I let her sleep for a while longer, curled up down under thick blankets, her face nestled into the plush pillows. Knowing that she was safe gave me an enormous sense of relief. I leaned down to kiss her cheek before I went into the next room. Work wouldn't wait, not even for her. I secluded myself in my private study, catching up on records. I kept a set of books accounting for the decisions I had make on those special cases left to my judgment. Another set of volumes held events of great importance. I had filled nearly a whole chapter about Typhon's rage, the earthquakes it caused, Campe's escape through the void, and the weakening Tartarus' chains.

The next log was on a noble of some I felt a migraine coming on again as I recalled what happened. The judges had decided he was not worthy to enter Elysium, thus he descended into a fit of rage and demanded to see me. He thought he was entitled to paradise because of his stature on earth, but he'd lived a short and spoiled life, doing nothing for anyone but himself and mistreating those poor souls forced to serve him. He was guilty of disrespecting his parents and elders as well, refusing to head their warnings of his fate should he choose to continue down his path of mindless self indulgence. He had been killed in a battle he was not prepared for; having neglecting his training. I condemned him to Lethe, to erase his memory of what he once was and sent him to wait in the darkness until his time of reincarnation. There was also the matter of him saying he shouldn't have to pay the coin to Charon for the ferry ride, and at that moment couldn't remember if he had paid or not.

I rose up, reluctant to leave the castle, however I knew I would have to go find Charon and ask. Luckily he wasn't difficult to locate. I met him at the dock near the forecourt where the souls depart his craft to meet the judges. He was busy mending the hull of the ship, wearing just black pants and boots having cast off his infamous cloak of tattered black fabric used to conceal his face and form. He startled when I placed my hand on his shoulder, tools clattering to the wood below. He heaved a sigh of relief he realized it was me.

"Why do you do that?" He groused. I could only laugh, thoroughly amused by his reaction. He knew well he wasn't the only one I would sneak up on for the sake of entertaining myself.

"I'm sorry, I just find it so easy." He rolled his eyes. Brother to Thanatos and Hypnos, he was older than them, however he still looked very similar to also had feathery black hair, only grown out longer and tied back. His sharp almond shaped eyes could cut into any soul; steel grey and dark. He shared his brother's pale complexion and refined features, appearing similar to those angelic youths whom poets craft their verses after. He hides his face not for shame, but because he doesn't want to be judged by others on his appearance alone. He'd been working as ferryman for a countless centuries, called to his cause, I've heard him say before 'I am no angel, no fair youthful being of fancy, my heart belongs on the river.'

"I can't recall," I began, " as to whether or not that brat prince paid you, I need to make a note of it." Charon sat down on the dock,

"He paid." He assured me, "Ungrateful worm complained about being charged the same price as commoners, but he handed over the coin his family left for him, not that he deserved such a kindness from them."

"Good, thank you." I sat down next to him, looking out over the river.

"I heard about Kore showing up here." He stated, "What did you do?" he had a sarcastic tone, and one brow raised.

"Nothing, she came here looking for me." I explained.

"She is alright isn't she?"He inquired.

"Yes," I answered, "I'm waiting for the backlash though, knowing Demeter."

"You haven't heard then?"

"About?" I felt dread rising within.

"Demeter is livid."

"That's what I was expecting." I groaned, rubbing my temples, to quell what had become a very intense headache.

"She heard that someone had tried to kidnap Kore, but she doesn't know who it was, no one does." Charon explained to me.

"What exactly does she know?"

"Helios saw someone attack his daughter, he dove from the heavens, rushing to protect her, unfortunately he was too late to catch the fiend. Kore had shoved her attacker off by then and disappeared into the woods. When Kore didn't return home, Demeter went to Helios to ask what he had seen. He recounted what he witnessed and added that the one who had tried to grab their daughter definitely wasn't human. However he was not one of the Gods or Titans either."

"So she as of now doesn't know that Kore is here."

"It won't be long." Charon added.

"I never anticipated it, her falling for me, and me for her." I confessed.

"But you have now, haven't you?"

"Yes, I just can't shake the feeling, that it is all too good to be true. It doesn't feel real."

"They will be looking for her." He told me.

"I know."I replied, head in my hands, the pain intensifying by the second.

"Where is she now?" He asked.

"In my bed."

"Already?" he jested,wry grin on his face.

"You are worse than Thanatos." I complained. I shook my head. "No, she is asleep, exhausted from her fight."

"I should think, we need to find this mystery man."

"Don't think I won't."

Night ended, at least it did in the world above, it never ends here. If I could trust it wouldn't backfire, I would get a message to Helios, letting him know his daughter is safe. However he would tell Demeter what I had conveyed to him, and she would explode with rage knowing that Kore was with me. We'd never gotten along her and I, she was always suspicious of me, presuming me to be insidious and heartless, an obscure being who deals with demons and steals away innocents by bringing death.

I went to sleep in the study, stretched out on the couch by the fireplace, for the first time in a very long time, I slept soundly. I woke late in the afternoon, frustrated with myself for oversleeping. I dragged my body from the sofa, still weary, preparing myself to face the day ahead. Walking into my bedroom was startling, her unique sweet scent still in the air but she was gone. For a few moments I wondered if it was all just a dream.I felt her presence all at once, and heard her sweet voice as she called out to me;

"Hades…" I turned to her, "There you are, I was wondering when I would see you." I was breath taken by her, she seemed to have become a different person altogether. She had changed into a black strapless silk dress embroidered with silver thread sprawling in beautiful spiral designs. I knew I'd seen it before.

"Kore, I am happy to see that you are feeling better."

"I feel perfect." She spun around in place, "What do you think? Nyx let me borrow it since mine was ripped up and burned."

"It suits you well." She also had her hair put up with black ribbons winding through it. She looked brighter, happier than I'd seen her before. However given what had taken place the day before, I was still concerned.

"Are you certain you are alright?" I questioned. I took her arm, bringing her closer to me, so that I could look into her eyes.

"I will be, I am still unnerved. I am trying to just forget about it."

"Your mother knows you're missing but not that you are with me. However, I would like to tell your father you are safe."

"He knows what happened?"

"Of course. He witnessed you being attacked and tried to protect you. I am certain he must be worried sick."

"All this time, I thought he didn't care."Her words made my heart begin to ache. I placed my hand on her cheek, directing her attention to me.

"You're his daughter. How could he not care about you? " she slipped her arms around my waist, laying her head on my chest.

"I am just grateful that you do." I closed my arms around her, taking in her warmth and the feeling of her soft skin. I had to force myself to pull away.

"Lets move on to better things at hand. I was wondering if you would like me to show you around?"

"Really?" she beamed,

"Of course."