- Kore -
The morning sun broke over the mountain of Hagneia, casting gentle rays down to the little house below. As the sky turned pink and light, my eyes slowly opened, my body aching from the odd position I had slept in. Realizing where I was, I stiffened, suddenly quite awake.
Oh.
We had fallen asleep there on the veranda, My heart thudded as I felt Hades' arms around me, the morning chill a sharp contrast to his warm skin. A quick glance told me that Hades, was still asleep.
My cheeks turned scarlet as I realized that I had somehow ended up on the man's lap. I had never even hugged a man besides my father before now- how did I get into this situation??
"Okay," I told myself as I gently tried to ease off and down, cringing with each moment. "Slow and easy.."
I started to sit up, trying to move slowly as to not wake the god when his arms suddenly tightened, bringing me tightly to his chest as I have a loud squeak.
"Five more minutes," he breathed into my now wild hair, his morning voice gravely and sleepy.
By Mount Olympus, this man would be the death of me. Butterflies were long gone- this was more like a thunder bolt.
The butterflies in my stomach were manic as I tried and failed to relax, my cheeks flushed.
"Why did I feel this way about this man? How could I feel so comfortable, and at the same time feel so shy?"
The questions in my mind went unanswered, as usual.
After a moment, Hades' arms relaxed, and this time I was able to step lightly away. I turned and studied the man curiously. His hair was white, falling to his shoulders, his skin pale and clear. Sleeping, he had a relaxed look on his face, and this was the first time I had seen him without his usual armor. He wore a simple robe, the black color a deep contrast against his skin. His arms were clearly defined and strong, but he didn't have the overbearing physique of Zeus or Ares.
Yummy.
He was handsome. Dangerously handsome. For once, I was grateful his piercing aquamarine eyes were not open to give me that piercing gaze, because I was sure he'd see how infatuated I was otherwise.
How embarrassing!
I have a quiet groan, quickly turning and running up the marble stairs to my bedroom.
"Where things moving to quickly?" I asked myself anxiously.
It was the way of the gods to fall quickly and dramatically into love, and to fall as quickly out of it again. Mother had warned me of how men thought and what they wanted to gain- was Hades the same way?
I looked myself in the mirror, seeing a nervous and scared girl staring back at me. I was a complete fool. Freedom was wonderful, and Hades was even nicer, but I had no idea what I was doing!
Yes, I loved our long conversations and the way he treated me as his equal..but was it all for show?
"He doesn't treat me like an object or prize to be won...but in all honesty, I hardly know him," I whispered to my reflection, biting my lip as I tried to smooth out the now wrinkled purple dress. "What if he is just using me?"
I stepped into the bathroom with a tired. I was a mess. I touched my skin, my eyes flickering to the out of control hair, the crumpled dress.
"If Mother could see me now," I chuckled bitterly before the full ramifications of the scene hit me.
"Merciful heavens," I whispered furiously, the realization of how I looked with Hades only feet away sending me into a panic. Hurriedly, I scrubbed my skin quickly, dabbing on the rose oil recklessly, the purple dress quickly stripped and abandoned on the floor.
I grabbed the first thing I saw- a white dress, made of a soft and light material, and the gold leaf waistband to match. My hair was not easily tamed, but with the aid of coconut oil and a matching gold headband, I finally looked somewhat presentable.
I pinched my cheeks, taking a last anxious look in the mirror. "This is as good as it's going to get," I muttered before turning and sliding on a pair of gold gladiator sandals. With a deep breath, I stepped back into the sun-washed patio, where Hades was just starting to stir.
The man opened his eyes, rolling his neck as he did so. A small smile turned the corners of his lips up as he thought about the night before- I cringed as I guessed what his thoughts were. Would he laugh at me for falling asleep?
I hesitantly took a few stops towards him, apparently alerting him to my presence. He looked up, and just..stopped.
I stood uneasily as he stared, heat rising to me cheeks. Was there something on my face?
Hades cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "You look beautiful, Lady Kore."
I blushed, ducking my head in response. "Thank you," I replied shyly.
We studied each other for a long moment, as seemingly opposite as two people could be. However, we couldn't stay there for eternity, as much as I would like that.
Hades sighed, his eyes flickering over the sea below them. "I have to return to the Underworld," he said with regret. "I can't be away for very long- souls needing to be processed and all."
I looked at him with curiosity. "Processed?" I asked. This was the second time he had mentioned leaving for the endless work of his realm.
Hades nodded. "When mortals die, they are brought through the river, make their payment, and come to judgment. I weigh their life actions, and help them come to terms with death and sent them to their eternal home." He shrugged nonchalantly. "It's more complicated than that, of course, but that's the general idea."
"Can I see it?" The words blurted out of my mouth before I could stop them. The Underworld fascinated me, partly because of the secrecy it was shrouded in.
Hades raised an eyebrow, tilting his head to the side as his brow furrowed. "You..want to see the Underworld?"
"Of course!" I replied, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Look, I have seen just about everything the world has to offer. My mother and I go to almost every realm to bring along the harvest season and the renewal- except the Underworld. I've heard all sorts of things about it, and considering how unreliable Olympus gossip is, I want to see what it really looks like. Besides," I continued, waving her hand flippantly. "It's the final resting place, right? So even if it does look different than our meadows and forests, it still has to be beautiful, not just fire and brimstone!"
Hades was flabbergasted, and I had to hold back a giggle. He stared at me like I had two heads. "Nobody.." he started, his voice a tad unsteady. "Nobody has ever willingly wanted to see the Underworld unless it was to make a deal or ask for a favor. And you- the Goddess of Spring- want to come take a tour?"
I rolled my eyes in response. "It can't be that bad, honestly. I'd like to see how it all works!"
Hades didn't know what to respond. He stared, his mouth opened in confusion and shock as his mind reeled. "Uh..yes?" He finally replied, the statement coming out as a question.
I giggled. "Are you asking me, or telling me?" I teased.
"Yes," he repeated as the tips of his ears tinged red, but this time sounding much more sure. "But perhaps not today..I know your mother is expecting you to focus and develop talents, and knowing Olympus, someone will be here to intervene or check in far sooner than you think. But it will be soon," Hades continued hurriedly as my face fell with disappointment. "Soon, I promise!"
I studied him for a moment, the face of disappointment slowly turning into anticipation. "Alright," I agreed with a smile. "In that case, I had best let you get to your work." I waved goodbye and turned, walking back up the few marble steps with what I hoped look like grace and elegance. Now would be the worst moment to trip.
Hades let out a quiet groan. By the gods witness, this woman would be the very death of him. But he couldn't complain about the hold she had on him- on the contrary, it was perhaps the best thing that had ever happened to Hades. He was always the odd one out, the last pick, or the one who got the scraps leftover..but Kore was no hand-me-down or second-hand job. Her very presence acted like sunlight in the man's dark and lonely soul, and her smile was like summer heat warming his frozen heart.
He turned, his own pleased smile on his face. "Perhaps," he said quietly to himself, "she really will work out."
Hades turned, and had hardly descended into the cave behind the waterfall when a messenger came to him.
It was a raven, black as night, with parchment on its leg. He unrolled the paper, the words at first startling him- and then, causing anger to swell in him.
Hades' eyes narrowed as he read the elegantly written letter, the fancy calligraphy and charmed paper softening the real message- so, they really were to compete for Kore like she was some kind of trophy. She had mentioned it before, and he intended to win.
He started to see red as he flipped the paper, reading the message on the back.
An angry hiss escaped the man's clenched teeth as he started to shake. "A formality?" He seethed, his hands clutching the paper tight. "Awful place? Slim chances??"
He ripped the paper into shreds, his breaths heavy, his eyes full of rage. "And who sent me to this awful place, brother?" His voice boomed off the cave walls, deep underground by now. The God of Hell was angry, and the walls shook with his power. "Who confined me to this infernal place and kept the better part? Who made it impossible for me to truly find happiness?"
Hectate appeared, looking alarmed. The noon day sun that the people of the Underworld were so enjoying had suddenly plunged into complete and utter darkness. "My Lord?" The goddess asked, seeming uncharacteristically shaken. "What's happened?"
"A competition," he seethed, storming past her. This entrance did not require Thanatos or the River- it led directly to his palace. "That crackpot fool is holding a competition, like she is some kind of livestock!" He stormed into the castle, his assistant struggling to keep up as the nymphs and spirits rushed to the sides of the corridor out of the man's way.
Hades entered his chambers, grabbing parchment and a quill. "I will not let her be sold off to the highest bidder," he swore, the strokes on the paper angry and slanted. "I know enough of what those fools do with their consorts. She'd be dead, cursed, or trapped for eternity in misery."
Hecate studied the man. Kore was, if the atmosphere in the Underworld was to be taken seriously, the literal light of his life. She knew Hades well enough by now to know that he would let the goddess willingly choose another if it brought her happiness..but that he would bring down the entire mountain of Olympus before he allowed her to be pawned off or mistreated.
Hades was a calm man, but this had crossed a line- it was apparent to Hecate why this man was so commonly associated with fire and brimstone when he flew into this possessive and righteous anger.
He whirled, shoving the paper at the confused Hectate. "Deliver that to Zeus straightaway- and send someone to keep an eye on Lady Kore in Hagnaei. The second someone shows up, I want to be alerted!"
With that, he turned, sweeping up the stairs to his private study, anger turning the wheels in his head as he planned. Hectate stood there for a moment, glancing down at the paper with a sigh. "Oh Hades," she whispered. "What are we going to do with you?"
**
Back on Olympus, Zeus received Hades' reply quickly. He read it as it arrived, his eyes widening and his nostrils flaring as he read he impudent letter.
Formality or not, I will enter the competition- and I intend to win.
You should have learned long, long ago that your word holds no power over me. As for the island- the Fates have left that doorway open, and I intend to use it with the purest intentions until they decide to shut it. Your temper doesn't scare me, and I'll not let you interfere in my life.
Give Demeter my regards.
~ Hades
Zeus let what almost sounded like a growl, tossing the paper away. "I'll be dammed to that miserable island myself if that wretched brother acquires on one of my offspring," he sneered to Hermes, ever the innocent messenger. "Until they close the door, indeed. It seems my sources weren't wrong. Send for the Fates- I need to see them immediately!"
Hermes turned, flying off to search for the Fates' elusive tower. His mind was turning over the news- Hades and Kore, hm? Somehow, he didn't think it was quite as impossible as Zeus did. Kore was sweet and kind, but in recent years seemed restless- and she had a lonely soul that understood being forced into your lot as Hades had been.
He had an idea what the Fates were going to tell Zeus, and he didn't think it would be very good.