Hope for the Underworld

44

'You look nervous.'

Hades lifted his head and looked at his companion. They stood outside their palace, ready to depart. Cora was dressed in a simple traditional chiton, and the only jewellery she wore was her engagement ring. She was holding a large wicker basket filled with ripe golden pomegranates.

He cleared his throat self-consciously and attempted to deny it. 'Why would I be nervous?' He shrugged.

'You shouldn't,' she agreed easily. 'But you clearly are.'

'I am simply uneasy about leaving the safety of the Underworld.' He tried to deflect her probing.

'And not about meeting your mother for the first time in eons?'

'Let us go.' He sighed, wishing for the ordeal to be over, then offered her his arm and they travelled to Olympus.

'Where exactly does she live?' Cora looked around.

'The note said to go to one of the smaller palaces on the hillside.' He marched away and she followed without another word.

Although they walked along a less traversed route, they came across some of the other gods and goddesses, and Hades' presence on the Mount was enough to make them stop and take notice. Cora smiled politely and nodded to the few she recognised, but Hades was totally oblivious to their stares.

Soon, they stopped in front of an unassuming structure. As if they had been expected, the doors immediately opened, and the servant girls ushered them inside. They were taken to a reception room and politely assured that their hostess will be with them shortly.

Cora looked around with great curiosity; apart from Hades' palace and Zeus' official residence she had never seen the home of another god. And it was so different from what she'd encountered before. This looked like a normal human home would. Minus all the modern technological improvements. It felt... warm and homey.

She turned around on hearing soft footsteps.

A beautiful woman wearing a simple dress entered the room and measured her guests with a wise and penetrating gaze. Neither she, nor Hades spoke.

'My Lady.' Cora took it upon herself to start the conversation. 'I am honoured to meet you.' She curtseyed, somehow inelegantly, balancing the basket in her arms.

'Lady Cora... Lord Hades,' the goddess spoke softly. 'Welcome to my home.'

'Queen Rhea.' Hades inclined his head; his tone carefully neutral.

The goddess flinched slightly on hearing him addressing her so formally but attempted to cover up her disappointment. 'Lord Receiver,' she responded, speaking in a similarly unemotional way, 'I would like to speak to your Betrothed privately.' He bristled on hearing that and stepped closer to his companion; red glow appearing in his eyes. It couldn't be clearer what he thought about the request. 'I assure you she will come to no harm under my roof,' Rhea added with a touch of annoyance at his distrust.

'I don't think...' he started.

But at the same time, Cora spoke calmly, stopping his outburst. 'I will be fine.'

He drew a breath to protest, but Cora placed her hand on his arm, and he seemed to relent. 'I will be just outside, if you need me,' he offered and left the room.

'He seems to be very protective of you,' mused Rhea, with an elegant gesture inviting her guest to sit.

'We have some history with ill will.' Cora shrugged it off for the moment. 'I hope you will accept this simple gift.' She handed over her basket. 'I had nothing else worthy of you, my Queen.'