Chapter 2

"But why must you go, my Hades?" pleaded the platinum blonde, her lips pouting as she seductively tried to pull his arm towards her bed.

Hades resisted, standing firm at the doorway. "I have to go see my sister," he said quietly.

"Can't you send someone else to do it?" She fluttered her eyelashes alluringly, hoping that he would give in.

"It is a family matter. Something that involves the fate of the underworld. Already you have noticed the number of souls coming in….." he quietly attempted to explain…

"Yes! I noticed that you seem to find an excuse for not seeing me anymore!" She stamped her foot against the black marble floor. "All the time! Judgments to be made! How you should be fair! And responsible! And righteous!" She complained scornfully.

He sighed and looked up to the ceiling. "Minthe…"

"What about me? I've waited all these nights and days…. Nothing! Just because there's a long line of useless mortals waiting for your attention…"

Hades looked down at the curvaceous blond and scowled. "It is my duty as the King!"

"But what about me, your future Queen?" she snapped back.

"You presume too much, woman!" Hades turned his back against her and strode off to find his chariot.

She went pale at sound of his last words.

…

Hades was in a foul mood as his rode towards the mortal world. The nymph presumed too much and he could already sense the greed and ambition behind her actions. Already, she had set his court into bickering and intrigue. She had no care for his work or for his kingdom. This was no Queen. Leuce had been no different. She had no concern for his work, his subjects nor his kingdom. Perhaps, Leuce was more pleasant to deal with or perhaps, she was more discreet about her ambitions.

At any rate, his decision remained unchanged. There were certain qualities he would have to look for in someone to rule by his side and neither nymph qualified.

He finally reached Demeter's home. It was the only place left that was not barren. All across the mortal world, he noted the hunger in people's eyes, the dying… Decay was everywhere. He frowned at what his brother, Zeus, had thoughtlessly done.

"Send word to the Lady Demeter that her brother, Lord Hades, is here!" he announced to a servant at the gate. The servant ran to the modest palace as another servant led his chariot to the steps near its doors.

Hades got off his chariot and went into Demeter's home.

Hades surveyed the bright and charming room he was led to. It was warm and cheery. He smiled. He would have liked to have such a room if he had not been forced to be the god of the underworld. He had known very little of comfort from the very start of his existence. His father had swallowed him at infancy. He had to care for his younger siblings as each one was swallowed by his father. Even after his release from Cronus, his life was spent preparing for battle against the Titans. The battles themselves were long and arduous ones. He had expected, as firstborn, to inherit the heavens. Fate had been cruel as they drew lots. The youngest was given the privilege, Poseidon was given the seas and he, Hades, the bleak expanse of the underworld. Hades had felt betrayed and disappointed. His brothers could not look him in the eye. Each god went his own way. Each god to rule his own kingdom.

Zeus, what have you done now? So you have decided to betray our sister, too? Hades had known how Zeus and Demeter had spent their days together. For him, there was no question at that time that Demeter would make a good Queen to make up for Zeus' frivolity and irresponsibility. Hera was just a sister who had aided the three brothers in their usurpation against the Titans. Nothing more. It was indeed a surprise to find out that Hera was now the Queen instead of sweet and kind Demeter.

There were times that Hades wondered if Demeter would make a suitable Queen of the Underworld. She had some of the qualities. At least a far better option than the nymphs. But he felt nothing for her. No love even for a sister.

A quiet shuffle interrupted his thoughts. He turned towards the door and saw his sister, pregnant.