Destroyer of Light

by Rachel Alexander

“Is it to be that every woman who refuses to marry, or who wishes to learn, who has the sight, who has a free spirit and a free heart should be put to death?

“Can the sun find its match in anything but the moon? Can the heavens lose interest in the earth?” Hades pulled away from her and stroked her cheek. “Can death exist without life?”

Then hear this, my Persephone, he said, focused and intent. I am yours. I am yours alone and I love you. Don’t ever doubt that. Not ever. I was as dead as this kingdom before you came to me. I am alive with you. He withdrew and sank into her again. Within you.

“I love you too,” she whispered in answer against the center of his chest. “I love you, Aidoneus, and I’ll be back before you even know I’m gone.” He chuckled at this and kissed the top of her head, inhaling her scent before he spoke at last. “My love, there will not be a moment you’re gone that I won’t experience deeply. Painfully. I assure you.”

“I was finally happy,” he whispered, his words muffled as his hands balled into fists in the skirts of her peplos. She sucked in deep breaths, trying to steady her voice and calm her heartbeat. She needed to be strong for him. Tears spilled out anyway. Persephone stroked her husband’s back and hunched forward to kiss him on the back of his head. He whispered it again. “I was finally happy. Fates, for the first time in my life…”

“I will come back to you. I will find a way back to you; I promise…” she whispered against his neck. “They cannot keep us apart. I’ll find a way… I love you, Aidoneus! I’ll find a way, I love you… I love you…”

“Sisyphus is dangerous, mother.” Persephone said as the Oneiroi lifted into the air and circled about them again. She reached out toward the circle of flames and pulled their destination closer. The walled citadel of Ephyra appeared before them in the widening pathway through the ether. The Queen of the Underworld took a step toward it and looked at her mother one last time. “But so am I.”