Hope for the Underworld

37

'What has happened to Barry?' A sudden thought occurred to Cora one blissful afternoon. A few days had passed since her return from the Oracle, and they spent it in each other's company, talking or working in their garden. Presently, they were relaxing, cuddling on the big chaise-lounge in Cora's library.

'I felt it right that you should judge him,' Hades answered, seemingly with indifference, but he watched her carefully. 'But I can deal with it, if you don't want to,' he added, seeing her eyes darkening.

'I truly don't understand why I reacted so strongly to his presence,' she sighed. 'I should forgive him, because, if he hadn't dumped me, I would have never met you.'

'It is very difficult to forget and to forgive,' he mused pensively, and she got the strong impression that he spoke from a bitter experience.

'Have you suffered anything like that? A betrayal?' She looked up into his face; for once it was grim.

'A very long time ago.' He made an effort to dismiss the thought, but she could tell it still bothered him. 'No point in dwelling on ancient history.' He shrugged.

'Would you like to tell me?' she asked quietly.

He startled and tried to dismiss it, but then, he suddenly felt a powerful urge to share it with her; with the woman who was his soulmate, who was going to become his wife, and who carried his child. 'Well,' he sighed with resignation. 'You have asked to hear that story many times, after all, so perhaps now the time has come.'

'Oh...' She instantly understood what he meant. She waited in silence, allowing him to gather his thoughts and... courage; she knew it was difficult to speak of these things.

'I was in love once before,' he started quietly. 'I was still very young. It was soon after we defeated Kronos,' he explained, as if ashamed of himself. 'She was a daughter of Oceanus, the most radiant and beautiful of the nymphs. I fell madly in love as soon as I laid my eyes on her and brought her to live with me in the Underworld, hoping I found someone special to share my life with... Little did I know, that she had planned our 'chance' first meeting to the last detail, and all she wanted was to rule my kingdom. I was too infatuated to recognise a calculated seduction and I couldn't believe she didn't really love me...' his voice trailed away, laced with sadness.

'What happened?' Cora asked, gently caressing his hand.

'One day my eyes opened and then... she left.' His clipped response was clear indication of his pain.

'Is that why you cut yourself off from everyone?'

He nodded in reply. 'I feared I couldn't trust my instincts. It was much easier to just avoid others than to risk another heartache.'

'Then, why did you trust me?'

The question stumped him. There was never any doubt in his mind about Cora's true intentions and feelings, and he had never paused to think she might betray him. 'I do not know.' He shrugged. 'I've never even considered it. It felt... so real and natural to be with you. Like it was meant for me... And remember, I could hear your thoughts and feel your emotions.' He grinned. 'Besides, if you were trying to seduce me, you were going about it completely the wrong way!'

'Thanks for reminding me of my shortcomings.' She grimaced against his chest.

'They would only be shortcomings, if you were trying to fool me.' He shook his head. 'Everything about you is genuine and void of manipulation.' He cupped her face with his strong hand. 'You are...' he hesitated for a moment, searching for the right word. 'You are just,' he announced with conviction. 'And thus, worthy of ruling my kingdom by my side.'

'Do you really think that of me?' Her voice trembled with the powerful emotions that were flooding her body.

'Yes! A thousand times, yes!' There was strength in his voice. 'All who meet you, recognise your value instantly and respect you for it. You are Lady Justice, and we all rely on your wisdom when it comes to judging the souls.'

'So, why am I so angry about Barry?' Her exclamation was a clear indication of her internal turmoil. 'I so want to punish him! I want him to suffer,' she sighed. 'I am unable to be objective.'

'Remember that you do not have to judge him, if you don't feel able to.' His embrace grew tighter. 'It is not your role. You only ever wanted to support me.'

'But, if I'm not able to deal with it now, how can I be sure of my pronouncements in the future?' There was deep anguish in her voice. 'And, if I punish him for what he did to me, how am I any better?'

'Anger is a powerful force, and it is easy to give into it.' His tone was soft. 'I nearly did... After I discovered it was Eris who poisoned you, I wanted to obliterate her. It was Hermes and the Furies who brought me back from the precipice.'

'How?'

'By making me realise that what's done is done and no amount of punishment could turn back the time... We are who we are because of our choices in the moments that truly count.'

'You are so wise,' she whispered, touched deeply by his words.

'The benefits of a very long life.' He smirked in the attempt to lighten up the mood; he didn't want to see her sad.

Without another word, she freed herself from his embrace and rose to her feet.

'Where are you going?' he asked, standing up, ready to follow.

'I need to think about it... Forgive me, but I would like to be alone for a while.'

He just nodded, accepting her wish. 'But don't stray too far from the palace,' he pleaded.

'I will be fine.' She stepped closer and kissed him. 'The shadows will keep me safe. I will see you at dinner.'

With a pang in his heart, he watched her walk away, already yearning for her embrace. It was truly remarkable, how close they had grown. And there was still more they could do together... He smiled and walked to his study to attend to some of his, recently neglected duties. He needed to pass the time somehow.