The Flower and the Flame by Kerri Keberly

Author:Kerri Keberly [Kerri Keberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonfire Press
Published: 2024-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

11

Persephone’s gaze went from Hades to the tendril of mist that rose from the ground behind him. He turned, and they both watched as a dark figure began to take form.

Once the funnel of smoke had cleared, Persephone could not help but inhale sharply at the woman standing there, for she appeared ghostly. Dark circles bled down from her vacant eyes, haunting the hollows of her cheeks, and her pale skin said little of vitality.

Yet, there this mysterious specter stood, as solid in flesh and alive in spirit as Persephone herself.

“I presume you have heard of the goddess of shades,” began Hades. “…of graves and…”

“Sorcery and crossroads,” finished Persephone, the knowledge of who stood before them dawning on her immediately. “Yes, I have heard. It is an honor to stand in your presence, Hecate.”

The dark goddess nodded, a whisper of a smile ghosting her lips, as though she were a cat toying with a mouse. Persephone wondered if the goddess had sensed her apprehension, even though she had done her best to keep her voice steady. Or was she pleased Persephone had not shied away in fear?

True to her nature, she longed to reach out and touch Hecate, to bring light where there seemed very little, but she refrained. It was clear by the look on her face Hecate did no dealings in light, only shadow.

As if the goddess of witches knew what she had been thinking, she tilted her head, quick and halting, like that of a keen-eyed raven. “And I have heard much and more about you, Persephone,” she rasped, the sound of her voice more airy than unpleasant. “The great king of the Underworld is enamored with you, and I can see why.”

Entranced, Persephone couldn’t help but notice how the witch’s words, once spoken, dissipated like smoke. She knew Hecate’s countenance, from her grim appearance to her eerie voice, was meant to unnerve her. What the witch had not anticipated, however, was that Persephone was not afraid of the dark. It was inextricably intertwined with the light, for without one the other could not exist, and neither was more malevolent—or benevolent—than the other.

“And I with him. I am to be his queen,” replied Persephone.

“Such wonderful news.” The fabric of Hecate’s skirts billowed, even though there was no wind. She arched one brow, her head moving again in that strange birdlike manner. “Does Demeter prepare to travel to the Underworld to see her daughter avow herself to the king of the Underworld?”

Persephone heard the small intake of breath from Hades, causing her gaze to shift just in time to see something flash in his narrowed eyes. Irritation?

Hecate’s inquiry had been meant for Persephone, but it was Hades who answered. “Demeter will not be coming to the Underworld.” His words bore an edge Persephone had never heard before.

She turned toward Hades with a furrowed brow. “Why not? I thought you—”

“My love, none of the Olympians are permitted into my domain,” he said quickly. “Only the psychopomp Hermes has been granted the ability to traverse between above and below.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.