A creak sounded as the thud of a boot on wood filled the quiet space. Light flared behind her eyelids and she moved to cover them, but found her heavy limbs still tucked at her sides. She whimpered at the burn, however it was nothing compared to the pain when he shifted her around in his arms, jostling every fragile cell of her being.
A scrap of fabric fell across her eyes and eased the ache. Persephone fell silent. Strong arms nestled her back into place and the rhythmic bounce of his steps continued.
“We’re almost there. I know it hurts, flower.”
Ice coated her spine. “Don’t call me that,” she croaked as she spoke around the shards of glass in her throat.
“What?” His heated breath brushed over her cheek, and she wondered for a moment what the man staring down at her looked like.
“Flower. Don’t call me flower.”
“Alright. What shall I call you then?”
Persephone thought for a moment. She didn’t want to give him her name. She was known across Olympia as Demeter’s beautiful bud of obedience. Her mother would be ashamed when she found her daughter and learned of Persephone’s downfall.
“I see.” The stranger huffed a small laugh through his nose, and she could imagine the beginnings of a smile touching the corner of his lips. “You need time to open up. I understand.”
They’d stopped walking and the man placed his knee beneath her bottom to create a perch to free his arm. Fabric rustledbeside her as he bent, careful not to jostle her. Whenever he was satisfied with his work, he slipped the arm back underneath and laid her down gently on what had to be the softest of clouds.
Something brushed against her feet and then fell heavily against her body, starting at her legs and ending beneath her chin. It felt like heaven against her frozen skin, and the weight brought a comfort like she’d never known.
“I’m going to help you lift your head. You need to drink something.”
“Okay.” She sounded so small, even to her own ears.
His hand cradled her head as the smooth lip of a cup pressed against her lips. She started with small sips, testing the limits of her tattered throat. The fragrant liquid stung on the way down, but left a coating that soothed the sores with every swallow.
“It’s an herbal blend that will help heal you from the inside out. It will take time, and you’ll need to have it everyday or the effects will reverse over time. Do you understand?”
Persephone didn’t respond, just drank greedily from the proffered cup. Fragrant herbs danced across her tongue and brought her taste buds to life. Of all the beautiful plants her mother could grow, even Demeter had never made something so wonderful as the tea Persephone gulped.
As the last drop hit her tongue, she found herself already wanting for more. Persephone could feel the liquid lighting up her body, leaving a trail of warmth and healing in its wake. The effects were nearly instant and she sighed, the first drops of relief she’d felt in gods knew how long.
“What was that?”
Her voice was no longer cracked with abuse, but instead sounded as if she’d had a mild cough.
“Nothing too special. Just a few petals from healing plants, some herbs to soothe the tender parts, and some dried fruit tosweeten the bitterness. After you steep it together, it’s really quite pleasant.”
Persephone squeezed her eyes shut and this time, when she went to open them, it worked. Her vision was hazy, but the outline of her savior was clear as grass in the sunlight before her. She couldn't make out details, but knowing he was there was enough.
“What kind of fruit did you use? It tasted quite citrusy.”
“Pomegranate. I grow them myself.”
“Pomegranate.” She repeated the word and rolled it around her tongue.
“Well, I’ll leave you here to rest. The tea should help you sleep, and hopefully when you wake you’ll be able to sit up.”
He tucked the blankets back around her shoulders and stood to leave, but before he could walk through the door she called, “Wait!”
His form was still blurry, but Persephone could make out enough of the edges to see his head turn back.
“What’s your name?”
He was quiet for a moment, and the anticipation made her heart thud a little harder.
“Hades.”
