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Authors: Mina Lobo

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BOOK: That Fatal Kiss
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Athena ignored Eros’ unflattering, if astute, assessment of the gods. “I may add that you, yourself, are not often called to join us, and yet you come.”

“Are you also not welcome, Eros?” Persephone exclaimed.

Eros’ full, sensuous lips trembled, as if he struggled to hold back a flood of recriminating words, before he answered, “It is all too tedious to dissect right now, Kore. Let my final words on the matter of Hades be that I understand, I think, his reticence, and empathize with it. Now…” He rose to his feet, forcing a smile to his unwontedly solemn features. “I shall attempt to locate Hebe amidst this horde of revelers and see if she will not come to refill our cups.”

The goddesses watched Eros’ figure winding his way through the throng of gods, goddesses, and other assorted nymphs and demi-gods. Persephone said, “Have I misspoken, Sister?”

“Of course you haven’t,” Athena said. “It is simply that there are matters among the gods which are sensitive to the touch.”

“But what could the others possibly fear from Hades and Eros?”

The dark-haired goddess contemplated her goblet before saying, “Their power.”

“Their power,” Persephone echoed.

“Yes.”

Persephone cast her eyes over the assembled crowd, as if taking their measure. She looked back at Athena and asked, “And what do Hades and Eros fear from them?”

Athena raised serene gray eyes to her sister. “Rebuff.”

“Rebuff…” Persephone now said aloud. The word reverberated in Hades’ bedchamber. That had to be the reason, the only reason, why he’d abducted her. He could not bear to go above ground to court her for fear that she, and her mother, would reject his suit. While Persephone could understand this, she would not accept being deprived of her choice. But Athena’s teachings had not been in vain and Persephone had developed a unique wisdom of her own. She knew it would be pointless, even detrimental, to rail against Hades and cause more friction between them. While she waited to see if her release could be achieved, she must act wisely. If she could not be released, then she would have to abide with him, and she could not bear the thought of an eternally antagonistic relationship. Though he’d been wrong, horribly wrong, to snatch her, she could not forget his concern for her when he’d seen her healing herself. And she could not put from her mind the memory of how he held her when he brought her down to the Underworld. His touch had been firm, yes, but almost…almost tender as well.

Persephone could not merely submit to his will, but she decided she would accept the limitations currently imposed upon her and turn them to her advantage. Perhaps the balance of power weighed more heavily in her favor than was immediately apparent. He desired her enough to abduct her, but had not yet physically claimed her. If he did hold some slight regard for her, then perhaps there was hope for their union, unwanted though it was.

The goddess saw Hades in her mind’s eye, as he appeared when he stripped himself before her. Persephone had shied away from the feelings evoked by the sight of his naked form at the time, but she could not evade them now. In that moment, lust for him inflamed her. He was magnificent. His body had not the same golden beauty of Apollo’s, nor the ivory smoothness of Eros’; it was larger, harder. Stronger. Invincible. Her arousal by the one who stole her, denied her will, and almost certainly meant to rape her, disgusted her then. But in that one, flaring moment, her hunger ignited and she wanted to touch his immortal flesh, feel the hard muscle and sinews against the contours of her own body. She wanted to feel him within her. She would not, however, reveal that to him, would not let him think that the act of lying with him would make her love him. She might never love him, despite the compelling force between them. If he let her go to him, on her own terms, of her own volition, perhaps they would arrive at some understanding. Perhaps.

A rapping at the chamber door cut through the quiet, startling Persephone. Was it Hades, past all patience and ready to force the consummation of their marriage? The thought caused her to pull the bed-sheets up high until they covered her throat. Her voice shook only slightly when she called out, “Enter!”

The door flew open at her bidding, meeting the wall behind it with a resounding crash that made Persephone jump again. Hades stood in the doorway, hesitated, then entered the chamber. His eyes met hers briefly before glancing toward the door, and he gave a slight shrug, as if apologizing for the clamor.

Persephone noted the short robes and cloak he wore, clothing fit for riding. She assumed that his marvelous physique was due, in part, to a propensity for long rambles throughout his kingdom. The goddess’ eyes fell on Hades’ exposed legs, noting the well-defined muscles in his calves and thighs, and heat suffused her cheeks.

Hades gave her a brusque nod by way of greeting, his face solemn, though not harsh. “I trust you slept well?”

“Yes,” Persephone answered, tearing her eyes away.

“And you suffered no ill-effects from…?” He let the question trail off, as if loath to articulate his violence against her from the night before.

“None physical.”

An uncomfortable silence followed those words. Their eyes held one another’s from the moment he first spoke, but now Hades looked away from the reproach in hers and crossed his arms. “I will not keep you long. I merely wished to see how you fared and to let you know that Hecate is at your disposal today, should you wish to roam about and familiarize yourself with the lay of the land.”

Persephone felt a surge of joy upon hearing the familiar name. The Witch Goddess was cousin to Artemis and Persephone felt a natural affinity with her. “Is she here, at the palace?”

Hades made no immediate reply. He’d glanced at her, frozen, and continued to stare at her mutely. Persephone’s wariness returned and she prompted cautiously, “Hades?”

He looked away again, uncrossing his arms only to re-cross them. “Yes, she is here. She awaits you just beyond the main gates. Your horse is being prepared for your outing. You may amuse yourself at your leisure as long as you are mindful that I expect you for the evening meal.” He stole another look at her face. “Even if you will not partake of it.”

Hades’ eyes locked upon Persephone’s when he uttered that last sentence and temporarily robbed her of speech. The reason Athena gave for his reluctance to break his solitude resounded in her head. He feared rebuff. Though she hardly comprehended why, Persephone longed to replace that fear with another, more welcome emotion. “No, I shall not partake of your meal, but I shall return in time to sit with you.”

And again silence reigned. Hades made no move to withdraw and Persephone none to dismiss. The air between them thickened with unspoken sentiment. When Persephone could tolerate the quiet no longer she asked, “Do you allow me this liberty without guard?”

At that, Hades snapped out of his reverie. He strode to the bed and grasped her by the arms. “You have no need of guard. If you chance upon any of the openings which lead above ground it shall immediately close to you.” Her sharp intake of breath had him loosening his grip but his expression was severe as he added, “Persephone, get the thought of flight out of your head. You are not leaving, I will not allow it. You are my wife.”

Momentarily defeated, Persephone nodded. “I understand.”

Without another word, he released her and retreated.

Persephone nearly lost heart then, thinking she and Hades would never come to an accord if things continued in this fashion. She quickly got out of bed and dressed. As she laced up her sandals, she happened to look at the ivory chest. From what she remembered of her ride through Erebus yesterday, it was bound to be cool outside the palace. She opened the chest, removed the scarlet cloak, and draped it over herself. She selected some ivory pins from the table of ornaments, pinned the cloth securely about her shoulders, and was off.

It took longer than she expected to find her way out to the main entrance of the palace. Once she left the bedchamber, Persephone strove to remember the way Hades had come through the day before. She correctly chose to bear left and trotted through a long marble colonnade, which opened out into a courtyard to her right. The delightful aroma of fresh green basil leaves drifted in with a cool breeze, enchanting her, and she resolved to explore this unexpected retreat.

When she reached the end of the long hallway, she had no choice but to turn right. She walked down three marble steps and then passed through some type of sitting room. Though it was liberally strewn with chairs, tripods, and couches, the goddess doubted that visitors took their leisure there. The marble walls were unpainted and no mosaics decorated the floor. Persephone wrinkled her nose at the vast, cold chamber. Did Hades truly wish to leave it so indifferently arranged? Well, yes; he probably did.

She found her way to the great bronze portal and saw that the servant who’d brought her dinner the night before held it open for her. Persephone managed a thankful smile for the mortal woman before she stepped outside. There she saw Hecate, who waved and dismounted from her horse. They ran the few steps toward each other and embraced.

“Hecate, you can’t know how happy I am to see you!” Persephone cried.

“I believe I may guess,” the white-haired goddess replied, as she pulled away.

But Persephone did not immediately release her. Quietly, she asked the Witch, “Is there nothing you can do, no enchantment strong enough to help me escape?”

The other goddess gave a subtle shake of her head. “Nothing at all, my dear. I’d have you back with your mother this instant if I could. But Hades’ power as ruler of this realm is supreme. His will overrides even my most powerful magic, especially as regards keeping his subjects within his world.”

“I see,” Persephone said. “Well, it was worth a try.” She was unaware of the softening of her features as she mentally added,
half-hearted though it might have been
.

Hecate, however, was very aware. Her silvery blue eyes examined Persephone’s features thoroughly and she grinned. “So the wind blows that way, does it?”

Persephone pushed her away, blushing. “Do you mean to torment me or offer me solace, evil female?”

“That depends solely upon which proves the more entertaining alternative,” Hecate said, throwing her arm around Persephone and dragging her to a cream-colored horse. “This is Zephyr. He’s a wedding gift from your besotted husband.”

“My besotted husband, indeed,” Persephone scoffed, shoving her away again. She rolled her eyes at the Witch’s spirited laugh and stroked the beautiful horse before mounting it. The new Queen of Hades arranged her clothes around herself neatly as Hecate mounted her own steed, a gentle gray, and then picked up her reins. “Where to?”

“See that bronze fortification, just west of us?” Hecate asked, pointing straight ahead.

Persephone looked and saw the gleaming bronze walls that seemed to form an enormous rectangle in the distance. “Aye?”

“That is Tartarus, where the wicked are punished evermore. We could go there first,” Hecate suggested, then laughed at the look of dismay Persephone offered in response. “Oh come now, Persephone, do not be so craven! We do not have to enter, unless you wish it.”

Persephone’s shoulders slumped. “Very well, let us ride to that place, if we must. I understand it is the most dismal region of Erebus. May as well get my acquaintance with it out of the way.”

They took their horses past the pomegranate grove to the path that led west and began their tour of the Underworld at a leisurely pace. Persephone eyed the Witch curiously. “So tell me; why are you here, Hecate?”

“Ah, well, Erebus is my home, after a fashion,” Hecate replied easily. “I cannot abide remaining in the same place for too long, however, and make my way to the Upperworld when the mood strikes me.”

“But why come down here at all, if you do not have to?”

Hecate took a moment to consider her response before saying, “I like the dark. It is a peculiar thing, I know, but when I grow weary of all the intrigues of Olympus, I go to one of my caves. Of course, the mortals then besiege me endlessly for assistance in their magical crafts and, to avoid their pleas, I retreat into the Underworld.”

“Hmmm. Then you are often in Hades’ company?”

The bright-haired goddess surprised Persephone by tossing back her head and laughing heartily. “Oh, my dear, do I have to fear your jealousy so soon upon our reunion?”

“Certainly not,” Persephone denied crisply, avoiding her friend’s lively eyes. “I merely wish to better understand how you came to be my escort here today. Hades lets you come and go as you please, then.”

“He does indeed,” Hecate acknowledged. “And as beings who inhabit the same realm and come across one another on a regular basis, we have established a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Persephone’s eyes flashed over to Hecate’s. “Oh?” she said, straining to appear unconcerned. Although why she should fret over the nature of the Witch’s relationship with Hades was beyond her.

Hecate chuckled again, leaning over to jostle Persephone. “How is it that you have not yet bedded your husband when you so desperately wish to claim him?”

Persephone offered Hecate a stinging slap on her arm, though she laughed as she did so. “Shameless wretch, how dare you suggest such a thing? I was snatched, unwittingly wed to Hades! The union was not one I wished for, as you may imagine.”

“Humph. You may not have wished for it, but now that it has come to be, I think you are not so averse to him.”

“I’ve often admired your fertile imagination, Hecate, though it does exhibit an unfortunate leaning toward the outrageous.”

“Oh, of course!” Hecate said with a grin. “And so I must be
imagining
the look that crosses your face every time Hades’ name is spoken.”

“What look might that be?” Persephone asked tautly, irritated with Hecate for so accurately reading her.

“The look of desire. Yearning. Lust—”

BOOK: That Fatal Kiss
5.26Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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