An eternity is a long time to pine over a lost love.
Nyx rested her hand upon Persephone’s side, gently running it across her soft flesh in tender little motions. “Must you really return to your husband’s bedchamber?”
“I have to,” Persephone murmured. “As much as he is supportive of our relationship, he does still have appearances to maintain. The last thing he needs is the title of cuckold to sully his precious reputation.”
“I just miss you dearly,” Nyx whispered.
She brushed her lips against Persephone’s ear and ever so carefully nipped at it. Her hand left the queen’s side and instead drifted over to her bloated belly. She rubbed it tenderly. And as she did so, something from within kicked against the palm of her hand.
“He seems fit,” she commented.
Persephone nodded. “Little Zagreus, already such a healthy boy.”
“A boy?” Nyx asked. “Is that what the oracles said?”
“Well, the Shades of them,” Persephone replied.
She reached down with her own hand, cupping it overtop of Nyx’s and guiding it around in tender little circles.
“Our son,” she whispered.
Nyx nodded. “You and Hades must be proud.”
“I meant you and I,” Persephone teased. “I expect that you’ll be as much his mother as I am.” She snorted. “If not more so, considering all of the queenly duties I am doomed to perform.”
Nyx was silent for a moment and casually drummed her fingers against Persephone’s belly. She smiled faintly to herself and playfully pecked her lover on the neck.
“I only hope that I can live up to your standards, dear,” she said.
Persephone smirked and now brought the hand up, sliding it along her chest and across her bare breasts before bringing it to her mouth. She kissed Nyx’s knuckles softly and let go.
“I best get back to my husband,” she said. “I can only imagine that he is growing impatient for me to return.”
“Send him my regards,” Nyx said.
Persephone smiled and reached for her dress. “Of course, my beloved.” She winked at her. “See you tomorrow.”
“And the day after,” Nyx said.
“And the day after that,” Persephone joked as she slid out of the room. “And every day after until the end of time.”
“Persephone!” Nyx yelled, rushing through the garden.
Vines of grey, bearing blooms of purples and greens flanked her on every side as she raced ahead. Even as they zoomed by, and out of view, Nyx knew that had grown sickly. They were fading from the weeks of neglect.
And there, standing at the flows of the River Styx was Persephone. As she looked at Nyx, she seemed tired, worn out, with dark rims around her so recently tear-stained eyes. She clutched at her now empty belly, as if hoping to still find the bump there.
“I wished to leave unnoticed,” she whispered.
Nyx stopped before her, gasping for breath. “Did you honestly think I would not notice your absence? I can feel you, Persephone, I know when your presence is absent from my life.”
“I suppose you would,” Persephone said. “I just assumed it would be easier this way.”
“Please don’t go,” Nyx begged.
She knew that her pleading was rooted in greed but she cared little for that. This was the woman she loved, the queen she adored. It would be wrong not to make an effort, even if that effort was fleeting.
“I can’t stay here,” Persephone said. “You know that as well as I.”
“The pain will pass,” Nyx said.
Persephone’s expression soured and a fire lit within her eyes. “No, it won’t and you know it won’t! This land is cursed, Nyx. It’s a realm of death and the only thing that is destined to happen here is death, death, and even more death. The death of the mortals, of the titans, and of…” Her expression quivered. “And of Zagreus.”
Nyx stood there, unsure of what to do. Should she rush forwards and console her beloved or stay back and allow things to run their course.
She acted without thinking, opening her arms and taking Persephone within them. Her lover sunk into her grasp, burying herself into Nyx’s chest.
“I’m so sorry,” Persephone whispered, fighting through the tears.
Nyx shook her head. “You have nothing to be sorry about, dear.”
“I was going to leave you without even saying goodbye,” Persephone’s voice was still soft. “What kind of cretin would do such a thing.”
“You are experiencing sorrow, my love,” Nyx said.
Persephone looked up at her. “Come with me.”
“I wish I could,” Nyx said. “But my place is in the realm of Hades, in the land of the dead. You know that I would not fare well on the surface.”
Persephone sighed and placed her hand over Nyx’s, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“The fates can be so cruel,” she whispered, offering Nyx a thin smile. “Apparently even to their own mother.”
Nyx nodded. “As much as I wish that they could pick favourites, such things are beyond my control.”
“What do you think Hades will do when he realizes I’m missing?” Persephone asked.
Nyx’s eyes widened. “You haven’t told him?”
“I’m a coward, my love,” Persephone joked. “I left him a note upon his bedside. I couldn’t bear to break his heart.”
“Persephone…” Nyx started but she knew that the last thing her beloved needed was a lecture. “I think he’ll be furious at first but…”
Persephone cast her eyes towards the raft. “But?”
“I think he’ll learn to understand with time,” Nyx said. “His heart will mend and he will continue to miss you but he’ll respect your decision eventually.”
“You tell a fine tale,” Persephone said, offering a disheartened smile.
Nyx reached up and started to stroke Persephone’s beautiful blonde hair. “Are you going to return to the Olympians?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Persephone said. “I have no interest in godhood, nor in their schemes and plots.” She sighed. “I think I’ll retire to a small cabin on the surface.”
She looked past Nyx and at her garden. Her expression fell as she noticed the abundant decay which had already infected it.
“You’ll have a new garden,” Nyx said as she attempted to obscure her view. “One with all those plants that you couldn’t manage to grow here.” She smiled. “Imagine getting to see tulips, roses, and sunflowers once more.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Persephone said. “Just a shame that I must leave this place to wither and rot away.”
“It will be here if you ever wish to return,” Nyx said.
Persephone looked like she was about to retort with something sharp. Though she bit her tongue and instead nodded.
“I suppose it will,” she replied.
Finally, she broke away from Nyx and took a step towards the raft.
“I suppose this is it,” Nyx said.
Persephone nodded. “Goodbye.”
“For now,” Nyx commented. “I doubt the fates will keep us separated forever.”
Persephone couldn’t help but smile. “For our sake, I hope you’re right.”
And with that she stepped upon the raft, casting it away from the shore and floating down the river. It fought against the currents but made steady progress.
This was life pushing back against death and struggling its way out of the underworld.
In a way, it was inspiring. In another, it was deeply depressing.
Within minutes she was gone, out of view.
And only then did Nyx allow herself a chance to weep.
Nyx hovered upon the peripheries, lurking in the shadows as she peered out into the former gardens of the underworld. By now the vines had all withered and the blooms long dead. Both had been turned to dust due to decades of being ignored.
Oh, how time acted differently when the concepts of death were ignorant to you.
Hades waited patiently. He looked stoic, bearing none of the rage that had become his trademark demeanor since Persephone’s departure.
There was a presence behind Nyx and she turned to face it, seeing that Megaera stood in place behind her.
“She’s returned?” Megaera asked.
Nyx nodded. “I think so.”
“So, Zagreus has finally managed to do the impossible?” Megaera smiled. “Shows me for doubting him.”
She went over to the other side of the door, peering out into the garden as well.
“Do you remember her?” Nyx asked.
Megaera shook her head. “I was barely out of diapers when she left. But I’ve heard the stories from my older sisters and from… Thanatos.”
Nyx’s heart panged at the thought of her son. The only denizen of these accursed realms who could actually leave them freely without dying. It felt so unfair that her spawn could do what she couldn’t. He had even met her at one point, though had no idea who she was.
Though she was sure the visit had spooked Persephone greatly.
“I heard that you two were close,” Megaera said.
Nyx nodded. “Extremely close. She was…”
“Your lover?” Megaera asked, offering a thin smile.
Nyx snorted. “I was going to say best friend but I suppose that the rumours are not wrong.”
A boat came into view and upon it were three figures. One was Charon, her treasured son. The second was Zagreus, her child in all but blood. The other was Persephone, her beloved.
Nyx’s mouth couldn’t help but stand agape.
She looked as radiant as ever, the years having barely touched her. Her face was still as beautiful as the day she’d left, her hair a bountiful blonde, and her smile hadn’t waned in the slightest. Her attire was sunny, impossibly so for such a dark realm.
The boat came to a stop and Zagreus got off, offering his hand to Persephone. She took it and got out. There was a look that clouded her face as she spotted Hades. Was it guilt, happiness, or remorse?
Nyx honestly couldn’t tell.
Still, she approached, standing before the titanic figure with Zagreus saddling up beside her.
The three stood in silence, the tension growing to such a level that it could’ve been severed by a blade.
Megaera whistled and slipped away. “This is getting a little too awkward for me.”
She drifted off, heading towards the lounge and leaving Nyx alone with her thoughts.
From this distance, she couldn’t really make out the conversation that was taking place. She could catch snippets when it grew heated which seemed to be the norm for any exchange between Zagreus and his father.
Though as the conversation progressed, more level heads seemed to prevail. It wasn’t long before Persephone and Hades embraced, making Nyx’s heart swoon. Sure, she wished to be in that position but she knew that the bond between husband and wife was far more sacred than that between lovers.
As the entourage turned and headed for the palace proper, Nyx slinked away, heading into the lounge. She could bide her time, knowing that she would see Persephone once the festivities had begun.
Megaera was waiting in there, flashing a smile. There were two drinks before her though she seemed to have no one to share them with.
“Thought you might like a little something to celebrate,” she said.
Nyx nodded and took a seat across from her. “Thank you for that.”
“I know us furies have an abrasive reputation but we aren’t all demons,” Megaera teased. “Just two-thirds of us.”
Nyx offered a thin smile and picked up the cup. It was filled with nectar, a rarity down here and something which Nyx was surprised the chef had managed to acquire.
This lounge was truly a realm that Hades didn’t venture.
She sipped the contents and felt a warmth course through her. Though it paled compared to the warmth that seeing Persephone’s smile had borne.
“Are you going to be, okay?” Megaera asked.
Nyx nodded slowly. “I think so. I just…”
Megaera waited patiently, allowing Nyx to bring her thoughts together into something that approached coherency.
“I just assumed that I would never get to see her again,” Nyx said. “On one hand, I am thrilled that she returned. On the other, I am worried that she might leave again one day.”
“I’d say enjoy the time while you have it,” Megaera said. “We may be immortal but many things are still fleeting.”
“I suppose that’s a good point,” Nyx said.
Megaera smirked. “Of course, it is, I made it.” She snorted. “Though I just realized something.”
“What’s that?” Nyx asked.
“If your son has finally finished with his quest then I’m out of a job,” Megaera said, chuckling to herself. “Guess it’s back to punishing mortals for me.”
Nyx offered a smile. “I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
There was a knock against the marble and Nyx looked up from her scroll, placing the quill back into its inkwell.
“Come in,” she called.
The curtain to her chambers parted and Persephone entered. She looked sheepish, her gaze failing to fall upon Nyx and instead settling on the floor.
“Hello,” Persephone said. Her voice was weak.
Nyx offered a thin smile. “Hello.”
“I uh…” Persephone drew in a breath. “I thought I should pay you a visit since I’m officially back.”
“And I’m glad you did so,” Nyx replied. “It saves me from having to build up the courage to do so myself.”
Persephone chuckled. “Fair.” She sighed. “I’m sorry for how things ended before.”
“You have no need to apologize, dear,” Nyx replied.
Persephone drew in a barely noticeable breath that that title. “I just…”
“You were in mourning and you needed distance,” Nyx explained. “It is only fair that I provided you such.”
She moved away from her desk and sat down upon the edge of her bed. With great care, she patted the spot next to her.
Persephone looked at it but didn’t budge. “How can you possibly be so kind to me after that.”
“Because I love you,” Nyx said. “And I still do.”
Persephone’s lips quivered slightly but she finally budged, making her way over and sitting upon the edge of the bed.
“I missed you greatly,” she said.
The first tears broke free.
Nyx draped an arm over her shoulder, rubbing it gently as she held her lover close. “And I missed you as well.”
Persephone seemed silent for a moment, looking down at her lap where her hands were folded together. She cried softly and streaks of misery coloured her pale complexion.
When she didn’t continue the subject, Nyx took over.
“What was the cabin on the surface like?” she asked. “The one you promised to retire to?”
“It was small and cozy with a fantastic garden,” Persephone explained. “I grew so many beautiful plants, my love. I grew tulips, roses, daisies. I grew maize, tomatoes, and cabbage. It was just a sea of greens and colours in the midst of a snowy field.”
“Snowy field?” Nyx asked.
Persephone nodded slowly. “It would seem that my mother has decided to curse the mortals with a prolonged winter. But I managed to etch out a small patch of hospitality amongst this destitution.”
“Were you lonely?” Nyx asked.
“A little,” Persephone said. “But I managed to keep myself busy. I’d get the occasional traveller who would pay me a visit though after a few years even these seemed to have left. Probably heading south for more hospitable pastures.”
She sighed and leaned against Nyx, resting her head upon her bosom.
“I never forgot about you and Hades though.” Persephone sighed. “You were always a constant memory. Sometimes happy, sometimes…”
She stopped talking and Nyx gave her shoulder a tender squeeze, letting her know that she didn’t have to continue.
“Nyx,” Persephone said, “do you think we’ll be able to go back to what we had?”
Nyx cocked a brow. “I don’t see a reason why not.” She smirked. “After all, we’re already cuddling in my bed.”
Persephone giggled. “Very true.”
“It might take a little while for the awkwardness to wear away but I would very much like to know you again,” Nyx said.
She leaned over and gave Persephone a gentle kiss upon her cheek.
“Thanks, Nyx,” Persephone said. She drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “You are far too understanding.”
“I’ve been blessed with much wisdom,” Nyx said. “One of the few advantages of being older than you Olympians.”
Persephone smirked. “Wisdom and beauty, not a bad combination.” She looked up at Nyx. “And it seems like you took good care of our son growing up.” She winced. “Though I suppose at this point he’s really more of your son.”
“Nonsense,” Nyx replied as she delivered another kiss, this time to Persephone’s hair. “He is your son as much as mine. No mere immortal would dare defy Hades just to see you. He cares about you and never tell yourself otherwise.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Persephone said, then winced. “Gods, I can’t believe that I just abandoned him.”
“You couldn’t have known better,” Nyx said. “Not even I knew if there was any chance of reviving him, nor if he was reborn, that he would continue to live. It would’ve been cruel to tease you with hope if I didn’t know if I could deliver.”
“That’s a fair point,” Persephone said. Though she shook her head slowly. “I just feel like I’ve missed so much of his life. There’s so much I didn’t get to be a part of.”
“And there will be so much that you will,” Nyx said, reaching up and caressing Persephone’s cheek. “After all, if there ever was a perk to immortality it’s the fact that we have an abundance of time.”
“I don’t understand how you can always be so positive,” Persephone teased.
Nyx smirked. “I’ve lived long enough to know that in the end most things are righted with a positive outcome. It seems that my daughters do understand a little bit of sympathy.”
She drew away from Persephone, just a little, and placed a hand gently under her chin. Ever so carefully, she tilted her beloved’s head up and leaned forwards, kissing her tenderly upon the lips.
“And honestly, I’m just happy to have my queen once again,” Nyx added.
Persephone snorted. “I missed you too.”
And with that, one kiss became a second and then a third as the two got to know each other once again.
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