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On the first instance Hades’ gaze settled on the brown-haired girl, the Prince of Darkness fell in love. Watching her play amidst the flowers, running freely on the meadows, and frolicking in the lake, Hades saw her as the epitome of joy and beauty, innocence and love.
He wanted her. He must have her.
And so he did.
He went to her, a figure in and from the dark, a prince who made the promise of eternal night more forbiddingly thrilling than lonely and terrifying. His eyes, a swirl of black, white, and gray, mesmerized the girl, and she rose from her knees, trembling.
When he offered his hand, she did not hesitate, and even as her heart beat maddeningly hard and fast, she placed her hand in his.
Days passed, and Hades sought to be in the girl’s company almost every day. They talked and talked, past sun down and even when the moon reached its zenith in the sky. And finally, the day came that when the stars faded into slumber, Hades and the girl became one.
The shadows they left on the grass blended, and her soft cries filled the night.
He pledged his love to her, and so did she.
When streaks of sunrise began to paint their skin, Hades turned to the girl in his arms. Looking at her, knowing that she had given herself to his, he had never felt more invincible and alive. For countless millennia, he had believed that it was his destiny to walk alone, despite what the prophecies foretold.
But with her—-
With just one touch, she managed to sweep away the loneliness inside of his heart. With her, he began to hope, and if she agreed to be truly his, he would treasure her forever.
“Persephone.” His lips savored the sound of her name. Persephone, Persephone, Persephone. Each utterance brought him untold pleasure.
She looked up at him. “What is it, my love?”
He said slowly, “I want you to be with me.”
Her eyes shone. “Then be with me! I will tell Mother about you, and we could—-” Her voice trailed off at the way Hades’ beautiful face remained grave. She said uncertainly, “What is it? Do you not want me to tell others about us?”
“You misunderstand,” he said tenderly. “It would be my pleasure to let mankind and the world beyond it to know that you have captured my heart.” He touched her face. “But the way we are now – the way we do – cannot continue. My world languishes every time I am away. So you must make a choice.” He drew a deep breath. “And I hope you will choose me.”
Her eyes widened, and she let out a nervous laugh. “If I didn’t know you so well, I w-would think you are proposing marriage.”
Hades said simply, “I am.”
Persephone gasped.
“I love you, Persephone. You should know that by now.” He looked into her eyes. “Do you love me?”
“Of course I do,” she cried out. And then unable to help it, she threw her arms around him, causing him to release a startled laugh as her sudden weight forced him to fall back on the grass. She rained kisses all over his face, laughing as well, but when she pulled away to look down on him, tears were streaming on her cheeks.
“Oh, Hades. I never even hoped you would love me, too.” She smiled tremulously at him. “Everyone says that you are the type to make all the girls cry and break their hearts because no matter what, you will not fall in love with them. Every girl I know wants to marry you, do you know? Every girl!”
“But I don’t want any girl. I want you.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “Oh, Hades. You are one of our most powerful gods, brother to Zeus himself. How can you want someone such as me?”
“You are a goddess yourself,” he reminded her. “Demeter’s blood runs in your veins, and she is an Olympian like me.”
“Exactly.” Her smile was pained. “It is Mother who is powerful and famous, not me. You should have fallen in love with someone who had done more for the world, someone like Artemis—-”
Hades grinned. “She would not hesitate to shoot arrows into my body if she learns I am contemplating matrimony with her.”
“Then Athena?”
“She will steal Zeus’ thunderbolt and strike me down.”
In a small voice, she asked, “Are you certain I am deserving of your love?”
He shook his head, saying gently, “It is the other way around. I am not deserving of your love. I am sinful and broken, and yet still you entrusted yourself to me. You are everything I have wanted but never allowed myself to dream. You have enslaved me, milady, and I have never been happier to be one’s captive.”
He clasped her face and drew her down for a kiss, and she surrendered to his touch with a soft moan.
When he pulled away, he was smiling. “I love you.” But his eyes remained grave.
“I love you, too, Hades.” She touched his brow. “But I don’t like you looking you so sad.” She bit her lip. “Tell me of this choice I need to make. If it’s to make you smile from the heart, I will do it.”
He captured her hand and brought it to his lips, his heart softening at her words. “If only it were that easy, my love,” he said with a half smile.
“It is when you love each other.” She traced his lips. “So tell me.”
And so he did.
“If you choose a life with me, my love, I promise to give all of myself to you. You will be my Queen – my everything. But it is also a life that dwells forever in the darkness, and there can only be a few days in each season that we may leave my kingdom. The balance of the worlds above would be ruptured if we were to stay away far too long from it.”
At her silence, Hades rose up and gazed down at her. She was still lying on her side, one hand under her face, and her large eyes were filled with turmoil. It wrenched his heart, and he said tautly, “I am asking too much from someone as young and sheltered as you. I understand this. But I also had to let you know because I didn’t want you to think I’m abandoning you. I must return to my kingdom and—-”
She sat up and placed her fingers on his lips to stall his words.
Their eyes met.
“I will go to the ends of the earth with you if it is what you ask, Hades.”
His heart thundered against his chest, and he had to fight for control as he carefully removed her fingers. “Do you understand what you’re saying?” he asked hoarsely. “Do you understand what life will you lead by becoming my bride?”
“Yes, my love.”
His arms locked around her, and he nearly crushed her to him, making her cry out in laughing protest. “Hades!”
He forced himself to loosen his hold. “Sorry, my love.” He kissed her hair. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”