Chapter 4

After what seemed like an age, Persephone was able to take her bandages off; was able to see. And what she saw was not the dark, cavernous underworld described by her friends or her mother, but rather a light-filled, relaxing place for the souls to call home. She saw it all, from the endless fields of asphodel, to the green, luscious hills of Elysium, and even the burning gate of Tartarus. She saw everything; everything, that is, except for Hades himself. She could hear his voice and feel his gentle touch on her hand, and yet she could not see him.

"Why do you keep yourself hidden from me?" she asked. They were walking along the border to Elysium. He sighed that immense sigh of his, and she felt his sadness.

"I do not wish to frighten you with my appearance."

She giggled. "Does my king think himself ugly?"

"Irrevocably so."

She found his arm and languidly traced her hand up the smooth skin and rippling muscle. She heard his breath catch and she smiled. He was so unlike what her mother told her.

"Would you let me kiss you, then?"

His breathing stopped. "Kiss?"

She placed her hands on his chest, felt his heart beating rapidly there. She looked up to where she thought his eyes were.

"Yes a kiss, my lord. A reward for your good deed." She heard a rustling sound, and she was sure he was shaking his head.

"I require no reward, my lady."

"It is not that you require it, Lord Hades. I wish to give it." She reached her hands up his shoulders and his neck and felt the helm covering his face. Her fingers traced the line of his jaw underneath his helm, and she heard his breath coming in quick gasps. So nervous. She smiled up at him. She did not want him to feel nervous. She touched his lips, feeling that they were full and soft.

"Persephone . . ."

She stepped on her tip-toes and lifted her head towards him, felt his lips brush against hers. She felt his hands reach around her and grab hold of her waist. He was shaking. She touched his face underneath the helm, feeling his rough, stubbled cheeks as she deepened the kiss. She heard him gasp, noticed his hands on her waist grip her tighter. His tongue touched hers, and he tasted sweet. With a deft movement of her hand, the helm fell from his head, and he was revealed to her. He startled and tried to move away from her, but she held him still. He screwed his eyes shut tight, so as not to see the disgust on her face. Or at least what he assumed would be disgust on her face.

But she was not disgusted. She quite liked his face, in fact. True, he was not handsome like Apollo or Hermes or even Ares – his face had been marred, burned, and much of his left ear was missing – but his jaw strong and his nose was straight. She liked the way his short beard cut his features, enjoying the way its mixture of black and ash-white hair framed his mouth and accentuated his eyes, which she caught the color of before he managed to shut them. Blue, clear as ice and just as pure. No, he was not as handsome as other gods, but in her eyes she he was more beautiful than them all. She took a lock of his wavy, white hair in her hand, twirled it around her finger.

"Would my lord please open his eyes?" He shook his head.

"Forgive me, my lady, but I do not wish to see your disgust at my appearance."

"I do not find your appearance disgusting." He laughed, though the sound held no humor.

"Please, my lady, I dislike being teased."

She shook her head and smiled despite her sadness for him. He truly thinks he is hideous. She kissed his eyelids and ran her thumb along his cheek. She frowned. Perhaps to others he is.

"I am not teasing you." She kissed him again, and she felt his fingers digging into her back. "Would my lord please open his eyes?" she repeated. He slowly opened them, and she saw fear there. She kissed the tip of his nose.

"I find your appearance to be quite desirable." His eyes grew wide in surprise, and his brows arched up. She thought he looked rather silly and she kissed him again.