Perhaps that was a good omen. She walked forward quietly, mindful that there could be other creatures calling this place home. Inside, the air was damp and cool; she shivered, but she had dropped her himation and spare chiton somewhere on the hillside.

As she went deeper inside, the only light available was from tiny phosphorescent mushrooms clinging to patches of rock. She closed her eyes and stretched out her hand, calling to them.

When she opened her eyes, the cave was covered on all sides by a profusion of glowing vegetation, surrounding her in an arch. The back of the cave extended into darkness, deeper than she had anticipated.

She hugged her shoulders, gazing at the eerie colors all around her, and saw the most peculiar thing.

Farther into the cave grew a yellow narcissus in bud, sprouting from the earth in a place no sunlight could penetrate. She walked to it as if in a trance, an ache growing in her chest with each step. Even if the sunlight were to reach it somehow, it was impossible for the flower to bloom now, in high summer. It should have long ago shriveled and died, returning to the cool, dreaming earth with the rest of its fellows to wait for spring.

Persephone crouched down and touched its calyx. It grew taller and unfurled as she watched, each petal perfection.

The air grew colder. Persephone straightened, her eyes wide in the dim light. “Is someone there? Show yourself!”

She waited so long for an answer, teeth chattering and the fine hairs on her arms standing on end, that she felt foolish. She was scaring herself. It was cold and dark, and she was tired. There was no reason why she felt like she had to run—

The ground shook beneath her feet, and she cried out, grabbing a nearby stalagmite for support. Before her, the floor sank into a rift, the narcissus tumbling into darkness.

Persephone crouched down and covered her head with her arms as dirt and small shards of rubble rained from the ceiling. She stayed like that until the rumbling stopped and the ground became still once more. Even then she was slow to uncover her face, doing so only when she heard hoofbeats and the rattling wheels of a chariot.

She looked up to find half the cave sunken into the earth, creating a steep passageway that went down as far as the eye could follow. The sound of the chariot drew nearer.

She should run. She knew she should run. But her legs wouldn’t obey her; she stood rooted to the spot, unable to think.

When the chariot emerged from the darkness below, all she could do was stare.

It was gilded, with a swirling design of vines and flowers carved on the guardrail. Two geldings pulled it, their coats velvety black.