Persephone

49. Purple Hyacinth ✔

Hades

I'm standing beside Persephone, as the doctor explains to us that our little Rose is no more. We both saw it coming but it hurt, it hurt like hell. Persephone just held my hand, even as they brought her in for us to say goodbye, she didn't want to let go. My mother decides to take Rose and she just sobs as she looks at our little girl's face.

"She looks so beautiful." My mother sobs. My dad looks down at the Rose and a tear slip from his eye. He quickly wipes it away, but we all saw it.

All my siblings are gathered in a corner too scared to look at her. Fifi and Don stand beside my parents and they both kiss her on the forehead. They walk over to us and hug Persephone.

"We are so sorry for your loss." Fifi cries.

Persephone mumbles a thank you and they look at me and I give them a curt nod and they leave the room.

Hestia, Hera, and Zeus say their condolences to us, and they all kiss their niece on the forehead and leave.

My mom and dad come over to us and they hand the baby over to me, and there she was in all her glory. My beautiful princess, they took her away from me. I cry as I look at her lifeless face.

"I would give everything to have you Rose, but the gods thought you would be perfect for them, and I must respect their wishes. I love you, my princess. Always have and always will." I cry.

I kiss her forehead and only last squeeze. I look over at Persephone and she seems cold, distant, and broken. I put the baby in her lap, and she looks down at her, she lets out a shaky breath and takes her.

"I will find out who took your soul, and I will make them pay." She vows. "I love you and I will bring you home."

She kisses Rose on the lips and hands her back to me, I give her to my mother, and they leave.

"I want to go home."

"I'll have to check with the d-

"I said I want to go home Hades."

I sigh, "Of course, let me go get it done."

I leave the room and I find Charon and Tyson standing in the hallway.

"We have come to offer our condolences my Lord," Charon says and bows.

"Thank you, Charon."

Tyson opens his arms and I hug him, "I am so sorry. As soon as we heard we came. Charon told me that she was dead, but her soul never showed up."

"My Lord, we can find it, but it might take a while." Charon says, "We'll need to speak to Hecate.'

I nod, "I'll let her know. Keep this discreet and start with the twins, something tells me that those two might know what's going on.'

"Yes, your highness."

Charon is my soul collector, he is a minor god who I have assigned the dismal task of being the cosmic ferryman, whose boat carries the souls of the newly dead across the river of death. The short elderly man may look frail, but he packs a punch.

"You should go home and get some rest Hades," Tyson says.

"I was just about to check Persephone out and then head home."

Charon looks at me with furrowed brows, "Do you think it's safe for her highness to be out so soon."

"I'm afraid it's what she wants Charon, not much I can do."

The men and I walk down to the reception, and I sign the discharge papers and ask my mother to go get Persephone ready while I finish my conversation with Charon and Tyson. After ten minutes, Persephone and my mother come down and Persephone is in a wheelchair.

Charon bows, "Your highness, my condolences."

"Thank you, Charon."

"We will do our best to bring the princesses' soul home," Tyson says.

"Thank you, both of you and when you do find them. Bring them to me, alive. I'd like to take their soul from their body."

Charon and Tyson look at each other in fear and they both nod and walk away.

"Take me home." Persephone commands and I push her to the entrance, where Don is parked outside with Fifi. I get her into the car, and I get in the backseat with her. My parents get into their car, and they go home.

The drive home is quiet and sombre, Persephone is holding onto my hand, she's not saying much but I know she needs me. I'm the only person she's got right now. The only person who understands her pain. I stroke her hand with my thumb.

The past 24 hours have been draining and chaotic. I'm tired and I just want to get home hold my wife and try and get some sleep. My stomach rumbles and I can't remember the last time I had a decent meal.

"Do you want anything to eat baby?"

She sniffs, "Can I have some McDonald's? I'd like a family meal please."

"For us to share?"

She glares at me with her puffy eyes, "That's not what I said."

"Okay, okay. Don, do you mind?"

He shakes his head, "Not at all brother."

Don turns the car, and he drives into the nearest McDonald's drive-thru, he places an order for everyone, including Persephone's family meal. He pays for the food, and we make our way home.

"Can we go stay somewhere else, I'm not ready to go home yet?"

"We can take you to mom and dad's place, or you can come to stay with us."

Persephone looks at me, "Can we stay with Fifi?"

"You can come to stay with us honey; we'd love to have you." Fifi smiles.

"Thank you," I speak.

Holding on to her family meal, she places her head on my shoulder and falls asleep. I watch and listen as she falls deep into her sleep. I look out the window and we are on the highway; the beach isn't far now. I can smell the ocean; they were taking us to their private beach house. Don knows how much I love that place and I know Persephone will love it too and that's all I can think about as I drift off to sleep.