𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 ➤ 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆

xxvii. a cacophony in the gardens

Persephone had always dreamed of kissing Hades. But she was unsure when she would be able to do so.

It was something she never knew, but something she felt.

Until the moment he pursued her through the palace gardens after condemning Pirithous and Theseus to excruciating torture at the hands of the Furies.

She had arrived at the garden's secluded area, where the Titaness Rhea's pomegranate tree flourished. She found herself chastising him for his violent behavior toward his nephews.

Then, she began lamenting how much she missed her mother. And Demeter, of all people, would betray her daughter by arranging for her to marry the arrogant Pirithous.

But then something had happened—

Persephone leaned in with firm intent, and their lips met in a quick, tender kiss. She backed away for two seconds before Hades allowed them to kiss again.

Their first kiss was a moment that seemed to suspend time. It was a kiss of unspoken love and need that neither of them had ever expressed.

She felt Hades' hand snake up her arm, past the lavender satin fabric of her sleeve, and finally across her bare skin.

Her dress's silk was soft and flimsy beneath his fingers, and as he moved along her body, she could feel him trace every elegant line of hers.

His arms wrapped around her like a vise, his firm muscles sensing the heat emanating from her skin.

She thought he was going to burst into a million flowers now that he held her in his arms, her breath quick and jagged with longing.

Despite her naivety, she'd dreamed about this moment. But it was nothing compared to the real deal.

However, their intimate moment was interrupted by the sound of a sharp intake of breath.

She pushed Hades away, much to his confusion.

"Seph," he said, furrowing his brow. "Should I stop? Are we going too fast?"

Then he noticed she was staring at something with fear in her eyes. He turned to see a figure emerge from the shadows, her face contorted with anguish and rage.

It was Minthe. Her eyes burned with a mix of pain and rage. With tears in her eyes, she turned and fled, propelled by the agony of her discovery. Hades was about to pursue her, but Persephone intervened.

"Minthe, wait!" she exclaimed, chasing the nymph.

Following his instincts, he followed as well.

***

The royal gardens lay in the heart of the palace. However, the last time Minthe visited, it was not a verdant haven with vibrant flora.

Her greatest rival must have done this.

Minthe wandered through the winding paths, looking for Hades.

A god whose memory she couldn't banish from her mind.

Earlier that afternoon, two men arrived from the mortal realm and inadvertently climbed into her realm. After she and Leuce had given them a few good beatings, the intruders informed them of Demeter's quest to find Persephone.

Seeing this as an opportunity to get rid of Persephone, Minthe informed them of the goddess' whereabouts.

Then, a few minutes ago, she noticed Persephone on the verge of tears as Hades chased her relentlessly.

As Minthe ventured deeper into the garden, she heard the soft murmur of voices, a familiar timber that sent shivers down her spine. Curiosity and dread gripped her as she followed the sounds, her steps faltering as she entered a hidden alcove.