Four

Day One

"Mother!" I screamed, sitting straight up. I placed a hand against my chest to soothe my racing heart, wiping the cold sweat off of my face. My stomach was turning with nausea, and I took several deep breaths, closing my eyes. I was alive. I was awake. I was fine. All because I'd had the worst nightmare…

My head ached, and I rubbed at my temples. What even happened the day before? It was like there was a fog in my mind, and try as I might, I just couldn't see past it. Something had happened, something terrible… or was that just the leftover anxiety from the nightmare?

I opened my eyes, and then frowned. Bed. I was in a bed. Red silk curtains hung on three sides, and I yanked back the ones closest to me. I gaped at the large, elegant room before me. The floor was a beautiful white marble, covered with elaborately woven rugs in bright colors, such as yellow and blue. A wooden cupboard stood taller than me in the corner, and I made my way hesitantly over to it, throwing it open in one swift motion. Inside were clothes. Women's clothes, made of finer materials than any I had ever laid eyes on. I passed my hand over a silken chiton. It was soft green, and luxurious to touch. Below, in a drawer, were sandals and boots made of exceptional leather and fur. Against the far wall was a door. I made my way there next. It was a sitting area. There was a plush divan, several chairs, and a small table. Again, there was another door. I looked in there, too, and found a place where I could bathe. Where was I? What was this place, and why did it look as though it were mine?

My head hurt so badly. I brought my hands to my head, rubbing just above my ears. I felt something tickle against my left hand, and I flinched, looking at my hand. There was a smudge of something on my skin. I felt my left ear, and something crumbled in my hand. When I looked again, a heavy sorrow swept through me. There in my hand was the lily blossom I had placed behind my ear… only, it was dead. It had turned to ash in my hand. I sighed sadly, and it blew like dust from my palm, sprinkling on the ground.

A lily. That sparked a memory. A lily. What was I doing the day before? Flowers… ashes… As confused as ever, I made my way back to the bedroom.

The bedroom was occupied when I returned. I gasped, emitting a tiny shriek as I saw the dark form looming beside the bed. All at once, the events of the previous day swarmed into my head: the narcissus, the ground breaking open, Admete screaming, Hades taking me away, the cold of Erebus… I gasped, my lungs flooding with ice. My mother. How could I have forgotten my mother? Dozens of questions flooded my mind. Did she know I was gone? Was she looking for me? Did she know who had taken me? My chest ached with physical pain at the thought of her, and tears brimmed at my eyes again. I wanted to go home.

Hades.

He was standing beside the bed, and he looked up as I came into the bedroom. He looked as frenetic as he did the day before, with his wild black hair in tangled ropes down his back, and with his empty, staring eyes. I stayed where I was, against the opposite wall. He took a step forward, and I took one back, pressing myself flat against the wall. I could barely breathe for the fear.

He stopped short, and stared at me. Neither of us said anything for a long moment.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "I trust you… slept well?"

I didn't answer. His voice was deep and cultured, but it did not carry the insanity that I imagined. He sounded like a man pleasantly asking after me, as if he actually cared. How stupid of me to think so. That was impossible. He'd sooner kill me, of that I was sure.

He spoke again. "Are you hungry?"

Again, I said nothing. After a moment, he just nodded his head, and then bowed stiffly, politely. Turning on his heel, he left the room through a door to the right of the bed. I waited until I heard his the echoes of his footsteps fade, before crossing the room and sitting down on the bed. Clamping my hands together, I pressed them tightly between my knees and bit my lip to keep from crying. I could hear my mother's voice inside my head: No more tears, Persephone. Be strong now. Find a way out.

Yes, of course. I would escape! I eyed the door that he had gone through. What if he was out there, lurking just out of sight? What if he caught me? I had to try. I had to get back to my mother. As quietly as I could, I moved away from the bed and towards the door. I pressed my ear against it, listening for any sound beyond. There was nothing. As softly as I dared, I turned the knob and pulled the door open. Sticking my head out, I noticed with a triumphant feeling that the hallway was empty. With panic swimming through my blood, I dashed down the stone hallway, making my way towards the main entrance of the Hall.

The world outside was brighter than I imagined. It was like being among the land of the living again, on a cloudy day. I realized then that the sun did rise in the Underworld, though its light was curtained and dimmed by Erebus. The air was still the same as before, thick and warm and windless. The purple flames burned in their braziers as I raced past, ignoring the eerie stares of the statues that lined the courtyard.

Running as fast as I could, it didn't take long for me to reach the bottom of the hill. The bottoms of my feet stung from the harsh dirt, but I had to keep going. Wildly, I ran down the gray road, until I came to the gates. My heart flooded with relief. They were still open! Was Hades a fool? Had he trusted that I would not try to escape? What folly! Actually smiling, I hurried through the gates and emerged triumphant on the other side.

And then my entire plan came crashing down around me.

The River Styx. I hadn't thought about how I would get across. I didn't think I could swim it, for it was much too wide and tumultuous, and I also dared not set one toe inside. It's known as the River of Hate; why would I want to go swimming through that? I stood there, frowning, weighing my options. Charon could take me across. But he was on the other side, waiting to ferry the dead. Could I call to him, and summon him? Or would it be wiser to wait instead for him to bring a soul across, at which point I could ferry back? But I had no coins on me. I had nothing but the chiton that I had arrived in, and I would certainly not give that to him. I also really didn't want to wait around to see a dead soul, traveling on its way to its eternal resting place.

"Damn," I muttered, throwing my arms up. What could I do? I did the only thing I could think of. I yelled. "Help! Someone help me! HELP!"

"Master…"

Hades paused in his furious pacing, cocking his head to one side. The Hall was silent and mostly empty; he could not mistake the voice inside of his head for someone else. Though it was no doubt the result of being the son of a primordial deity, he had never quite known had Charon, his faithful ferryman, had acquired the power to speak with his mind. He was, however, grateful for it, as it meant they did not need to meet face to face upon the Rivers.

"Yes, Charon?" At that particular moment, he was glad for the emptiness of the Hall. Whomsoever passed by the throne room right then would surely think him mad, or at least, more insane than he already was.

The familiar hiss filled his mind again. "There is a disturbance upon your shore of Styx…"

Hades scowled. "What kind of disturbance?"

"HELP!" I jumped up and down, waving my arms. Someone had to hear me. Someone out there had to see me. There had to be some way of getting away from this forsaken place. "SOMEONE HELP ME!"

There was a noise to my right. I paused in my exertions, breathing hard, turning to glance at the source of the sound. I did a double-take, gasping and taking one large step backwards. "Oh…"

Cerberus was standing there, having clearly just been woken up by my shouting. The head on the far left wasn't even looking at me; it was gazing sleepily out at the rushing black waters of the River Styx. The head on the far right was yawning, rubbing its face against that of the middle head. The center head was staring right at me, its yellow eyes fierce.

I made what I hoped was a friendly face, bringing my finger to my lips, shushing him. "Please don't give me away." How could I convey that I needed to escape this dreadful place? "Please."

The dog ignored me. Slowly, the middle head's lips pulled back in a fearsome growl. The head on the right followed suit, as did the head on the left, until all three of its ferocious, enormous heads were growling at me. Drool pooled on the ground.

I held my hands up, taking another step back. "Now, Cerberus, dear… you remember me, don't you? From yesterday?"

The center head snarled more loudly than before, and I jumped with fright. All at once, all three heads began barking with great, booming voices that I was sure even Zeus could hear back on Mt. Olympus.

I screamed.

Hades heard the barking from his place in the throne room, and he could feel Cerberus' alarm brushing against his heart. "Damn," He growled, clenching his teeth. "Damn!" Rushing from the room in a swirl of black, he made his way out of the Hall. He called for his chariot, waiting at the steps for it to be brought by one of his servants.

Foolish girl! Why would she try to escape? It was impossible without him or Charon, and his ferryman would do nothing without permission. Had she even thought about what she was doing before she went tearing from his Hall? Had she even surmised that he and Cerberus might share a connection that was deeper than flesh? Stupid, foolish girl! To stand there yelling and carrying on, hoping someone might save her!

Hades almost laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. Who was there to save her? Charon, whose body no longer knew flesh or blood? Perhaps one of Charon's brothers, the twins of Sleep and Death? No, the only one coming to her rescue in his gilded chariot was their stoic overlord, and the one god that she surely hated with everything in her. Hades smiled in a way that was more a grimace than anything. Such was the irony of all things.

One of his Faceless servants brought his chariot around, and before the servant had even left, Hades climbed up inside. Literally booting the servant out, and ignoring his squeals of pain, Hades snapped the reins, guiding his steeds out of the courtyard at a gallop. Yes, he was rushing to save her, when it would most likely be better for them both if she somehow managed to escape.

Perhaps he was the fool.

I could hear the hoof beats before I even saw him. Hades, in his dark, mighty chariot, came tearing through the gates at full speed. The chariot almost tipped as the horses turned sharply. The wheels wavered at the edge of the river, sinking into the black mud. I gasped with pain as Hades hand closed around my arm, and he yanked me up into the chariot.

"Thank you," He said, breathing hard, and for the merest second, I imagined he was talking to me. His black eyes, however, were on Cerberus. The dog was no longer growling, but sitting primly and proudly, as if he had done some great service to his master. It was then that I realized he had.

Traitor, I thought, throwing the dog a dirty look. He ignored me, turning in a circle and laying back down beside the gate with a sigh.

Hades tightened his arm around me, and snapped the reins. Again, I was brought to the Hall in the chariot, but this time I was at the mercy of an angry God. He grabbed me by my elbow, and pulled me out of the chariot when we arrived at the steps. One of his silent servants took the chariot away, glaring at Hades as he did so. Hades ignored the glance, and instead steered me up the steps, pulling me along so quickly that my feet tripped over themselves.

"Will… you… let… go!" I yelled, shoving him away from me.

His face was shocked and enraged. He swung his arm back, as if to strike me, and I tensed, waiting for the blow. Instead, to my surprise, he picked me up and threw me over one shoulder. I shrieked, as the world suddenly turned upside down. I hit his back with my hands, but it didn't faze him at all. He kicked open the door to my room, and then I was promptly tossed upon the bed.

I lay there, stunned, my heart raging in my chest. What would he do now, I wondered. Fear pricked my skin when I realized my chiton had bunched itself up around my thighs; I could barely breathe as I met his steady gaze. Would he force himself upon me?

He only stood there, breathing hard, his teeth bared. "Do not try that again," He said harshly. "There is no way to escape from my domain, and I say so truthfully. If there is a next time, I will not be so eager to save you from my subjects."

Anger shot through me. Save me? He thought this was saving me? Keeping me a prisoner here, and forcing me to endure this hell? I would rather face his subjects! I would rather face whatever evils they beset me with then have to remain in his presence a moment longer! I sat up, glaring at him as I did. I rearranged my chiton, and I could tell by his lingering in the room that he expected me to say something. I said nothing. Instead, I spit at him.

He looked at the glob of my saliva on his chest a moment. Then, without a word, he left the room. I heard a key turn in the lock from the outside of the door; I ran to the door, trying to knob though I already knew it was useless. Now I really was a prisoner. I slapped at the wood, pounding it with my fists until my hands bled. Exhausted, I collapsed on the ground and sobbed.

It was hopeless. I was trapped, for I knew his words were true: there was no way for me to escape. I was doomed.

Hades slammed the door to his room. Grabbing the broken table from the floor, he picked it up and threw it across the room. It smashed into two pieces against the opposite wall. Snarling, he tore more of the curtains away from his battered bed, and ripped them to shreds with his nails.

She spit on him! After he saved her from what could have happened. If Hades had not arrived to intervene, Cerberus would have taken that as an invitation to maul her, and he would have! How dare she, after he made room for her in his home. He had turned his entire world - his entire existence - upside down, and he had done it all for her. And this was how she repaid him? By spitting on him? Ungrateful wretch, she did not deserve his affections!

That's not true. Hades sighed, sinking down upon the edge of his bed. Nothing was going right. Only one day into their stay together, and already they were both angry and confused. How will I make this work for the both of us? How can I make her love me as I love her?

Standing, Hades walked to the corner. Upon a small table there was a vase, and inside of it was one single narcissus bloom. The very same one that he had used to spy on Persephone. He picked it up, holding it gently in his hands, before speaking clearly at it.

"Hecate."

The center of the bloom shimmered as if it were water, and opened like a door. Gazing through the folds of earth and darkness, he could see the goddess of witches walking calmly through a field. Her alpha hound, Kyrillos, was at her side, and he stiffened when Hades called through the fade to her.

"Hecate!"

Hecate paused, looking around. She made a face, planting her hands on her hips. "You're using that damned flower, aren't you?"

He nodded, before realizing she couldn't see him. "Yes, I am. I needed to talk to you."

She soothed Kyrillos, whose fur had stood on end. "Shush, darling, it's only Hades." She raised her head, looking around as if she imagined she could see him standing beside her. "I need to talk to you as well. I've heard some disturbing things lately, and I-"

Hades sighed. "They're all true, Dark Lady."

Hecate rolled her eyes. "As I'm well aware. I was going to ask, whatever possessed you to do such a thing? Are you completely mad?"

"Yes," Hades replied mournfully, slumping down against the wall in his room. "I love her, Hecate. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I was lost. I wish to worship the very ground that she walks on. I need her beside me if there is any hope for me to continue existing peacefully. My heart is absolutely smitten. "

"Your heart is absolutely foolish." Hecate's voice was tart. "Is she there now?"

"Yes. She's in her room."

"How kind of you, to give her a room to herself. I suppose you have some semblance of a plan, to make her love you in return?"

"Well," Hades said carefully, unsure. "Not really. I do not wish to marry her by force. I wish for her to feel for me as I do for her, but… it is not as easy as that, it would seem."

"Of course it isn't!" Hecate sighed, sitting down on the ground. "What happened?"

"Today, she tried to escape. She didn't know that she could not, but she ran from my Hall regardless, and found herself stuck on the shores of the River Styx. Then, because she couldn't think of what else to do, she started shouting. Screaming for someone to help her."

Hecate laughed. "She didn't!"

"She did! She made so much noise, she woke Cerberus from his mid-morning nap. Thinking she was an intruder, he became defensive. It scared her, and she started screaming some more. All of this commotion came to my attention, thanks to Charon, and I rushed down there just in time and saved her. And then, when we got back to the Hall, do you know what she did?"

"What?"

"She spit on me. I told her not to try and escape again, and the chit spit on me! How is that for gratitude?"

Hecate sighed again, stroking Kyrillos' head lovingly as he lay with his body strewn across her lap. "Hades, I know you love her and that you're very lonely, but try and imagine just for a moment how she is feeling. The only life she's ever known is one of life and light, and staying faithfully at her mother's side. Suddenly, you've taken that away from her. I'm sorry, but it's going to be very hard for her to love you if she also hates you."

Hades' voice was flat. "So you're saying it's hopeless."

"No, of course not! But you're going to have to work very hard to erase the ill feelings between the two of you. She is probably very frightened, not only of you, but of her surroundings. Try and make things easier for her. If you look how I think you do, you might want to try and clean up. Comb your hair, shave your face, and do try to be nice to the poor thing. She is only a girl after all. Clean up the Hall, too. I have stayed there before, and I know how cold and forbidding a place as that can seem."

There was a pause. Finally, Hades replied, "That's ridiculous. What's wrong with my appearance?"

"You've never had to see yourself at your worst, as I have. You look like a madman. No wonder she tried to run away. She probably thought you were going to try and kill her as she slept."

"I like how I look." Hades made a face at her, glad that she couldn't see him.

"Oh, stop sulking. The choice is up to you, but if you want her love, then I suggest you do what I say. I sometimes do know what I'm talking about, you know." He watched as Hecate and Kyrillos both stood. "I need to go now, dear, I have matters to attend to."

"Yes, of course. Thank you, Hecate."

She bowed to the air in front of her. "It was my pleasure, Lord."

Hades set the flower back in its vase, as the image faded from its center. Hecate was a good friend of his, and he knew that she meant well, but he did not look like a madman. And he would certainly not change himself for any brat who would spit on him, that much was certain, regardless if he adored her more than his own immortal life. If Persephone was going to love him, she was just going to have to get used to the brutish monster that was Hades.

Hecate looked down at Kyrillos. "Just you watch, love. He's not going to take my advice at all. He is so stubborn."

She turned, and walked back across the field. As she neared a tree in the center of it, her feet could feel the change: the grass was dry and dead; it crunched underneath her toes. The earth was hard-packed and cold, and she shivered as she came upon the slumped form of Demeter. All of the leaves from the tree lay around her in a circle, having fallen victim to the goddesses' sorrow.

"Any news?" Demeter asked glumly, her voice devoid of all life and emotion.

Hecate's heart twanged. As much as she loved her dear friend Hades, he had done a very foolish, stupid thing to the world. He had broken not only one heart, but two. When she returned to the Underworld, she was going to give him the scolding of an immortal lifetime.

She knelt down in front of Demeter, taking her hands. They were freezing and clammy. "Listen to me, Demeter," She said solemnly. "I have work here that requires my attention, but after the Harvest Moon has passed, I am returning to the Underworld. While I am there, I promise you, I will take care of Persephone."

Demeter's eyes filled. "My daughter?"

"Yes, Lady. I swear to you that I will see she is all right."

Demeter closed her eyes, tears spilling down her wan cheeks. "Thank you."

Hecate watched with a heavy heart as Demeter cried harder, and the landscape around them began to wither and die. And so a winter is upon us, she thought morosely, as the Heart of the Land dwells in darkness below. She cast her eyes up to the sky, sending out a silent prayer: Please let Persephone be all right. The fate of the earth depends upon it.

Thanks so much for all the favorites and the reviews! It means a lot to me :) Unfortunately, I'm having a bit of trouble juggling school, this story, the chapters I'm working on for the Burning For You sequel, and my demanding World of Warcraft addiction, so the next chapter may not be up for a while. Just a heads up.