AN: thank you so much for the reviews; they made me sooo happy…I hope you like this chapter

Inclemency

Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.

-Anais Nin

"What do you want us to do your majesty?"

"Pursue him. Let him die a painful death."

The fury did not expect such an answer from her. A painful death? Since when did the Queen be so cruel? Where is the "Light of the Underworld" she so often heard the shadows talk about?

But, she admits, she cannot argue so she bowed and excused herself. She may not die a painful death if she questioned such a decision but even a few hours in Tartarus would make her want to revoke immortality. And the Queen did not look like she was beyond that at the moment.

"My Lady, your dinner is ready," Marpessa said cautiously to Persephone.

The Queen was standing in the balcony. But she did not look back.

"Set them in my table Marpessa, you can leave now."

Her voice was shaky but she was making an effort not to show. Marpessa hesitated then finally replied, "Yes, my lady, Call me if you need me."

Persephone just inclined her head to show she heard then Marpessa left.

Everything was happening to her advantage. She was happy. She looked at the Dark Lord.

"My Lord," she called," come now, what is bothering you?"

"Nothing dear."

Hades' brow was furrowed; he was obviously too preoccupied with something. Minthe smiled and took his hand.

"My Lord, do not feel too sad, come, let me comfort you."

She pulled him closer, caressed his cheek and drew his face closer to her as her sweet lips caught his full attention. Subconsciously, the dark lord's arms roamed as one found her waist and pulled her closer as his other hand cupped her face, closing any possible distance between them. She wrapped his arms around him, deepening the kiss, moaning in ecstasy. At the sound of her voice, he moved more fervently, more passionately; her delicious scent and ardent lips engulfing him, intoxicating him.

He did not even notice shades passing by. He did not even remember that they were in Asphodel, in of his palace's hallways.

For that entrancing moment, Hades forgot all his worries, he forgot all his problems, he ignored everything else.

This was why he liked Minthe, because she was so vigorous when it came to pleasing him, because she showed pure, unbridled passion. He liked Minthe because she was always willing to please him and because she had not an impossible mother or anything else to hold her back. And for one fleeting moment, he seriously considered keeping her forever.

Until, the sound of rustling cloaks snapped him back to reality.

The first thing that came to his mind was that he was pressing Minthe to a wall. The second thought was that he remembered servants passing by. The third thought was: Persephone…the mortals.

Persephone was standing there with Hecate. Hecate looked bewildered. Persephone looked cold. Her eyes were dark and foreboding, her stare frozen and ominous. Hades could feel the rage emanating from her and he could picture the blizzard that should be plaguing the earth now. Even Hecate turned her gaze from him to Persephone.

Minthe had the divine fortitude to smile.

Everyone-Hades, Hecate, Minthe and the few shades too terrified and too astounded to move or even make a sound- waited for Persephone to say something, anything.

"Do not loiter in the halls," was all she said as she nonchalantly walked past them.

"Lady Demeter."

Demeter looked back to the source of the voice.

"Ah, Lady Artemis, what is it you need?"

"My lady, do tell me about this snow."

Demeter sighed and looked thoughtful.

"If I knew that I would not hesitate to do so but unfortunately Lady Artemis, I am as much in the dark as you are."

"The mortals are dying, the animals are clearing out."

"I have done my best to let the crops grow but now and then, blizzards still rage on to kill anything supposed to grow."

Artemis looked out.

"Do you think Lady Kore is capable of this?"

"Kore is a goddess of Spring my lady."

"Do you think this is above her?"

Demeter thought about it. Her daughter did not tell her much these days. Three times she has seen her and each time she had less to say. She looked as cheerful as usual but somehow quieter. She talked about impersonal things, those were all. Demeter looked back at Artemis.

"Lady Artemis, I do not know."

It was turbulent. The weather became more inclement with each passing hour.

The mortals continued to suffer.

Every living being craved for warmth. Everything wished the sky be calm.

The animals knew they would not last for long. Everything around was in turmoil.

All the natural processes, all the cycles of lives that should have passed-halted because of the weather's disregard for order.

It was never meant for winter to last that long.

It was never meant for lives to end that swiftly.

Inclemency was never meant to reign the world.

"My Lord," Minthe asked tentatively, "please, do not be bothered."

"But dear, Lady Persephone has seen us."

"She did look like she did not care my lord."

Hades' heart sunk.

Of course she would not, he thought guiltily.

"Indeed."

"It was like she was unmoved."

"Like her heart has frozen over," added Hades quietly.

Minthe smiled and sat beside him and held his hand.

"My lord, I am here for you," she reminded him.

And you need no one else.

Minthe was walking down the halls as she saw a familiar figure in the distance.

Hecate, she thought. She remembered seeing her earlier. Hecate looked at her with pure loathing as she and Persephone saw her with Hades in the halls. So she walked towards her. She was determined to warn who she thought as the insolent goddess who might interfere with her plans.

"What is your business here Lady Hecate," she asked as she approached her.

"The last time I remember, I am free to roam here whenever I want without anyone asking me why."

Minthe patiently smiled.

"I was simply asking."

"It would do you better not to care."

Hecate turned away but just about as she was taking a step, Minthe grabbed her wrist. Minthe tugged on her until she was fully facing Minthe.

Minthe's eyes glowed in mischief but her voice remained calm.

"It is my business as I am also a mistress of this place."

Hecate answered her with a glare.

"What has your delusion fed you? You are not a mistress of this place."

Minthe's grip tightened on her wrist.

"I am and soon enough, I will be mistress of this whole realm."

"Have you forgotten yourself nymph? You are simply a courtesan. You are simply here to serve, not to be served, never to rule."

"It is you who are delusional. When I become Queen, you will be banished from the Underworld."

Hecate's eyes narrowed in reproach.

"Do you really think so highly of yourself?"

"I am simply stating facts."

"Facts do not show themselves to those whose eyes are blinded by ambition such as yours."

"Am I," she asked with fake surprise.

"Of course you are."

Minthe just smiled with full confidence, her eyes boasted of pride in herself. Hecate shook her head in displeasure.

"It would do you better to gauge those whom you wrong. Someday child, you will regret everything."

With that, a black serpent crawled up Minthe's arm that still gripped Hecate's wrist. Minthe instantly retreated her arm, shaking the serpent off just as it was about to graze at her pale flesh.

Hecate walked away.

"Hades."

Hades looked to see Hecate, standing there, looking collected but he knew she was fuming.

"Tell that nymph to observe her manners."

"What has she done Hecate?"

"She is disrespectful."

"What did she do to you?"

"She told me…"

Hecate halted everything she has to say. It was because she knew; she read what Hades was thinking and he was not inclined to believe her. He too was blinded by Minthe. He thought her incapable of any disrespect which made Hecate laugh with twisted humor at that thought.

She saw his eyes flicker with disinterest the moment he learned she was about to complain about Minthe.

"Never mind," she finally said then she walked out.

Hades was left in slight confusion.

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