“Pomegranate. It can only grow from soil fertilized by one of the five rivers of the Underworld. I have a grove of them.”
“They’re magnificent.” Persephone gluttoned herself just as she did every meal. She ate more than her fair share and it was never enough. Her hunger grew by the day, but he seemed content to watch her eat what he provided. If he was happy, Persephone decided that she was too.
They ate in silence, and she tried not to feel self-conscious as he watched her devour every bite. He picked at the tray, nibbling here and there, but never took his eyes from her.
“We will travel over the Black Mirror today.”
Persephone stopped, a combination of meat and cheese placed atop a bite sized piece of bread. Was he serious?
“Do not worry, beauty. There is nothing in this realm that I cannot protect you from. The beasts answer to me, but only to me. That’s why it’s important you do not travel alone. But, with me, you will be more than safe. They will kneel to you as if you were their queen.”
She dropped the food back to the tray as she gathered her composure. The last time she trusted a man with her life, it ended in a scene so horrific she kept it from her mind at all costs. However, she hated to disappoint Hades by turningdown his offer. He seemed so excited about whatever it was that she couldn’t stand to see his face fall at her decline, especially by bringing up the fact that she was considering leaving.
“Okay,” she agreed with a hesitant smile.
***
Stepping from Hades palace was both terrifying and awe inspiring. Mist from the five falling rivers of hell coated her face and raised the fine hairs on her body. Though her instincts warned her to turn back, she was too awestruck by the morbid beauty of the Underworld.
Crossing Black Mirror Lake was effortless with Hades by her side. The water simply parted to let him walk on the lake bed. She avoided the milky white eyes that glowed in the wall of water despite the darkness, keeping her eyes focused on his back. They tracked every step she made, and Persephone had the distinct feeling that they were only watching her.
Hades explained the complicated tangle of webs that was the Underworld. There were five rivers flowing through the domain. Their purpose was to test the new souls and determine their place among the dead, along with two separate planes where they were sent for the final rest.
“There is Elysium which is very misunderstood,” he explained. “Some believe it to be a paradise, but it’s not. It just… is.”
“What do you mean?”
“When a body dies, Beauty, its soul and chaos are ferried across the river Styx together. The soul endures several tests through the other rivers. After judgment, they fall to the special place I’m taking you. The chaos is siphoned and then the soul falls to Tartarus or Elysium.”
“I’ve heard of Tartarus,” Persephone quipped bitterly. “My mother used to tell me that if I disobeyed or didn’t preserve myself that I would be dragged under to Tartarus and given as a sacrifice to the old gods.”
He hummed, brows set before commenting. “She only got half of the story right. It was cruel of her to scare you into submission. Disobedience does not get you sacrificed to Tartarus, beauty. It’s… more complicated than that.”
Persephone turned his words over in her mind. Hades could be strategic with his words, but she was getting good at picking out the truths from his attempts at redirection.
“But some souls are sacrificed to Tartarus.”
“Yes,” he answered simply.
“What does it take to get sacrificed?”
They continued their trek through the bottom of the lake where the rivers converged and were approaching a cliff face in between falls. A set of stairs angled up the rock and a small door hole resided at the top.
“It’s not up to the soul. Whether they were moral or not during life, it doesn’t matter. The judgments are passed by the rivers and the rivers alone.”
Another non answer.
“And what criteria do the rivers use to make this judgment?”
Hades remained silent until they’d climbed the steps and he released his hold on the lake. Water rushed in an unforgiving current, crashing against walls and spraying mist that clung like desperate hands ready to drag her under. Hades looped an arm around her waist and tugged her through the door.
She panted from the rush, but it deepened as she found herself pressed against him. Hades stared down at her, his heart thrumming against the palm she had pressed to his chest. The corner of his lips lifted before he let her go and kept walking.
The cave tunnel he’d pulled her through was eerily dim. Black metal sconces with years of wear were placed every ten steps or so and housed flickering blue flames. Their pace was slow and steady, but the silence between them was buzzing with tension. Or, maybe she was imagining things. A few glances at Hades and his neutral expression had yet to change.
“You didn’t answer my question, Hades.”
“I’m sorry, Beauty. You’ll have to remind me what you’ve asked.”
