“I have to go.” The sadness in her words was noticeable even to her own ears. She didn’t want to leave the spot where their bodies had flattened the grass. Didn’t want to leave her little slice of Elysium in the furthest corner of Olympia.
Narcissus sat up and looked down on her. His brow softened as he spoke, “Come. At least let me nourish and wash you before you present yourself. Can’t have you dripping with cum when you meet your mother.”
Gods, that man’s filthy mouth. Color rushed to her cheeks as her shy gaze looked anywhere but at him.
“You’re so delicate sometimes, flower.” He smirked.
“You’re quite different from the men I meet. I’m not used to such language in the presence of a daughter of The Twelve.”
“You’re no daughter of The Twelve here, Persephone.”
Her eyes watered at the sincerity lacing his voice, but she couldn’t find the words to express how they made her feel.
“Come on, flower. Let’s get you fed and cleaned up.”
She took his proffered hand and hoped the gratitude swelling in her chest showed in her expression. His kindness never ceased to surprise her.
They walked hand in hand down the bank with the flow of water. What started as a small stream widened into a thicker stream with a heavier current. It was nothing dangerous, but the water ran more freely than the others.
“Where are we going?”
“There's a pool of crystal water where the brook flows downhill. It’s hidden by a grove of fruit trees and is the most peaceful of places. I spend a lot of time there and I think you would enjoy it. It’s nearly as beautiful as the two of us.”
“You’re pretty full of yourself aren’t you, Narcissus?” She laughed as she spoke, but she had been thinking about it a lot. Were all men like this? She wouldn’t doubt it if they were. She was surrounded by The Twelve and their offspring, and their pompous natures truly knew no bounds.
“Why should we be bound by modesty when it only hinders the truth? You live your life so humbly Persephone, but how powerful could you be if you embraced your beauty and used it to your advantage rather than cover it like a weakness? It’s rather hypocritical.”
That threw her off guard.
“How so?” She couldn’t keep the offense from her tone.
“You prefer the daffodil because it’s simple. Honest and open. Yet you hide yourself away in the same layers you despise. You hate the gods on Olympus because they lie and manipulate behind their layers, but how is that any different from what you do? So which is it, Persephone?”
She couldn’t speak. With one speech, Narcissus had turned her world upside down. He was right. She had become the very thing she hated. She thought that by keeping her intentions pure it kept her honest. But instead she hid everything about herself inside where no one else could find it. Underneath layers.
Persephone’s thoughts drifted so far that she didn’t realize they’d stopped.
“We’re here, flower. Take off your dress and I’ll help you in.”
She hesitated. No one had ever seen her completely naked except for her mother. Even her time with Narcissus was spent covered from the waist up, and she didn’t dare look at her exposed flesh as he had devoured it.
Yet another instance she hid behind her imperfect layers.
“I’ve fucked you, flower. I’ve peeled one flawed petal from your core. It’s in your hands to peel the next.”
His words struck her yet again, and she wasn’t sure if she was upset with herself or feeling discomfort in his presence. She needed time to swallow everything, but the pressure of indulging in these last moments forced her hand.
With shaking hands, Persphone pulled the thin silk straps of her ivory gossamer gown from her shoulders and shuddered as it pooled around her feet. It took every ounce of control not to curl within herself.
How powerful could you be if you embraced your beauty?Narcissus’ words echoed in her mind. He was right. She should find power in her beauty and watch gods fall to their knees before her.
Narcissus stood proudly in his nakedness, waiting for her to make the next move. Persephone forced her gaze to hold steady as she said, “Would you offer a hand, please? I’m afraid blooming flowers all day doesn’t require much agility.”
“Of course.”
Persephone grasped his hand and stepped into the most beautiful, crystalline water she’d ever seen. She kept her movements elegant with a force of bravado. If she was going to try to be this new goddess Narcissus was molding her to be, she had to start believing it herself.
The cool water was the perfect contrast to the beating sun. She basked in its perfection as she waded to the middle. Persephone could reach the bottom with her toes, but the water was up to her shoulders.
