Persephone

10. Violets ✔

Two days.

It has been two days ever since I have seen Persephone and we live in the same house, crazy I know.

Ever since we handed over her things at the flower shop, she has not been the same. I do not know if she leaves her room when I am not around. I don't know if she's eaten, I tried knocking on her door to get her to open the door, but she doesn't answer.

I am worried about her, and so were Don and Fifi.

"Dude, we need to get her out of there," Don says as we walk up the stairs.

"That's why I called you, I need your help in getting her out, you can be very persuasive."

Don smiles, "I know I can."

We stand in front of her door, I look at my brother, who gives me a reassuring smile.

"Persephone?" Don knocks.

We hear shuffling on the other side, she is alive, that is a good sign, right?

"Persephone, I know you're in there dear, please open up," he begs.

Nothing.

"She's not coming out," I whisper to him.

Don rolls his eyes and knocks on the door one more time.

"Persephone, I know you're upset but sitting in there won't help you. Hades is worried sick about you and so have I, and so is everybody else. So please open the door so we can come in."

We hear shuffling and the door unlocks and then it opens. She is standing in her pj's, hair tied up in a messy bun, those baby hairs were so cute, she looks cute. I want to hug her.

"Thank you, baby," Don smiles.

"What do you want?" she asks annoyed.

Don gives me the wink, "We were wondering if you'd like to have a picnic with us outside."

Persephone looks at me and I smile at her, "Please, we, I mean I'd really appreciate it if you joined us."

Persephone sighs, "Fine, give me an hour."

"An hour, what could you -

"Great, we'll be downstairs," Don says, Persephone rolls her eyes and closes the door.

Don then glares at me before turning around and walking down the hallway.

"What was that about?" I ask him, "You can't just interrupt me like that."

"Hades, just because you're king doesn't mean I stop being your older brother. Besides, you nearly pissed her off."

"Pissed her off how?"

Don turns around and looks at me, "For a guy who has had many girlfriends you're clueless about women."

I roll my eyes, "You didn't answer my question Poseidon."

There was a difference between Don and Poseidon. Don was a kind-hearted, loving and just all-around great guy. Poseidon was a King, and he was firm, strict and sometimes short-tempered.

"I don't have time for this. I helped you get her out of her room. Now you have to help me and Fifi prep for this non-existent picnic," he says and walks into the kitchen.

"Fine."

Fifi is eating chocolate cake when we both step into the kitchen.

Don chuckles, "Babe you can't be eating that by yourself."

Fifi just hisses causing Don steps back, "Babe, relax."

"She's pregnant," I say calmly, Fifi looks at me with wide eyes and puts the cake on the counter.

"Hades," Fifi yells.

"What?" Don says, "She can't be, the elders said she can't have children."

"Well, she is." I shrug.

One of the many talents or powers I have is being able to see beyond what the eye can see. Things deep within the body or anywhere to exact. I also used to be a doctor, I hear a heartbeat inside her, a child.

Don looks at Fifi who looks down, "Amphi, is he telling the truth?"

"I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how you would react, especially with all that's been happening in Atlantis. I'm sorry."

"Look you're more important than Atlantis babe, you know that and I'm happy that you're pregnant," he says.

I roll my eyes. I cannot lie I am happy for my brother but getting a baby involved now that a lot of things are about to happen is just awful timing.

I know it is awful timing Hades but there is nothing we can do about it; Poseidon responds in my head.

Would it kill you to mind your own business, I reply.

Would it kill you to keep your thoughts to yourself?

I growl at him.

Whoa there boy, settle down.

"How did you know she was pregnant?" Poseidon says out loud.

Once again, my brother forgets that I used to be a doctor.

"She's gained 2lbs, her appetite has grown, and her feet are swollen. She's started wearing baggy clothes and from what I can tell she's almost a month pregnant."

Don's jaw drops, "Almost a month, so you've known this whole time?"

I nod, "Well, of course, my dear brother."

"And you never said a word."

"Right again Poseidon," I wink.

Don just lets out a sigh, "We will talk about this later, right now we have a picnic to prepare for."

Amphitrite looks at me with sadness in her eyes, and I knew exactly what she was trying to tell me, and I did not know what to do.

Everything will be alright Fifi, I will be with you every step of the way, I say.

She gives me a faint smile and turns to help Don with the food.

I leave the kitchen and head upstairs to my bedroom; I need to speak to the elders about Persephone. I walk to the full-length mirror and say the secret password, a light flashes and I walk through it.

"Hades, we've been expecting you. We assume you've found the girl." Elder Veldergroen says.

"Yes Elder."

Elder McCain flips through her book of knowledge.

"She needs to start training, and you'll need her mother for that,"

I shake my head, "I can't ask her mother, she hates me."

"Demeter will have no choice but to surrender her daughter to you Hades. She belongs with you." Elder Veldergroen replies as he walks stands up from his seat.

I sigh, "We had an agreement years ago that we would have Persephone live with her for some time. She'll return to me afterwards, but I'll try and speak to her. In the meantime, what do I need to do?"

"She needs to die."

"Excuse me."

"For the prophecy to be fulfilled. Her human nature needs to die for the goddess inside her to be awakened. Pomegranates are the only way to do that," Elder McCain explains. 

"She'll be asleep only for a few hours, and when she wakes up, she'll be different."

"Okay, I'll handle that," I reply.

Elder McCain raises an eyebrow, "Anything else Hades?"

"She heard sirens. A few days ago," I say.

Both elders look at me in shock.

"Boy, you need to act fast before he decides to return."

And I knew exactly what they were talking about.

I sigh, "He already has."