Seeds (28 page)

     “What you see here...” he waved at the rocky ceiling over their heads, “is the border of Dis. The Styx flows in a circle around my entire Kingdom. All physical entry points to my kingdom are through the bowels of the earth or in the shadows. But Dis is a different realm entirely. It is too big to be kept under the earth that you know,” he explained. Though she didn't understand the rules that governed Dis, she did understand his explanation. Another realm altogether? Even in caves, she had felt the pulse of life. And here... so near the surface, she felt a faint, thready pulse from across the Styx. She looked to her left, seeing where the Styx flowed into the darkness. The shore on the other side was limited, extending for a good distance on either side of the dock before being cut off by the cave walls. The souls still waiting for a ride had ample room to move, though there really was nothing to explore over there unless one considered gray sand and black cave walls to be fascinating. And as she squinted, she noticed the opening in the wall, where more souls drifted through to join the ranks of the dead.

     “I suppose I do not have to worry about making that journey,” she finally murmured, waving to Kharon's now-full boat as it pushed away from the dock. Hades glanced at her with a curious and contemplative expression, as if there was a comment at the tip of his tongue.

     “Well? When I die, I will already be on this side.”
That's only if I don't manage to escape
, Persephone reminded herself. She
was
a good swimmer, and the Styx looked placid enough. The current was fast, but if she started further up the river, she should have no problem reaching the shore... And then up and through the cave, and she'd be in the sunshine!

     “You are not going to die,” Hades finally replied after a lengthy – and confusing – silence. She tilted her head. Ever since Father had died, she had been more aware of death, and how one day she would die. The Styx flowed past them as they stood there by the rocks and reeds, and Hades let out a slow sigh.

     “What? But this is the realm of Death...”

     “Iasion is not your sire,” he finally said. She stared at him for several moments before indignation bubbled up within her. Iasion, not her father! Was this some cruel joke?

     “My father loved me! How dare you say such a thing! You have a lot of nerve telling me that this is my home, and now this! What is wrong with you!” she snapped, raising her hands as she formed fists. He remained unruffled.

     “I never said Iasion did not love you,” Hades replied, and she relaxed a little. “He loved you and your mother. He was a good man. But he did not sire you.”

    
How is that possible?
Her parents loved one another, and even right before he died, Iasion had been passionate for Demeter. And he loved his daughter. He treated her with far more affection than many fathers did their own sons. And Mother would not have some dalliance, would she? Not after she condemned the loose behavior of the gods, or that would be hypocritical of her, but she sensed that Hades was a serious man. He would not jest about this sort of thing.

     “Who is my father, then?” she challenged.

     “Zeus.”

     This simply-uttered name almost literally floored her.
Zeus?
Her father?

     “I...” She breathed, going over to the chariot and sitting down, her feet resting in the sand as she crossed her legs loosely, trying to absorb what Hades said amidst the sudden spell of light-headedness she was now experiencing. The King of the Gods, her father? She was left alone with her thoughts for several moments as Hades regarded her silently.

     Zeus is my sire.
She stared off blankly as she mulled over this information, bits of her past now much clearer. She remembered Mother taking her up to Olympus, angry because Zeus had commanded it. Zeus had looked down at her so kindly, and he had offered her that gift. She remembered Ares and how he had tried to take her, but with her power, she had been able to stop him. Such power. The power of a goddess.

     She was a full-fledged goddess. Had always been. And Mother had made her believe that she was mortal! Her hands clenched in fists as her resentment towards her mother grew. How long would Mother have kept her like that, coddled and sheltered? Before, she had reasoned that her mother had stopped her growth so she wouldn't grow old and die. After all, Mother had lost the man she loved, could she be blamed for not wanting to lose her daughter? But now, to know that tactic had been an entirely unnecessary one...

     Damn you, Mother.

     The young deity collected herself. Rage against her mother was useless right now, but when she got back to the surface, oh, things would be different.
I'll go to Olympus and confront Zeus and
... She shook her head, trying to organize the mishmash of thoughts in her head.

     “I am a goddess...” she whispered.

     “Indeed.” Hades glanced down at her with a kind, concerned smile. Part of her was grateful for the truth, though she certainly wouldn't have expected to hear this from Hades himself. How would he know of such matters?

     “What makes you privy to the details of my parents' life?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

     “With the right clues, anything can be inferred,” he replied cryptically.

     “But... Mother... and
Zeus?
She has no affection for him.”

     “He took the form of Iasion and had her believe he was the man she loved.”

    
Oh.
That was what Zeus referred to as the mean trick he had played on Mother! Oh, goodness! No wonder Mother loathed him, if he would resort to such a stunt... At least it was nice to know that her mother
had
been faithful to the man she still considered her father. There was a small comfort, indeed.

     “Wonderful, I am a goddess. Now let me go back to the surface so I can go to Olympus, please.” She almost didn't add the last word, but she figured if she was nice and polite...

     “No,” he replied. Persephone let out an angry hiss.

     “I just learned my paternity, and I would like to confront my parents!” she replied heatedly. Hades understood her position, and was willing to consider it. But not right now, and not for a while. And especially not when her eyes flashed with such anger that he saw amber and gold in her eyes.

     “I have already told you that I am not letting you leave my side.”

     “It is not fair! I never consented to come here and now you will not let me leave!” she replied, her voice softer and more pleading, hoping that she could appeal to the kind side she now knew he had. How many people were privy to this gentleness in the Dark Lord? Deep down inside, she suspected she was the first, and felt a bit flattered at that.

     “It's not that I will not,” Hades stated as he drew closer, idly fiddling around with a reed he had plucked from the shore as he let her process the revelation. He tossed it to the ground before he sat down next to her, draping an arm along her shoulders, looking down at her with eyes filled with warmth and need.

     “It's that I
cannot
.” He let out a soft sigh before inhaling deeply, “I have loved you ever since our meeting on Olympus over a decade ago. I have pined for you. There were so many times I wanted to snatch you and carry you down here. Every time I watched you, I had to fight the urge to steal you away. Oh, Persephone.” His grip around her shoulders tightened. “I have seen the many affairs of my brothers and nephews. I have been flirted with by Aphrodite herself...” Hades was a handsome god, and was deemed as a worthy visitor to the Goddess of Love's bed, but to her utter shock, he had felt nothing, even when she was plying her Gift on his senses. “But I felt no stirring for her.”

     “You have never been with anyone all this time?” she asked with surprise. Hades stiffened, realizing that he had walked into an unintentional trap. She narrowed her eyes and pulled away from him, lifting his hand from her shoulder.

     “Oh!” She was surprised at the surge of jealousy she felt at the thought that other women had enjoyed Hades's attentions.

     “No, no Persephone. I did not love these women.”

     “How many?” she asked accusingly.

     “Two.” This surprisingly low number – Persephone imagined that Hades had ample time in many centuries to have taken on far more than merely two – took some wind out of her sails.

     “We were friends and pleasure-companions. Nothing more, not ever. I swear it. And I was never as thorough – or open – with them as I was with you. I have shown you what no other woman has ever seen.”

     “Never?” she asked with a whisper as she remembered the many pleasures she had been introduced to, how loving and attentive and thorough he had been even though they hadn't even had any actual intercourse.

     “Never. Like I said... just friends. We had a nice time, we parted company. I had no love for them. But you... oh... I shall never part company with you. My heart has never belonged to anyone else. And I never thought it would. But it is yours, now and forever. I do love you, Persephone. That is why I cannot let you go. I
need
you.”

     She looked away, twirling a lock of her hair, trying to not let the loving, honest, pleading words and tone affect her.

     “But... I have needs, too,” she countered softly, still looking away.

     “You know you will be cared for. I am Lord of the Dead, but I am also a loving and loyal mate. Give me and this realm a chance. I promise you will not be bored. You will flourish, blossoming like a beautiful flower. Let me show you more of this Kingdom... and of myself.” His velvety tone compelled her to turn her head, and she stared up at him quietly, gazing into his eyes, seeing the fierce glint of need smoldering in the dark azure depths. Hades was weaving no magic or enchantments, but he saw the thrall in her eyes as she gazed at him, her eyes flush of color from rust to blue-violet, her lips slightly parted as they held their gaze. Her eyes and lips held his rapt attention, and he slowly lowered his head.

     Around them, it was quiet. The dock and path to the Judges was far away; nobody would be able to see them in this muted light. He reached up with one hand to gently cup her cheek. The lapping of water from the Styx provided a pleasant backdrop to this peaceful moment. Their hearts pounded as one as their lips drew closer. And finally, he felt the soft sweetness of her lips against his own, feeling her shiver slightly. Her lips parted just a bit more, and he pressed in, savoring the taste of light and honey as he wrapped his other arm around her. He was gratified to feel her body relax against his, and he gently sucked on her lower lip as he felt her hand slide along his arm. He had been tempted to kiss her lips during his night-time visits, but it was something he felt she should be aware of so she could remember and enjoy it.

     Reluctantly, he broke the kiss, rubbing her cheek with his thumb as he stared down at her. His heart was pounding in a way he didn't think possible. All from one simple kiss. Persephone looked down, touching her fingers to her lips, his taste lingering. She felt warmth suffuse her core, and did not resist when he kissed her again. When he deftly slid his tongue between her teeth, she did not resist, letting him plunder her mouth. She felt the slick muscle run along the roof of her tongue and let her own tongue wrestle his for a bit before she found the strength to break the kiss.

     How was she supposed to resist when she found his attentions exhilarating? She quickly rose from her seat, grateful for the cool Stygian air on her flushed cheeks.

     Hades leaned back against the side of the chariot, studying her as she wandered slowly near the shore, both of them deep in thought.

Chapter XV

o0o

     Hades grinned to himself, savoring the warm and sweet taste that lingered on his lips as Persephone glanced out at the Styx, deep in thought. She looked so regal and beautiful in her new gown and wrap, her hair pinned back to show off the graceful curve of her throat. Her cheeks were still slightly flushed, and he could not help but smirk before he set his lips in a firm line, rising from his chariot and going to her side.

     “Persephone, I fully intend to keep all my promises to you. I am a kind master and you will always know my love. But I am also a firm master. Any more pleas to go to the surface will be ignored. Is this clear?” he asked, his voice resolute as he stared down at her. Her eyes did not meet his, and she continued staring at the water as it churned between several rocks. She could feel his presence, tall and almost overwhelming, as if she would be sucked into the shadows that surrounded him.

     It was as if he had been born just to rule the Underworld. He was one with the shadows, and she could practically feel the darkness around him pulse, as if one with his beating heart. She tried to imagine him on Olympus, surrounded by the heavens as he sat on Zeus's white marble throne, swathed in light-colored fabrics. And what of Zeus, King of the Underworld, his pale hair standing out against the dark clothes Hades wore?

     But she doubted Hades was disappointed with his lot. When he had asked her to give the Underworld a chance, he spoke of his kingdom with love. But this place filled her with dread. It was so dark here, and so... unnatural. The sight of shades and souls did not comfort her. What were the riches of the Underworld when these cold stones and metals did not offer warmth, a pleasant fragrance, a fresh flavor, or sunlight? She wanted to shout all this out, but his statement brooked no argument.

    
Fine. I'll just be quiet and figure a way out
. After all, she could swim. She'd just do it when he was busy with one of his lordly duties. So there!

     “You seem to care for this place a lot. But the mortals say that you are the unluckiest brother, that you drew the worst lot,” she finally replied. Eurycleia said that the brothers decided their kingdom with a sack of three marbles – one gold, one sapphire, one onyx, and they had to grasp around blindly in the sack, not knowing which marble they would choose. But Ptheia insisted that they drew straws plucked from the site where Zeus had finally defeated Kronos. Whatever objects were used in the stories, the outcome was always the same.

     “While a seed of truth lies in the stories that the mortals tell of the gods, many of the details are inevitably wrong. But it is a long story, and I would not want to bore you.”

     “I am not worried about that,” Persephone replied automatically, already interested in hearing the true story.

     “You really would not consider such a story boring?”

     “Not at all.”

     “Understand that I am also a keeper of secrets, and have always been a private man. I will always be honest with you, but I also trust you to keep what I tell you close to your heart.”

     Persephone did not even consider the possibility of discovering a juicy secret and blackmailing him with it. Despite her anger with him, she knew it would be unfair and unjust.

     “I am the first one you would trust with such things,” she said as understanding dawned on her. He nodded.

     “You can trust me.” Her voice was earnest and honest.

     “You know the tale of Kronos swallowing his babies?” he asked. She nodded. She had asked Mother about it once, but Demeter refused to talk about the experience.

     “He did not actually swallow us in his stomach – can you imagine five gods in one god's stomach?” he asked. A faint smile tugged at her lips and she nodded.

     “But what he did to us was not much different. He created a pit in the earth, and threw us in there one by one after we started to walk and talk, and sealed us away with his Gift. But we worked together to keep each other sane, and eventually we were able to escape. It was a whole new world. By then, each of us had discovered our Gift, but it took a while to fully understand them. We went into the wilderness. Hestia kept us warm and safe. Demeter commanded the plants to grow so we could eat. Poseidon was able to draw water up from the earth. Hera had visions and was sometimes able to predict danger before Kronos or his allies could find us.”

     “And you?”

     “My Gift was not as obvious. All I knew was that the darkness did not bother me. But later on I found out that I could manipulate shadows and used them to keep us hidden when Titans were searching for us. We honed our powers and grew strong before we went against him. But before this, we explored the world on our own to further understand our powers and the world. Poseidon found the sea. Demeter loved the rolling fields and valleys, as well as the forests. Hestia was content near the hearth and created a refuge for us. She took care of the youngest with us, Hera. And I... had dreams. I felt something calling me. I came to the Underworld, and knew that this was where I belonged. The Fates themselves welcomed me. Nobody else would want such a dread place, which suited me just fine. I volunteered for it and let everyone else decide amongst themselves what they would rule over. Let the mortals believe I am a cold, unhappy man. That image suits me well, anyway,” he shrugged.

     “You like people being afraid of you?”

     “Better than them constantly praying to me and begging favors!” came the offhand reply. Persephone could not help but laugh quietly.

     “I thought all the gods liked having temples and being worshipped and offered gifts,” she observed.

     “Except for me.”

     “You are a very different person from what I expected. From what
anyone
would expect, I suppose.”

     “Is that a good or bad thing?” he asked, his tone slightly dry.

     “We'll see.”

     “Shall we continue our tour?”

     “Certainly.” This time, she got onto the chariot without assistance, no longer so afraid of the big black beasts that pulled the vehicle, though she still eyed them with caution. Being in a chariot wasn't so bad once one got used to it, and it did move rather speedily whenever Hades wanted. Rather than go back the way they came, he pressed on, darkness swallowing them before they emerged under a bright sky. She gasped at the sudden infusion of light.

     “Do forgive me,” he whispered as he saw her flinch. “I thought we would use a shortcut.”

     It honestly wasn't something worth being bothered about much less being angry over, and she merely shrugged and nodded as her eyes became used to the light. The path they were now on was similar to the ones that led to and from the judges, and in front of them was a high white wall with a wrought-gold gate.

     “The gates to Elysium,” Hades said as the gates opened, revealing a wide green expanse between the walls. The horses trotted through quietly, their pace relaxed as if they understood the sanctity of Elysium. Again, there was no sun, but the sky was a pleasant color – a warm and cheery blue with a rainbow of colors just above the horizon, just as one would see at sunrise or sunset.

     “Is there no sun?” she asked as the chariot moved along the now white stone-cobbled road, the grass swaying gently under a light breeze. A row of cypress trees lined either side of the path, and she saw many flowers of all kinds between the trees. In the distance, she saw the glitter of light reflecting off water even though there was no sun to reflect. How odd.

     “No. The sun is part of the other world.”

     The rows of cypress stopped at a wide marble arch that hugged the path, and beyond it she saw white houses clustered along the shore and up the hills. It appeared ordinary enough, but the people she saw were all dressed in clean, bright clothes. Everyone looked well-fed, but not overly so. They had flesh, just like the Judges. Nobody regarded them as they stopped just past the arch, and she wondered if she were somehow invisible. As if reading her mind, Hades smiled as he offered his hand to help her out of the chariot.

     “Nobody can see us. I want this tour to remain uninterrupted,” he explained. “Of course, you may come back later.”

     “Thank you.” Persephone glanced at this pristine town before her.

     “Elysium is the final destination for heroes, but also those who have genuinely good hearts. Here, people get to do the things they enjoyed in life. There are hills and fields to explore, and the plants always remain in fruit. Those who enjoyed crafts in life have all the supplies they need here. There is an arena, a music hall, a theater, and so on.” Though they were still very far away, Persephone was able to make out a few bright-colored squares of color from drapery and blankets that hung from looms sitting outside, and several larger buildings.

     “Sounds like a lovely place.”

     “It is for those who have earned their place here. Of course, if one feels that they are becoming too idle, they may drink from the Lethe waters and start over in the mortal world. But no matter how often one drinks of the Lethe, they come back to me,” His smile was one of good humor at that comment, and she had to struggle to not grin back at him.

     “Would you like to explore, or do you want to move on?”

     Persephone frowned thoughtfully. Elysium looked like a lovely place, but if she was to get a better understanding of this place, she should at least get a quick feel of all the locations. Here, there was still that absence of life-energy, but the brightness and peace did offer her a bit of comfort.

     “I would like to go on.”

     “Certainly.” Gallantly, he offered his arm, and she took it. The next stop was the Asphodel Fields. The sky was clear and gray, and so was the wall that surrounded this section of the Underworld. The gate was plain black metal, and Hades stopped in front of it. Through the bars of the gate, she saw a gray field with a few gentle hills and rocks. On the horizon she saw squat, gray buildings that seemed to be made out of slabs. The dead people here were nothing more than souls, just as she saw them before the Judges.

     “These people move around freely within there. There is nobody to punish them, but no pleasures. The only thing to eat here is the asphodels, for an incorporeal form cannot eat anything else. They can speak freely to anyone else within the fields, and it is here that they contemplate their lives and what they could have done better.  After an appropriate amount of time, they may ask for another judgment. If they prove that they have learned vital lessons in the Asphodels, they may drink of the Lethe waters, and though they become cleansed, the lessons stay with them.”

     Persephone wondered about paying a visit to the Asphodels later and seeing what these souls learned. It would be interesting to hear stories from ordinary people rather than limit herself to the heroes and exemplary human beings' stories.

     “Looks boring,” Persephone offered truthfully. No colors, no flavor, no entertainment. Just themselves and the company of other dead souls in this world filled with gray.

     “The Asphodels is meant as a contemplation place, a neutral point between good and evil. If mortals do not make mistakes, how can they learn and improve? Most mortals are a mixture of both, and sometimes dire circumstances or uncontrolled emotion may cause people to make bad decisions. There is no reason to suffer for eternity for mistakes. In a way, the Asphodel Fields is a penance that is designed to teach. Few mortals are truly and completely evil, and being in the Asphodels helps them to contemplate good as well.” Hades gestured to a well cobbled of gray stone.

     “The well draws from the Pool of Memory. Often, through one's life, people make themselves forget certain things that hurt them, or were made to forget by others. The Pool was blessed by Mnemosyne herself a long time ago, and is needed as part of the learning process. The water erases all mental blocks that mortals put on themselves.”

     Persephone nodded thoughtfully. She did understand a thing or two about refusing to see the truth. Before Hades told her of her true paternity, she had been completely convinced Iasion was her father. She did not question it because her mother had said it so many times. Had Demeter actually made herself believe in that lie? She remembered her mother's attitude towards the other gods and Olympus itself.

     “You sound so wise when you speak of all this. Do you ever listen to the souls?”

     “Of course, Persephone. I would not be a good Lord if I did not face my subjects. Sometimes I go into the Asphodels invisibly, so I may hear the laments and joys of those who have pondered their existence.”

     “You must have heard a lot of stories, then.”

     “Certainly. You are welcome to do the same, though you would need to borrow my helmet if you wish to travel unnoticed.”

     “If you can become invisible, why need the helmet?” she asked as she remembered how he had appeared before her, helmet in hand.

     “Here in Dis, using the gift of invisibility is more natural and I can do it almost without thinking. I am Lord of this Realm. However, up there, becoming invisible takes a great deal of concentration, much like most of the other Gifts any god would have, and I needed to have my full senses around me when I was battling the Titans. So the Cyclopes that I helped to free created the helmet for me and I infused it with the power.”