Hope for the Underworld

28

Cora woke up with a start, feeling the weight of an arm draped across her body, then relaxed, remembering she was finally home, and safe. She turned her head a little and looked at him, the man... the god she loved above everything else in the world.

Hades didn't move a muscle, but his smile told her he wasn't asleep, and he was still able to read her mind. She waited until his eyes finally opened and kissed the top of his nose. His smile grew wider, and his eyes sparkled happily.

'Morning, my love.' He returned the kiss. 'I trust you slept well.'

'I did. And you?'

'Didn't close my eyes for a single moment!' he grumbled, feigning displeasure.

'Somebody taking too much space in your bed?' She laughed; light-hearted for the first time in ages.

'Making sure you're not going to vanish.' His expression turned grave. 'I am paranoid that you will disappear again.'

'I will not! I promise.' She cupped his face with her hand. 'Do you remember what the Oracle said? That we both must make sacrifices... You sacrificed your happiness in order to save my life. And now I sacrifice my mortal world to be with you.' She reached out and brushed the hair from his forehead, gazing at him with a happy smile. 'Is your other brother as handsome as you two?' she asked unexpectedly.

'What?' It took him by surprise. And she could tell he wasn't pleased.

'I mean, Hermes is attractive, but he's Zeus' son. Are all gods so outrageously good looking?... Oh, come on!' she laughed, seeing his sulking face. 'You cannot be jealous!'

'Yes, I can!' He reached for her and pulled her closer to his sculpted body. 'Zeus will not pass any opportunity to seduce a beautiful woman. And if it's my chosen one, even bigger the challenge!'

'You would trust me so little?' She tried yet failed to free herself from his embrace.

'He can be quite charming.'

'So is Hermes!' she grumbled.

'And you got drunk with him, nearly falling into his bed!' he countered calmly.

She rolled her eyes but was forced to agree. 'Well, it was before I fell for your brooding looks!... And before you gifted me a library.'

'Ah, yes.' He smiled happily. 'Through books to the heart of a woman.'

'You have no idea!... But now I need to eat something. I had no food since I left the town and started my journey back here...'

Before she had a chance to continue, the shadows swirled excitedly in the corner. 'Lady Joy, we prepared a meal.'

'Thank you.' She smiled. 'I've missed you.'

'You were missed too, Lady...'

As they were getting dressed, she asked Hades. 'How long have I been gone?'

'To me, it seemed like aeons! It's been several painful weeks since our encounter in the cave.'

'To me, it was only a few days.' She turned to him and stroked his handsome face. 'I can't even imagine how it must have felt for you. I couldn't remember and it still felt like I mourned someone.'

'It felt as if my heart had been ripped out.'

The intensity of his statement took her breath away. 'I am so sorry,' she whispered.

'Whatever for, my love?'

'For leaving you. And causing you pain.'

'It wasn't your fault...'