King's Queen ✔

Chapter 44: Blooming Seasons

Day had broken again over Mount Olympus. Hades had returned to the Underworld before everyone started to gather for their duties. Persephone laid on the sheets that had grown cold after he left. It was a bright and an early morning; the skies were blue as Zeus's eyes and Poseidon's tumbling seas with clouds that were fluffy and great. She deeply desired to lay all day right here and wait until midnight, but she knew she couldn't neglect her duties or life anymore. Persephone got off the bed like she promised Hades that she would and quickly freshened up to eat breakfast to meet her friends in Sicily.

First thing though, Persephone greeted Demeter in her bedroom. "Good morning, mom,"

Her mom's concerned eyes lifted. "Oh, sweetie," she ran over and hugged her daughter. "You're safe."

"Sorry, I worried you," she said.

Demeter let her daughter go just to smack Persephone's shoulder. "More like scared the immortality out of me," she scolded and then hugged Persephone again. "Don't you ever do that again."

Persephone snuggled in her mom's arms. "I'll try not to," she mumbled. "Come on, let's go eat."

Demeter laced her arm with her daughter's. "It seems like Hades was able to walk through your flowers," she stated. "It was quite a sight."

Persephone nodded. "I'm sure it was."

"Look, dear, I may not approve of this marriage-"

"Mom," interrupted Persephone.

"Let me finish," said Demeter shushing her daughter. "I don't approve of Hades because he will never be good enough for you. But if he makes you happy, then what more can I ask for."

Persephone's gazed at her mom with love. "He does make me very happy," she reassured her mom.

Demeter let out a harsh breath. "I won't stand in your way anymore," she said. "I just want my baby safe."

Persephone hugged her mom tightly. "Thank you, thank you, mom."

"Calm down," said Demeter. "I still despise that man for taking you without permission."

"I told him to-" Persephone sealed her lips and decided to end this matter before it got worse. "Let's go eat. I'm hungry and craving lots of cream and blackberries."

After her very large and weird breakfast, Persephone was even more eager to return to Sicily to meet her friends, the nymphs; Amadrya, Naida and Ilaria. She hadn't seen them since her wedding. Although, her head was slightly aching and her body felt heavy. She didn't know what it was, but she ignored it since she was so enthusiastic. Persephone had arrived at the small river where she knew Naida- the water nymph would be taking her afternoon nap. "Naida," she called out for her friend.

Naida's sapphire blue eyes found Persephone. "I can't believe my eyes," she said, "is it really you?"

Persephone shrieked from excitement and ran over to her friend. "I missed you, Naida!" They hugged each other.

"I missed you too," shared Naida. "It wasn't the same without you."

"Well now, I'm visiting for six months," said Persephone.

Naida frowned. "I heard-"

"Persephone!" Ilaria and Amadrya came running from the trees with open arms. Persephone braced for the impact when the two energetic nymphs slammed into the goddess for a warm welcome.