"Oh, my sweet spring flower, what happened to you?" Demeter asked in a trembling voice as she gently caressed her daughter's pale face. Persephone was embraced by familiar arms, resting her head on her mother's lap. The Spring's Goddess had lost her usual pink skin; she did not look like the splendid flower that she always was, quite the opposite, she seemed a flower that counted her few days of life. "Can you tell me what have you done to her?" she said to Hecate, more like an attack than a question.
"I did nothing! You have seen it by yourself, she has suddenly fainted, as if a lightning had struck her." Hecate answered without knowing what to say.
"It may be that seeing so much beauty together had felled her.'' Added Zeus in his usual petulant tone. "It is quite normal. In fact, the other day, while I was enjoying myself in my formidable lake next to my palace, some nymphs passed by and they obviously couldn't resist my charms, so I called them and...
"Oh, shut up for once in your life!" Demeter spat, fire glittering in her pink eyes. "No one cares what you did or did not do, you narcissistic fool." Resentment, anger and sadness were noticed in the Goddess's voice.
"Don't be angry, sister. You know our brother, always catching everybody's attention with his absurd anecdotes." Poseidon said in a burlesque tone, exchanging complicity glances with his brother, easing the growing tension between brother and sister. "I hope the nymphs you talk about were not your wife's helpers, one of them is a good friend of mine, I hope you do not…"
Ignoring Poseidon's attempt to cool the scene, the King God viciously spat. "I forgive you for what you have just said to me because of the situation." He said calmly, voice low and quite without looking away from his sister. "And because for all that we have been. But speak to me that way again, sister, and it will be the last thing you will do. Watch your words, or you will see yourself devoid of tongue."
"I cannot believe the same blood runs through our veins." Demeter whispered, hugging her unconscious daughter even more, not bothering to look to her King.
Finally, heavy eyelids parted open, unfocussed and blinking. As her struggle for air waned, a renewed gaze examined the scene, paying attention in every appreciable detail as clear vision returned. The Goddess of Spring could see many faces, but yet she could not recognize any of them.
Tired of the absurd situation, Hades decided to intervene. "If maybe you give your daughter enough self-space to breathe, she will be alright." He rumbled with a hint of preoccupation, noticed by the receiver of those words.
Suddenly, green eyes opened like two moons, as if Hades' voice had revived her. Without bothering to look at the different faces around her, Persephone couldn't stop staring at the King of the Underworld. That face was very different from what she had seen in her dream. That face was real.
Unlike the dream, Hades' face was now exposed, without helmet or anything that could hide his true aspect. His features were different from the other faces the young Goddess knew. He shared many similarities with Zeus and Poseidon; square and fine face, beauty of a king and strong and robust complexion. But, unlike his brothers, he had a pale face, long and indomitable hair as his brothers; but not golden, black and thick as the night. A sharp face of undeniable beauty, fine and delicate skin, fine lips and marked features. Black eyebrows like his hair, eyebrows that emphasized those eyes that made her lose her sleep, blue eyes that hid mysteries that Persephone could not resist; and this time they were so real.
Lying on the floor, Hades seemed even taller. With his arms folded, his posture appeared to share no concern, even his gaze, cold and distant, even though his eyes never left Persephone. His presence was intimidating, much more than Zeus's. The two shone with their own light, but the black robes of the God of the Underworld stood out in such whiteness.
"You…" The faded Goddess finally whispered.
"Yes, my little Kore, mama is here" Demeter said, stroking her daughter's hair. "You no longer have to suffer for anything, my dear." She added, as if she were comforting a child. The still scene suddenly died when Persephone added. "Hades." Persephone could feel many eyes on her, feeling so exposed. She almost thrilled when she saw the surprise flash in Hades' blue eyes.
"What did she just say?" Hecate asked, sure of what she had heard but incredulous at the same time. Demeter's face was priceless; she was only expecting her daughter claiming her; but no, she was not only ignoring her, she was asking for her brother, brother she hadn't seen for a long time and with whom didn't share much.
Recognizing the shock on his older brother's face, Zeus hastened to step in. "Hades, in your kingdom you have those miraculous herbs that can heal the most lost soul." He started. "I ask you if you and Hecate can accompany my daughter down there and give her them, so she can recover."
Hades looked away from those green eyes to look straight into Zeus' eyes, in disbelief. What is he playing? He asked himself, frustrated by the uncertainty of his brother's words. Not daring to say a word, he waited until his sister replied.
"No way my daughter is going there!" Demeter snapped defensively, giving Zeus a pointed glance. "The Underworld is no place for a shiny flower like her."
"Maybe..." Zeus muttered, "But this does not mean that it is not the best option for Persephone. Seeing her state, I think it would be negligent for your part to not allow her to have the best treatment."
Demeter struggled with the urge to reply with another refusal, but she had to act for the sake of her daughter. She tilted her head, taking a breath as she considered what to say. "Be it…" Demeter finally said surrendering. "Please brother…" Pink eyes with real concern staring to the King of the Underworld. "Take care of her until you return her to me."
"Of course, Demeter." He said, swallowing. Hades was a God of few words, but this time he was sincerely trying to find some to relief his sister from her anguish. But he failed, no words came out of his mouth, for Hades knew that they would not be true. If it was form him, Persephone would stay with him for all the eternity.
Hecate and Demeter carefully helped Persephone to rise, letting go of her only when they were sure that she could stand by herself, like she was a delicate porcelain doll. Standing of her feet, the blonde Goddess rose up her head and looked directly to her attendant. He was so tall, so royal that Persephone remained in her place for a moment, waiting so she might walk beside him. As Hades began to walk, glancing down at her with a look of interest in his eyes, she smiled up at him, making Hades feel dazed.
The strange trio began to walk leaving Demeter and the two King Gods behind. Moving quickly beside her large escort, Persephone was enchanted by that strange and premonitory situation. No other thought could cross her mind but him. Green eyes stared eagerly up at the King of Death, questions running at the back of her mind like hares fleeing from their predator. Curiosity and perplexity were clearly evident in her expressions, looking at her mysterious companion or looking to the ground thinking what to say. She had all forgotten about her faint, about her worries, when after a long silence Hecate could no longer stopped her interest about what had just happened.
"What happened to you, Pers?" Hecate asked while she shook her friend's hand. Hades glared at the Goddess, expecting an answer.
"I do not really know it…" She chuckled, giving a cheeky smile. "I think it was because of Lord Hades, his presence has altered me." She finished, looking with some embarrassment on his interlocutor, who suddenly stopped walking.
"My lady…" he said divisively, not recognizing his own voice. "How can this be?" He asked without knowing if he would like to know the answer.
"I dreamed of you."
Notes:
Sorry for the super massive delay and for this short chapter... These days I had a lot of work, and now is Christmas... so I had no time at all. Today I've finished this chapter, sorry if it's shitty but I'm sick and I didn't want to delay it one more week. Be safe! And thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
