Hades and Persephone

Chapter 2

When the doors swung open, everyone was in awe to see the daughter of the goddess of Harvest. She hid her daughter and did not allow guests. Only a few gods would see her. Athena said she was an original, Adonis said she was cute, Hermes says she looked like a mix of her parents and Aphrodite says she's ordinary. They could tell she was a beauty but you have to have a good eye because she was covered from neck to her ankles in a fluff. Her face was also partly covered by her flower crown.

"Demeter goddess of Harvest."Hermes announced. "And Persephone goddess of... the daughter of the goddess of harvest and Zeus, king of the gods." He finished meekly.

  Humiliated Persephone felt like shrinking into her gown. Surely she can disappear in this fluff. She never thought about having a title. She was always Demeter's daughter. Everyone was looking what can she do?

"Kore, it's time to meet everyone."  Her mother said taking her hand and guiding her down. 

Her father Zeus was the first to greet her. "My daughter, welcome to Olympus."

"She's been to Olympus, you fool." Demeter sneered.

" Welcome back home." Zeus said again with unwavering ease. In truth he pitied his daughter he could see she was a potential beauty, but her mother dressed her in such a ridiculous fashion. If he had it his way he would like to see her more presentable. But risk the goddess of harvest and suffer the rage of the people? He would have to see how to make up to his daughter. 

"Thank you, father." Persephone replied as calmly as she could. 

Conversations with other gods became excruciatingly painful. Excusing herself, Persephone went to a rose garden but the thorns caught her dress she tugged on it and it ripped which made her right shoulder to her arm bare. She fell to the ground in a thud. 

A pale hand offered to help her up. "Who are you?" She spoke as he held her up but her breath caught she never saw him before.He was tall, he had his hair cropped short but the wavy texture was there and it looked like his hair was combed by his fingers a few times. it looked so sexy, he had intense blue eyes, a straight nose, his mouth was set into a line, strong jaw. He also wore black everything.But compared to the other gods he didn't look like he saw too much sun. Which probably why he was here in the dark rose bushes. 

"I am a god." he said simply he was watching her so intensely.  It seemed like he was a regular god for he did not have a light shinning upon him like the Zeus, Poseidon or even her mother. 

"Thank you. But you didn't answer my question."

"Would you be impressed if I said I was the lord of the underworld?"  He smiled.

She laughed. "You? It can't be!" 

"Do you find that funny? What makes you think I am not?" He was watching her closely but there was laughter in his eyes.

"You do not have the light the original Olympians have. You maybe a god but you are no lord of the underworld!"

"I'm afraid I do not like the light, little one." He chuckled softy.

"So who are you really?" she repeated herself asking. 

"You better get back. Your mother is looking for you." He smiled, turned his back and walked away. 

She was looking at the sea of gods with her aunt Hestia in the balcony when she saw the dark god, he was never introduced to her nor did he introduce himself. He simply said he was an Olympian, a god, the lord of the underworld? Impossible! Her mother said her brother Hades only attends important meetings. Not her celebration of god age. She was no one important. She didn't even bear a title. She was only Demeter's introverted daughter. She watched him as he was bending his head down listening to a nymph. A small smile formed but it quickly went away. They nymph was talking so lively and he was just listening.  God after god went to talk to him until he was swarmed with them. Just looking at him standing there made her feel the power of his presence. The nymph stood by his side. He looked up and caught her eye, what he did next made her heart skip a beat. he tipped his head into a bow there was a smirk playing in his lips. It was fleeting. Then he turned his attention back to the other gods.

"Aunt Hestia?" she said as she managed to tear her eyes away from him.

"Yes dear?" 

"Who is that?"

"There are many gods here which one are you referring to?" Hestia tried to avoid it but she knew Hades has sparked Persephone's interest. He looked really beautiful tonight when he stood out among everyone. She has spoken with the Fates. She knew what will happen. She would never tell Demeter for she wishes happiness on Persephone. But Hades was inlove with Leuce. She did not want to encourage Persephone. Not now anyway. 

"That one. In black."

"That is Hades." she said "And that nymph is his mistress Leuce. She is a singer I believe. I think he's offering a proposal of marriage to her." Hestia added for good measure. 

"Oh." was all she said but her face said it all she was disappointed. "But why does he not have a light that shines with him like you?" 

"Hades hates light, Persephone." Hestia said smiling.

"Oh." was all she said.

He was left alone with his mistress Leuce but after a moment they left. 

"Lucky Leuce. She's with him in the underworld again." a nymph said as they passed her. 

Hades. She was speaking with Hades. He didn't at all seem to be like the gods. He never boasted he was the god of the underworld. But he never corrected her either. She felt like a fool. 

Ofcourse! He had a mistress and he was seducing her in the rose garden too! But a second thought hits her. It would be silly of him to seduce her after all. He didn't even get angry when she laughed at him for not believing when he said he was the lord of the underworld. 

She finally made a conclusion she would stay away from him. Even his smile was doing dangerous things to her heart.

She lay in bed begging for sleep to come to her. It looks like it won't happen soon.