Bride of Hades

Two

I went five nights without going back to the pool. Mother noticed and started to worry. To ease her fears, I decided to go today, only instead of swimming, I resolved to only sit on the edge. And even as I told myself it was only to reassure Mother, I still secretly anticipated seeing that man, Hades, again.

I sat on the pool's edge. Immediately, flowers began to sprout around me. I trailed hand through the water. A small snake brushed against my skin and I picked it up. It curled around my wrist, gazing at me with silvery eyes. I looked back at it for a moment before putting it back. I watched in silence as it glided away, its movements mesmerizing me into a stupor. A cough jolted me from my reverie and I jerked my head toward the sound, half expecting to see Hades leaning against the tree, arms crossed over his broad chest with a mocking grin on his handsome face.

Instead, I saw a beautiful red-haired woman standing among the trees. Waves of power drifted towards me and my face paled when I felt the malicious intent coming along with it.

"Well, well, well," she drawled. The goddess glided towards me. "If it isn't my precious little niece." The last word ended on a hiss. "Come now, surely you recognize your own aunt?"

"Hera?" I asked hesitantly.

She nodded, her lips forming a smile that was more vicious than loving. "My, but that innocent expression if yours is quite alluring, indeed. I can see why they're all in a tizzy over Demeter's darling daughter."

Her words were sickeningly sweet, making me shiver. "They?"

Suddenly, her face changed. "Quit it with the 'Miss Innocent' act," she snarled. "I know that you've been cavorting around with him." Hera advanced, leaving me to back away quickly.

"With who?" I cried out.

"With my husband, you little bitch!" Her hand slapped across my face. "Did you not think that I'd find out?"

"I have no idea of what you are talking about!" I could feel my face pulsing where she had slapped me. In my pain and confusion, my power began to wave out of my control. A strong breeze kicked up, blowing cooling air across my injured cheek.

"Leave the girl be, Hera," a voice drawled from the distance. "She's innocent."

"Hades?" Hera gave a mocking laugh. "I'll admit, I expected Zeuss and Poseidon to be smitten with the girl, but you are a surprise. She must truly be enchanting, although I can't say that I see it."

"I'm not smitten with the girl. Children just don't do it for me."

"You lie. It is quite clear that she s no child. I do believe that you are protesting far too much to be telling the truth."

He shrugged. "Sure, the wench has a pretty face. She isn't the only one. Unlike your husband, I'm not so easily swayed by beautiful features and empty minds." He paused before adding, "I also don't fuck everything that moves."

Hera gasped and strode towards Hades. She lifted a hand to slap him, but he merely laughed. The sound was low and menacing, more of a growl really. She froze with her hand mid-air. Looking in to the god's eyes, she could see banned fires with in the brown depths, as if she was gazing in to the Underworld itself. Then again, she very well could have been.

"I am not a pushover like my brothers. Strike me if you want, but I will retaliate as I see fit."

Hera's hand lowered. I was shocked to see her tremble . . . but then she was gone.

Hades turned to me, his eyes still glowing like a furnace. He reached out a hand, his eyes softening at the bright red spot on my cheek. I stepped back instinctively, and a bitter smile tightened his features. "Make sure that you stay in your Mother's temple, Persephone. Hera won't dare reach you there, and after a while she'll forget about this and you'll be able to move freely." With that bit of advice, he stepped back abd disappeared as abruptly as Hera.

He left me for the second time. And this time, after he left I did not return to the glade.

Mother wouldn't let me.