As the darkness enveloped her, Christine threw her arms around the neck of the strange man so as to not fall. He was cold, but strong.

When she could see again, Christine found herself in a very gloomy place. The enormous caverns extended high above her and stretched as far as the horizon above. The columns and arches reminded her of the temples to the gods. Each arch was detailed with intricate carvings.

She was set on her feet and she turned around to take in the immensity of her surroundings. She gazed in awe at the amazing architectural feats.

Finally, her eyes rested again on him.

She nearly jumped upon realizing he was there.

"Um, Hello?" She offered weakly.

Hades smiled fondly.

"You are exactly what I have been dreaming of when I think I have no dreams," he said, "Beauty so indescribable even a genius such as I could not think it up."

Christine blushed.

"Thank you, Sir. To whom do I speak and why am I here?" she asked tentatively.

Hades knew she would only be horrified at the thought of being in the company of death himself. He could not bear the thought of her fearing him.

"You may call me Erik," he said, "I was bewitched by your beauty and wished for your radiance to brighten my gloomy home."

Christine cocked her head. Her golden hair fell over her shoulder and Hades could think only of how soft it must be.

"An interesting name for such a man. I am Christine," The girl replied.

Hades could think of no better name for such a beautiful creature.

"And what a fitting name that is for one so lovely," he said.

Christine smiled.

"Is this your home then?" she asked, gesturing to the caverns behind her.

Hades glanced around.

"This is where I dwell, yes. I have a much smaller residence, though. I would be pleased to show you."

Christine nodded her assent.

Hades extended an arm and Christine took it. Her touch was so gentle he could hardly tell she had accepted before he looked.

As they walked, Christine attempted to converse about different things. She complimented him on the columns and the arches and the faded paintings that covered the walls. She asked him questions about his different projects of architecture and he gladly replied.

Hades felt content with his companion. She gave a light to his domain and to his heart.

They came to his home and he showed her in. It was not in the usual use of the term "cozy", but it was clearly a living space.

Christine wandered around with a look of pure wonder on her face. She walked from room to room with Hades close behind. He watched as she smiled at his kitchen and frowned in confusion at his personal room. He could see her eyes were fixed upon the coffin at the other end.

When she turned to him, he was prepared.

"I think it a good thing to always keep in mind the finality of mortality. Don't you?" He said.

Christine looked back at the coffin. Her face showed less confusion, but what surprised Hades was the lack of horror in her gaze. She showed understanding and sadness.

When she turned back to him, he could not bear to see her sad.

"Please," he said, clasping his hands in front of himself, "Do not feel sadness because of me. I wish for you to only feel content while you dwell here."

Christine jumped at his words.

"You mean you brought me here to live?" she asked.

Hades frowned. He should have known this would be the result of his actions, but he had hoped it would be different.

Christine turned from him. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

"I do not know how I can live with that," she said, "I will certainly miss my mother and my friends. I should never be truly happy if I cannot see them."

Hades' heart ached with despair at her words. He would never be able to live with himself if she lived in sadness, yet he could not force himself to send her back.

"Christine!" he cried, "I swear you will want for nothing. You will know only the best of my realm and you may do whatever you wish while you remain. I swear on my life I will do anything within my power to make you happy if only you will remain!" He had fallen to his knees in front of her now and begged her.

Christine was stunned at his words. She looked down on his masked face with pity. She laid a hand on his shoulder to stop his shaking.

She promised to stay with him for a time, and he was glad for it. He gave her the most lovely room he had and gave her privacy when she was in it.

Christine grew fonder of her days in the underworld, but she rarely spoke to the man she knew as Erik. She was unsure of how she felt towards him. She refused to speak to him and cried for hours each night when she thought of her mother.

She busied herself with anything she could think of until it became too much for her.

She approached Erik one day.

He was surprised, as he had thought she would forever leave him to himself, just as alone as ever. He quickly resolved to do anything for her that he could provide her in his realm.

"Erik? I know it may seem a burden, but I would like to ask something of you," she ventured. She was looking down at her feet and Erik's heart felt warm at the sight of her. His ears felt blessed at being permitted to once again hear her voice.

"Christine, I will provide you with anything it is in my power to give you while you are here. I promised I would do anything to make you happy here," he said.

Christine looked up in wonder at his kind words. She had thought he would be angry at her for avoiding him as she had. Her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as she pondered how such a man could be so cold, but as kind as this.

"I was quite hoping I may be able to have a small area for a garden," she said hesitantly, "Nothing big, a small flower patch, or perhaps some fruit. My mother taught me to love plants of all sorts and I would very much like to have just a bit of her with me."

Hades could hardly bear the affection he felt for her. His heart nearly burst out of his skeleton chest. She would be content with him someday. He knew she could learn to be happy with him.

He stood and was careful not to lay a hand on her shoulder as he wished he could. His cold touch was not something she should be subject to feel.

"My dear Christine. What you ask is nothing to me. You may have as much area for a garden as you like and may have any plants you wish to grow there. You are such a lovely creature to ask such a thing," he responded.

He immediately stole up to the surface to gather every seed he could find. He carefully plucked the finest fruits and flowers. He wore gloves for fear of killing the plants with his touch. He tried to choose the most beautiful creations for the creation most beautiful to him.

When he returned, Christine smiled for the first time since the first day she had been with him. She joyfully looked at all he had brought her and named each one with delight.

Erik felt genuine joy fill his heart for the first time since she had stopped speaking to him. Her joy caused him more joy than he thought himself capable of.

Christine soon picked an area where she wished her garden to be. Erik was quick to begin making it a place that could grow plants. He had to often ask her for advice on how best to work the ground, as he was not experienced in this field.

To his astonishment, Christine was very willing to help him.

Erik was struggling to shape the earth under his hands. He was trying to move the dirt out of the way so he could place more near it, but the stuff seemed to move on its own.

He was so engrossed with his task that he did not notice when her slight form sat next to him. He only noticed when her soft, warm hands closed over his cold ones and gently guided them. He knew he was probably blushing and was glad for the mask he had become accustomed to wearing.

Christine seemed unaware of his discomfort as she kindly explained what she was doing.

"If you push it so harshly, you make it unusable. You must be gentle and look for the area it is most likely to stay."

Erik hardly heard her over the sound of his own heart beating in his ears. He had never known gods could feel with such intensity.

Too soon, her hands were gone from his, off overseeing some other small portion of soil. He could feel the lingering warmth of her skin. He wanted to turn to her and call her back to him. Ask her to explain it again if it meant she would not shrink at his touch as all others did. He desperately wished to call out to her, but the sounds died in his throat as he looked upon her.

She was perfection itself and he knew he was as far from that as anything could be. He should leave her to remain in her perfection.