SHE WAS WAITING FOR US AT THE TOP OF THE STEPS, STONE EYED AND DRESSED IN ROBES OF DEEP EMERALD THAT BROUGHT OUT THE GREEN IN HER SHARP EYES.

A thick black cloak was carelessly tossed over her shoulders, falling past her feet and sweeping to the spotless marble floors. She arched an eyebrow at the white rose tucked behind Hades' hair. The ice in her expression thawed slightly.

"Persephone. Hades. What an... interesting choice of attire."

"You're perky today," he snorted, clasping Hecate's hand with an easy familiarity, even as she rolled her eyes. "I thought Persephone would like to see your garden."

She said nothing for a moment, but when she spoke, her voice was carefully measured.

"Hmm. I thought so," she murmured, a dry smile on her lips.

Without further reply, she turned on her heel, leading us in. The air was thick and heavy with incense of sandalwood, with candles lit even in the daylight. The hallways were vast, windows thrown open as the velvet curtains drifted in the breeze. We passed a huge desk laden with heaps of scrolls on a pile of leather cased tomes, perched beside bottles of ink and finely sharpened quills. The temple was a maze, even as she led us further and further in. Hades reassuringly wrapped my hand in mine as Hecate came to a stop under an exquisitely carved archway, lips pursued.

"You know the rules, Hades," she said quietly. He sighed deeply.

"What rules?" I asked.

"This is the Sanctuary. Only females can set foot beyond, my Lady," she said quietly.

"I understand."

"And Hades, I've found the books you requested from a library in Athens. Rosamund will fetch them for you from my study," Hecate continued. "Tea is at five, so please don't get lost and wander off before then," she scowled good naturedly.

"No promises, goddess," Hades grinned at her, before squeezing my hand. "And don't bore my Queen."

Despite herself, a tiny smile played about on Hecate's lips as she rolled her eyes again, and then placed a hand on the small of my back, leading me forward. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears as I allowed her to fall in step beside me, keeping up a brisk pace.

As we walked, she threw open doors, swept aside curtains and unlocked gates with a press of her hand. I marveled at the easy familiarity with which she navigated her home, certain in its security. She flung open the last gate built of nothing but creepers and vines twisted in wrought iron, then stepped aside to let me through.

A carpet of velvety moss lay beneath my feet, making me marvel at its softness. All around us, each and every surface was touched by tendrils of vine and young creepers, clearly cared for and tended often. Spiderwort and poison ivy climbed over the walls, wrapping themselves around tree trunks and the elegantly carved statues on pedestals. A lush orchard laden with pomegranates beckoned to me, fruit heavy with promise and desire. The air was filled with scents of cinnamon and anise. Shrubs of every imaginable herb lay scattered around in carefully tended bushes - belladonna, rosemary and sage.

"Your plants are lucky to have you, goddess."

"Why, thank you," she muttered absent mindedly, gesturing to her young acolytes to clear out the space. They bowed reverently to their deity, filing out in a straight line. "How has your stay in the Underworld been so far, Persephone?"

Hecate looked at me, her gaze curious. Expectant. Around us, the Sanctuary was quiet.

"It has been most comfortable. And beautiful. I discover new things everyday and they never cease to amaze me."

"I suppose. Given the way that Olympian - your mother, raised you."

My head whipped back to hers. A little storm was brewing in my blood, threatening to grow into a tempest. True, what she did to me was wrong, but... I would hear no insults against her.

"My mother is - was - the only person who cared for me. She only wanted me to be safe."

Her eyes glowed, a shade frighteningly ethereal. The expression on her face remained the same - just as neutral, composed as before. And possibly a little bit terrifying. And then, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"I do not understand how you could possibly find that entertaining, Hecate."

Her smile grew wider.

"You are quite loyal, are you not?"

I only met her gaze with one of my own, steeling myself to meet her cold, emotionless eyes. She clasped her hands together.

"Loyalty is good. But who you are loyal to matters a very great deal. Loyalty is all we have in the Underworld. Do you think you have what it takes?"

This was a test. I was sure of it.

"Did I beg when Hades dragged me down here?"

"No."

"Did I scream when he went to his knees for me and made me Queen?"

"No."

"Did I protest when he took me to court?"

"No."

"Then I suppose I do have something that Olympians do not."

Her gaze was cooler now, the lines on her brow evened, just a little bit. There was still steel in her eyes, judging me, taking measure of my words. Hard to crack.

"Has Hades been good to you?"

I took a deep breath. If only you knew.

"He has been most kind. But-" my voice caught in my throat. There was a lump I was fighting hard to swallow, making my voice catch. "I feel that... I get the impression that he is - he has - given up. On life. On ever finding some happiness that could lessen his sadness."

Hecate sighed, but I saw sorrow on her face. Real sorrow. She tenderly trailed a finger down the spine of her willow, talking even as she did so.

"He has gone through a great deal to ensure the Olympus lives in peace. A little gratitude from them would be nice."

"I agree. I have had a short life... but it has been sheltered. I cannot imagine enduring it for centuries, let alone be scorned by every person I thought was family."

Something in her expression changed. As if there was something different between us. As if I had somehow changed her opinion of me, that I was not as frivolous as the rest of the summer blooded Olympians.

"You asked me what was entertaining," Hecate said at last. "Hear my answer. I do understand that you love your mother, of course I do. Given the fact that you know about my ties to the Olympians, and the fact that you are one yourself - given the fact that you know how I feel about you here, and that you would like to earn my approval... I would have expected you to take the easiest way out to impress me. And yet you held your own, because your loyalty to your mother was greater than any approval you could gain from me. A lesser woman would have succumbed to flattery, but you, Persephone. I suspect you are simply different, are you not?"

"Perhaps, it is because I am not a lesser woman."

And for the first time ever, I saw the stone faced goddess crack a smile.

"Do you plan to stay, Persephone?"

I could not answer. I didn't know the answer. But you do, a voice whispered deep down inside me. The voice that longed to dance around graves, to lose myself into the forest, to feed on the cries of those who would do wrong. And yet, no will of power could bring myself to say it.

"I will have you know that Hades has had his heart broken too many times. His sisters spurned him, his peers hate him because they fear him. His nature is what he is - and he has no control over what his blood is made of. The Fates decreed to make him so, but the world does not love him for it. If you are going to leave, I make but one request of you. Please do not lead him on if it ends with his heart broken."

Please do not lead him on if it ends with his heart broken.

And all of a sudden, there were tears in my eyes. Because I could only imagine what it felt like, living this way. Because if I did leave, his wouldn't be the only heart broken.

We left before twilight, a rosy cheeked Persephone tipsy from the ambrosia laced tea. The sunset left her golden and peachy, giggling as we walked back home in the glow of the lanterns. She seemed relieved since she and Hecate had left the Sanctuary, making me glad. We had a quiet dinner in the great Hall, accompanied by Thanatos, Minos and a great many cups of mulled mead. When it was time to retire, the two of them took our leave as we headed back to our chambers. Persephone quickly changed into her favorite dressing gown, hair down her shoulders as she pressed herself against me, leaning back on the mattress. The fire in the hearth left sparkling embers in his joyful eyes.

"Hades."

I looked up, and Cerberus growled, half asleep, as I momentarily ceased petting him.

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Do I have a choice?" I grinned.

She wrung her hands nervously.

"Could... could we go see Tartarus?"

My shoulders tensed immediately.

"No."

"Just... I promise - we won't go in. I just want to see. Please?"

I turned to her, a vein already beginning to throb in my temple.

"Persephone. Please trust me when I say this. Tartarus is where nightmares live. Even spending seconds there will quickly break you down. It will show you what you fear the most, and use it to tear your mind to shreds. I cannot bear the thought of you hurt - or that of the Titans roaming freely again. You will not, under any circumstances, even set one foot in the direction of Tartarus. Ever. Is that clear?"

The ice was back in her eyes. Angry and cold.

"Persephone!"

"Whatever you say, Hades. Goodnight," she whispered, before blowing out the candles and plunging the room into darkness.

And the next morning when I woke up, she was gone.