“Theseus. Please explain in brief the circumstances of your death,” Hades said.

The man had courage, Persephone could grant him that. He stood tall and proud, unperturbed by the weight of the eyes upon him. He explained the pact he’d made with Pirithous, how they each had chosen a daughter of Zeus to wed, and how Pirithous had chosen Persephone. How he had journeyed here, as Pirithous’s friend, just as Pirithous had helped him to claim his own bride.

“King Pirithous, do you concur?” Hades asked when Theseus had finished speaking.

Pirithous gave his own version of the events, which differed little in substance. He, too, was unbowed by the scrutiny cast upon him, though his hand did drift to his neck at times, as if he was checking that his head and body were still attached.

“Wife, do you have anything to add?” Hades asked, turning in her seat to look at Persephone.

Persephone placed her clammy palms on her knees. “What Theseus said is true, to my knowledge.”

“And did you leave with him, believing you’d be escorted to the surface, to your mother?” Hades asked.

A murmur went up around the crowd. Hades hushed it with a slight gesture of her hand.

Persephone looked at the two men before her, then back at Hades. “Yes, it’s true,” she said curtly. Hades knew what her answer would be—could not fail to remember the substance of her interrogation the night before. Persephone hadn’t expected this theater, to have her sins examined so publicly like any commoner.

She supposed that was the point. Hades had told her that no one was above the law, and now she was making good on her word.

Hades turned from her and gestured to Theseus. “Level eight.” She then pointed to Pirithous. “Level ten.” She waved her hand, and a pair of guards took hold of the men, leading them away.

Persephone had no idea what that meant, but it seemed to be a severe kind of punishment, judging from the murmur that rippled through the crowd.

“Great queen!” Pirithous said, breaking free. He scrambled toward the dais. “Queen Hades, please. Have mercy.” He fell to his knees, crying out when the guard came once more to drag him away.

Hades watched, impassive and silent, as the two men were withdrawn. Then she turned to Persephone. “As for my lady wife...” She looked down at the crowd, addressing them. “This is her first offense, and she does not yet know our ways. Therefore, a hundred lashes and a period of exposure, the length of which is to be determined by myself.”

Persephone dug her nails into her thighs to stop herself from saying anything. She stared at Hades in mute shock.

Hades leaned toward her, although she still faced her audience, and spoke under her breath. “Thank me for my mercy.”

Persephone’s mouth moved, but no sound came out. She tried again. “What mercy?”