KOSTAS, THE LOVER

I find myself sighing, lounging in my less than comfortable hammock chained to the walls of my small cell in the underworld.

I wasn't a god, or a demi-god, or even a creature. I was a mortal, a warrior and hunter, damned to hell for eternity. I don't even remember the crime I committed. Frustrated, I ran a hand through my tangled brown hair. My skin was a nice tan due to the heat down here, I felt a drop of sweat run down my chin. I sighed once again, life was so boring down here. I wouldn't be able to make it, if it weren't for her.

Melinoe.

She was the loveliest thing I'd ever set eyes on. She was the daughter of the god and goddess of the underworld, Hades and Persephone. She had skin as white as snow on the right side of her body and skin black as night on the left. I could stare into her red and blue eyes for hours upon end without feeling restless. She was the definition of beauty itself and she knew it too, the most gorgeous nymph I'd ever set eyes upon. At just the mention of her name, my heart would beat a little faster.

Which confused me, I was an angry person, yet around Melinoe, I felt complete.

My feelings for her were unexplainable, all I wanted to do was protect her. I never wanted any harm to come near her. I constantly wanted her in my arms, in my protection. I watched over her, made sure no harm would come to her. I swear to Zeus himself, I'd cross oceans for her. Which was very confusing considering Melinoe is who she is.

While Melinoe makes my heart race, she isn't as kind to others. She is the daughter of the underworld after all. She haunts mortals nightmares, and causes a panic wherever she goes. She lives for raising hell, you can see it in her stunning eyes. She's beautiful, but she's fatal. She'll kill you with the snap of her fingers and not even think twice about it. Melinoe is danger, trouble.

But I don't fear her as others do, for some reason, I know she'd never hurt me.

She seemed to have the same infatuation with me as I did with her. She'd killed those who threatened me without blinking an eye. She'd tortured woman who looked my way. She was just as possessive as I was, which sent a content feeling over me.

Realizing I'm daydreaming, I sit up. I mustn't sit here and think about my gorgeous Melinoe all day, there's work to do. Plus I wanted to talk to Hades.

As much as I care for his daughter, I don't appreciate what she did to me. She must've cast a spell on me to make me feel this way. What else could describe it? I want to know what she did and why, and who better to ask than the god of the underworld himself?

I exit my cell and head to the main room, where most of us bottom dwellers meet up. There's red dust everywhere, the scent hits you strong at first, but you adapt. I run a finger along the red, musty wall before someone grabs my wrist and spins me around. I don't even have to look to know who it is.

"Hello Melinoe, what brings you here today? You shouldn't be out this early, you should rest, wouldn't want you to get sick, now would we?" I ask, looking to meet those eyes that I've come to know so well.

She smirked, "I'm just looking for trouble, want to tag along? I know you're a mortal and all, but I'm sure if you tried hard enough you could wreck a little havoc," She teased.

I smiled, knowing she actually really wanted me to accompany her. It made my icy heart warm up a bit. "Sorry my dear, I can't. Work needs to be done, and I also wish to speak to your father..." I trailed off, scratching the back of my head. I didn't want to disappoint her, but I had to. The little frown she let slip through made me go rigid. I had upset her.

"Melinoe-" she cut me off. "No Kostas, it's fine. Good luck with your talk with my father. Give him my best wishes, okay? I'll be around," she spoke lightly, turning away quickly and leaving me there dumbfounded.