That Fatal Kiss (25 page)

Hades made the weaving fall back over the Mirror. He and Persephone sat back without a sound.

“I had rather hoped my nephew would emerge victorious,” Persephone finally said.

Hades nodded and after a few moments offered, “At least they may be together once he has completed his turn on Earth. Let’s place them in the Elysium Fields, so that they may be sensible of one another and in that way reward his courage in coming for her.”

Persephone nodded her agreement. “I ought to go to Eurydice and comfort her now.”

“Tell her not to fault her husband for loving her too well.”

“I will,” she assured him, about to rise to her feet. She was hindered by the god’s tug on her hand and he pulled her closer so that he could give her a parting kiss.

“Perhaps you will join me in the courtyard afterward,” he suggested. “I am curious to learn the meaning of those bits of cloth you’ve attached to the foliage there.”

“But of course, my King; I’m at your service,” she said with a bow, and then kissed him quickly before departing.

HADES REMAINED IN
the throne room, reflecting on the drama they just witnessed. Had he been in the mortal’s place, would he have been able to keep from looking back himself? He doubted it. Hades tried to free himself from his dark thoughts but could not entirely shake the feeling of dread that stirred in the pit of his stomach. Aware that the incident reawakened his fear of losing his own wife, he attempted to put things into perspective. Though things had not gone smoothly at the start, they were beginning to fall into place, and, after Persephone’s admission of jealousy, Hades had good reason to be optimistic about their future. But anxiety lingered, so he took himself off for a brisk gallop on his favorite stallion, Thunder, in hopes of shaking it off.

Later, when he met the goddess in the courtyard, he refrained from touching on the matter of the divided couple. Hades kept close to Persephone’s side, a protective arm about her waist. He delighted in the sensual timbre of her voice, content to let her prattle on about the plant life growing in wild abundance around them. Persephone caught his gaze and seemed to be aware of his disquiet. As if she sought to ease it, she slid her arm around him and leaned into his side as they strolled along the shaded paths.

Some hours later, a servant came, announcing that their supper was ready. Persephone’s stomach, which had been quiet all that day, complained loudly the moment a mention was made of food.

Trepidation reared in Hades’ gut once again. His voice unintentionally harsh, he asked, “Will you not take some food, Persephone?”

Avoiding his gaze, she whispered, “No. Not yet, Hades.”

He raised a hand to her face and brought it up. His eyes bored into hers, seeking to learn what it was that kept her from committing herself. But the god was unable to see past her guarded eyes. He did, however, realize that his tone of voice had upset her. He released her face, but tucked her arm into his and led her back inside the palace. “Very well, then. You may sit and let your stomach entertain me with its ravenous growls as I partake of my delicious repast.”

The goddess chuckled at that. “And then?”

“And then, my dear,” Hades said, patting her hand, “I shall entertain
you
with
my
ravenous growls.”

XVII.

“PERSEPHONE?” HADES CALLED
out as he walked through the palace the following afternoon. Having reluctantly left his bride to take care of business in Tartarus, he’d spent the better part of the day at Rhadamanthys’ side. Though Persephone said she would amuse herself by summoning Hecate to ride with her, Hades hastened back to the palace. He hoped Persephone had returned, that they might revisit Elysium and enjoy the sunlight before it faded away to night.

But the hour was late, as the judge had been in no hurry to release the King. Since the bulk of the responsibilities had fallen squarely on Rhadamanthys’ shoulders while Hades wooed his wife, the judge had much to discuss with the god. The mortal ignored the pointed looks and impatient sighs Hades gave, determined to have his Lord cast an eye over every detail, no matter how minute. Eventually, Rhadamanthys felt he had unburdened himself sufficiently and announced that there was nothing more to review. Hades leapt from the wooden table without further ado and raced to his horse. He mounted Thunder swiftly, urging the ebony stallion to fly back to the palace. Now he searched the place for Persephone, but could find no sign of her.

“Kore?” he called, opening the door to their bedchamber, only to find it empty.

It occurred to him that, after a strenuous ride, she might have wanted a bath to refresh herself. He grinned widely at the delightful images that thought evoked and made his way to the bathing chamber, only to discover that it too was vacant.

He strolled back down the corridor until he reached the room beyond their bedchamber. Though he doubted he would find her in that empty, dusty place, he did open the door to check it. He forgot he was in his own palace, so amazed was he at the changes he found there. The vivid colors, the flute, the flowers…they were all surely the work of his wife.

Wondering what had inspired the renovation, he withdrew from the room, ran down the hall, the steps, and passed the sitting room again. He stopped short, as he’d only been fully aware of it at his second passing. Persephone’s touch was clearly evident.

Unaware that a smile formed upon his face, Hades strode forward, past the main entrance, and into the throne room’s reception chamber. As he took stock of things there, he noted that she took his preferences into consideration. She’d trifled with little, yet arranged things in a manner she knew he would find suitable.

His smile broadened into a grin of triumph. She wanted to stay! Surely she must, else she would not have bothered to make any alterations whatsoever, would she? Why else would she go to such trouble, unless she had made her decision in his favor?

Even as an unsettling euphoria arose within him, he fought to push it down. He could not allow himself to believe Persephone wanted to remain until he heard it from her own lips…preferably, just as they were closing down around some ambrosia or fruit. Yet, it was simply too delightful a thought to keep back completely. Persephone wished to abide with him in Erebus, of course she must! All that remained for him to do was to find her and convince her to confess it. “But where in the name of my Grandfather’s festering wounds can she be?”

The god thought to check the courtyard and covered the great perimeter with long, vigorous strides. But she was not there. Concluding that she must not have returned from her ride, Hades was about to take himself off for a bath when he spied a shock of flaming red hair peeking out from behind a low shrub. His steps arrested by the sight, he changed course and walked toward the vividly-colored strands, thinking his eyes deceived him. But they did not. There, fast asleep, lay a beautiful nymph, only barely dressed in a diaphanous white gown.

Hades stared down at her, baffled as to who she was and why she was there. Then he realized that Aphrodite must have sent her, in retribution for his “mishandling” of the Psyche situation. The vindictive goddess probably thought to stir up trouble between husband and wife by sending some alluring creature to incite Persephone’s anger.

Now, Hades was not a cowardly god; his notable accomplishments in the battle against his father had left him with numerous scars. But the sight of Persephone consumed by the fury of jealousy was one that the god did not care to face. With victory so close at hand, it would probably be best if he were to send the nymph on her way before his wife returned.

He nudged the girl indifferently with his foot, waking her. She opened large sea-green eyes and sat up, stretching and yawning like a cat fresh from its nap. The King of the Dead remained silent as she looked up at him and gave a breathtaking smile. “So I am here at last!” she purred, rising slowly to her feet so that he could fully appreciate her charms.

“Apparently,” Hades said, averting the hand that reached for his shoulder and putting it firmly back at the nymph’s side. “And you will soon be departing.”

The beauty gave a sensual pout. “But I’ve come from so far away!” she protested, raising a hand to tug provocatively at her already low neckline.

“Then you had better hasten your departure so you don’t miss this evening’s feast,” Hades advised. When she shook her head and made no move to leave, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her forcibly toward the main entrance.

“What are you doing?” she sputtered.

“I am seeing you off.”

“But Aphrodite sent me here, especially for you, in thanks for your assistance—”

Hades interrupted her with a scornful laugh. “She most assuredly did not intend you as a gift, and in any event, I am happy to return you to your sender.
Unopened
.”

“SLOW YOUR PACE,
girl, you ride like a Maenad late for her revelries!” Hecate screeched, thundering behind Persephone on her gray.

Persephone obliged her. “Whoa, Zephyr!” she cried, bringing her ivory steed to a halt and waiting patiently for the Witch to catch up with her. Persephone’s eyes danced, observing the other’s expression of annoyance, and she said, “For shame, Hecate, I had not thought you so faint of heart!” She laughed loudly at the obscene gesture Hecate made.

“I think I prefer the Persephone who’d not yet mated with Hades,” Hecate said, pulling strands of her white hair out of her eyes.

“What presumption!” Persephone exclaimed. “How dare you say such a thing in my virtuous presence, when there is no possible way for you to ascertain its veracity?”

Hecate favored her with a sneer, saying, “You are far too cheerful not to have been properly bedded.”

“Then perhaps,” Persephone said, “you might consider a similar therapy, in hopes of sweetening your own sour disposition.”

“You keep up that horrific pace and I’ll give you a taste of my sour disposition,” Hecate threatened. “Why are you in such a hurry to return to the palace?”

“I…er…I miss him.”

The Witch gave a crow of amusement. “Oh, how I wish my cousin could have heard you say that!”

“As if I care what that prude Artemis thinks.”

“Humph.” Hecate dropped her scornful demeanor and gave a genuine smile. “Then things go well with you two?”

The younger goddess nodded, smiling as well. Clicking her tongue softly, she spurred Zephyr back into motion. She waited for Hecate to come alongside her to say, “Things have been much better.”

“Is he a good lover?”

Persephone hooted at the other’s temerity. “He is…magnificent.” The last word rolled off her tongue as if she relished its taste. “I find myself wanting him with a hunger I’ve not felt before.”

Hecate gave Persephone a leering sidelong glance. “Judging by the way he practically slobbered over you when he came to fetch you from my cave, there can be no doubting his desire for
you
.”

Blushing a deep crimson, Persephone kept her eyes firmly fixed on the road. “Well…whichever water nymph aided his education, I ought to find and thank.”