Erik was content with their progress. He enjoyed having time with her to help her. He lived for the time he would next be able to hear her sing. He felt she was singing only for him, and she must have been, as he was the only soul around.

Despite their new arrangement, Hades was becoming a bit distressed. It had not escaped his notice that there was a strange influx of human souls entering his realm. It had begun shortly after Christine had joined him and was increasing nearly exponentially. He was growing agitated at what this might mean.

He stole away to the surface one night to find out what was happening.

The air was bitterly cold and the entire earth resembled his own domain with the shades of grey it had become. He found very few living plants and fewer creatures wandering about. He soon caught sight of Hermes and flagged him down.

Hermes lighted on the blanket of snow near Hades. Hades towered over the smaller god.

"Might I ask what has been going on recently?" Hades demanded of the messenger.

Hermes looked shocked. His mouth nearly dropped open.

"Lord Hades," He began respectfully, "I am unsure how you have not heard. The daughter of Demeter has been taken and the goddess refuses to attend to the earth while she is yet missing."

Hades felt his heart sink. He had a hunch about where the girl might be.

He thanked the messenger god and returned to his domain below.

They continued in their usual manner. Christine was becoming more familiar with Erik and he was growing even more attached to her by the day. Christine would spend more time with him now, she would often just sit in the same room as him and busy herself with some small task. He would often be playing the lyre or working on some feat of architecture.

Every so often, Christine would look over his shoulder as he worked and ask him about the piece he was working on. He would gladly tell her and he often asked for advice when it came to aesthetics.

Christine had some wonderful insights when it came down to the finer details and Erik cherished each idea she brought forth. He often incorporated her ideas into his final work and he was glad for the touch of a living hand.

He found he could feel a difference in the light of his realm when something of hers was built. Anything including an idea she had made the world around him more vibrant.

He also noticed how dedicated and talented she was in her garden. The plants were beginning to become stronger and more beautiful and she would often spend hours tending them. He knew she must be the daughter of the harvest goddess, but he could not bring himself to confront his own fears.

A day came when Erik was searching for Christine. He had not seen her at all that day and was concerned. He knocked on the door to her room and called her name, but she did not reply. He wandered about his house a bit and searched around the garden, but could not find her.

When he entered his house again from the garden, he could hear her humming softly. He followed her voice to his seldom used kitchen.

Upon entering, Erik found Christine busy with her work. She flitted about the kitchen mixing several different bowls of ingredients and humming as she went.

Erik watched contentedly for a bit before she noticed him.

"Oh, I had hoped to surprise you," she said, "I may not be the best cook, but I think fresh, homemade food is always better than having food brought, don't you?"

Erik was touched by her words. He felt such strong affection for her.

"I admit I very rarely have anything that could be called fresh and never anything homemade," He confessed.

Christine smiled warmly at him.

"Well, today that changes."

Erik had no idea what dishes she was serving him, but he ate each obediently and it was one of the most delicious meals he had ever tasted. He could tell she had worked to accomplish this and it was not only for herself, but also for him. She could have easily made single servings of these dishes, but she had made plenty for both of them.

"Lovely Christine, I would say this food rivals the ambrosia of the gods," Erik declared.

Christine laughed.

"Erik, don't speak unless you say what you mean and know of," she reprimanded him.

Erik was a bit defensive.

"And what do you mean by this?" he asked, "That I neither mean what I say or know of its truth? I promise that I speak more sincerely than Apollo, the god of truth."

Christine blushed.

"Erik, really. I am not at all skilled with food. You are deprived of home fresh dishes and are therefore not educated enough on the matter to know what you say."

Erik pouted for the rest of the day. He sulked around the house, muttering about how he should know what good food is. He has tasted from the tables of the gods.

Authors Note: I am participating in NaNoWriMo this month and will not be able to update this as ofte would normally. I am sorry, but hold on until December and I promise I will be back. I hope you like it so far and thanks for reading.