Page 65 of Tempted By Hades

Persephone, unwilling to tolerate the rudeness, met Minthe’s gaze with a firm resolve. “Looking for something?” she inquired, her tone steady but carrying a hint of assertiveness. Despite the tension, she refused to let Minthe’s slide without saying something.

“Oh, nothing. I was looking for something important.” Her gaze never left Persephone’s. “I guess there’s nothing important here.”

Before she could respond, Minthe turned on her heel, her long dark hair flipping over her shoulder as she slinked out of the library.

Persephone’s fingers curled into tight fists. While she had been ignoring the Naiad’s snide remarks and derisive looks, she’d just about had it. She wasn’t born yesterday. It was so obvious that she had wanted Hades for herself, and now that Persephone had him, she seemed to be escalating day by day. Minthe never directly said anything disparaging about her, which is why Persephone couldn’t protest or defend herself without looking foolish. She thought to complain to Hades, but he was still a male, and they just didn’t understand the wars women waged with each other through silent looks and side comments.

One day, though, when Minthe slipped, she would show her that she was no timid goddess.

Before Persephone could further stew in the aftermath of her encounter with Minthe, Hestia reappeared.

“Did you speak with her?”

The older goddess nodded, but her expression didn’t tell Persephone what the outcome of their conversation was. “She wishes to speak with you directly.”

“Oh.” At least Demeter wanted to see her. “Alright, should I go to the Upperworld to see her?”

There was a mysterious twinkle in Hestia’s eye. “Normally, you would have to go back…but I can sense your power growing in this realm, and that may not be necessary.”

“My…power?”

“Yes.” Hestia took her hand in hers. “When a god as powerful as Hades takes a mate, things change.”

“Change? How?”

“It’s quite different depending on the god and depending on how powerful that connection is.” Hestia lifted their hands together, holding her fingertips loosely. “Sometimes when the marriage is but on the surface, like one of convenience or to solidify power, the bond between the two is there, but it merely…exists.” She linked her fingers through Persephone’s. “But when that bond runs deep, love and power begins to flow through it, connecting it, and becomes shared.”

She was still confused, which perhaps Hestia sensed as she continued. “What I’m trying to say is that as your connection to Hades grows each day, so does your power in this realm. You could even grant permission for anyone you want to come here.”

“Wh-what? That’s possible?”

“Why, yes. You will be Queen of the Underworld after your wedding, after all.”

Queen of the Underworld.

Of course, she knew that was going to happen. After all, Hades was Ruler of the Underworld, so she would be expected to be by his side.

It just never truly hit her what that meant, until now.

“Persephone? Are you alright, child?” Hestia flashed her a look of concern. “You look pale.”

“I…uh…” She shook her head mentally. She could deal with that later. “So, do you mean I can have my mother—or anyone—visit me anytime?”

“In the area where your power is most concentrated anyway,” Hestia said. “Why don’t you give it a try?”

“But where? I can’t just ask her to come here?”

“Where else, child?”

“I don’t…oh.” The courtyard and garden. “I think I know where.”

Hestia grinned at her. “Then head over there, and your mother will soon follow.”

“Thank you, Hestia.” She leaned over and pressed a kiss to the older goddess’s cheek. In the blink of an eye, Persephone found herself in the middle of the courtyard, right where she planted the asphodel. Moments later, she felt a familiar, ethereal presence stir the air, and there stood Demeter. Touched by the goddess’s divine aura, the space between mother and daughter responded with a subtle shift in atmosphere.

Persephone’s gaze met Demeter’s, and the weight of unspoken words hung in the air, but at that moment, the prospect of a conversation held the promise of understanding and resolution.

“Mother,” she greeted. “How are you?”

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