stillness surrounded Demeter as she returned to her temple. If she placed her foot down too hard or turned her head too quickly, it would shatter and she would become once again that shrieking maddened thing that caused Persephone to flee.
Arms crossed over the ceaseless tug in her belly, elbows cupped in hands, she walked through the temple door. Still trying to preserve her brittle shell of calm, she lowered herself into a chair. After she sat, she looked from empty wall to empty floor to empty altar.
A scuffing sound drew Demeter’s attention to the antechamber. Iambe limped through the doorway. She stopped when she saw Demeter but said nothing, only blinked her wide brown eyes.
Demeter met the woman’s gaze for a moment then said, “She’s lost to me, Iambe.”
Face twisting in sympathy, Iambe said, “Oh, Lady.”
Demeter whimpered and hunched over, hands lifting to cover her face. Sobs welled up and burst from her mouth like blood pouring from a new wound.
A moment later, the warmth and weight of Iambe’s hand settled on Demeter’s back between her shoulder blades. Still sobbing, Demeter leaned to the side until her head was pillowed on the little woman’s breast.
“Hush, Lady, hush,” Iambe said, soothing her hand over Demeter’s hair.
Nearly choking on tears, mucus, and saliva, Demeter could do nothing but let sorrow have its way with her.
Iambe continued her ministrations until Demeter’s tears ebbed. Then, crouching a bit, peering into Demeter’s face, Iambe said, “How is she lost to you, Lady? Did her husband reclaim her?”
Demeter swiped a hand over her upper lip then shook her head. “It was as Hekate said. It was all as Hekate said. Persephone saw what I did to free her as an … an abomination. She loathes me.”
“Is there no hope of securing her affections again?”
“If there is, I can’t see a way to it. I fear I’ve severed the last tie of her love because I … I ….” Demeter couldn’t tell Iambe her last unspeakable sin, that she used her power with the intent to strike her daughter down.
“What, Lady? What did you do?”
Demeter straightened, wiped her face again. “It matters not. She’s lost to me, Iambe.”
Iambe took Demeter’s hand. “I heard what your daughter said in the temple forecourt about the suffering of those slain by this famine.”
“Do not speak to me—”
“Hold, Lady. Please let me say my piece.”
Though she narrowed her lips and raised an eyebrow, Demeter kept silent.
“What if we were to make recompense? Perhaps that would soften your daughter’s heart toward you.”
“What recompense can be made to the dead? They’re beyond anyone’s power save Hades’s.”
“That’s true, but what of those left? Surely, we can make some amends to them.”
Demeter pulled her hand from Iambe’s. “I’ve given them food from my temple. My daughter is with them even now in their distress. What more can I give?”
“Favor all those who suffered in the famine with the rite you worked on Orpheus. In that way, you may spare them the suffering their loved ones know in the Underworld. Its laws won’t rule them. They need have no fear of death or what awaits them in Hades’s realm. Surely this is the greatest boon of any you could give. I believe your daughter would see some merit in that and would be inclined to think kindlier of you.”
Demeter shook her head. “None would brave the fire. Orpheus was the fourth mortal man on whom I worked the rite. He was the only one with courage enough to bathe in the flame willingly.”
“Orpheus wished to be reunited with his loved one who had died. That’s why he succeeded. Surely there are more among the Eleusinians who would take on that portion of your rite for the same purpose.”
Demeter considered Iambe’s words for a time. There was truth in them. There would be many desperate for such a reunion given all those killed by her famine. “Yes, Iambe. Yes. Go into the city. Now. Tell the Eleusinians of my rite. Bid them come to me if they wish to be spared the horrors of the Underworld. Carry the same message to all the cities roundabout just as you did the command to worship me.”
Tears dampening her eyes, Iambe took Demeter’s hands, and pressed a kiss to the back of both of them. “I knew you too would wish to make recompense for the great wrong we perpetrated. Your daughter will surely see how merciful, how kind you are and love you for it as I do. Thank you, Lady.”
Iambe released Demeter and took her leave. Demeter looked once more about her plundered temple and put a hand to her belly, now cavernous. A smile curving her lips, she looked toward the door. Soon enough, droves of mortals would resume their worship and her reservoir of power would once again overflow.