle her laughter. Annis shrugged her shoulders and flashed her an innocent smile.
"Some women are rather enamored by the idea of two men fighting for her affection."
"Some women sound absolutely loony." Persephone countered, quickly turning away from Annis before she could see her blush. She still could not admit to her friend that she accepted Hades' feelings for her. And even more so how Rhadamanthus felt for her as well.
"I did not want an ugly confrontation over my affections. I do not care for that, whatsoever." she explained as she went back to running her fingers through the swaying grass. "I for one am grateful that the interaction remained somewhat civil."
"Still, I say that is quite boring." Annis reaffirmed in a tease as she sauntered to Persephone's side.
"Well, perhaps I like boring." The goddess simpered. This time, it was Annis who giggled. Before she could make another silly remark, her amber eyes finally caught sight of what Persephone was doing.
"What is it that you're trying to do, exactly?"
"I am trying to practice." Persephone said matter of factly, going back to her work.
Annis let out a long hum of understanding. "How is your practicing going?" She wanted to know, now engrossed into watching the grass change colors.
"Better than I ever thought it could go!" Persephone exclaimed with excitement.
Persephone had been rather consumed by her practicing as of late. Nyx was giving her helpful hints and much-needed advice, but Persephone found her to be right. All that she needed was confidence and the permission to actually practice her skills. Persephone had been able to move beyond simple tricks of changing the color of a flower or making a seed grow up from the ground and into a tiny plant.
Hours were spent in the gardens at Hades' dwelling place, trying every new trick she could conceive. She discovered that she could make plants bend and move to her will without even touching them.
Hermes was a witness to her stumbling upon this gift; he summoned her to the willow tree to say a quick hello to her. She had been chatting with him and gave a dismissive wave of her hand while telling a story. Persephone had not realized that she had somehow caught the branches in her power. The tendrils of the willow swayed as she moved and Perspehone was so startled by her own actions that she nearly fell out of the tree.
Persephone could make even mature, established growth such as the branches of a tree, rapidly grow or shrink back into a spindly, green twig. She learned how to take a healthy plant and to take its vitality. A red rose would grow brittle and brown at her urgings. And then, she could bring that decayed, dead plant back to a full, vibrant life.
The most incredible gift that Persephone found, was the ability to change objects that were not plants into something green and of the earth. A stone from the river that flowed in Nyx's throne room was changed into a luscious pomegranate. Soil from the garden beds could be turned into olives. She spent an entire day switching all the narcissus from the white, pristine flowers to the dark, slender leaves of oleander, and then back to narcissus again.
She was having a delightful time honing her skills, and she could not stop herself from using her abilities. Even now, walking along with Annis, there was an ache to stretch her figurative muscles that had lain still and dormant for so long.
They went along, following the flow of the River until the path became too rugged to traverse. Annis and Persephone decided to climb back to the main trail above the bank and head back to Hades' home. Persephone did not want to admit how much she was looking forward to his company. Duties had claimed most of his attention ever since their sojourn to Elysian together, and she found herself missing him.
The path took them down a familiar way, past some sights that Persephone remembered seeing in her very first weeks here in the Underworld. They passed that strange Elm tree, with its shimmering leaves and unsettling aura.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A smooth, tenor male voice abruptly crooned as they walked by.
Both women nearly jumped out of their skin at the suddenness of that greeting. Perspehone's heart flopped inside of her chest. She had not seen the owner of that voice ever since her visit to Elysian and the awkward chance encounter they had. She whirled around just in time to see Rhadamanthus step out from behind the rugged trunk of the Elm tree.
"Go away, Rhadamanthus." Annis snapped before Persephone had a chance to even react to his presence joining them.
"Annis!" Persephone gasped, but Rhadamanthus was not bothered by her in the slightest. His thin lips curled into a smile and he let out a smooth laugh. He strode over to them, hands clasped behind his back, and gazing at Annis as if she had made the most amusing jest.
"Dearest Annis, how could you be so cruel?" Rhadamanthus stopped beside Persephone and lay on hand on her shoulder. "I am merely trying to say hello to my friend."
Annis scowled at him with her golden irises two pools of molten metal. "Forgive me if I have reason to doubt your intentions."
"Annis… please…" Persephone pleaded. Annis was getting the confrontation she craved and Persephone was squirming uncomfortably as she stared daggers at the god who still seemed to have no care whatsoever about the Nymph's hostility.
It amazed her that these two used to be friends.
"Where are you two headed, dear one?" He asked, sliding his hand to rest between Persephone's shoulder blades.
"We were just going back to Hades' palace." Persephone told him before Annis could cut in.
"Allow me to escort you?" He asked, not a hint of annoyance on his face at the way Annis was huffing and grumbling about where his hand was. That question immediately drew out two vastly different responses.
"No!"
"Of course—"
Annis and Persephone spoke at the same time. Their eyes met. Hazel and fiery gold. Annis was incredulous that Persephone would even consider such a thing. Persephone was silently pleading for her to allow it. Where would the harm be in letting him come along? What happened in the past was all a misunderstanding. There was far too much ugliness. Even Hades had been pleasant with this man.
Was it too much to ask for everyone to get along?
Annis read the expression in her friend's face and she sighed deeply, none of the tension leaving her shoulders or the anger from her eyes. "It is your decision, Seph." She conceded begrudgingly.
Rhadamanthus had been watching the wordless exchange the entire time, looking back and forth between the two women with amused interest. But when he heard Annis call her by a shortened version of her name, he blinked a few times and then frowned. That hand on her back was rigid.
"Seph?"
"It's a little nickname they gave me." She explained, not understanding his shift in mood.
"Hmm. Very well." He did not act all that impressed with her moniker. Rhadamanthus let his hand travel further and grasp her shoulder. He pulled her to his side and guided her away from the Elm tree and down the path, a grumpy Annis in their wake.
A strange mood shrouded them as the three of them made their way back to Hades' dwelling. Persephone's mind was running a mile a minute. Would Rhadamanthus come to the palace with them? How would Hades react to that? Had it been a mistake to allow him to come along?
Persephone did enjoy Rhadamanthus, but she did not enjoy the way that Annis was burning a hole in her back as she glared at them.
She became distracted from her worries as the trio discussed taking a path that Persephone had not seen; one that Rhadamanthus suggested. It rounded the woods instead of going through it, and went alongside Asphodel. Annis was vocally doubtful of this choice, but Rhadamthus was adamant. He despised the "gloomy grove of sad trees," that grew around Hades' home.
Asphodel Fields always made Persephone nervous, but Rhadamanthus tried to make it appealing for her. If they were lucky, he said, they might be able to spot the herd of midnight-hued cattle that roamed the field, and the wiry, tough Underworld spirit named Menoites who tended to them.
That sounded interesting, so she agreed. She had yet to see those beasts of burden and Persephone loved to discover new things about her new home.
Annis grumbled about the change in plans the entire way.
The woods that was so familiar to Persephone was towering over them as they took the longer path. The Fields were to their left and Persephone was taken aback at how it had changed in a rather short amount of time.
They took a bend in the path that took them away from the forest and into the green grass itself.
Asphodel Field was crowded. The souls wandered aimlessly over the path. They kept bumping into her; she expected them to be made of mist but rather, they were alarmingly solid. Rhadamanthus kept a tight grip on her but Annis had a harder time keeping up. She kept falling behind and having to elbow her way back to Persephone.
They were fish swimming against the stream, going one way while crowds of souls went the other. Why were there so many souls? Where had they all come from and why did they all seem to be congregating in this one spot?
The path made another sharp turn deeper into the green grass and it sloped gently upward. The three of them came to the top of a grassy knoll. Here, the souls were not swarming around them. They thinned just enough to where Perspehone could let go of Rhadamanthus' arm without feeling as though she were going to be swept away by the crowd. Yet as Persephone observed the Field from atop the hill, she noticed that their trio had become a duo.
"Where did Annis go?" Persephone asked as she twirled around on the spot, searching for her friend amongst the throng of souls.
"She must have gotten separated from us." Rhadamanthus replied, his eyes scanning the hill for their companion.
This did not bode well. Something like dread sunk into the pit of her stomach, but Persephone could not understand why. Annis was in no danger, but the need to find her again was suddenly pressing.
"Let's go back the way we came and see if we run into her." Persephone suggested to Rhadamanthus.
"As you wish."
They went back to the path, this time with the forest to their left and the Fields to their right. Rhadamanthus carried himself with less tension, now that Annis was gone but she remained rigid. Her muscles were tight as she stiffly held on to his arm.
"I am certain that Annis is fine," he assured her, taking notice of Persephone's nervousness.
"Oh, I have no doubt about it." She answered with a shrug. "I just do not want her to think that I tried to run away from her."
"She is probably heading back at Lord Hades' dwelling, and will be there waiting for you." He said in an attempt to assure her. Persephone hummed in agreement but remained focused on getting back home. The two of them were silent for a minute as they left the swarm of souls behind them. The chaos of the Fields was long gone when Rhadamanthus spoke again.
"You have not come to visit me again."
Persephone was struck with how softly he said this to her. It was gentle. Almost vulnerable. It took her by surprise.
"I am sorry." She whispered back, fearing that her lack of company had actually hurt him. "I did not mean to stay away from you. I have been… preoccupied lately."
"With Hades?" Rhadamanthus inquired, the hurt in his tone unmistakable.
"No! With other things." She explained to him how important it was for her to hone her skills and practice her powers that were dormant for her entire life. Why did his hurt demeanor made her feel so terribly guilty? She wanted to try and hard to reassure him of whatever it was that was making him so morose, but as she talked to him, Persephone could sense that he was only half-listening.
"That is… wonderful, for you to do that." He mused distractedly, his pace slowing. "It is good to explore yourself. To discover new things that you never thought possible before…"
"Rhadamanthus. You seem troubled."
At her words, he stopped altogether. "You will not come to see me again, will you?" Rhadamanthus asked with his pale brows pulled into an elegant frown.
"Is that what is bothering you?" Persephone dropped his arm and shifted her position to face him. His icy eyes were distant, staring off wistfully into nothingness.
Why did she feel so strongly as though she had done something wrong?
"Of course I will see you." Persephone said in a promise, trying to wipe that woebegone look off his face. "I will come to Elysian."
She picked up his hands in hers. At her touch, Rhadamanthus finally glanced down at her. His pale eyes locked onto her face and some of that old candor was simmering in his gaze. Persephone watched as he leaned in towards her. His hair fell over his shoulder in silvery sheets, falling onto her charcoal gray robes. He withdrew one hand from her grasp and reached up to hold her chin between his thumb and finger.
Rhadamanthus was gentle, if a bit forceful as he guided her face to his.
Perspehone gasped as she let him draw her in. He was so close now. She could see freckles on his nose. The facets of his pale irises were like fragments of ice. Strands of white brushed against her cheeks.
"I want to show you something that Hades cannot." Rhadamanthus said in such a low murmur, she only could have heard him by being this close. His breath was cool as it blew on her lips.
"This is his world." Persephone stated in a voice of bemused wonder at his nearness. She hardly even knew what she was saying. "What can he not show me?"
He smirked at her before letting himself become ever closer. Perspehone was enveloped by his mane of flowing locks. His eyes flickered down to her lips. She saw a burning heat there.
One that both terrified and exhilarated her.
"He cannot show you because I will be the first to discover it." He said in a simmering whisper.
Before Persephone could say another word or think another thought, he crossed that dangerously small distance between them. His mouth gently fell onto hers. Persephone gasped in surprise as his kiss landed on her lips.
His skin was smooth and soft and warm. Her eyes closed as she took in the new sensation that was filling her senses.
This kiss.
This was her first kiss.
Hades
They had not seen him.
How could they, with their lips pressed against the other's and their eyes closed in bliss.
Hades had only wanted to meet with Hermes to receive more news of Demeter's destructive vengeance.
He had not meant to stumble upon the pair.
He would not have wanted to, if he had known what was waiting for him around the bend.
The exact instant that he saw, Hades turned around and fled. Like a coward. Like a frightened boy.
His heart was pounding so ferociously inside of his chest, that he could feel his pulse thumping mercilessly against his skull. All that he could hear in his ears was his own frantic heartbeat. Trying to draw breath into his lungs felt like a dozen daggers in his side. His limbs were numb but his body was rigid with panicked tension.
He blindly marched back the way he came, traveling through the woods just beyond his home. His meeting with Hermes was forgotten. There was no hope of him being in any state for that conversation.
Hades could hardly see where he was going as he stormed over the path through the woods. He felt as though he were moving through water.
It certainly seemed as though he were drowning. Grief poured over him in a flood. He could not manage to breathe. What he had seen was suffocating him. The images were relentlessly haunting his mind.
He harshly shoved aside a wayward branch that dared to be in his way, wishing that the harmless wood was Rhadamanthus instead.
No. No! He shook his head and growled in frustration, trying to shake the vicious anger that tried to take over.
Hades could not be vindictive. Persephone made her choice, so it seemed. She was free to do as she wished. If she was forced to reside in the Underworld for all eternity, then the goddess deserved to live her life as she pleased.
Even if it meant that his heart would be forever shattering to pieces inside of him.
Hades refused to be selfish. After what he had done to her, he had no right to make any claims on her heart. If she wanted to be with him, then it would be entirely up to her. And if she wanted another, then he would respect her choice.
He loved her far too much to clip her wings and keep her from flying freely.
The path came to a sharp turn and Hades had to make himself stop. As soon as he would round that bend, he would be in sight of his home. Suddenly, the thought of being at home was detestable to him. He would be surrounded by Nymphs and goddesses and gods and all manner of company.
That welcoming need for companionship had withered away. Now he was in no mood for anyone. He just wanted to be alone.
He stood there contemplating what to do next and where he could possibly go to be alone. But he was not as alone as he wanted to be. He heard footsteps coming up behind him, fast at first as if they owner of those feet had been running. But then slowed down when they saw Hades standing there.
Hades tensed up as he sensed his visitor growing closer, feet making no noise over the soft, dirt path. Then, the second to last voice that he wanted to hear right now wafted over the misty air, reaching his ears and causing him to fight the urge to groan in annoyance.
"Has that little goddess left you lonely?"
He could nearly picture her as she spoke, beguiling as always with her arms crossed over her slender waist, red hair streaming down her pale green robes, her face full of an impish grin.
There was not enough patience left inside of him to encounter her.
"Leave me, Minthe," Hades ordered grimly without turning around. "I am in no mood for company."
He heard her rush over to him, robes swishing as she ran.
"But perhaps you are in need of company," Minthe suggested, hastily stepping in front of him. Her voice had softened and her glassy green eyes were brimming with concern.
"What do you mean?" Hades asked gruffly, though admittedly taken aback at her change in demeanor.
"I saw…" she said in a voice so soft before Hades could try and dismiss her again. One that he knew was rare for her to use. "I saw Rhadamanthus and the goddess. Together."
His surprise was stifled by his continuing sorrow. That reminder soured his mood even more. He especially loathed to hear it from her of all people; the one who would benefit the most from this development.
"Minthe. Enough." Hades ordered sharply. "I do not wish to speak of it." He moved around her and tried to storm off down the path, but a hand caught his arm before he could get too far.
"Hades." Minthe spoke his name into the dusk.
And he despised how quickly it caught his attention. For she said it in the way that he longed for Persephone to say it; tender and warm, full of unashamed need.
He allowed her to stop him. The tone of her voice compelled him to turn around. When was the last time he had heard her speak this way to him?
"You should forget her, Hades." Minthe kept using his name informally. Just as he used to let her. "Be with a woman, not a silly girl. Be with a woman who wants to be yours."
"Minthe, you are overstepping your boundaries…" Hades tried to be firm, but every word out of his mouth fell flat. His heart was nearly broken enough to believe that she might be right. What had he hoped for? The girl he stole from her home to fall in love with him?
Foolishness.
"I care for you Hades." Again, she said his name, almost as if she were repeating a mantra. Or casting a spell. For as she stepped nearer and nearer to him, he became ensnared by that emerald gaze.
"I only tell you the truth because I care for you so deeply." So imploring was her confession, Hades could not help but doubt his doubts about her.
They were happy, for a time. Before she sought love in another. If he could not be happy with Persephone, then maybe he could find it in someone else?
Was he too broken to remember how she treated him? Because he did not seem too broken to remember how he used to feel for her.
She grabbed a hold of the front of his robes, pulling herself into his chest. A scent that was both sharp and soft filled his senses. It was the scent of Minthe. It held an edge; a gentle sort of spice amongst the sweet, all of it rich and seductive.
His grief made him weak to her. He found himself winding one arm around her waist.
He remembered how he used to bury his face into her neck, breathing deeply and being utterly seduced by her, gently pushing her as he guided her to a place where they could lay down together and—
"You are thinking about the way we were together, aren't you?" She questioned, reading the expression on his face with ease. He could read hers in turn. Desire was burning in those green irises. Her voice had turned seductive.
Perhaps, she could make him forget this searing pain inside his chest…
"It does not have to end. You can have it again." She stood on her toes to bring herself so much closer. Her lips grazed enticingly against his neck as she spoke. Hades felt his hand move of its own accord, tangling into her red locks at the back of her head. That arm around her waist drew her in. He saw a smile flash on her face, but he was too blinded by the growing desire to care too much about the triumph he saw there.
"You can have me again." Was her heated offer as she slowly moved to his lips. Minthe said nothing more as she brought her mouth to press onto his.
But despite the tiny flames flickering inside of him, when she met him with a kiss, Hades could not help but feel as if something was wrong.
That desire for her tried to flourish inside of his chest, but it fizzled out as quickly as it grew. Those flames were weakening. All he could imagine was being this close with Persephone. He vainly pressed his lips against Minthe's in an attempt to stoke some of that old fire, but it all fell so terribly flat.
And she could sense his cool return of her affection. She parted from him just enough to whisper enticingly.
"I won't leave you lonely…" Minthe declared as she brought her lips back to steal a second kiss.
This time, Hades could not shrug away that feeling of discomfort. Her words carried no weight. They rang false. His own desire was a farce.
Long ago, his feelings for Minthe died. This stirring need was not for her. It was for Persephone, and Persephone only.
He frowned as Minthe tried so desperately to
Hades could not do this with her. It would be selfish. Unfair for them both. So he slowly pulled away.
"But you already have," he muttered soberly as he let go of her, but she was still holding on to his robes.
"Hades?" Minthe gasped his name in confusion at his sudden rejection.
"Minthe." Hades closed his eyes and breathed her name with regret at what he was about to say. He hated to break her heart. All she wanted was his love.
Was that not exactly what he wanted in turn, from another?
"I cannot give you what you desire," the god sighed as he opened his eyes. "It would not be fair to either of us for me to pretend. I cannot take advantage of what you are offering."
But she would have none of it.
"I don't understand why you're denying this. You can have me!" Minthe clutched at his robes so tightly, there was no hope of her fingers ever being free.
"Minthe… I am sorry," he sincerely told her. But his hands went to grasp hers and he gently pulled her from him. "You had your chance. You made your choice. I do not feel for you as I once did. You must let me go."
"Then you must let that goddess go! She has clearly made her choice!" Minthe cried as she squeezed his hands. Her eyes were glittering with tears, and Hades felt his heart wrenching for her. He hated to do this.
"Then if I must let her go, then so be it. I shall not chase what does not wish to be mine. It would serve you well to do the same, Minthe." Hades replied calmly, remorsefully, and he pulled his hands out of her grip.
His heart was shattering all over again as he turned away from her and began to travel down the path, back to his home. He had no choice but to return there, it seemed. The desire for loneliness had changed into merely desire for a quiet, familiar place.
Her heard the soft cries of Minthe weeping as he became lost in the trees.
Hades had cared for her, long ago. And he wondered if she ever truly cared for him in turn. She could be cold and cruel at times. Then passionate and affectionate at others. He could never tell what her heart truly wanted. When she abruptly left him for another, Hades thought that he had figured her out; she never cared for him the same way that he cared for her.
But as he heard her crying, Hades wondered if he had been wrong about her. She had tried so hard to win him back, and her tears now were the most genuine emotion he had ever seen her express.
Maybe, once, she did care for him more than he ever knew.