Hope for the Underworld

50

'There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you!'

Cora turned her head and nodded to the approaching goddess. 'Lady Athena. It seems that you've found me.'

Rhea had been true to her word and had thrown a lavish party for her future daughter-in-law. Her palace had filled with women, eager to have some fun and to lay their eyes on the future bride. So many women, in fact, that Cora soon had lost count. She'd felt overwhelmed and had snatched the first opportunity to sneak outside and hide at the back of Rhea's gardens, where she'd sat on the grass and contemplated the beauty of nature.

'I thought you might need this.' Athena handed her an elegant goblet and settled herself beside the guest of honour.

Cora peered inside the goblet, but didn't drink, mindful of the previous attempts on her life. 'Are you really the goddess of war and wisdom?' she asked instead. 'Aren't they mutually exclusive?'

Athena smiled at that. 'So, my uncle's praises are true. You really are clever.'

'I didn't mean to offend you...' Cora hastened to explain, but the goddess stopped her with a shake of her head.

'Neither did I. I merely stated a fact... But you are right; war and wisdom rarely go in pair. I like to think that Ares is the god of bloodlust and mindless violence for violence's sake, while I'm more of a... strategist.' She took a deep drink from her own goblet. 'Does that make sense to you?'

'Yes, it does,' agreed Cora.

'Well, you're a keeper of books, I'm told, so, in a way, you are also a guardian of knowledge and wisdom.'

Cora didn't reply but inclined her head a little in thanks for the compliment.

'And, I assume,' continued Athena, 'that is the reason behind your escape from the party.' Her full lips twitched with amusement. 'It's quite difficult to retain one's... faculties, while surrounded by so much foolishness.'

Cora was startled by those words and looked at Athena with a deep consideration. 'Why are you so... open with me?... Or, are you just trying to trick me?'

The goddess laughed. 'I see that some of Hades' mistrust has rubbed off on you. By this time tomorrow, you will be my Lady Aunt.'

'Aunt!' Cora frowned a little. 'Why everyone insists on calling me that? I already have a nephew and he only calls me Auntie when he wants something!'

'So how shall I address you?'

'Cora will be fine.'

'Cora it is.' Athena bowed her head gracefully. 'But only if you call me by my name in return.'

'Will it not seem disrespectful? I am a simple mortal, after all.'

'We're almost a family!' Athena shrugged. 'But I would like you even if we weren't.'

'Thank you.' Cora seemed surprised. 'This means a lot... But why?'

'You are humble and unassuming, yet confident and assertive. You possess deep knowledge and... clearly make my uncle happy. It's been eons since I saw him smiling. But, I'm sure you realise, many will be displeased by his choice. He is very powerful, and many will resent your elevation to the position of his equal.'

'Yes, I am very aware...'

Athena cut her off with a dismissive gesture. 'Eris is insignificant.'

'Yet, she nearly succeeded in poisoning me,' countered Cora.

'She will not dare to interfere any further. But I fear that others might chose to... sow discord between you two.'

'Why can't they accept his happiness?!' erupted Cora angrily, and the shadows swirled around her protectively.

'It's much easier to give in to envy than admit that others stand above...'

'Why are you telling me all this?' Cora cut her off.

'As I said before, I like you. And we are almost a family... I believe you two were meant for each other...' Her voice trailed away, as the goddess gazed pensively at the garden in front of them. They remained silent for some time, until, eventually, Athena started speaking again; a new note in her voice. 'Hades came to be associated with death and punishment, but it was not always the case. As the God of the Underworld, he was also responsible for all that existed in the ground, such as seeds and roots of plants. You two seem to share a very powerful bond, as you reside on the opposite sides of the same circle of life. He's Winter to your Spring, so to speak. For life to grow, there must also be death and decay.'

'I have never thought about it this way,' admitted Cora with astonishment.

'Neither did I, until this very moment. It appears, you truly are his soulmate!' There was awe in Athena's tone.

'Will it make any difference?'

'Not to those who are jealous of your spectacular rise, but to others, it should. I will...'

But she wasn't able to continue, because Rhea appeared suddenly behind them, bringing in tow Hera and Artemis. 'There you are!' The hostess beamed a happy smile. 'I wondered where you two disappeared to.'

'We were simply getting to know each other.' Athena stood and greeted the others with a bow.

'It's time to make offerings to the goddesses of marriage. Come!' Rhea shepherded them all back to the palace.