Dark Petals (A Hades and Persephone story)

Chapter Forty Eight - Persphone

I absentmindedly stroke Cerberus's fur. I hadn't been able to shake the feeling of what happened. How could I have been so affected that I was unaware of what I was doing? No matter how much I recount the individual moments I can not remember becoming close to the well let alone reach my hand out toward the liquid. If not for Hades breaking the spell, I shudder at the thought of what could have been. Even so without Cerberus Hades would not have been aware.

"I owe you," I say quietly as I stroke his neck.

All eyes turn to me and a soft whimper vibrates my hand. My eyes grow misty and I met his gaze "Thank you." Cerberus turns each of his heads surrounding me in a hug as his noses nuzzle my face. The tears flow freely as I throw my arms around his neck and cry myself into exhaustion.

***

Nightmares haunt me of alternate realities. Ones that could have been if I had plunged my hand into the blue liquid and lost myself. I look up from the inside of the well as I float with the other souls. Unable to do anything I watch as I smile. But it isn't me, it's the soul that took over my body. I scream but no sound comes from my lips and I begin to descend into the mass of souls. Further and further I go until I am sucked through a crack in the bottom and gone forever.

I jolt awake and begin to thrash as something has a hold of me. Still lost in the all too real nightmare I hit and kick attempting to loosen the grip of whatever has me.

"Little flower, calm down it is me," Hades voice says sweetly, his hand reaches to caress my face and I am instantly calm.

My eyes focus for the first time since I opened them and lock with his. There is something in them that causes my stomach to flip. I don't know what has happened but something has. I search him for some indication of what has happened but he is giving nothing away and there is no physical sign of anything. "What is wrong?" I asked reaching out to cup his hand that holds my cheek.

"There will be time for that but first how are you doing?" he asks his eyes never leaving mine.

"I'm fine," I say, I do not wish to go into the details of my breakdown. The surface beneath me begins to move and I frantically turn to figure out what is going on. Cerberus is shifting attempting to come up from his lying position on the floor. I must have fallen asleep on him after I drained myself of energy and into dehydration. He looks to Hades and a rumble sounds in his chest.

Hades looks from me to him listening to whatever Cerberus is telling him. When he looks back at me his brows furrow "Are you sure? It would seem that Cerberus is worried about you."

I tilt my head to look back at the big softy speaking to both of them "I am now."

Hades tucks my hair behind my ear staring at me a little longer. He doesn't press the issue only nods his head in agreeance. "If that is the case there is something we must discuss" he responds after a minute. Dropping his hand from my cheek he takes my hand and helps me stand. He doesn't say anything as he leads me to the dining hall. With the thought of where we are going my stomach growls reviling it has been a while since I have eaten. I duck my head in embarrassment letting my hair fall and shield my face. He tugs on my hand and for a second I ignore him but he doesn't let me. He continues to tug until I look up and he greets me with a breathtaking smile "You are adorable."

My mouth moves but no words come out as he opens the door for me. The table is filled with all kinds of food but that isn't what catches my attention.

"Mother?"I gasp and run toward her. She stands and holds her arms out wide preparing formy hug. "You came to visit," I say shocked to find her here. Then it hits me,why is she here? In the time that I have been here, I have not heard from heronce. Pulling away I glance to Hades instead of her, realizing whatever I hadseen in his eyes earlier had something to do with this. His face gives nothingaway leaving me to ask "What is going on?"