by L. A. Boruff
My cries of outrage and pain did nothing to stop her obviously rehearsed spiel. But instead of speeding through it as a lowly politician would, my mother took her time, making sure I heard each and every word out of her hateful mouth. Each sentence an arrow aimed at every soft, squishy part of my existence, and set to detonate in a shower of goddess guts. My mother wanted to destroy me for embarrassing her, and if she couldn’t do it physically—least she ruin her sparkling reputation—she’d do it emotionally and mentally.
“Honestly child, how stupid can you be? Trusting a dream god with your body in such a manner. And to even want those things. Positively vile. I know I raised you better than to debase yourself in such a way. An absolute embarrassment. What if the rest of the Twelve were to find out your heinous proclivities? Have you no shame? How you came from my womb, I’ll never know.”
It went on like that for what felt like hours but was probably closer to ten minutes. Our palace may have been large, and she may have been walking slow, but for whatever reason, it never took us long to reach wherever we needed to go. Today, our destination was the portal.
Hidden behind an inconspicuous wooden door was the only way in or out of our territory. It was located in the furthest reaches of the ground floor, purposely placed to confuse anyone who wandered in by accident. Not that it happened a lot. As you could probably tell, my mother just had a flair for the dramatic.
When we reached the door, she stood to the side triumphantly, as if her words were all that was needed to knock the proverbial sense into me. I think she was just relieved that I’d stopped screaming my head off. She always did hate loud noises.
She should remember that for the next time she had some big baboon drag me from a chair to an undisclosed location.
“Well, no matter,” she said cryptically. “You’ll learn your lesson soon enough. And then you can return to being the daughter I raised.” She opened the door, revealing the black pit of the portal and looked to the oaf still holding my hair hostage. “Bring her.”
She didn’t spare a glance back as she strode through the doorway confidently. I was going to hate this. You never wanted to go through a portal without knowing your destination. Even as a child, when I couldn’t travel the portals on my own and had to rely on my mother to get us from place to place, I had issues trusting the process. In hindsight, that was probably the first sign of my control issues, not that it matters much right now.
I bit my lip to muffle my whimpers as I closed my eyes, resigned to my unknown fate as my mother’s servant dragged me through the portal. My stomach dropped as my heart threatened to find a way to climb up my throat, a clear sign of portal sickness.
When we finished our walkthrough, the meaty hand holding my hair dropped me. Well, threw me would be more appropriate, but I was too busy sucking in air and trying to calm my nausea for semantics. I could only pray that he hadn’t ripped out a huge chunk of my hair. The relief I felt by it no longer being pulled was overshadowed by the tenderness in my scalp.
“Get up, girl,” my mother sneered. Wherever we were must not have been that important to her. “Welcome to your new home.”
Ignoring that last barb she just had to throw at me, I slowly made my way to my feet. When I felt steady enough, I opened my eyes and reeled at the desolate world around me. From the red, sunless sky, to the barren, dry dirt beneath my feet, I couldn’t believe my eyes. She really did hate me. I was an utter embarrassment that she wanted to rid herself of. Why else would my mother drop me in hell?
Chapter Two
“Mother?” I fought to keep my voice from shaking. “Why are we in the Underworld?”
“Because its god owes me a favor,” she replied flippantly.
As soon as those words left her lips, the glamour that covered the surrounding area lifted, showcasing the Underworld in all of its abysmal glory.
The sky really truly was a burnt red, but the ground wasn’t as barren as we’d been made to believe. About half a mile down on our left was a large red river that seemed to flow through all of the Underworld and broke off into five separate streams a ways down. Ahead of us was a forest of skeletal trees, their bare branches creaking eerily in the dismal breeze. Wispy strips of things unknown hung from those branches, and something in my gut told me I never wanted to get close enough to find out what they were.
Soft scrapes on the dry, broken ground caught my ear, causing my gaze to drift to the right. A red bricked castle much larger than the palace in our territory sat about ten feet away, and walking away from its steps was the Lord who ruled there. Hades, in his human guise, stood about half a foot taller than me. His skin had a light tan that bordered on a creamy caramel complexion. Black, wavy locks framed his angular face and sharp jaw, icy blue eyes beneath neatly shaped brows pierced me with their fierceness. The God of the Underworld was not to be fucked with, and we’d just landed on his front step.
Thick muscular legs—encased in dark washed jeans of all things—carried him down the last few steps. I couldn’t stop my eyes from slowly gliding up his wide waist, leading to a thick barrel chest that tested the seams of a black short sleeve graphic tee.
Who knew the Devil was a Panic at the Disco fan?
The scene in front of me was so different from the god I’d had small encounters with for most of my life. I’d forever blame the shocking transformation for the reason I’d suddenly lost my well developed and carefully placed filter. Well, that and being dragged around by my hair.
“Death of a Bachelor or Pray for the Wicked?”
The pain that erupted from the back of my head on the end of my question reminded me why it was a good idea to remain silent. I suppose I should consider myself lucky my mother didn’t deem to attend to me herself. That one hit alone jarred me enough to have me seeing things. It was the only explanation I could find as to why Hades would glare at the guard at my back.
A moment later, his expression was back to normal. Although his plump bow shaped lips were ticked up a bit on the left, normally, I’d blame that on my mother. Even when you knew she was evil, as he seemed to, you couldn’t help but smile in her presence. But no, he wasn’t smiling at her. If that could even be called a smile. His sharp blue eyes were staring right into mine.
Well then.
“I prefer Vices and Virtues, actually.”
The fact that he actually answered my idiotic question almost struck me speechless. Almost. “Huh. That does seem more your style.”
The slap this time was harder, and all the more expected. I braced myself as my head was knocked to the side, all sound leaving me for a moment. It took everything in me to stand tall and not crumble to the ground, but that would only make it worse.
However, I couldn’t imagine the Devil’s glare this time, nor the tightening of his jaw. And I definitely couldn’t ignore the next words to come out of his mouth.
“Lay a hand on her again and I’ll break it.”
My mother gasped. “Hades. Are you threatening my guard?”
“The moment she stepped foot into my territory, your daughter became my prisoner. As we agreed. I don’t take kindly to people touching my things.”
My mother’s eyes narrowed as she stared at my new captor. “Just remember that this arrangement is temporary. I’ll be back to collect her in three months’ time. I’m sure she’ll have learned her lesson by then.”
Oh yeah, sure. Don’t even trust your dreams. What a very apt lesson, Mother.
An odd growl-like sound coming from my mother gave me the distinct impression that wasn’t said only in my head. Oops.
Hades’ lips twitched continuously as if fighting his laughter.
“Come, Persephone,” he said, once he found himself back under control. “Let’s not anger your mother anymore.”
I glanced slowly between the two, my mother’s scowling expression and Hades’ neural one, and took my first steps towards the God of the Underworld and the new world I seemed to find myself in.
Hades
and the two guards that I managed to ignore up until that point led me through a series of twisting corridors in the castle. They moved slow enough for me to admire the artwork adorning the walls but fast enough that I couldn’t forget why I was there. This wasn’t a leisurely trip to the Underworld; this was my punishment for being a deviant. Although, I suppose that’s not entirely correct. This was my punishment for being caught being a deviant. And if what my mother said was true, this would be the longest disciplinary action I’d had in my entire adult life.
I should’ve known rejecting that dream dick would come back to bite me.
Sometime during my musings, we’d arrived at our destination. The sitting room that we’d strolled into was extremely lavish and feminine. Blush pink curtains adorned the wide glass doors that led to the balcony, complimenting the off-white leather sectional directly in front of the massive fireplace. An open set of double doors to the right led to a bedroom with a massive bed in its center, the rest of the furnishings from what I could see looked just as put together as the sitting room.
I turned to Hades with a look that I hoped expressed my absolute confusion. He took pity on me and swept out a hand, indicating the rooms.
“I told your mother I’d keep you here for as long as she required, but you’re still a goddess in your own right. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be treated as one.”
“I—I don’t understand. You just called me your prisoner not ten minutes ago.”
Hades’ upper lip curled in a quick snarl before he schooled his expression. “Your mother has an interesting talent for making the people around her absolutely miserable. How you’ve survived it for as long as you have is a testament to your character. No reason to make her ire for whatever imagined crime worse for treating you with decency in front of her.”
“Wait.” My eyes widened. “You don’t know why she sent me here?”
He looked to the side as he answered, “I know what she wants me to know.” When he turned back to me, his expression was as it was when he first came to collect me. Carefully blank. “I hope you enjoy the rooms, and that your time here won’t be entirely unpleasant. You’re free to go wherever you like as long as it’s within the castle. That’s for your safety. I may rule the Underworld but there are some things that inhabit this plane that even I can’t command.”
The thought of there being something outside of these walls that even Hades couldn’t control did its job to strike fear into my heart.
“I won’t leave the castle,” I murmured.
“Good.” He nodded. “Well, I’m sure you’d like some time to yourself. I’ll be attending the denizens in the throne room if you need anything. The guards will direct you.”
Chapter Three
The guards will direct you.
Ha! If that wasn’t the biggest load of crap I’d ever heard.
I rolled over in the massive bed Hades appointed as mine and stared at the crown moldings on the high ceiling, just as I’d done every morning for the past week of my imprisonment. Just another beautifully gilded cage.
A knock at the outer door heralds breakfast, which I’ve opted to taking in the small dining room off to the left of the immaculate sitting area.
“Enter,” I called out, waiting until they came in, delivered my breakfast, and left just as quietly, before getting out of bed.
A massive wardrobe took up the left-hand corner of the room behind the double doors and was filled with Grecian dresses, as well as modern Earth clothes in my size. How Hades acquired those sizes, I didn't want to think about.
Having taken a long bath the night before, I opened the wardrobe and pulled out one of the flowing sky-blue dresses, trying not to think about how the color was only a shade or two off from my current captor's eyes. I slipped off one of the many silky nightgowns that occupied the wardrobe and tossed it to the bed, swapping it out for the dress. As with all the other clothes I’d tried on before it, it fit perfectly, hugging my slim curves and lifting my breasts, leaving no need for a bra. After slipping on a soft pair of ballet flats, I ran a comb through my hair and called it done.
There was no need to try and impress when I was being held against my will.
After a quiet breakfast, I tried to do some light reading and quickly grew restless. Thinking a walk around the halls would ease my nerves, I pushed away from the table and made my way to the outer door. As always, two of Hades’ guards stood watch outside my door.
Unbelievable.
Hades’ parting words to me my first morning here rolled through my head again, as it always did whenever I saw the guards. “The guards will direct you.” More like the guards will watch you like a hawk. The only time I ever found myself free of them was either in my rooms or in their master’s presence, the former happening more often than the latter. When I questioned him about it, he simply stated that it was a condition of my mother keeping me here.
Apparently, the woman has eyes everywhere.
Rolling my eyes at the iron-clad men, I exited my room and started to roam the halls. I admired the paintings I only had a moment to glance at my first day here, along with a hidden garden in a central courtyard. Immediately I knew that I’d be coming back to take a longer look. The most unusual find was a massive library three stories tall. And that was only on the first floor.
As I made my way to a back portion of the castle I hadn’t explored yet, the loud bellowing of a familiar voice snagged my attention. I moved back a few steps to an iron door with a small square window just above my head. Placing my hands on the ledge, I stood on my tiptoes and peered inside. I couldn't contain my gasp of surprise as I laid my eyes on one of the reasons I was stuck here.
Ikelos was a dream god who I first encountered some time ago. Unlike his brothers, his powers created dreams that felt all too real, and like them, he could interact with the dreamer. I'd been that dreamer when we met. He weaved a world filled with my every dark sexual fantasy and enjoyed them with me. Only to apparently sell me out to my mother once the dreams were over and I rejected him in the waking world. The daughter of one of the Twelve shouldn't be having such fantasies, which she drilled into my head as she had one of her behemoths drag me down here.
My ire spiked as I watched him deflate and lie back against the wall of his prison as if this were a vacation for him. Only a thin chain bolted to the floor and an iron door kept him from walking out and living his life, whereas I was constantly watched and guarded around every corner.
My jaw clenched as I tried the handle of the door to find it open. Unbelievable! If he broke that chain, there was nothing to stop him from walking right out of there. As a resident of the Underworld, he could traverse these plains without anyone or anything trying to stop him. I silently fumed as I looked behind me at the guard standing at the other end of the hallway. He said nothing as I pulled the door open and stepped inside.
Ikelos glanced up as I walked into the room and stopped in front of him. A sly smile forming on his face.
"Well, if it isn't the Goddess of Vegetation. Doesn't exactly have the same ring to it as your mother's title, now does it?"
My eyes narrowed as I looked him over. His square jaw was covered in stubble, his blue eyes lacked the shine that they once did when I saw him last. His normally fair skin looked a bit pale and gaunt as the clothes he wore hung on his body.
Not at all like the last time I saw him.
He wasn't as muscular as his brothers, but his lean frame had enough cut lines to draw the ladies’ eyes. It was as if he'd been starved for weeks, which I knew wasn't possible. I’d met with him in the waking world the day before my mother dragged me down here and he was perfectly healthy. So, what changed?
"Seeing you like this should bring me joy," I murmured. "But seeing as how I'm stuck here being watched, and you only have a chain keeping you contained behind a door that isn't even locked, I can't muster up the emotion."
His eyes flared for a moment before settling. "You think you're stuck? This chain yo
u so aptly dismiss is sucking the energy right out of me. The guards only come in every other day to feed me, and that's one meal, in case you're wondering. They don't need to lock the door when I can barely stand even after a meal."
I thought about his words for a moment as I crossed my arms. "Nope. Still nothing but anger. But I know something that could make me feel better."
"If it's my cock, you're sorely out of luck," he quipped. "The damn thing just won't operate besides the occasional piss. Not exactly fit for duty with the way your twisted mind works."
My anger reached a new level. How dare he? "My mind is not twisted," I managed to grit out.
He smiled. "Darling, I've been inside your mind, remember? It's positively sickening."
I gritted my teeth as I took a step closer to him. "I'll show you sickening."
We were on the ground floor of Hades' immaculate palace, and the floors weren't too thick. Getting a brilliant idea, I smiled as I called on my power. Vegetation might not seem like much, but grass could be a fickle bitch and cut as deep as any blade.
Sharp stocks burst up from the ground below him, shock evident on his face. I stood back and watched as the vines wrapped around him and cut into his flesh drawing blood. He cried out as the vines tightened around his legs and crawled up this body, making him immobile.
"Persephone, stop this!" he cried.
"Why should I? You're the reason I'm here! Enjoy the fruit this twisted mind has wrought you."
He continued to cry out as the vines reached his torso, slow in their torture. He hurled obscenities at me as I stood back and watched his pain. Maybe I did have a sick and twisted mind. Maybe I did deserve this punishment as Mother said. But I was done being a victim, and I wasn't going to take this lying on my back. Or maybe I would.