When Persephone woke the next morning, she was alone in the bed. The pillows were untouched and the sheets unwrinkledon the other side. She was convinced she’d imagined everything but was grateful for the solace. When she’d sat up to stretch the stiffness from her body, a cup of fragrant tea steamed on her bedside table. There was no note, no gift of spring petals sprinkled around or a demand for her presence. Just a simple white tea cup filled to the brim with sweetened red tea.
The memory filled her chest with warmth, and she smiled as she turned to glance at her nightstand. Perched on the top was the same white cup filled with the same red tea. They never spoke of it, but Persephone knew it was his way of comforting her. An offer of kindness along with the indication that it was daytime in the Underworld.
The thoughtfulness of the gesture made her think that staying in the pit of darkness with the ruling prince may not…
It may not be so bad.
Persephone sat up and pulled a flowing insulated gown from her wardrobe and a fur shoulder jacket to ward away the cold. She was not made to live without the sunlight, but he did his best to keep her warm with furs and leathers of all sorts. Just another gesture of kindness that the other Olympians said he was incapable of.
Persephone sat at the mirrored vanity to brush out the deep pink locks tangled from sleep. Her brows drew together when she studied her reflection. The fuschia tones highlighted by the sun faded to pastel and the deep rosy red dulled, its once brilliant shine now lackluster. Her frame grew more gaunt by the day though she ate her fill and drank the healing tea with each meal. Bruised circles were a permanent decoration under her eyes and her tan skin paled to white.
Without the sun to nourish her, she was fading. She worried no amount of magic tea would help to replace the rays that once fed her soul. Anxiety clenched her chest. She would have to talk to Hades today about returning to the surface to regainbits of herself. She was worried he would think she wanted to leave him.
She didn’t want to leave Hades, but… she did want to leave the Underworld. She missed the sun and the press of dirt between her fingers.
Persephone sighed and rubbed her hands over her face, wiping at her eyes and pressing at the throb in her temple. No matter how much she slept, exhaustion was a constant force pressing against her bones.
She lifted her head to face her reflection. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see, but she didn’t love the woman looking back, and her appearance had nothing to do with it.
Persephone pulled her hair back into a quick chignon and draped some wayward curls around her face and ears to hide some of the signs of deterioration. Would he feel guilty that she was withering? It wasn’t his fault, she would say. Gods, he had been so good to her and asking to leave felt like such a betrayal.
She took a deep breath before standing and steeled her shoulders, telling herself that he would understand. His kindness said that he cared about her, and surely if he looked at her, truly looked at her, he would see that she needed to go.
Persephone retrieved the tea cup and left her rooms to walk the distance to the informal dining area where she met Hades every morning for breakfast. She sipped as she went and the warmness filling her belly eased the turmoil.
When she stepped through the door frame, she paused to appreciate the man sitting in the oversized leather chair he occupied every meal. It was worn from constant use and that felt like a novelty to her. Nothing in Demeter’s perfectly arranged home was worn from signs of comfort. It was just ornate decoration to stay a key player in the game of clout and power.
“Good morning, Beauty.” His eyes didn’t lift from the game of chess he hunched over, but it made her smile, nonetheless.
“Good morning, Hades.”
“Come sit. You know I don’t bite.”
Her belly tingled at his words, and she found herself wishing he would bite. Persephone scolded herself and shook the thought from her mind.
She strode to the chair on the opposite side of the checkerboard and observed his beautiful face as he concentrated. His chin rested in his hand with one finger placed over his top lip. She was fascinated by the small movements of his brow and the narrowing of his eyes when he’d put himself in a tough position and couldn’t parry from the other side. If there was one thing she’d learned about him, it was that he loved puzzles and working through strategic maneuvers.
Maybe that’s what got him cast to the Underworld. Hades, the one god smart enough to overthrow the ruthless power sitting atop Mount Olympus.
Persephone cleared her throat before she spoke. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Of course not. I was waiting for you.”
A small huff left her nose as she tried to hide her smile. “Ever the gentleman, prince.”
“A man does not eat until his lady does.”
Her heart stuttered and she had to turn her head to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear to hide the shock.Hislady?
“That’s very kind of you.” She recovered, but just barely.
“After we eat, I’d love to show you something.” He looked from his game and stared into her eyes. The faintest shade of blue dotted his irises and mused white hair draped across his forehead. Hades was classically handsome with a sharp jawline, a perfect round nose, and broad shoulders. There wasa hint of excitement that made her perk up. She was entranced and more eager than ever to please him.
“Of course,” she answered with a smile.
Hades waved a hand over the small table between them. The chess game disappeared and in its place was an array of meats, cheeses, bread and fruits with two chalices full of wine fermented from a fruit beautifully balanced between bitter and sweet.
“Hades?” she said around a mouthful. “You never told me what fruit you ferment for wine. It’s so fragrant and rich on the tongue.”
