Down below

Chapter 60. xxx

  hmmm this is a long one

   Loki was ready. He knew he was. He had to be. He was walking with his head up high, two of his father's Royal Guards beside him just like during his last visit to the Underworld. They were led to a bigger ceremonial hall that seemed like the throne room. The moment he set eyes on the dais, he knew something was horribly wrong and he could sense the uneasiness of his guards as well when they noticed the delicate figure sitting alone on the throne. Persephone didn't rise when they entered, her face didn't show any kind of emotion as they approached her. Loki stopped at the bottom of the stairs and bowed his head to her.

'Prince Loki. It's such an honour to welcome you again.'

'Your Majesty.' Loki replied. 'The pleasure is mine. I'm glad you're feeling better.'

   Persephone looked every bit of a queen, dressed in a long, chainmail silver mesh dress that draped fluidly over her curves with a daringly low cowl neckline that exuded sensuality. Her short fair hair was combed back, held in place by an intricate tiara like crown made of diamonds and the piercings in her ears had similar tiny gems. Loki felt like her eyes were reading his every thought, so he pulled his mental wards tighter. There was no joy in those eyes, not a single sign of her being glad to see him.

'The King sends his apologies. He is otherwise engaged.' Persephone told him and something sinister flashed through her gaze for a split second, then she smiled at Loki. 'However, I am more than capable and happy to give you a tour of Tartarus. If you have me, that is.'

   Loki knew this put him in a delicate position. If he rejected the Queen, that would delay his visit to the mines yet again and might offend her, yet if he agreed that would mean further delay as well, because Hades was the ruler of the Underworld and not his wife, so she couldn't make any decisions without him. He found this whole situation infuriating. Was Hades trying to go back on his promise, stalling him? On the other hand, this gave him plenty of opportunities to break the spell.

'I would love to have you as my guide, Your Majesty, yet King Hades ensured me he will give me a tour himself and then we can discuss a trading agreement between our realms. I hope he's well?'

Persephone's smile faded, but there was a shrewd glint in her eyes.

'He is in no shape to welcome any visitors, unfortunately.'

"Lestat, what did you do?" Loki thought to himself and fear for the vampire's wellbeing stabbed into his chest.

✧

   Persephone tried her best to hide her excitement about Loki's visit. She didn't want to hurt her husband's feelings who was nothing but understanding given their history, so she focused her attention on her lunch.

'Don't misunderstand me, my love. I don't want you there.' she heard Hades and looked at him, surprised by his words. 'Yes, if I could, I would avoid you meeting the prince, but it might seem like I don't trust my own wife's loyalty to me, that I'm not sure of your love for me and I can't have that.'

She hung her head slightly, avoiding her husband's piercing gaze.

'And? Do you trust me?' she asked quietly.

'Should I? The fact that you had to avert your eyes is quite telling.'

'That's not fair.' she said, looking at him, unable to hold back her resentment. 'We both agreed to my leave if I'm not mistaken. Unless there's something more to it that you're not telling me, you have no right to accuse me of being unfaithful to you.'

They were staring at each other. This was the very first time Hades had expressed his discontent about her fling with Loki since her return to the Underworld. He acted like it didn't really bother him and when she made any attempt to talk to him about it, he closed down. The same pattern repeated itself now as he looked away, reaching for the jug of wine, serving himself.