Persephone's Garden

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One thing about these donkeys, they were smart. They led us past packs of hellhounds (which made me miss Mrs O'Leary), past sentry towers of Erebos and avoided detection, all while going a hundred miles an hour. Honestly, it was impressive. 

The donkeys stopped near a pair of obsidian gates. Etched into the doors were pictures of death. Planes dropping bombs, far off mushroom clouds, police behind riot shields against panicking masses. It was enough to ward off my appetite for a bit. Nico led us past those doors along the northern wall to a small Stygian Iron gate. Nico searched through his pockets and pulled out what looked like a bone. I checked around us, made sure no one was looking. Coast was clear. 

I looked back to see Nico had reformed the bone into the shape of a key and inserted it into the lock. He turned it and the door swung open. 

"Nice work," I whispered. 

Will was about to peek his head in when Nico pulled him back. "Wait," he mouthed. Nico twister his body to look inside, then ducked back and pressed himself against the wall. "We have a problem," he whispered. "She's here." 

I wanted to mutter a curse I learned from Forest. I had guessed that Persephone might be back in the Underworld but I was hoping she would be with her husband. Of course, it was just our luck she was here right now. 

Nico pressed a finger to his lips. He looked around, then gestured for us to take a peek. I looked inside and had to suppress a gasp. 

I wasn't really one for gardening but I could appreciate beauty when I saw it. The garden was amazing. Each plant glittered and twinkled by some invisible light. One tree had a golden trunk and silver heart shaped leaves. A glass cactus bloomed with ruby red flowers. Sapphires and diamonds created a barrier between the jewel laden path and the flower beds. Each plant was its own individual wonder that took my breath away. 

At the same time, the most beautiful thing was the woman tending to the azure roses in the centre of the garden. Her long hair hid her face, her peach coloured dress was stitched with green leaves that flowed through the fabric and down her sleeves. Just her atmosphere seemed to draw the plants to her as if enchanted. 

We could only watch as she stood up and moved deeper into the garden, out of sight. 

"You okay?" Nico asked. "I know it's hard to see her for the first time." 

"I mean I'm not attracted to girls but still, she's beautiful," I replied. 

"She's the most gorgeous person I've ever seen," Will said. 

"Calm down, Night Light," Nico teased. 

"What? I'm not wrong." 

"I didn't say you were." 

Will narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend. "Are you jealous that I find her attractive?" 

Nico's face wrinkled up. "Ew, no, Will. I'm trying not to be weirded out because that's my stepmother." 

"Oh, right. Sorry." 

"You know, technically me and Will are cousins," I reminded. 

Will seemed to think about it for a second before he shook his head. "Let's not think about that." 

"Agreed," Nico said. "But yes, you're correct. She's stunning. I guess I'm just used to it by now." 

"We're told of her beauty," Will said. "That's nothing compared to actually seeing it." 

"Wait till you meet Aphrodite," I pointed out. "Annabeth told me it's like seeing everyone you've ever loved or been attracted to at once." 

"Okay, okay, enough of your bisexual chaos for the moment," Nico butt in. "We have to figure out how to get past her and pick some fruit without being caught." 

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