Page 33 of Tempted By Hades

Hades, scowling, retorted, “Your whimsical games never amuse me, Fates. Just deliver your verdict and be done with it.”

“Hmm.” They paused, eyeing the mortal. After what seemed an eternity, it was Clotho who spoke. “We have consulted with each other and have concluded on this final verdict: Eurydice may return to the land of the living.”

Persephone covered her mouth as she let out an audible gasp. Orpheus, on the other hand, looked stunned—eyes wide, mouth hanging open.

“If that is your decision, then I stand by it.” Hades nodded to Charon. The ferryman then lifted his staff, and in an instant, a woman appeared in front of him.

“Eurydice!” Orpheus cried as he rushed to her side. “My love.” Tears began to stream down his cheeks as he embraced her.

The young woman looked confused. “I…Orpheus? What happened?” She looked around them. “Where are we?”

“I’ll explain later,” he replied, voice filled with emotion as cupped her face with his hands and his eyes greedily devoured the sight of her. “I can’t believe…oh, Lord Hades…”

“No need to thank me,” Hades replied. “I did not decide your bride’s fate.”

“Yes, but you summoned them. And I suppose…” He looked over to Persephone. “My lady…thank you for your intercession.”

Persephone’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “You’re very welcome.”

Charon cleared his throat. “My Lord, if that is all…?”

“Yes, you are dismissed. And please do show our newlyweds the way out.”

“As you wish.” And with a wave of his staff, all three disappeared.

Clotho looked at Persephone and murmured, “A goddess treads the realms, her destiny intertwined with divine threads.”

Lachesis nodded. “In the cosmic dance, a deity ventures into uncharted territories. The tapestry of fate shifts with every celestial step.”

Atropos, her shears poised, added, “Goddess among mortals, a twist in the fabric of destiny. The loom hums with the resonance of her presence.”

With that, The Fates vanished, leaving an air of divine revelation in their wake, and Hades found himself thinking about the cryptic words they’d left behind.

Persephone puffed her cheeks and blew out a breath. “Wow. The Fates. I can’t believe they were really here.” She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. “I feel…strange.”

He could understand what she meant. Hades had met them a handful of times, though, had never addressed them directly. To meet beings that were much, much more powerful and older than themselves was disconcerting. “Don’t worry, that sensation will pass.”

She took a step forward, but faltered and stumbled. He was by her side in a flash and caught her before she fell. “Easy…” He guided her to the plush leather couch on the other side of the room. “Sit down…breathe….that’s it.”

“I’m…fine…just…dizzy…and nauseous…” she said, between gulps of air.

Waving his hand, he made a delicate China cup appear in his hand. “Here,” he said, handing it to her.

“I don’t want tea.”

“It’s not tea.”

Her nose wrinkled. “Then what…oh.” She sniffed at the cup. “Hot chocolate?

“Yes.”

Reaching out, she took the cup from him and took a small sip. “Hmm…so good.” After another couple of sips, she sighed and placed the cup on the table beside her. “That was surprisingly helpful. Did you use any special herbs? Perhaps sprinkle it with some magic?”

“It was just regular hot chocolate, I’m afraid. The sugar helps.”

“Oh.”

“But I did get it from a special shop in Paris.”

---