by Marie Medina
“No. Not really. I thought you’d be almost this hungry though.”
She laughed again. “I got sick every time I ate yesterday. I’ll try some fruit first.” She sat down and picked up a strawberry.
He turned off all the burners and sat across from her. “It’s nice to hear you laugh. I thought you might feel differently this morning.”
She shook her head. Last night, his main concern had been finding out if she was angry with him for leaving her as a tree. She’d explained that he had been right to respect her wishes. The Fates didn’t always do things the easy way, she’d said. She’d never really believed in the Fates very much, but she knew she’d never have met Hypnos if she hadn’t found her way to the Valley of Dreams eventually. She needed to believe it had been meant to happen. Zeus and Hera believed in and consulted the Fates when they felt like it, but some gods like Hermes seemed very devoted to them. Believing in them, for now, gave her hope.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. You were trying to protect me. Nothing can be done to change history now.” She finally took a bite of the strawberry, which tasted wonderful.
“I know. I think in a way I’d accepted you being gone. I feel terrible.”
“You shouldn’t. Zeus said my wishes should be respected. You couldn’t have argued with that.” She finished her strawberry, put the stem down, and plucked a few more from the bowl.
“If I’d wanted to, I could have.”
She swallowed and quickly added, “Look, I’m not upset, so let’s put it behind us. I fell in love with a wonderful man because of all this. I think that makes it worth it.”
Her father looked even more worried. “You still feel that way? Knowing who he is?”
“Yes. I am not afraid of him.”
He didn’t reply.
“He kept me from going crazy. He was my friend. He never tried anything.”
“I believe you. It’s just hard to think of him differently.”
Daphne had something to ask, but she wasn’t sure how the answer would make her feel. She ate two more strawberries first. “You were saying last night that Thanatos did something to Persephone. What did he do that made Zeus so angry? Why did he have to be put on trial?”
“He tried to overthrow Hades. His first action was trying to take his queen from him.”
“So he wanted her for himself?”
“Yes.”
What did that mean? Did it show that deep down Hypnos wanted the beautiful blonde? Now that he and the part of him that had been Thanatos were rejoined, did he still feel the same way? Was it even stronger? Did he not only want her but also love her?
“I see.”
“He didn’t explain this to you?”
“He did, but when I had no memory it hardly made sense. I asked why he had been away for so long and why his hair had darkened from white to silver. He explained the best he could. He avoided me as if he were afraid he’d do something wrong. But that was when I started to think he felt the same way. He seemed more open, like he would finally be able to return my love.”
“He couldn’t before?”
“Couldn’t? Maybe wouldn’t? It was so hard to tell.”
“Well, you shouldn’t rush into anything.”
She looked around the enormous kitchen. “You still live in this big house alone.”
“I wanted to stay here. I’ve changed it, made it like a modern mortal home, but lots of things are the same. I don’t want to live anywhere else.”
“But you haven’t met anyone else? No one at all?”
He met her gaze. “I haven’t tried.”
“So you think someone can only love once?”
“I think I will only love once. I have friends. I’m not alone. Even if you don’t stay here with me long, I have you back. That’s what matters most.”
“That sounds very nice and neat.”
He pushed a plate of pancakes over to her. “Eat some more. You’ll feel better.” He got up to get something else.
She sighed as he handed her a fork and put down a dish of fresh butter. She had no idea what would make her feel better.
Or how long it might take.
* * * *
Persephone had never been to Hypnos’ home before. She’d followed Hades’ instructions and found the cave, but it seemed to be empty. It certainly hadn’t opened up into a large foyer as Hades had said it would.
“I didn’t hear you coming, my queen,” Hypnos said.
Persephone turned toward the sound of his voice, and suddenly the large cavern had changed. The walls were smooth, cut stones instead of jagged rocks. The room was bare and still had a dirt floor, but a large chandelier of black metal hung above her, dozens of candles twinkling in its twisted arms. Numerous doors lined the walls.
“I keep it camouflaged so dreamers don’t wander in too far. They can’t open the doors if they can’t see them.”
She smiled, but he didn’t. He looked troubled, as Hades had said. “You’ve had an interesting couple of days.”
“I have.” He gestured to the side, and a couch appeared. “I was expecting you in a way.”
“I thought you might need someone to talk to.”
“You aren’t angry I didn’t tell you about Daphne?”
She had been surprised, but his omission hadn’t bothered her. “No. Of course not. If anyone had known she was in contact with you, it might have gotten back to Apollo.”
“So you understand?”
“I think so.”
“Is she with Apollo now?”
“I think she’s with her father. She was with Zeus and Hera. They’ve restored her memory. I don’t think she’s talked to Apollo yet, but news trickles to the Underworld a bit more slowly.”
He nodded. “You’ve heard?”
“Yes. It’s why I came, for the most part. No matter how you feel about her, what happened has probably upset you.”
“And who else has it upset? Zeus seemed angry, and Apollo is sure to be furious.”
“Because she loves you or because she had sex with you?”
“Both, I’m sure. Apollo has trouble separating the two in the first place.” He sighed. “She was a virgin, of course.”
“She wanted you, and she is in love with you. Whether she still does months from now won’t matter. You did nothing wrong.”
He looked at her for a long time, and then finally said, “It should have been special.”
“Maybe it wasn’t perfect, but perhaps she needed to feel something very badly. I can’t imagine what she’s thinking or feeling now. You were her whole world. Perhaps she needed to feel close to you.”
“I never intended for that to happen.”
“Explain it to me then.” If she understood more fully, she’d feel more qualified to help. In so many ways Hypnos was still a mystery to her, especially since he’d been rejoined with the half of himself that had spent so many centuries as Thanatos.
“It’s hard to say when it began. For years I heard singing in the Valley of Dreams. I thought nothing of it until I realized it was the same voice. No human could have been alive so long. Like mortals, she was only here when she slept, but because of her state up above, she thought her life in the heart of the tree was the dream, the sleeping part of her life. She didn’t come every day, and often I was not in the valley, so it took years for me to discover who she was. I knew her story, but I had never seen her, so I didn’t recognize her.”
“Did she know her name? Did she remember it all?”
“Yes, but it took a long time to learn her whole story. I think she had forgotten some of it because she had been alone so long and because her mental state had been affected by the spells on her. I asked her many times before she would tell me her name. Then her sadness made sense.”
“And you tried to help her?”
“Not at first. I avoided her. She was beautiful and very needy. I was afraid of what might happen. I tried to be her friend and keep her at a distance. Afte
r she drank from the Lethe, it became harder.”
“Why?”
“She no longer had anything else to occupy her mind. She focused on me. I didn’t know what to do about her feelings for me. I thought I’d never have to do anything.”
She grasped his hand. “You couldn’t have carried this burden alone indefinitely. It would have been far too much for you. I understand now why you told me you’d never been in love before, even though it hurt at first you didn’t confide in me. I know you were doing what you thought was best. You fooled me completely. That shows how much you wanted to protect her.”
“It was my fault, so that made her my responsibility.” He leaned closer. “Something very strange happened. I need you to let me test a theory.”
“What?”
“Close your eyes.”
She had no idea what he meant to do, but she trusted him. Since Thanatos kidnapping her had been the starting point for Hypnos being rejoined with his other half, Hypnos had worried for a long time that he didn’t deserve Persephone’s trust. It made her happy that he felt this comfortable around her, felt able to freely confide in her.
After a moment, his lips lightly touched her. It was the most delicate kiss, the most innocent, but to her great embarrassment, she yawned widely in response.
She pushed through the fuzziness and rubbed her eyes. Hypnos looked shocked.
“Hypnos? What’s wrong?” When she first arrived in the Underworld, she’d been incredibly frustrated by how slow Hades had taken their courtship. In her petulance, she had attempted to seduce Hypnos. He’d touched her, but he hadn’t kissed her, explaining it would send her into a deep sleep. Had he been hoping that this might have changed?
“I kissed Daphne, thoroughly and repeatedly. It had no effect on her.”
“Really? Are you sure you weren’t just…not using your powers?”
“That power is not within my control. To put someone to sleep or take a life with my touch, I have to will it. But my kiss will always bring sleep and dreams. A deep enough kiss could even be fatal.”
“Perhaps it is because she kissed you willingly? Or kissed you first? I can’t imagine you tried to kiss her.”
“I pulled away, but I was quite stunned nothing had happened.”
Persephone leaned forward. “May I try?”
Hypnos stiffened. “I think Hades may be angry enough as it is.”
“I’m not angry. Only concerned.”
Hypnos jumped up, but Persephone kept her seat. Hades trusted her, no matter what he might be feeling, and she always kept her mind open to him. She felt his mind touch hers. He understood what had been happening, and he was intrigued by it.
“Sit down, Hypnos. I’m here now, so I see no harm in letting her try.”
Hypnos still did not look comfortable.
Hades crossed his arms. “Look, we settled this weeks ago. You have never meant Persephone harm, and you’ve never tried to steal her from me. We want to help you every way we can.”
“I still remember wanting and trying to take her from you.”
“That was Thanatos. Having his memories does not make you guilty of his actions.” He took a few steps forward. “Look, I’m already pissed off. Let’s focus on the situation with Daphne. You know, the situation involving my servant hiding something from me for years.” He made a gesture to indicate Persephone should proceed. “Kiss him. Come on.”
She knew he really was frustrated, but part of her wanted to giggle. She knew it would drive him crazy to see her kiss another man.
Will you punish me tonight? she asked in her mind.
I had interesting plans anyway.
She stood and went to Hypnos. She braced her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, opening her mouth and searching for his tongue. Everything went black.
When she came to, she was cradled in Hades’ arms. Hypnos was talking, but he stopped when she stirred.
“So something is happening, isn’t it?” she said as she looked back and forth between them. “We can’t ignore this.”
“I don’t want to interfere,” Hypnos said.
Persephone sat up. “Well, you know what? It’s Daphne’s decision.”
“But the circumstances are unusual,” Hades said.
She turned to stare at her husband. “She has free will. She is not a toy to be given back to Apollo.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “I never said I thought so. She needs to come to terms with all of it first though before she chooses any path.”
Persephone understood why Hypnos felt so sad. Daphne had a very hard road ahead of her. “Hypnos is her only friend. She needs him.”
“She has her father. She must have other friends who will come to try to help her as the news spreads.”
Hypnos turned to them. “Before she regained her memories, I asked her very basic questions. She said Helios was her father, and Gaia was her mother.”
Hades leaned forward, placing a protective arm around the waist of his wife, who was still rubbing her eyes. “She was sure? She’s talked to them?”
“She was confused on that point. Her mental state was chaotic. Could we try to contact them?”
“I’m not sure. They are older than us, and they rarely take our form. They are so different. The idea of asking them questions seems strange.”
“But it can be done. Nyx is going to attend Eris’ wedding to Hermes. They can be like us when they want to. Can we ask them? You or your brothers would be worthy.”
“It seems farfetched,” Hades said.
Persephone linked her fingers with her husband’s, rubbing the hand around her waist with her other hand. “Ask Zeus and Hera if you can try. He’s worried about her. Do this for me. Try. You’d do anything to help me. You’ve more than proven that.”
“Zeus saved you, not I.”
She wanted to give him a hard elbow in the ribs as she turned to look into his eyes. “I swear the Underworld is full of crybabies. If you’d gotten near Thanatos, you’d have tried to kill him. Zeus knew this. He had plans you knew nothing about.” She focused on Hypnos. “Hypnos would not have been made whole again. I wouldn’t have wanted that. It was part of the reason I was fated to be here. Discuss such things further at another time if you two must, but right now it is my wish you try to help in this way.”
Hades kissed her shoulder, and Hypnos lowered his head. She sighed. “This world has needed a queen for a long time.” She stood up. “If for no other reason than to introduce a new voice to the conversation.”
Hades looked to Hypnos. “We can try. Zeus can do nothing but say no. Helios and Gaia may choose not to answer us, or even Zeus, but they will not be angered.”
“Thank you,” Hypnos said before he turned to Persephone. “We have needed you. We’ve grown far too complacent.”
Persephone smiled. “Every problem has a solution. We will do our best to help.” She extended her hand to Hades. “Let’s go to Zeus and Hera now.”
“We’ll return soon,” Hades said.
Hypnos bowed.
As she looked at him one last time before walking away, she again felt his great sadness. She wanted to ask if he loved Daphne, but deep in her heart she knew he would not reveal that, not yet, unless she forced him to. It pained her deeply because she knew that confirmed that when he was finally asked his answer would be yes.
* * * *
Zeus raised his eyebrows. “It’s an intriguing idea.”
Hades turned to his brother as they walked through the garden. Persephone walked a little behind them, examining the flowers but still paying attention. “Persephone feels we should at least try.”
Zeus looked back at her. “Do you think your mother has ever talked to them? She might be the most likely person.”
Persephone caught up with them. “I’ve never heard her mention it. Neither of you have ever talked to Helios or Gaia at all?”
Zeus shook his head. “We were told about them. We knew who they were. They were almost our g
ods. They personified the forces all around us. Some never believed in the primal deities. My encounters even have been very few.”
“Hypnos said Nyx is coming to her daughter’s wedding,” Hades said.
“Yes, her I have met,” Zeus said with a smile.
Persephone groaned. “Am I the only female you haven’t bonked?”
Hades laughed at the expression on his brother’s face.
“Excuse me, but did you say ‘bonked’, my dear?” Zeus asked.
“Yes, I did. You’re in the mortal world all the time. You know what it means.”
“I do, but it’s not the word I’d use.” He turned back to Hades. “Would Hypnos try to talk to his mother? That might be the easiest way.”
“I’m not sure.” Hades noticed Persephone frowning. He refocused on her as he explained. “Nyx is also Hypnos’ mother. She renounced him when he tried to take over the Underworld the first time.”
“So Eris is his sister then?”
Hades nodded slowly.
“Why has he never mentioned this? Why don’t they see each other?”
Hades stepped on the other side of his wife so she was between him and Zeus now. “Why don’t you answer her, brother? You brought it up.”
Zeus scowled. “And I was supposed to know she didn’t know? You brought Nyx up.”
“I wasn’t thinking straight. It’s not the first thing to slip out of my control lately.”
Zeus’ expression softened. “When he first attempted to take over, the battle was up here and we all fought him. Eris tried to reason with him because she loved him. She didn’t want to see her brother punished if she could save him. Hypnos took advantage of her coming to him in peace and slit Eris’ throat. Apollo barely managed to save her. Ares said he would slice Hypnos open if he ever came near Eris again. Eris had been born to be Ares’ perfect companion, very much like a sister, and from that day on he took Hypnos’ place as her brother, insisting Hypnos was not worthy.”
“Oh. I always thought you were Eris’ father,” Persephone said.
“Eris had no father, only Nyx. You wouldn’t have if you had been less sheltered and known about our rather steamy affair. You know, many assumed I was your father simply because I never seduced you.”