by Marie Medina
“He did? So that’s where he went.”
She nodded. “He told me how I used Hephaestus’ powers. He came to tell me why you weren’t there, but I wasn’t even thinking of that.”
“How could you not be thinking of that?”
“I could only imagine what you’d be going through, and deep down I’d been hoping Zeus would keep you away. Something could have happened to you.”
“I could have saved you myself though.”
She stroked his face. He looked so anxious, and she was amazed he could think she would criticize him or think any less of him. “Thanatos is different. Remember when he rebelled before? He nearly killed you then.”
He stiffened. “How do you know that?”
“He wouldn’t stop talking. He told it from his own perspective, but because of that I know how close you were to dying. He touched you with only half his power on purpose because he needed you until Zeus gave in. Apollo had to work hard to save you.”
He put his arms around her waist. “Let’s not talk about any of it. Just come here.” He kissed her again, a long and luxurious embrace that made her melt.
She pulled away reluctantly. “After Hypnos left me, I had time to think before I woke up. The Fates did something else today.”
“What?”
She ran her hands over his chest, smiling up at him. “Can’t you guess?”
“They scared me to death and made me determined to never let you out of my sight again.”
She laughed. “And because of that, I’ll let you.”
He considered this, but still looked confused. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ll let you ‘never let me out of your sight again.’ Hades, I’m trying to say yes to your marriage proposal. The moment I knew what was happening, I didn’t think of myself. I thought of you. I thought of how scared and angry you would be. I couldn’t stop thinking of how worried you’d be. I couldn’t think of myself at all. I only thought of you.”
“You’re sure?” he asked before she could go on.
She rolled her eyes and hit him in the chest with both of her hands playfully. “I was pausing for effect, my love. If you’d given me five seconds, I would have told you how deeply I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Before she could blink or even take in his reaction, he’d brought his lips to hers and pushed her back into the pillows. She couldn’t breathe, but she didn’t care. She reveled in the feel of his hot body pressing her down, the urgency and joy of his kiss.
Reluctantly, she pushed him up. “I want you so much, but if we don’t stop, my mother may break the door down.”
He smiled and quickly kissed her again. “You’re right. I’ll bring everyone in.”
He went to the doors and opened them. Hera, Hypnos and Ares came in and moved to her bed. However, Demeter stood outside the door, and Alala seemed to be urging her to come in.
Persephone looked at everyone, but no one said anything. “Mother? What’s wrong?”
Demeter looked at her, but she didn’t move.
Persephone swallowed, feeling confused and apprehensive. “I know you’re angry, mother, and I’m sorry, but—”
Demeter shook her head adamantly. “I’m not angry.” She strode into the room and sat on the bed, taking Persephone’s hands.
“How can you not be angry?” she whispered.
“It was all my fault! If I’d given you more freedom, you wouldn’t have run away. If I’d been more open, Hades wouldn’t have had to sneak around to see you. It’s my fault.”
Persephone did not believe what she was hearing. She’d never have imagined anything breaking her mother’s spirit like this. Her mother was serious and reserved. She never showed any emotion to anyone, unless it was anger.
“Mother, it’s okay now. You don’t have to apologize. Anything you ever did made me who I am, and Hades loves me the way I am.” She squeezed her mother’s hands. “I know you might not approve, but I love him, and I want to marry him.”
Demeter let the tears in her eyes fall. “Yes. Of course.” She hugged her daughter tightly.
Persephone once again had trouble breathing, as much from amazement as from anything else. “It’s okay,” she whispered to her mother. “Everything is okay now.” She pulled back and smiled at her, and then she looked at everyone else.
“I think,” she began, “I owe everyone an apology. When I told Hades I wanted to run away with him, he could’ve been anyone. He could’ve been someone like Thanatos. Or some crazy mortal. I probably could’ve handled a mortal man, but how did I know? I had no assurance the person I’d been talking with truly loved me. No way of seeing how it would end. I’m very sorry.”
Demeter shook her head. “We were scared, but everyone except me understood why you did it. It’s over. You’re safe, and you can be happy now. You can do anything you want.”
Persephone looked at Hypnos and Hera. “What’s going to happen to Thanatos?”
“He’s going to be judged. It’s likely he’ll have to fight Zeus because he’ll object even if his punishment is light,” Hera said.
“He told me he can’t die. I wanted to tell Zeus, but the pain clouded my mind. Is he okay?”
Hera nodded. “He’s fine. Thanatos is imprisoned. Judgment will be tomorrow.”
Ares spoke up. “Thanatos genuinely believes that. He wasn’t trying to scare you. But it’s not true. He can die just as any of us could if the circumstances were right.”
“He could be sentenced to death as his punishment, or die if he fights Zeus and loses?”
Ares nodded. “Hephaestus made a new sword, one that could deliver a deathblow to a god.”
Persephone swallowed. “And to be fair, Thanatos would be given the same kind of weapon?”
“If it comes to that,” Hera explained. “Don’t fear for Hades though. Challenging the judgment is a direct challenge to Zeus.”
She nodded slowly. “I’ve caused everyone so much trouble.”
Hades kissed her forehead. “The blame then is mine. All of this can be traced back to my actions.”
“Why doesn’t everyone stop talking and start being happy?”
They all looked up to see Zeus enter the room.
Persephone smiled and held her arms out. “My hero!” He came over and hugged her, and she kissed him on the cheek before looking at Hades and saying, “No offense meant.”
Hades embraced his brother as well. “None taken. So long as your crush on your hero is long over.”
She blushed furiously as Alala giggled.
“Don’t worry,” Alala said. “Her major crush was about fifty years ago.”
Persephone threw a pillow at her friend. “Let’s move on to that being happy thing, shall we? Much better than the teasing Persephone game. I think the first step involves my future husband taking me out for some fresh air.”
“Are you sure? Shouldn’t you rest?” Demeter asked.
Apollo said, “It will do her good. She needs to move around. It will help her body adjust as her arm completely heals itself.” He looked at Hades. “But make her rest if she seems tired. The healing process will leave you a little drained. Drink this first.” He handed her a glass of purple liquid. “It will purge the effects of using Hephaestus’ magic. You had lots of power flowing through you.”
She drank and immediately felt better. She took a deep breath as Hades helped her stand.
Zeus began to move everyone out. “We all have things to do. Ares, I want you and Hypnos to stay with Thanatos, just in case.” He handed Hypnos something. “Keep this safe.”
Persephone saw Hypnos close his hand over a black marble, but when he let his hand fall by his side it was gone.
Demeter stood and kissed her daughter. “I’ll see you later. Come by before you go home. Hera and I have to go find Hestia for the judgment.”
“We will.” She watched her mother nod and smile at Hades before turning to go. Her mother had called the Underworld her home. That small gestur
e meant more to her than anything her mother had said. She knew she had her mother’s blessing, and nothing could go wrong so long as she had that.
Alala ran up quickly and hugged her. “No more garden romps until you’re better though. Save it for the wedding, which I’m going to start designing dresses for.” She punched Hades in the arm. “I told you not to worry.”
Persephone blushed yet again. “I did tell her about the time in the garden,” she whispered. “And I didn’t know you two had talked that much.”
“Only a few times. I wanted it all to be perfect, and she did kick my ass verbally a few times, just so you know we weren’t exactly conspiring together.” He took her hand as they walked toward the door.
“It will be perfect now.”
She held his hand tightly, knowing she was exactly where she belonged.
* * * *
Persephone noticed how quiet everything was as they entered Zeus’ palace. As she and Hades made their way to the throne room, a door opened.
“Persephone!”
She looked up and saw Hestia standing in the doorway smiling at her. She walked to her aunt quickly when she opened her arms to her. Hestia wore a simple linen dress with a hemp cord at her waist. Her brown hair fell down her back, and though her green eyes were dramatically highlighted by brown and green eye make-up, the rest of her look was natural. Hestia was the only goddess who lived completely in the mortal world. She had not been back to Olympus for any reason in several decades as far as Persephone could remember.
“It’s wonderful to see you,” Persephone said. “Despite the circumstances.”
Hestia continued to smile as she took Hades’ hand and joined it with Persephone’s. “Everything’s going to be fine. The Fates have worked out all things for the good.”
“I hope so,” Hades said. “It’s hard to be sure at times.”
Hestia rubbed their hands before releasing them. “You can be sure of this.”
Hades finally smiled. “That means a lot coming from you.”
Hestia was the goddess of the hearth and the home. In a roundabout way, she had just given her blessing for them to make a home together. She often said things the way the Fates did, saw things the way they did. At this moment, it wasn’t melodramatic. It was very comforting.
Persephone sighed. “Are they ready? Should we go in now?”
“All is ready. We were only waiting for you to arrive. A place is reserved for you by Hypnos. Hades and I must sit with the others.”
She nodded. “I’ve never been to anything like this. It’s a little frightening.”
“We’re all safe. No one can use any powers in that room unless Zeus allows it. Everything is bound so truth can be revealed without anyone being afraid.”
“Don’t be afraid,” Hades said. “If Demeter or I sought a judgment based on vengeance, the others would check us. We would lose our right to vote. He’ll be punished in the best way and only as severely as he deserves.”
“You reading my mind now?” she asked. “I was just hoping you’d all be fair.”
He kissed her forehead. “I don’t want you to be afraid of what happens. Justice is always served when we balance one another.”
She took a deep breath as they all walked toward the door. She didn’t know what would happen, but more than anything she wanted it to be over, no matter the outcome.
* * * *
Hades stared down at Thanatos as he stood before the six of them. Zeus and Hera sat in the middle on their thrones with Demeter and Hestia seated by Zeus and himself and Poseidon next to Hera. Hypnos and Persephone sat off to the side. Ares and Hephaestus stood a few feet behind Thanatos, acting as his guards. The Fates sat on the opposite side of the room from Hypnos and Persephone. They were veiled heavily so no one could tell them apart, and one of them sat in front of the other two. This arrangement implied they already knew the outcome.
The door opened again, and the Furies entered. Tisiphone, Megaera, and Alecto positioned themselves in front of the door after it closed.
“I must be very important,” Thanatos said.
Zeus kept his face neutral. “You cannot use your powers, but you could escape. If you do, the Furies will pursue you until you are caught, no matter how long it takes.”
Thanatos looked back at them, brazenly eying the three women up and down. “I might let them catch me very quickly.”
Hera spoke. “Why do you speak so foolishly? This meeting will decide whether or not you still exist an hour from now.”
Thanatos met Hera’s gaze. “We shall see.”
Zeus stood and said, “You’re not being tried for kidnapping Persephone. We all know you’re guilty, and you will be punished for that regardless of the outcome of this meeting. You are being tried for your plans to try to overthrow Hades and conquer the Underworld a second time. You were warned before, but this time you will be held accountable for your actions.”
Thanatos bowed, acknowledging this. Then he looked at Hades. “I do not think I should be punished at all for kidnapping Persephone. Hades was not.”
“Persephone went with him of her own free will,” Zeus said.
“She didn’t know who he was.”
“But once she did, she didn’t say no. Her screaming for three people to help her implies she said no when you kidnapped her.”
Thanatos looked at each of them before speaking again. “If he hadn’t brought her down there, I would never have been tempted. Seeing that he was able to take a beautiful woman just because he wanted her reminded me how corrupt and disgusting all of you are.”
“He courted her,” Hestia said, “even if it was unconventional. He loves her and would never harm her. Hurting someone you love with your rash actions is not the same as maliciously seeking to cause them pain.”
Thanatos laughed. “More excuses.”
Hestia continued, “Sex is a beautiful thing, and it is enjoyed very freely by most of us here.”
He leered at her. “Not by you.”
She smiled. “No. Athena, Artemis and I each made the decision to remain a virgin long ago. It is a decision and condition that should be honored and respected. To rape a virgin is a double crime, both as a violence to the girl and an affront to love and the beauty of sex as well as a showing of disrespect for the state of innocence and the woman’s right to choose who receives such a beautiful gift from her. It is, to use your words, corrupt and disgusting.”
“You are so full of shit! Zeus has been forgiven. Or are all of you too afraid to remember he wasn’t exactly the first feminist?” He fixed his gaze on Hera. “But maybe some women do prefer men who treat them like that.”
Hades was having so much trouble controlling his temper he couldn’t believe Hera was not reacting more.
She sat forward and said, “Yes, he has been forgiven. Very often he was punished with no help from us. The children of some of the more questionable unions, whether heroes or otherwise, often brought a great deal of pain to us and to men.”
“So that makes it okay?”
Hera shook her head. “No, and it never could. Justifying someone and forgiving someone are two different things. Subtly, yes, but different. We will never forget no matter how much time has passed, and learning is what is important.”
“And one thing we have learned is that forgiveness should always be a possibility,” Zeus added.
“You’re going to forgive me?” Thanatos asked.
Poseidon asked, “Have you learned something?”
“I’m sure I can make up some bullshit to make all of you bleeding hearts happy enough.”
Demeter stood. “I should be demanding punishment for you, but I’m not. It is against my nature to destroy life.”
“And I exist only to do precisely that. Perhaps I should fuck you instead. The child might be interesting.”
Hades leapt to his feet. “You will not speak to her like that!” He looked to Persephone, who clung to Hypnos’ arm with both her hands. She was terrified b
y what was happening.
Zeus motioned for him and Demeter to sit down. “Demeter is right. None of us wish your death. We only want to protect those we love, as well as the natural order of things. You can attack me all you like. You can say all the lewd things you can think of. We are questioning your threat to the world of the gods.”
Thanatos looked over at the Fates. “Why debate this for show? You’ve already decided.”
Zeus shook his head. “The Fates already know what will happen. They are only here because this is an important event. It’s fitting they should be present.”
“This trial isn’t even real. It’s to make you look good.”
“Your punishment is going to fit your intentions this time. The time for warnings is over.” Zeus looked at everyone. “We are going to confer now. Please escort the prisoner out.”
Ares and Hephaestus took Thanatos from the room with little trouble, and the Furies guarded the door. They all, except Persephone and Hypnos, went into Zeus’ private chamber behind the thrones. Hades looked back as the doors closed. He saw the Fates come to guard the doors to the chamber and then he saw Persephone speaking rapidly to Hypnos. She seemed flustered and confused, but there was nothing he could do. He joined the others at the table, waiting to see what Zeus would propose to them.
* * * *
Persephone tried to stay calm, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want Thanatos to die, no matter what he’d done, but she also didn’t want him to be able to take his revenge on Hades.
“Persephone, do you realize what Zeus gave me earlier?” Hypnos asked.
Persephone thought, and she remembered Zeus handing him a small ball the night before. “Yes. A black marble? Something like that. What does it mean?”
“He gave me Thanatos’ powers. He could not harm any of us now.”
“That’s comforting, but only for the moment. Zeus will give him back his powers once his punishment is over, if not immediately. He’s guilty of plotting, but he didn’t do any harm.”
Hypnos gave her a long, hard look. “He kidnapped you. Even if he couldn’t hurt you, you were afraid. Hades was beside himself, and everyone was in an uproar. We all knew the danger because he tried before. He inflicted harm, Persephone.”