An option. I brushed my muddy brown hair until it shined like wheat touched by the sun. An option. What would it be like? I studied my reflection in the mirror in my room. It was an option he spoke.
I could remain barely more than a prisoner here or drink from the freedom he had spoken of? Run when I wanted, swim when I wanted, talk to who I wanted, do as I wished for once. I smiled, it seemed too good to be true. The God of the Underworld, The Ruler of Nightmares, The Lord of Fear offering me a chance to become my own woman? If something sounds to good too be real, then surely there must be a catch? What possibly would be the catch?
I lay one hand on the mirror touching my reflection, it was that of a girl, a girl with no power, a girl with no life. Even mortals were allowed more freedoms than I. I felt a tear slide down my cheek and caught my breath. Grief, frustration, and despair held my throat tight, I shut my eyes to take a deep breath.
"I never meant to make you cry, sweet." his husky voice seemed to penetrate my thoughts. My eyes flew open and I could see between wisps of fog and smoke Hades staring back at me in the mirror, his hand against it like mine.
"I'm sorry, it wasn't you." He shook his head.
"You don't lie very well." A soft smile touched his lips and I found myself instantly lightened. I shrugged.
"How do you know I was lying?" my voice was little more than whisper.
He tilted his head to one side, "Your sadness touched me." I know I must have looked shocked, because he softly chuckled. "Your heart is breaking. And apparently, I have somthing to do with it, because I felt you calling me." He seemed to look away, his face more serious. "I am sorry, I will not intrude upon you again."
I put my other hand to the mirror, "No!" His face mirrored mine in shock, and I dropped my hands to my lap. "I meant it wasn't you. I was just thinking about what you had said."
He closed his eyes taking a deep breath, "And?"
"I'm scared." I whispered trusting him as I had trusted no other within the halls of Olympus. "I've never been without my mother guiding me, and I have no idea whats out there." He nodded in understanding, he seemed vunerable, his eyes softer than earlier. I felt a kinship to this god of gods, I wanted him to understand. "I want to live, but what if I don't know how?"
He grinned, "Then I'll teach you." I couldn't help the bubble of laughter that escaped.
"Your sound like your brother." He laughed too, but flinched as if in insult. "You sound like a man then."
"A man?" he gasped, but still smiling.
"Like you could put the weight of Olympus on your shoulders and still find a way to carry it. Nothing phases you, you dive in head first then think of the water over your head." I explained. I was much braver in his presence, he didn't take insult or chasten me for simply talking. If I didn't know better, he seemed to enjoy it as much as I.
"No, not a man. I simply know, I've been around and it doesn't change, it's not hard." he ran his hand down the mirror dropping it so I could not see, except some of his shoulders and face.
I smiled, he returned it, and it was several minutes before I realized neither of us had said anything. I blushed again and stared down at my hands.
"Persephone?" his voice sent shivers through me.
"Yes, Hades," I looked at my hands, my voice sounded breathless and pathetic even to my own ears. How much of child must he think me?
"Persephone, please look at me." It was a soft spoken command and I found myself unable to deny it. Supposedly so terrifying that he sent armies of men plunging through the river Styx, so fearful other gods ran weeping from his precense, so absolutly horrible he killed babes just for the sake of killing, he looked so sad, so lost, I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him he wasn't alone. "It was only an offer, I never meant to make you sad. I would never willingly hurt you Persephone."
I nodded, using my hands to push my hair behind my ears. "Your spending so much time with me, your lines are probably backed up by now." I felt tears stinging my eyelids and groped for anything to change topics, but I wanted to keep him here. I wanted his attention. I felt alive, adrenline flowing, my cheeks burning, I wanted to feel like this forever.
He laughed, "I will catch up, but where is your mother?"
"She's catching up at the moment, herself." I winked. The mists swirled and I put my hands to the cold glass, dissappointed I had lost him. I felt lost for a moment, before I felt a breeze behind me. I turned in surprise as I felt a hand upon my shoulder.
Hades, god of the Underworld, went down on one knee to meet my eyes. "I am sorry I made you cry." His hand carressed my cheek, and I turned to, it relishing the feel of his heat.
"I never blamed you." I whispered, shutting my eyes, letting my hands grasp his against me. Don't stop, I wanted to plead. It had been so long since I'd felt another's touch as a caress, as a comfort.
"Perhaps, I blame myself." he whispered. He lay his forehead against mine and I could smell his magic, feel his warm breath on me, the heat from his body. "I blame myself for breaking down, willing to beg, plead, bribe, even consider stealing such beauty." My eyes flew open. His were shut, "I offered something when you were vunerable, because it was something I wanted as well. You shouldn't be tearing yourself apart, you've got plenty of time to branch out up here rather than 'jump in headfirst'."
"You wanted me to come to the Underworld with you?" I felt awe struck. I was nothing, and he was so much. I surely had misunderstood.
"More than anything." His eyes so close, yet so distant were burning into mine. I caught my breath on this amazing revelation.
"Why?" Such a simple word for such a big question.
"I have never gazed at such beauty, enjoyed such conversation, and never considered taking anyone to bride before, perhaps I should have tried wooing you like Zues would." his smile held no warmth, only regret.
I sat up, "Maybe I'm not ready to agree to being anyone's bride," I paused. "But I would like to spend some time with you." There was a truth if ever one had been spoken.
He chuckled, standing, making his way to my bed to sit down. "What? The gentle wooing? The love songs and poetry? Flowers? Walks in the twilight? I'm sorry dear one, but I was not meant for that. I have to many things that require my attention, there would be no way to actually flit back and forth." His eyes shut, "No matter I much I might want to." He sounded so bitter, so cold, and I could feel his unearthly magic as if it was clenching the air around us in regret.
I stood making my way to him, "I would like to get to know you before jumping in, I don't care about the romance. I want to know the man, before giving up everything for him."
"Smartly put."
"Take me." He registered shock, but his hand was right there before me. His blue eyes wide, his mouth set in grim line, his back straightened.
"Are you sure?" I slipped my hand into his larger one, grasping.
"Positive." I slipped between his legs, one hand on his shoulder, holding his other. "I know I want this, I want to know you."
He lay his head against my chest, my heart was frantic and I stood there holding him. It felt unreal, like a dream, and I shut my eyes tight willing myself to stay asleep if that's what it was.
"Your scared?" I held him tighter to me, hoping I wouldn't have to say it again. "Persephone, I feel your heart. It's like a little hummingbird. You don't have to decide today, I'll wait for you." His arms held me to him, and I leaned back so I could see his face.
I laughed, "I'm terrified, excited, apprehensive, thrilled, nervous, and happy." I nodded, "I think that's it, but there could be more."
He laughed and ran a hand down my back, "Fear of the unknown. I understand, that's why I must tell you again you don't have to decide today." His eyes were sparkling and I took a unique pleasure in knowing I had done that. It gave me such a rush, I knew this was how the other gods and goddesses must feel. It dawned on me then, I had power over him. Out of all the Olympians at the moment I had what was the grandest power I'd ever witnessed. I bent and pressed my lips against his.
He pulled me tighter to him and I straightened, but he was soon standing again beside me. His lips found mine, this time it was forceful, demanding. I felt his tongue trace my bottom lip and I gasp, he took advantage slipping it between my lips. The moist heat sent shivers of pleasure through me, and I shook with need. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him to me, begging for him to give me more.
He pulled back searching me, and I could do nothing more than hold myself against him while my body tried to figure out how to breath again. "Take me." I whispered.
He growled, heat seemed to wash through my body. "Anything you want, just tell me." He held me away from him, "Tell me."
I shivered at the demand, "Take me with you. Don't ask me to rethink it, don't ask why, just take me and teach me." I twirled a piece of his midnight hair with my fingers, "Don't leave me again after promising such things. It is easier when I'm looking at you. So much easier."
He wrapped his cape around me, taking my lips to his more gently this time. I took advantage tracing his lips with my tongue, exploring his textures, his taste as he had earlier. All I could think was of his heat, his body pressed against mine, and it was wonderful.
He pulled away again, and I moaned. He was grinning, and dropped his cape. My breath caught as I looked around to find we were no longer in my room. We were in a dark place. A place where nightmares were born, where even Zeus treaded softly for fear of unmasking some unknown evil, this was the Underworld.