Persephone longed for the enfolding shroud of darkness, but the candlelight, though weak, illuminated all too clearly Hades’ ravenous expression. She reached up behind her and fumbled with the tight knot of her strophion. It was difficult enough to undo at the best of times, but now, in this moment, her clumsy fingers worked as though they were made out of lead. Hades made no move to help her, reclining on the pillows, still fully dressed.

She worked the fabric free at last, and the band fell to her hips, revealing her breasts. A shiver ran over her skin, the cool air giving her gooseflesh.

With the strophion off, Persephone waited, clad only in her perizoma, which covered her sex. She knelt on the bed, her hands folded in her lap. She imagined herself to be a sapling, settling her roots into the ground. There was no shame in bending under the force of the wind. Any sacrifice was worth it, if it meant survival.

She watched from the corner of her eye as Hades brought her chalice to her lips, took a sip and replaced the chalice on the side table. When Hades next kissed her, Persephone tasted the tart acidity of the wine, its sour notes warming her throat.

She was drifting off into the fragrant haze of a summer vineyard when Hades pinched her arm, hard.

“Your gifts are very interesting, dear wife, and I look forward to learning more about them. But now is not the time.”

Persephone blinked, her vision momentarily blurred by tears. The scent of grapes ripening on the vine faded, replaced by burning tallow and the faint fragrance of asphodels. She grabbed the bed frame for support, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

“Let me be clear. In my presence, you will not do any of that”—Hades waved her hand in the air—“what do you call it?”

It didn’t really have a name, it just was. But Hades was waiting for her, none too patiently. “I think of it as... embracing the dreaming earth.”

“Yes. That.”

“But...”

“What is it?”

Persephone gnawed on the inside of her mouth. “I’ve never... I’m not sure if I can. Stop, that is.”

From the way Hades’ eyebrows raised, it was clear this was not the answer she’d expected. “What has Demeter been doing with you? No. You will have to learn to control it.”

Persephone’s eyes welled with tears. “But I—”

“It comes easily when you wish to avoid something, does it not? But life is filled with pain, dear Persephone, and to pretend otherwise will not help. You want to disappear now, is that so?”

Persephone nodded mutely.

“Well, stop. Hold back. I need you to feel me when I touch you.” Hades placed her hand on the side of Persephone’s cheek and brushed her lower lip with her thumb.

Persephone closed her eyes, then gasped as Hades’ nails dug into her skin.