Chapter 13

Hades

"Well, that was a disaster," I muttered to myself.

I turned back to look at Aspasia, who had been watching Persephone and me.

"Now what do you want me to do? I tried your suggestion to bring her to the gardens, and you saw how that failed spectacularly."

"Yes, that was a miscalculation on my part," agreed Aspasia. "I should have thought to check to see that the gardens were actually appealing first."

I began to pace back and forth in the small garden. Well, I supposed it was more a small area of weeds. I wasn't surprised that it had made Persephone angry. After all, she was the goddess of spring.

I directed a weary inquiry to Aspasia. "Any ideas?"

But she shook her head. "It's too much of a knot for me to untie. And besides, it's not my place. If you want your actions to mean anything, they need to come from your heart and your heart alone."

It was a valid point, and one I'd have to consider later. For now, I had duties to attend to.

"You may go, Aspasia. Let me know if there is anything I should know."

She curtsied and returned to Persephone.

I had neglected many of duties these past few days, including my yearly inspection of the entire Underworld. It usually took me a week to complete, and I really should have started it by now. But…there was Persephone.

I wasn't sure I could go more than a day without seeing her again. I don't know what it was. She hated me, she aggravated me, she made me lose my temper, but I still wanted to be around her. It wasn't just because she was stunning either. If I cared about beauty so much, then I wouldn't have minded Olympus. I just...I liked her. The more I saw her, the more I fell in love with her. Even her ignoring me made me love her more.

Unfortunately, everything I did seemed to make her hate me more. Well, I guess I did catch her admiring my well muscled body once in a while when she thought I wouldn't notice. I suppose that was a start, though not necessarily the one I would have chosen.

I couldn't go see her today; I didn't think that would have been productive at all. Instead, I would see her one last time tomorrow, and then I would leave. Perhaps, perhaps my absence would soften her view of me.

The next day, I went to see Persephone first thing in the morning. It wasn't my usual practice, but I couldn't put off my journey any longer.

Instead of finding Persephone lying in her bed, I actually saw her standing in front of the mirror. She made eye contact with me through the mirror, seeming irritated and embarrassed at the same time. I wasn't sure why, until I noticed that she was wearing the necklace I had left for her. It was a delicate gold chain interlaced with pearls and diamonds. On her, it had a beauty that it couldn't obtain on its own.

My thoughts flew out of my head at the sight of her. Then, I grinned.

"Persephone," I asked very casually, "is that the necklace I gave you?"

Persephone blushed a deep red and hastily took it off.

"Oh, is it?" She asked sarcastically. "I hadn't noticed."

She moved away from me so that she was on the far side of the room. After everything I'd done, I couldn't blame her for that.

"Was there something you wanted?" Her voice was colder than Khione's ice.

"I wanted to tell you good-bye."

I regretted my wording as soon as I saw the hope spring up in her eyes. She thought that I was letting her go. Curse my clumsy tongue!

"I mean, I'm leaving for a few days. I have some things I need to see to in the Underworld. I'll be back by next week."

Deep sorrow flitted across her face, and then the ice was back.

"I hope you have a good journey. I have a gift for your departure." Persephone's words seemed friendly, but her tone and the look in her eyes made me nervous.

"Indeed?"

"Yes."

Not breaking eye contact with me, she walked back to where I was standing. I was becoming more unnerved by the moment. She held out her palm to show me...the necklace.

Mechanically, I took the necklace from her. With straight back and head held high, Persephone swept past me to sit on a chair. Though she tried to hide it, I noticed the trembling of her hands and limbs. Why they were trembling, I couldn't say.

"Your kindness," continued Persephone, her voice still dripping with sarcasm, "demands that I show you the same sort of courtesy you have shown me."

I didn't rise to her bait. Instead, I knelt on the floor in front of her and gently place the necklace back in one of her unresisting hands. I closed her fingers around it with my own.

"Persephone," I said softly, hoping she could hear my sincerity, " this necklace was given to me by Eirene, the goddess of peace. She said that it would bring the wearer tranquility. I know things haven't been easy for you. I know I've-" my voice broke here and I had to cough to clear my throat. "I know I've made mistakes, but I truly do want you to be happy down here. With me if you can be. If not, I still want you to have some sort of peace."

I looked down at the white hand I held in both of mine and stroked it gently with my thumb. Her head was down and her hair covering her face prevented me from seeing her expression.

I sighed. "I'm trying, Persephone, I really am. Please let me."

I let go of her hand. She sat perfectly still on the chair, the necklace still in her hand. I started to stand, then hesitated. Gently, I laid my hand on her cheek. She didn't respond. I tilted her face up to look at mine. Her lips were trembling slightly, just as the rest of her was. Whether it was out of fear or some other emotion, I didn't know.

I leaned towards her and kissed her cheek. Again, she didn't react, so I kissed her mouth. This time, she flinched away. She stood up and all but fled to the other side of the room. I got on my feet and took a step towards her.

"Persephone…."

No, I didn't have time. I left with the feel of her lips still lingering on mine.