“Hecate!” Hades’ voice was powerful and resonate as he summoned the Goddess of Magic. She appeared immediately, manifesting beside Hades. Together, their power fought Persephone’s, and the roots that threatened to spear the Underworld were halted, mid-air.

“What happened?” Hecate cried.

“I don’t know. I felt her anguish and came as soon as possible.”

Hades answer incensed her.

Felt her anguish? He had seen it! Why was he acting like he wasn’t the traitor here?

Persephone’s rage continued. She fought hard against Hades and Hecate. Combined, their magic was like an impossible weight. The more she pushed against it, the more drained she felt, but she wasn’t just exhausted physically.

Inside, her rage was turning to despair.

Inside, she was broken.

“My dear.” It was like Hecate was right beside her, speaking into her ear though she stood on the other side of the cavern. “Tell me.”

Persephone’s eyes blurred with tears and she shook her head.

“Persephone, tell me what happened.”

Tears slid down Persephone’s face as the memory that unleashed her terror welled to the surface, unbidden. If Persephone could, she would have repressed it for the rest of her life, but, at Hecate’s words, she relived the terror of discovering Hades inside Leuce. Seeing the pleasure on her face made her want to vomit.

This time, instead of inspiring the anger that fueled her power, the memory exhausted her. She felt unstable on the inside, defeated, and sick. The power rushing through her body died, and she swayed. Hecate caught her in her arms just as she vomited.

Slowly, the goddess helped her to the ground, and Persephone rested in her arms. She brushed her hair from her face, soothing, “It wasn’t real my dear, my love, my sweet.”

Persephone sobbed, turning her head into Hecate’s chest. “I cannot unsee it. I cannot live with it.”

“Shh. You will, my dear. Rest.”

Then she was embraced by darkness.

***

Persephone woke in the queen’s suite, her face felt swollen and her head hurt. Plush blankets cradled her weak body, and bright light filtered in through the windows. It took her a moment to recall how she’d gotten here, but soon the memories returned, flooding her mind like a living nightmare. Tears formed in her eyes and slid down the side of her face.

“Do not cry, my sweet.” Hecate said.

Persephone turned her head and found the goddess sitting beside the bed. Persephone rubbed her eyes, trying to make the tears disappear, but she just sobbed harder.

Hecate took Persephone’s hand. “Breathe, my dear. What you saw wasn’t real.”

Persephone took several deep breaths and looked at her friend. “What are you saying?”

“You walked through the Forest of Despair, Persephone. What you saw was a manifestation of your greatest fear.”