"Mother, you can release me now," Kore remains encased in her mother's arms.
"Kore, my child, you do not realize how dear you are to me. I-I could never live life without. . ." Demeter started to tear up again, grasping her child closer to her flesh, as if forcing her back into the womb. Kore remained neutral, as she did always, when her mother was in an anxious state. Kore embraced her mother reassuringly with a soft squeeze.
Kore sighed, taking her mother's youthful face in her palms. Kore smiled at her mother's emerald eyes, which were shielded by dark lashes. She noticed the slight wrinkle in between her mother's eyebrows. Kore's left palm smoothed the silkiness of her mother's hair, placing a barley colored strand behind one ear.
Demeter huffed, releasing her hold. Kore innocently pecked her mother's damp cheek.
"That's what my father looks like?" Kore whispered, looking down.
Demeter barely spoke of Zeus, and sheltered Kore to life without a presence of a father.
It was the first time Kore had ever met her father, and she was still processing the event. Demeter's face darkened at the curious question. Demeter endured many nights immobilized at the destructive possibilities her child's curiosity would lead to. Demeter glanced back at Kore-taking in the bright orbs that were flooded with emotion-and sighed.
"Zeus is an interesting creature, one could say," Demeter said, brows furrowed.
"He's quite handsome, from what I saw."
Demeter was quite aware of Zeus' aesthetically pleasing features; from his bronze flesh to his muscular chest, Zeus was desired by many. But it was Zeus' eyes that had caused her to melt inside. The azure sky that was encased in his pupils behaved just like his domain-stormy when his emotions boiled the most, but clear as day when determined.
Demeter cried when her Kore had not been gifted with her dark green orbs, but instead possessed eyes of a light jade speckled with blue. Even Kore wasn't completely of her; the thought sent a streak of panic through her.
"I suppose."
"I don't really look like either of you, though," Kore started twirling a strand of her golden locks.
Demeter stilled, eyes clamped closed, she exhaled slowly as possible.
Her child was the image of natural beauty; soft, flawless skin that was lightly kissed by Helios himself. The child's face resembled a younger, brighter version of herself-with the few exceptions of sizes, and color variations. Kore bore rounder eyes, and fairer skin-which resulted in a faint trail of sunlight's touch along the bridge of her nose and cheeks. Kore's body lacked the womanly curves of those around her age, but compensated with her height; Kore was almost as tall as Demeter, who was a few feet taller than the average mortal woman. Kore was beautiful as the rarest flora-and sweet as the nectar of the gods-but she was his daughter.
Kore resembled Zeus in many ways. Her temper was just as bitter, and her glare was just as chilling as her father's. Both daughter and father shared an undying curiosity, both which got them into trouble. But Kore wasn't the cruel, unfaithful Zeus; Kore was her own being, loved by all.
"You're beautiful, flower." Demeter cupped her daughter's cheek.
Kore sensed that her mother did not wish to further discuss her father. The child bit her lip-until a metallic taste invaded her mouth-but nodded softly, following her mother back outside to tend the gardens.