“Queen Persephone has spoken on your behalf, but that doesn’t mean you’ll not go unpunished,” Hades said. “Starting today, this hour, this very minute, you will begin your servitude to the queen. You will be her handmaid, her protector, and if need be, her shield. You will guard her with your life and your soul. And like all punishments from the gods, it is eternal.” Hades stood and languidly stepped down from the dais to stand in front of Cyane.
Hecate joined him and moved to Cyane’s side. They placed their hands upon Cyane’s head.
Power fused through Cyane, first prickling her scalp from which it shot through every nerve in her body. Her mouth parted.
Hades continued speaking as her skin began to burn, “We bestow immortality upon you and restore the gifts of your former life. If you should fail, all will be stripped away, and death will follow swiftly.”
Hecate chanted.
Cyane’s eyes brightened, and her vision wavered. She pulled her hands from the floor and brought them to her mouth as her body filled with power. She worried she’d be burned alive, without the chance to be immortal, much less serve, when the gods’ hands lifted from her head, and the pain went with them.
She lowered to the floor with a gasp. Hades and Hecate moved back to their places. She rested her brow on the cold stone.
I’m undying…The words were weak and filled with awe in her head. Strength surged through her veins. Her body cleansed itself of all the impurities of mortality.
“As for you Cerberus… Queen Persephone and I spoke at great length about your punishment,” Hades mused.
Cyane stiffened and lifted her head to peer worriedly at Cerberus.
“My beautiful queen is benevolent and kind,” Hades said. “She is far more merciful than I am. If it were up to me, I’d restore your primordial form and chain you to the gates for the next ten thousand years. I would deny you speech, deny you souls, deny you companionship. For you knew…how much I cherished you.
Hades slumped back into his throne with a flourish. “But perhaps I can’t fault your reasons for doing did what you did.”
Cyane curled her fingers and held her breath. She wanted to pray for Cerberus, but didn’t know who to pray to.
“For your punishment. You will suffer as I have had to suffer. Cyane will join Persephone above for six months of the year where she can fulfill her duties. And you, Cerberus, will remain with me in the dark, waiting for Cyane’s return. You will never have more than I, in this or anything. Look at me,” Hades ordered.
Cerberus raised his head, his shoulders were stiff, his eyes a ruby glow that shined outward. Cyane knew his eyes glowed when he was overcome with emotion. She traced the sleek and sharp curves of his Grecian warrior helmet, swallowing the lump of dread in her throat.
Six months? Six months apart for every year of all eternity?
“You will never know if she is safe without your protection. You will worry by my side and know what true longing is like. Do you accept?” Hades asked.
“Yes, my lord,” Cerberus said.
Cyane glanced up at Hades. A cup had magically appeared in his hand. He grumbled and stood again, offering his free hand to Persephone, who took it. Her adoring smile had not left her face. Cyane’s chest filled with love, even though her heart was heavy.
She didn’t want to be apart from Cerberus, but she didn’t want to be apart from Persephone either. Her punishment wasn’t really a punishment, but it still hurt.
“My queen and I have a bed to return to.” Persephone rose and slid under Hades’s arm. “The court is dismissed.”
One by one the gods vanished into thin air, swirls of shadows and darkness slipping around them, only to immediately dissipate. Hades and Persephone remained.
When the four of them were alone, Cerberus rose and helped Cyane to her feet. Persephone rushed forward and enveloped Cyane into an embrace made of flowers and sunshine. Cyane hugged her back, having missed her goddess greatly.
Hades joined them, his eyes as ruinous as ever. “Eternity is a long time,” he said.
Persephone and Cyane released each other. Cyane bowed her head. “Thank you for the gift, my lord.” She truly meant it, astonishing herself.
“We will have so much fun!” Persephone giggled a little too mischievously.
Hades sighed and gulped back his drink. When he was done, he pulled Persephone back into his arms. “Come.”
They vanished.
Cyane smiled, relieved. “What now, my god?”
Cerberus reached up and slowly pulled off his helmet. His dark curls fell out to tousle around his sharp and darkly enchanting face. A very familiar, although a little more grave, a little more constrained, wicked gleam sparked his eyes.
