Dark Petals (A Hades and Persephone story)

Chapter Twenty Three - Persephone

My hands shake as I follow Nilus to the dining hall. Hades had shown me around this palace he calls home but due to its size I still have trouble finding my way. Nilus explained that it was Hade's idea for the meal tonight and that he requested my presence. I have been here for what I can assume is close to a week and this is the first time he has asked for me to join him for anything besides the tour. It wasn't as if he was rude or anything just that he has distanced himself from me. The insistences that I have seen him were far and few between but he has always been polite during our interactions. So my confusion about this invitation is warranted.

The room is lite with candles along the length of the table and various torches hanging on the wall. Hades stands off to the side of the table waiting for us it seems, "Thank you for your assistance."

Nilus bows and says nothing as he leaves the room.

With it just us I am unsure of how to proceed. I smooth my hands down the front of my emerald dress as I wait for his directions. It seems like an eternity before his deep voice fills the space. "You must be hungry, there is plenty on the table," he says, his hands are tucked tightly within his pockets his posture stiff as a board as he nods toward the food beside us.

Smiling tightly I clasp my hands in front of me and walk over toward the seat at the far end of the table. There is indeed plenty of food. Varieties from fruit to steaming vegetables lay next to mouthwatering meats. I gather my plate and begin scooping food until there is no sign of the porcelain below. I have to swallow the saliva pooled in my mouth before I can take the first bite.

The pork melts away as I chew. My eyes roll back into my head as the flavors dance across my tongue. The food here has been delicious since I arrived but this... this is amazing.

As I swallow the bite in its entirety I realize Hades hasn't said a word. Looking over at him I am surprised to see him staring at me. He appears to be a statue, not one muscle is moving or even a breath being taken.

My eyes widen in response and I clear my throat "It's delicious."

Little by little the stiffness chips away as he comes back to life. His adam's apple bobs as he takes his fork in hand and begins eating.

I can't help the heat that stains my face as I drop my gaze and take another bite. I'm not sure what the reason was for his attention just now but it didn't appear to be flattering.

Tucking my chin I let my now auburn hair cover my matching cheeks. We eat in silence, neither attempting to fill the void. My plate has reappeared beneath as the food disappears into my stomach which has almost reached its maximum capacity.

I have never gone hungry, Mother made sure that we always had enough to eat. However, since being here I have seen vast amounts of food in one sitting than ever before. The variety alone is shocking. I'm not even sure where it comes from. We didn't pass a kitchen during the tour... so now that I am considering it there are more questions left unanswered.

I glance up fighting back the nervousness as I say, "You must pay my respects to the chef, this is amazing."

Hades glances at me over his eyebrows nodding he says, "I will tell Iris, she does love a compliment."

"I would love to meet her one day to be able to tell her myself."

He finishes chewing his bite before answering, "That can be arranged."

I smile looking back down at my plate. My stomach aches in response, not from feeling ill but from being stuff to the point of discomfort. Leaning back against the chair I say, "I can't possibly eat another bite. Thank you for dinner, it was nice to get out of the room for a bit."

"You may come out whenever you like. If you prefer to have your meals in here just let Nilus know and he will make the arrangements" he says placing his fork to the side of his plate.

"Will you be joining me?" I ask trying to keep the quiver out of my voice.

"If you would like me to I will try to make as many as I can," he says his face remaining stoic as he holds my gaze.

Those silver eyes appear to swirl like the clouds before a storm. I don't look away, I hold his gaze as I say with as much brazen as I can muster "I would like that very much."

My statement does nothing to calm the storm now raging in his eyes. His expression still unchanged however I can see the subtle shift beneath the surface. His jaw ticks as he nods "Very well."