Persephone

18. Gladious ✔

Hades

I knew having this ceremony was a big mistake, but now here we are in my basement performing an ancient ritual to welcome Persephone into the family.

She is going to be so mad, they had to knock her out, I think Hera may have hit her too hard.

"You really need to stop worrying, she'll be okay," Hera laughs, "She's a tough cookie, I know."

"I just don't like it when people hurt her," I grumble.

Both my sisters laugh, "Aren't you the cutest? Who would have thought the ruler of the underworld would fall in love and turn into a softie."

I roll my eyes, "Let's get this over with."

Hera and Zeus start the incantations, while Hestia burns the incense, it is only a matter of time before the screaming starts.

I watch as the incantations got deeper into the ancient tongue. Hestia is moving around Persephone's body with the incense, which is when her body starts to shake and get more vigorous when they start shouting.

I gulp hoping that she does not fall off the table and hurt herself. They go silent, Hestia pulls out a knife and cuts her wrist, letting the blood drip on the incense, a flame ignites, and they all smile.

"She's true blood," Hera says, "Congratulations brother."

I nod, "Not knowing whether to be relieved or scared."

She starts to scream and not just any scream, a deafening scream, which causes everything to break, a few moments later she goes quiet.

"Holy shit, she's a screamer."

And I know damn well that was a dirty joke from Zeus, pathetic.

"Okay, let's untie her and get her upstairs, she doesn't need to know this happened okay," Hestia commands.

"Agreed."

Hera unties her wrist and I carry her off the table all the way upstairs to the dining room, placing her on the couch.

"Right, everybody looks worried," Hestia says, she snaps her fingers and Persephone groans.

"What happened?"

Shit.

"You fainted, have you been drinking water as I told you, Persephone?"

She shakes her head, "No not really."

"Go get a glass of water."

Don walks out of the room to the kitchen.

"Oh darling, you had us so worried" Hera explains, "We thought he was starving you."

She chuckles, "He wouldn't do that, would he?"

"No, they are joking baby," I say quickly.

She nods, "Good."

Don returns with a glass of water, and I give to Persephone to drink.

Hecate walks in and gives us the eyes before telling us that lunch was ready outside, after finishing her glass of water, I help her up and we all make our way outside.

"I love what you've done with the place," Hestia smiles, "Mom would be so happy."

"Thank you, Hestia."

Everyone takes their seat and wine is poured into every glass.

"Let us make a toast," Hera announces, "To the new addition to the family and lots of girls' night out."

"Yes, girl," Persephone cheers raising her glass.

I clear my throat and she just rolls her eyes at me.

"Anyway, to new beginnings."

"Cheers," we all clink glasses and drink.

As the lunch continues, Persephone, Hestia and Hera appear to suck into a conversation about shoes, while my brothers and I have some small talk.

"Spoken to dad yet?" Zeus asks.

I take a sip of my whiskey, "Of course not, he doesn't want this to happen."

"You don't have a choice maybe you can cut a deal with him," Zeus suggests.

I laugh, "You're joking right?"

"I agree with him Hades, talk to him and make sure mom is there, she usually knows how to convince him"

Doubtful.

"I'll think about it, I'm not really keen on Persephone meeting mom and dad yet, not until she knows everything."

"When do you plan on telling her everything?"

"I don't know, after the wedding, I guess," I shrug.

Both my brothers roll their eyes.

"If you told her the full story and I mean everything, you'll be at a loss. We can only help you if you're transparent with Persephone, Poseidon had to do the same thing."

"This is different Zeus, way different," I replied harshly, "You don't know how I feel about this."

Zeus frowns, "I know that this is hard for you, why do you think Hestia never got married? I married because dad forced me to, it's difficult, especially with parents like ours."

I sigh, "What am I going to do?"

"Exactly what Zeus says, tell her everything."

I huff, "Okay, I will."

For the rest of the afternoon, I am a nervous wreck. I do not know how I am going to explain that my father is a human-eating monster and that, this sounds like some fictitious story. And that I am going to have to send her away for the spring to her mother, who is a vengeful witch looking to destroy us all.

Persephone is tough but I am not sure how tough, she could totally take this the wrong way and choose to not get involved, which would be terrible for me.

"Hades, are you okay? You seem distracted," she says in her sweet voice.

I give a faint smile, "I'm okay baby, we'll talk about it later."

She nods and kisses my cheek, "Okay."

She walks over to the girls, and I cannot help but wonder why Hera was being so nice to Persephone, she did not like anyone except for Hestia.

I look over at Don.

What do you think about Hera?

She is friendly today.

I am suspicious

You and me both, she might be working for dad.

Think so?

Yes, and she does not show up at lunches or dinners unless mom and dad invite her.

That is exactly what I was thinking.

I will speak to Hermes and see what he knows

Good thinking.

"Well, I've got to get going, Fifi needs me at home. Thank you for having my brother and I'll see you guys soon."

"Say hi to Fifi for me," Hestia says with a smile.

"Me too," Hera adds with a smirk.

"Of course,"

I watch as Persephone walks over to Don and hugs him.

"Bye Princess," he says and kisses her head before disappearing.