Dark Petals (A Hades and Persephone story)

Chapter Two - Persephone

I wake before dawn. Sitting up I stretch my arms above my head letting go of all the stiffness created during my sleep. Turning I look toward the open window as sleepy chirping begins to fill the darkness. They are unseen, but I can picture the little birds fluttering their feathers trying to cling to their last moments of sleep. Grinning I climb out of bed and noiselessly make my way to the bathing room. After freshening up, I slide my white sundress on and pad into the kitchen. The house is quiet only the creaks that come from an older house and my mother's low snores can be heard. I leave the cottage grabbing an apple before stepping out into twilight. There are only hints of light peeking over the horizon when I first begin down the path but the farther I walk splashes of pink and orange spread out painting the backdrop of the field ahead. I stroll down the path eating my apple while I watch the colors morph creating the morning sunrise. I have followed this path thousands of mornings just like this one. I could make it with my eyes closed but then I would miss the beautiful scene unfolding in front of me.

Dawn's officially here as I reach the meadow, illuminating the flowers and trees. I find a spot among the flowers and lay down surrounding myself with them. My hair spills out around me and I can't help the smile that spreads across my lips as I run my hands over the blades of grass. The tinkling of the creek can be heard faintly, it runs just beyond the trees that line the clearing.

The love I feel for this land is immeasurable. When this place first became our home, it was bare – no flowers and only small trees scattered about. Mother and I put a lot of time and pieces of our souls into each blade of grass and flower living within this meadow and the land surrounding our cottage. Every day, in the beginning, required something new, all these years later nature has learned to flourish on its own only needing us every once in a while. That didn't mean we didn't keep a watchful eye on it and make sure help wasn't needed. Our presence alone keeps them energized and able to sustain themselves.

Closing my eyes, I simply allow myself to be one with the landscape surrounding me, basking in the heat of the sun warming my face. My energy flows into the soil providing it with the nutrition it needs. As time passes I feel the sun growing warmer with each hour that it climbs higher in the sky. Once I know the soil has absorbed all that it can, for now, I open my eyes and stare at the sky above. Birds overhead float on the warm breeze high within the treetops and clouds. How I am jealous of those creatures that have freedom like none I have ever experienced.

I don't wish to sound ungrateful, I love my mother dearly, but being unable to see anything beyond our land restricts something deep within – my soul perhaps. I want to be free and have the choices to do what I now only see in my dreams. Oh, if I were a bird, I'm sure my feathers would match my hair. I would stand out anywhere with my bright red feathers, you would be able to see them wherever in the sky and know it to be me.

I watch the birds now and imagine I'm soaring right beside them staring down at the meadow. Springing up from the ground I dance through the flowers unable to take my eyes off the birds above. My arms are spread out at my sides and I begin to spin. Throwing my head back laughter bubbling out of me as I continue to twirl, the flowers sway as if they wish to join in.

Voices float on the breeze causing me to slow my dance. Breathlessly I brush my hair out of my face. My mother and a man I have never seen before stand at the edge of the meadow. They seem to know each other well; Mother's demeanor is casual almost familiar.

Smiling she waves me over, as I walk I smooth my hands through my carrot-colored hair. I'm sure it's all over the place, bringing my hands down the front of my dress I dust off any grass that may still cling to it. The closer I get the more I realize how I underestimated the man's size. He is quite large over a head taller than me, maybe more. His skin is awfully pale – unlike my pale skin which has a pinkish tint from the sun his is more grayish. Long black hair frames his face causing it to look long and drawn in. His solemn face intrigues me, what could be causing him to look so sad?

Mother steps forward taking my hand bringing me to her side "Persephone dear this is my brother Hades."

The name alone causes my body to stiffen. I knew of him, everyone did, but now I am able to put a face to it. Extending my hand, I stammer "It's... nice to meet... you." The moment his skin touches mine electric current zaps up my arm almost as if I have been shocked. Jerking my hand back I let it fall to my side and just stare at him.

"Yes, you too," he says, his voice as smooth as honey with each word dripping from his mouth.

Opening and closing my fist, the tingle through my arm still remains but it's slowly fading. It's so unlike anything I have ever experienced. What could have been the cause of it?

"Hades I would be delighted if you stayed the night," my mother says.

His eyes finally leave me to look at her "You know I can't be away that long sister."

Rolling her eyes, she counters "Then stay for supper. Can they manage that long without you?"

His face has yet to show any emotion "I suppose so."

My mother's smile is incomparable to any I have seen, even Aphrodite's "Wonderful." Turning to me she says, "Come, dear, I would like you to get to know Hades while he is allowing time for us."

Now it's his turn to roll his eyes "Demeter quit being dramatic."

Laughing she leads us back down the path toward our cottage "If you would not stay away so long I would not have to resort to such behavior."

Squeezing my hand tight I can still feel the residual tingle in the tips of my fingers.