Hades and Persephone

Chapter 7

Persephone lounged on a divan in one of the many large rooms of Hades' castle. She was tired. After their fight, Persephone had gone to apologize to her mother. Demeter hadn't said anything, she had simply made room for her to work in the gardens.

The young goddess sighed. She wondered if she would ever be able to stand up to her mother and assert her independence. Demeter could be, and was, a scary person. Plus, she was her mother. She didn't want to upset her.

Persephone turned her head and looked at the dark god. He was reading a scroll rather intently. Hades. For the Lord of the Underworld, he was a very nice god. His normally shaggy black hair was cut shorter, but still long enough to look messy. He kept running his hands through it, making it stick up. His grey eyes seemed dim and tired today, as though he had a lot of worries. Being in charge of the Underworld, she supposed he would have a lot on his plate.

"So, this banquet. What should I wear?" she asked, hoping to lighten the mood.

He scowled at his scroll before looking up. "I don't think it's a good idea if you come."

She sat up, frowning. "What do you mean? Before, you wanted me to come."

"Yes, but . . . I found out some gods are coming that would not like it if we were seen together." He looked away.

She scowled. "You're the Lord of the Underworld, why would you care about that?"

He looked back at her, one eyebrow raised. "So you know?" he asked, a smile playing around his lips.

She crossed her arms. "Of course I know! I figured it out last week. You're not very good at being mysterious."

"I'm sorry, but it's the most fun I've had in centuries. I'm a little rusty."

"Well, tell me the truth. Why can't I come to this banquet?"

He sighed, running his hands through his hair again. "It's complicated."

"Try me."

He spared her a look, then turned away. "It would seem that Apollo is bent on getting you to marry him, willingly or no. He hasn't been able to find you since you and your mother left Olympus, but it's only a matter of time." He sighed. "I checked, and he is intending to come to this banquet I'm hosting." 

Hades turned and grabbed both of her hands in his own. She looked down, surprised at the contact. They had rarely ever touched before. His large hands dwarfed her small ones.

"I don't want Apollo getting his hands on you. So you can't come to the banquet." He turned away from her.

She looked down at her hands. "You're trying to protect me?" she whispered.

He nodded.

"But you're the Lord of the Underworld, isn't there something you can do?"

He groaned. "It's not that simple." He waved a hand, indicating the palace. "Living here, it isolates you from the rest of the gods and goddesses. Apollo has more allies than I. Besides, as a guest he would have guest rights. I can't just fight one of my guests."

She leaned over and placed a hand on his arm. "It's okay."

He looked at her hand, then up at her face. He gave her a small smile. "I do have a different proposition though."

"Oh really?"

He turned and sat facing her more fully. "Yes. I would like you to not attend my banquet, and in return, I will have a special meal for just the two of us."

Persephone's eyes widened. "You would do that for me?"

"Of course."

She placed a hand over her heart. "Oh my stars. No one has ever done anything like that for me before."