Seeds (20 page)

     “Very well. You have my blessing.”
A reluctant one, but did that ever matter?
“As of now, I clean my hands of this matter.” Zeus sat back in his chair, a breeze blowing through his thick and pale hair. Hades let the barest of smirks tug at his lips.

     “Wonderful. There is no more reason for me to stay here, then.” Hades rose to his feet, retreating in a swish of his dark cloak.

     Zeus nodded to himself tersely as he sat there alone on the balcony. Yes. Surely this was for the best. The girl was of marrying age and still Demeter hid her away from the eyes of men. Hades was an honorable man – a boon for everyone who dealt with him. Feared and respected, he still had stepped back from the Council of Twelve and let Zeus place one of his own children in that seat. He demanded no lip service and stayed out of quarrels and affairs. The other gods quietly acknowledged his presence and power, and it was all he asked for.

     What did surprise him was that Hades desired the girl. Kora, of all girls! He could not help but remember the prophecy with a sudden shock, before becoming aware of a sinking feeling that in his complicity towards his older brother's desires, he had just played a part in fulfilling the prediction that his sister dreaded so much. Demeter had hidden the girl away in vain, and the King of the Gods certainly didn't intend to be around when she realized it.

Chapter XI

o0o

     The God of War thought that nothing could make his punishment worse after slinking back home and licking his wounds nearly a decade ago. He was unable to perform for any woman, and not even Aphrodite with her arousing Gifts could do a single damned thing for him. He had tried everything, even things he wouldn't have
ever
considered before. He was so used to being able to express himself freely, and his stifled manhood was entirely maddening and frustrating. Never had he thought he would ever encounter a problem like this! After all, he was a symbol of manhood, much like his father was. He still felt desire, and this only served to exacerbate his unfulfilled needs. Far better that he had also had his desire silenced by Kora so that he wouldn't obsess over sex and how he was now unable to enjoy it.

     But Hades, when he learned of Ares's shameful deed, wasn't content to simply let the God of War go on like this. Certainly it was a fitting consequence, but the Lord of the Dead wanted to augment the goddess's curse. Anyone who would dare try to harm the future Queen of the Underworld would answer to her fearsome groom.

     Sleep was previously the one place Ares had refuge from his gnawing desire. He would try to exhaust himself through the day with vigorous combat training or exercise so he could fall asleep more quickly at night, or drink heavily of Dionysus' powerful spirits and spiral into a stupor. However, Hades would not have this escape available. He was ruler of the darkness and the shadows answered his bidding.

     Ares was plagued with nightmares of failing in not just the sexual arena, but also the combat arena. He would lose miserably, be beaten by various opponents, even elderly mortals, children and animals. Once in a while, one of the monsters from Hell, including Kerberos himself, would attack and maul the god as he tried to fend them off. Indeed, Hades was right when he said there were amusements to be found in the Underworld, and he would laugh as Ares woke up screaming.

o0o

     Unaware of these things, Kora's twenty-fifth birthday came. It was like all the others she'd had since she had been brought to this island. Nymphs would cavort in the summer sunshine, she would be given sweet treats for the umpteenth time, and they would pull her into another game of tag or some such while her mother watched.

     As the day wound to a close, her mother pulled her aside.

     “I have not yet given you your gift,” Demeter stated. Kora glanced up at her with curiosity. Usually her mother just went ahead and gave her her gifts in the morning, and it would usually be a new gown or toy or some such. The nymphs also gave her gifts – pretty flowers and the like – which got boring after so many years on the island. She expected something of the same.

     “I give you one wish.”

     Kora's eyes widened slightly. Oh, there were so many possibilities! But she knew one thing she wanted most of all.

     “Freedom,” she replied simply. Her mother frowned.

     “It has been almost ten years since that incident with Ares. I am not a child, and I would like to see more of the world. I want to see the mighty city-states where you are worshipped, and the smaller villages too, and see more gods and see what creatures there are out there.” She didn't bother to hide her enthusiasm for this.

     “When I said one wish, I did not mean something like that. I am your mother and your safety is my concern. I cannot have you wandering around...” Demeter replied patiently, giving her daughter a pat on the head.

     “That's not fair! You said one wish and now you are taking it away! You go out in a mortal disguise, why not I? There is nothing to do here, and I tire of the company of the nymphs,” she pleaded. She tried to keep herself entertained through various means, but she could only do so much when Demeter severely limited her experiences. How could she learn something new when she had heard all of the nymph's stories and was never allowed to go elsewhere?

     “Yes, I remember fully what Ares did, but are there not good men? What about Father, or his brothers?” Hyalos and Esthanes had been good uncles and respected members of the community. Hyalos's children loved and respected him. Oh gods. Thinking of them made Kora's heart ache. Phemos must be a handsome young man, and Alestis would be a young woman now! Her little cousins, how they must have grown! And doubtless Ptheia had had another child, even two or three! Had Uncle Esthanes finally found a bride that suited him? And what of Grandmother?

     “Bad things happen to good men,” Mother replied. Kora sighed softly, remembering all too well finding her father's dead body under the tree.

     “So we should shut ourselves away from all the good things just because of the bad?” Kora challenged.

     “I am your mother and I know what's best for you...”

     “You know what I wish? I wish you would leave me alone!” she snapped, turning away from her mother and rushing out of the room, not seeing Demeter's shocked and hurt expression.

o0o

     Kora got her wish. Mother avoided her for several days, not even reminding her to do chores. She could take her solitary walks again, though Mother hadn't said anything about that or acknowledged her desire to see the outside world. Kora noted that with resentment, and spent much of her free time with Cyane, pouring her heart out to sympathetic ears.

     A week later, Kora was by herself in a forest clearing on a thick bed of moss, staring at the sunlight filtering through the trees. As she had approached the bed, she saw something glint on it. She picked up the shiny object to see half a geode, the kind of rock that, when broken open, revealed crystals inside. It was approximately the size of her fist, and she wondered where the other half was. She turned the cup-shaped rock in the sunlight, admiring the indigo and purple crystals that lined its interior.

     Now she sat with it loosely cupped in her palms as she stared out, her fingers idly tracing the jagged edge of the geode's interior. It was a rather warm day, and she wore little more than a cream-colored shift, making her look more innocent and childlike.

     “Kora?” she heard her mother call out. Her head snapped up as she saw her mother approach her on the meandering path that winded through the trees. She wondered, after a week's silence what her mother might have to say. More of her token motherly phrases? She was
twenty-five
, for Gaea's sake! Women were married and had babies at that age! Not that she wanted a baby now, but still!

     She stared at her mother levelly, chin raised slightly.

     “I trust you have enjoyed your time alone,” Demeter stated gently. Kora had been expecting scolding or confrontation, but it seemed as if her mother wanted to make peace.

     “I did.” Sometimes she was bored, but it was better than the chattering and frolicking of the nymphs, or the nagging and smothering of her mother.

     “Your father would have been so proud of you,” Demeter said as she settled down near her daughter on the moss.

     “I would hope so,” Kora replied firmly. Mother smiled.

     “I was thinking, this autumn when the mortals hold their harvest festivals, would you like to accompany me?”

     Kora's heart thudded as her mother's words sunk in. She would get to see mortals and festivals, and new places.
Yes
. She had to make a conscious effort to not squeal in delight like a child.

     “In the meanwhile, I trust that you will not make trouble.”

     “When have I ever made trouble, Mother?” Kora asked with a grin. After that, she got along better with her mother. And there was autumn to look forward to. How exciting!

o0o

     As the fateful day that he had set in his plans drew near, Hades spent more time on the surface. He would watch Kora as she played with the nymphs, or when she went on one of her solitary walks. Down below, things had been readied for her. His smiths made jewelry and his tailors created fine garments for her, and doubtless his bride would enjoy these elegant offerings once they were laid out before her. He hoped she would find his bed comfortable and his Palace a worthy home.

     The heat of a summer day filled even the shadows under the trees, and Hades tugged at his collar impatiently, hearing the soft rustle as his bride-to-be made her way through the trees. She had on a light pink knee-length tunic, flowers braided into her hair by a few nymphs and a crown of them around her head, the pale petals almost white against her hair. Her eyes reflected the verdant forest around her, clean and bright green to match her mood. Despite the heat, she was enjoying herself. When she moved through a patch of sunlight, her hair flashed with the shine of myriad golds and coppers, and her step was light and happy as she merrily bounded along the thick grass. She was a lovely sight though her tunic was of a cut usually worn by children, a testament of how Demeter perceived her daughter. Hades imagined her in one of the regal gowns that awaited her below and smiled at the mental image.

     Come here, love. See what I have for you
. He stood at the edge of a small clearing fully illuminated by sunlight. At the center of the clearing was a flower, but not one that grew from the warmth of the surface world. Its petals resembled that of a lily, but were almost black, shining a soft, deep indigo in the light as its iridescent sheen glittered with a smooth myriad of colors.

     He leaned against a tree in silence as the young goddess moved several feet past him, exclaiming softly when she saw the treasure shining there in front of her. She had never seen any flower with such a beautiful and deep color. She approached it before bending down to examine it as he watched her. She plucked up the flower, inhaling it. Its odor was not strong, but there was an undeniable note of dark sweetness that she found entrancing.

     His helmet had served him well during the war against the Titans, and it was just as useful here... even if the motive itself was questionable. Once in a while Hades might feel a bit dirty for spying on her as she frolicked or meditated, or played in the water, but the allure had been too powerful to resist. She intrigued him.

     As she bent down, he got a lovely view of her backside, supple and firm under the thin linen, and he could not help but wonder how it would feel in his hands and have her respond to his touch.

     Suddenly, she stood up and glanced around, apparently sensing his presence.

     “Who is there?” she called out sharply, trying to sound as brave as she could. Her eyes blazed fiercely, and her hands balled up in fists as she tried to sense just where the intruder might be, and looked slightly to her right, where he was standing.

     Hades smiled faintly as he saw her gaze in his direction and remained there, unmoving and invisible as he watched her display of fearlessness. It was just that, a display; he knew she was nervous, and for that he felt a twinge of regret that it had come to this. He licked his lips hungrily and put the regret aside.

     Without a word, he lifted his helmet.

o0o

     Kora gasped softly and took a step back, feeling startled. Who...? She studied his face. At first, she didn't place him. It had been so long since she had seen him, and she had all but forgotten that meeting, but the memory came rushing back to her.

     This was Hades, Lord of Death himself. Was she to die now, just as her father had? Was this what Iasion had seen? She took another step back, his dark eyes seeming to bore into her.

     Of course, she could not know that Hades had considerably more loving intentions for her than taking away her life. He smiled at her, but this did not reassure her. His presence was intimidating, more so from the fact that he had simply appeared out of thin air. He held his helmet tucked under one strong arm and stared at her, his dark eyes shining with a mixture of emotions – hunger, need, desire, fondness – as he gazed down at her. His clothes were black, and seemed to be made of shadow itself. She took another step back.

     His hair was pulled back in a loose tail, and his face and hands stood out amidst the blackness that otherwise covered him. Before she could say anything, he spoke.

     “Do you like the flower?” he asked in a quiet, almost gravelly tone. Her gaze flicked to the dark blossom in her hand before she nodded slowly, eyeing him warily.

     “There are many more of that flower where I come from. It is always a splendid thing to see an entire field full of them.”

     “...Where does the flower come from?” She glanced at the helmet in his hands, unnerved by its resemblance to a skull.

     “The Underworld.” Even though she already knew the answer, his utterance caused her to shudder.

     “Death... please...” Her voice was tight with terror. Death had been the one thing she feared ever since the loss of her father and the rest of her family. His eyebrows furrowed in concern.

     “I am not here to take your life,” he said, his voice dark and soft, with an undeniable firmness.

     “Then... why are you here? To take one of the nymphs?” she asked with apparent confusion. Despite his words, she sensed he was nonetheless here for her. The shadows around him seemed to be alive, moving and shifting.