Ganymede and Other Romantic Short Stories from Greek Mythology by T. S. Cleveland

Author:T. S. Cleveland [Cleveland, T. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: T.S. Cleveland
Published: 2019-06-19T04:00:00+00:00

“Dearest Hades.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“I present to you your bride—for a limited time only—Queen Persephone.” Hermes released her and she went willingly, her chin tipped proudly. She would not cry or cower over her fate. It would benefit no one. It would make no difference.

Hades appraised her curiously when she stopped at his side, barely even looking at Hecate as she similarly approached. “Persephone?” he asked.

She met his gaze directly. “Yes,” she said, with silent challenge.

His eyebrows did something interesting, then calmed. “I like it.”

Persephone just shrugged, feigning icy disinterest, but the tugging in her chest turned into a pleasant, pulsating sort of patter.

Meanwhile, Hecate was tired of being ignored, even as she continued to ignore Hermes’ persistent attempts to catch her attention. “Hades,” she said, “I will be remaining here as a companion to . . . Persephone.”

Hades seemed to notice the goddess for the first time, though it was apparent he was having trouble taking his eyes off Persephone long enough to properly attend her. “Will you?” he asked, glancing at her only a moment before turning back to Persephone. “You wish for her to stay here?”

“My mother wishes it,” she answered.

“And we’d all do well to grant her this one small favor,” Hecate said. “She has lost a daughter today.”

“And I have lost a queen,” Hades reminded her sharply. “Though not yet. Not for now.”

“If you wish me to escort the luminous Hecate from the Underworld, dearest Hades—”

“That won’t be necessary, Hermes. If my wife doesn’t mind it, neither do I. She may keep whatever company she likes.” He bowed to Persephone. “I want you to feel at home here.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve always found prisons to be extremely homey,” Hermes quipped.

“Hermes,” Persephone said, suddenly speaking up. Her voice was bolder than it had ever been, and steadier than she could have hoped. “Thank you for your services today, but we are well here. You may go now.”

Hermes stared at her with his mouth agape, as did Hecate.

As for Hades, he was smiling. With teeth.

“It just so happens, I am very busy and have other matters to deal with that do not involve kidnappings or molestations. If you can believe it. I hardly can.” Hermes bowed to them, straying longest in Hecate’s orbit, taking her hand and kissing it.

Persephone felt a flare of curiosity at the display of affection and couldn’t help her eyes darting quickly to Hades. He’d not so much as kissed her hand since she’d returned, and she wondered whether he was pleased to have her back or not.

“Goodbye, Hermes,” said Hades. “It’s always a delight.”

“Perhaps it will be now,” Hermes laughed, winking one last time at Persephone. “Now that there’s something nice here to look at besides your beautiful face.”

“Go, Hermes.”

“I am the wind,” he breezed, and with a dramatically lovelorn glance at Hecate, Hermes—and his fluttery little sandals—disappeared.

“I’m thinking of sleeping with him,” Hecate said aloud, once he was gone.

“Hecate!” cried Persephone, as Hades choked on air beside her.

“What ails you both?” Hecate asked, taking in her new surroundings with a swirl of her filmy gown.

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