Page 37 of The Don's Eternal Vows

“My husband does not bargain!” she bellows in rage.

I recognize her now - Persephone, queen of the underworld, Hades’s wife. My heart pounds, but I keep my face impassive. A goddess of her might would balk at aiding a weakness.

Slowly, deliberately, I lower myself to one knee. Not out of subservience but strategy. I need her on my side, and the gods have always favored appeasement.

"Please, Goddess," I begin, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I come before you with a plea."

Her eyebrow arches, curiosity replacing some of the fury in her gaze. "Speak, mortal. What could drive you to such madness?"

I swallow hard, Genoveva's face flashing before my eyes. "My wife," I say, the words thick with emotion. "She was taken from me. Unjustly. Before her time."

My hands clench into fists at my sides. "I've crossed oceans of blood to reach her. I'll cross oceans of fire if I must. But I cannot - will not - leave without her."

Persephone's expression shifts almost imperceptibly. The set of her shoulders softens, and the oppressive air around us seems to lighten.

"Love," she murmurs, more to herself than to me. "Always love that drives mortals to such lengths."

I press on, sensing a crack in her armor. "I made her a vow, Your Majesty. 'Till death do us part.' Death came too soon, but my vow remains."

Persephone's eyes meet mine, and I see something unexpected reflected there. Understanding. Empathy. Perhaps even a flicker of... hope?

"You speak of love with such conviction," she says, her voice softer now. "It reminds me of... well, of times long past and a man standing where you are now."

I rise slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements. "Then you know the power it holds," I say, my voice low and earnest. "The lengths one will go to for it."

She nods, a wistful smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Indeed, I do." Her gaze sharpens, studying me intently. "And what would you give, Gianni Montagna, to have your love returned to you?"

"Everything," I answer without hesitation. The word hangs in the air between us, heavy with promise and desperation.

Persephone considers me for a long moment, her ethereal beauty somehow both terrifying and comforting. Finally, she nods, her decision made.

"Very well," she says, her voice gentle but firm. "I will take you to Hades."

My heart leaps, but I give her a subservient bow, keeping a smile at bay. This is only the first step.

Persephone turns, her movements are fluid and graceful. "Follow me," she commands, gesturing with a hand that shimmers like starlight.

I fall into step behind her, my mind racing. I'm one step closer to Genoveva, but I know the true test still lies ahead. I follow Persephone's gliding form, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous hallways. The path we take is winding and shadowed, each turn bringing me closer to a confrontation I both dread and desire.

"Tell me, mortal," Persephone's voice drifts back to me, ethereal yet tinged with curiosity, "what makes you so certain your wife wishes to return?"

I swallow hard, the question piercing through my resolve. "Our love," I answer, my voice low but steady. "It's unbreakable."

She glances back, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Even death cannot sever some bonds," she muses.

As we walk, the castle seems to come alive around us. The walls whisper secrets of the past, faces flickering in the shadows. I force myself to focus, steeling my nerves against the otherworldly atmosphere.

"Your realm," I begin, seeking distraction, "it's... not what I expected."

Persephone laughs, the sound like a tinkling crystal. "And what did you expect, Gianni? Fire and brimstone?"

I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "Perhaps. This is... beautiful, in its way."

"Beauty and terror often walk hand in hand," she replies, her tone suddenly serious. "Remember that when you face my husband."

My jaw clenches, resolve to harden. "I've faced worse odds," I say, thinking of bloody streets in Palermo, of rivals who thought they could break me.

Persephone stops abruptly, turning to face me. Her eyes bore into mine, searching. "Have you really?" she asks softly. "Hades is not a God to be trifled with, Gianni. Are you prepared for what you might lose in this bargain?"

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