She got out of bed, slipped on her robe, and made her way into the garden. Hades had a habit of wandering into the night just to sit beneath the stars and wisteria. She walked the length of the garden, coming to the edge where it emptied into a field of floral. From here, she could see the lights of Asphodel and the muted fire of Tartarus.

Perhaps he’s gone there, she thought.

She wandered into the field. A warm breeze carried the smell of ash and made the grass rustle around her. It was almost loud enough to drown out the sound of Cerberus, Typhon, and Orthrus’ footsteps, but Persephone heard their panting and turned in time to see the three Doberman’s burst through the grass.

“Oh, my sweet boys,” she patted each one on the head. “Have you seen your papa?”

The three whined. She assumed that was a yes.

“Will you take me to him?”

The three led Persephone through the field and into a tangled wood. She had never been here before and guessed this was a newer edition to the Underworld. Hades’ realm was ever-changing, and she suspected that was to make it harder for people to enter and escape.

The woods seemed to go on forever—deep and dark. Tree limbs were interlaced, creating an archway overhead, and though they were bare, lampades rested there, lighting the path as if it were a starry sky.

The dogs kept their noses to the ground, and surprised Persephone when they bolted from the path, into the forest beyond—would Hades really be so deep in these woods?

She followed, her way lit by the nymphs, until she lost sight and sound of Cerberus, Typhon, and Orthrus.

It was a breathy moan that drew her attention. It came from behind her and grew in frequency.

Persephone moved toward the sound. Her heart hammered in her chest, and the air around her suddenly felt heavy and solid. It wasn’t long before she saw them in a clearing—Hades and Leuce tangled together just as tightly as the branches overhead, the nymphs’ light illuminating their lovemaking.

PART III

PART III

The path to paradise begins in Hell.

― Dante Alighieri

CHAPTER XXIV - A TOUCH OF MADNESS

CHAPTER XXIV - A TOUCH OF MADNESS

For one, horrifying second, Persephone couldn’t move.

She was frozen, numb.

Her legs felt shaky and her chest ached in a way she never thought possible. It was like her shock had become a monster, and it was clawing its way out from the inside.

Then an awful sound escaped her mouth.

The two froze and turned in her direction. Hades pulled away from Leuce, and the nymph collapsed to the ground, unprepared for his sudden movement.

“Persephone—”

She barely heard him say her name over the roar in her ears. Her power churned inside her, boiling her blood, rushing to the surface of her skin.

She saw nothing but red.