King's Queen ✔

Chapter 41: Good Fruit

What Mono advised sank into Persephone's mind as she aimlessly wandered through the great halls of the Underworld alone. She marvelled if maybe she was a little too hard on Hades. And she reminded herself that holding onto anger for someone she loved was never really worth it. She wasn't angry anymore, but disappointment sat in her heart now. She regretted letting her wrath speak for her, especially towards Hades who has always been so kind and protective of her.

At the end, one must remember the nature of the person at fault. Her husband is gentle and lovable no matter what he said during his momentary fit of anger. Persephone must keep in mind that Hades was mad for her sake. He was trying to protect her from danger, even if it was in the most ridiculous way.

Persephone's gaze lifted from her feet. She found herself between dark walls and the faraway screams that were chilling to the bone. "Where am I?" she asked herself. Persephone walked a bit further and found herself outside the palace.

The vast lands of the Underworld laid beyond her feet. She stood on the peak of a cliff that was perched on top of molten lava and fire. The heat was overwhelming; it wasn't comfortable like a hot summer's day but the exact opposite. It felt like her skin could melt off and her bones would combust and the flames would eat her whole. She saw the shadows of demons, witches controlling the dead with thick chains. Persephone moved back on her feet, slowly retreating back to the palace.

Suddenly, the hem of her gown was caught. She turned and saw a pale hand gripping her gown. Persephone's whole body grew cold even though she felt like she was in a volcano. Persephone tried to stay calm and ward off the dead soul, but it didn't work because another joined right after. The panic set in, but the dead wasn't the only thing she had to worry about. A deep thunderous howl cried inside of her, and Persephone was warned that Kore was about to make these dead souls aware of her presence. Now, Persephone panicked because Hades wasn't here and Kore would destroy everything if she unleashed.

Persephone tried to take deep breaths and calm Kore who was the bigger problem. The dead dragging her by her gown didn't bother her that much. Persephone heard her gown tear from the eager hands that climbed the cliff to get to her. She found her chance when the dead loosened their grip on her. Her last thought before she tried to run was Hades. Abruptly, the fires of Tartarus roared burning all of the dead back to where they belonged. Persephone was relived for a momentary second because Kore retreated. But she had another problem. The cliff was about to crumble apart and be swallowed by the same fire.

"Hades," she said his name like a whispering prayer.

Abruptly, her hand was seized and she was whisked away from the tumbling cliff. Persephone gaped at the weak cliff she had been standing on just vanish before her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

She looked up and found Hades scarlet eyes flaming with concern. "Yeah," she said. Her throat had grown dry like dead leaves during winter. "You came," she said timidly.

"Did you call for me?" he asked in return.

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter," she forgot all about the cliff and almost being lunch for the dead. All she could see and feel was Hades. "I'm glad you came to me." she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him like she could get lost in his arms forever.

He pulled her just as close as she did. "Does this mean you forgive me?" he asked softly.

Persephone combed her fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry I was so hard on you," she said regrettably.