Page 12 of His in the Dark

“It is,” he says, this time a smile carving slightly on his face.

The conversation continues as it has for the last few months, and I lie my way through it. I have found other means to acquire the Goddess. He does not need to know, for if he did, all of my plans would be ruined. He does not know what I’ve done and the depths of my betrayal.

By the time Olympus fades from the mirror, it feels like the fire is no longer in the grate. I burn with anger instead. I stand before the mirror and watch the surface, waiting for my own demeanor to calm.

I am so close to attaining her. So close to a desire I’ve never felt before. So close … and yet Zeus nearly hindered my plans.

Minox moves closer, his concern apparent in his slower-than-usual steps.

“My Lord--”

“Not here.”

Not in this room. I need time to gather myself before I speak. Before my command is given in haste. I lead the way out of the andron. Minox walks by my side on the obsidian path. His footsteps make far less noise than my own, though I am far closer to the edge of madness than he is. Anger does not help me keep my realms in balance, and it does not help me remain fair and just, but denying it is as much of a problem as letting it rule me.

I let my fury simmer on the way back to my private rooms as we walk in silence and the faint screams, cries and prayers are muted in the back of my mind. He strides behind me through the halls, the guards straighten when they see me coming. The servants scatter, making themselves unseen. Most of what I see is shadows disappearing around corners. It is better that theykeep their distance, at least for the time being. I imagine the air itself is thick with my rage.

Finally, back in my private rooms, Minox closes the door behind him and I am more at peace with the decision.

“Cerberus.”

My dog’s footsteps pitter on the floor as he comes to me, his tail wagging and the ears on all three of his heads raised in excitement, as if I was gone for days and not less than an hour. I kneel on the floor and pet each of his heads in turn, scratching each of his ears. His breath is warm on my face in contrast to the icy anger I feel, and gradually I regain control of it. Cerberus shakes his body, delighted with getting so much attention, and I rise to my feet.

Cerberus walks at my side to the windows overlooking my realms. He howls for the edge of all things so he may guard the gates as he so loves to do. He sniffs the air and I know all too well he craves a run and to gather the lost souls.

Minox trails behind me, still silent and waiting. He steps to my other side, and we look out at the realms together.

When I speak, it is not out of the anger I felt in the andron, or the desperation that still clings no matter how I try to deny it. It is simply the command needed.

“It is time.”

Minox unfolds his hands and refolds them again. “My Lord?”

He offers me a moment to change my mind or to clarify. But there is nothing that can stop me from what comes next.

“Tonight she will be mine.” I turn to stare into his gaze, “Take her tonight.”

“Lord Hades.” He turns to look at me, his dark eyes large in his pale face. “Do you mean...? We are ignoring what Zeus–”

“Go in the night and stay in the shadows.” I cut him off, unable to dim my rage towards the God of Thunder. Tension grows between us as Minox waits for the inevitable. “Seize her.”

He is silent to a count of five, unfolding and refolding his hands twice in that time.

I add in an easy tone, “It is an act of war, Minox. You will surely be murdered and tortured if caught.”

He looks me directly in the eyes. “I will speak of nothing if I am caught. I will kill myself before such things are possible.”

With our eyes locked, I give him a nod.

“Hell awaits you if you are caught,” I say. “All of the heavens when you return with my Persephone.” I stare off into my realm and whisper, “My soon to be Queen.”

PERSEPHONE

If Beatrice can do this, so can I. A mere mortal. Surely even if I am losing the divine I was born with, magic can aid in my time of need. My mother speaks of it, as does my confidant Beatrice. And I’ve seen the powers that have come to her, the blessings she’s wished for and the gifts granted with ease after her rituals.

If it works for her, it will not betray me. The spell I cast will work and my worries will be put at ease.

Those are the thoughts I hold close in my mind as I gather the necessities for the simple spell and carry them to the low altar, the glass clacking as I go. My thoughts are fixed on that altar and on magic, though I do not want to think too far into the coming days.

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