“You see gaining the Gods’ favor as unfortunate as losing favor?” Her brow furrowed at his words.
“I am too jaded to answer well.” He paused, considering. “If I likened those on Olympus to those toiling aimlessly in Tartarus, you’d think ill of me. But there are times I see that idleness about them. Mortals are but a piece of the game.” He clasped the Tavli dice, tossing it in his hand. “Such is the case with the mortal I returned.”
“The soldier? The hero of Greece? But Olympus was well pleased with your decision. Hermes and my mother spoke of your … reward for such action.”
Hades stared at her, wondering if she knew he’d rejected his reward. He hoped she did. “He’s served his purpose. And now he will return to me, more broken that he was before. He will lose his beloved wife not once, but twice, at the hands of our brethren. And his lady wife, sacrificing all to keep her husband safe, will be lost forever in Tartarus…” He heard her sharp intake of breath at the mortal woman’s fate. “This honorable man will never find the peace we speak of.”
He could feel the unflinching weight of her eyes upon him. He’d said too much, revealed too much.
“Oh, Hades.” Her voice was unsteady and she shook her head. When he looked at her, he was startled by the tears sparkling in her eyes. “Such an end, after enduring so much? I share in your grief.”
He shrugged, not daring to say more. It was a puzzle he’d not yet answered, but he would find a way to appease the Gods, the Fates and himself.
Persephone watched him, her lovely face lined with worry. “Such sadness.” Her whispered words were anguished. “I do not envy you such matters. But I am in awe of your sense of justice. A lesser being might use the wealth you mine, the shades you govern, for selfish purposes.”
“I have no interest in power, Persephone. My only interest is order. I have order in my realm and I do what I must to maintain it.” But her praise warmed him, deeply.
“’Tis a shame such order cannot be taught to those in the Land of the Living. Or Olympus.” She smiled at him, then looked down at the Tavli board, her voice lowering, “We must hope that Greece will find some time for peace. In peace, one might find the time to establish order.”
He swallowed. “Will you go, then?” He knew she would. He’d kept her too long already. He tossed the dice onto the board and sat back. He did not care for the tightening in his chest. He’d expected Demeter to come for her long before now.
Persephone did not look at him, but picked up the Tavli dice he’d discarded and studied them. “I suppose I have little choice. My mother has undoubtedly found me a new husband to wed.”
He said nothing. Her words cut deeply, for they were the truth.
She put the dice down and stood. “Though why she insists on such a course of action, I cannot fathom,” she mused, glancing at him over her shoulder.
He stood too, coming to her side. “She would protect you.”
“I am an Olympian.”
“One who does not reside on Olympus.”
“Yet she would see me married to Hermes.”
He glanced at her. “Hermes is the best of them. He is a wise match.”
“But he refused me. And no other will have me, so it seems. And she sent me to Erysichthon.” She drew in a deep breath.
“Who was, by all accounts, a good and capable man–”
“Until he went mad, you mean?” She glanced at him with arched eyebrows.
He bit back a smile, shrugging. She had a sharp wit, a good mind. He enjoyed their talks, for she did not shy away from plain speaking.
Persephone waved her hand, dismissing her question. “I know she longs to see me safe. But I hunger for more. Surely there is someone who might care for me? Not the power I bring, as an Olympian and Goddess.” She looked at him, sincerely asking, “Is it foolish to wish for such things? Is it foolish for me to want to look upon my husband with fondness?”
Her words pressed heavily upon him. She deserved such a husband, if he existed. He met her gaze, unable to offer her the assurance she sought. “’Tis a good dream, Persephone.”
; “A dream?” She looked crestfallen. “Only a dream? So I should go home and accept whomever my mother has found for me. Is that what you think?”
He held his breath. Her words were soft, but each struck him. He did not want her to go. He would have her stay here with him, play Tavli, share stories, walk his realm, and laugh over shared meals. But he knew better.
He nodded.
She scowled at him. “Then summon Hermes, I implore you. I bid you good night.”