Seeds: Volume Two (16 page)

o0o

     Iasion looked around at his surroundings. Being turned away by Hades was disappointing, but at least he hadn't been an Asphodel soul, sent back to a mundane afterlife. There wasn't anything to complain about here. The weather was always pleasant, with a touch of rain here and there for variety. There was no end of things he could amuse himself with whether by himself or with other people, participating in one of the many fun activities to be found around Elysium.

     He had never encountered Lord Aidoneus – he had quickly learned that Hades was merely a name used above, and Aidoneus was the name that the Judges used – and hadn't been sure of what to expect. The Lord of the Dead had been an impressive figure, garbed in black and sitting proudly in his throne with his Queen at his side. Of course, he had heard about Persephone. Word got around in the Underworld, and the new souls who had seen Persephone praised her beauty, saying that Aphrodite had a rival. He had been skeptical of that until he saw her on her throne, pale and regal. He had never seen the Goddess of Love before, but he would be hard-pressed to imagine anything lovelier than Aidoneus' bride.

     There had been something rather familiar about her. He knew it seemed silly, but she reminded him of his daughter. They had the same hair color and there was something about the curve of her jaw and the shape of her nose that made him think of the daughter he had left behind. Come to think of it, given Kora's current age, she might look a lot like Persephone, except with a darker complexion, of course. The Queen's skin had been very pale, almost like snow.

     He remembered her gaze. She had been silent through the entire proceedings, and he would have taken her for a marble statue draped in silk and gems if she hadn't moved on occasion.

     He rose from where he had been sitting in the thick grass overlooking the Eternal Sea, and startled slightly as he turned around when he noticed that he was not alone.

     “Your Majesty.” He bowed.

     “Greetings.” Persephone stood there, clad in a dark blue peplos and wrap, devoid of all jewelry. The blue softened her features a bit, and there was no sharp glitter of diamonds to dazzle him. Even with the warm and bright surroundings, Persephone was still very pale, her hair, eyes and lips standing out against her fairness. Her hands were folded together neatly, resting against her lower stomach as she regarded him.

     “Is there something I can do for you, my lady?”

     “Yes. Walk with me.”

     Perplexed, he followed her nonetheless. Before, she had seemed so cold and regal. Now she was considerably warmer, and he felt that tug of familiarity as he glanced at her face briefly. Yes. This was what Kora might look like right now, he mused as they spent several long moments in silence, strolling along the grass. Finally, he spoke.

     “I am honored to be in your presence. But I cannot help but be curious as to why you have come to see me.” He wondered if she was Queen, why didn't she have him summoned if she wished to speak with him?

     “I heard your story in there. You sounded so sad.” She sounded concerned.

     He stared at her for a moment before averting his eyes, feeling touched by her words. She sounded so kind, and he could not help but wonder how she had become Queen of the Underworld. What kind of Goddess would wish to live down here and be wedded to the Lord of the Dead? Would her story become part of the myths of Hellas?

     “Yes.” He nodded, encouraged by her apparent concern, “I do not regret my time with Demeter. I never could. And I would never wish death upon her despite my being here, but I still love her. It's hard being here and seeing couples reunited and knowing I cannot expect the same.”

     “I can only imagine the burden that must be.” The regal Queen had a soft expression on her face, making her look almost like a different person than she had been before.

     He thought of his daughter, and the happy times he had with her. Demeter would disappear from Enna, whether to Olympus or other parts of Hellas, leaving him alone with Kora, not that he had minded. He loved and cherished his daughter, and treasured the time that the two of them spent with one another. She had been such a delight to him and the family, and whenever someone had been sad or hurt, she would comfort them. As he noted Persephone's expression, he was rather startled to note that she looked even more like Kora now. There was that soft gaze and sympathetic smile, and the understanding tone that compelled people to pour out their worries to her.

    
No
. It couldn't be. Sure, there was a strong resemblance, but it was impossible. Surely the Fates wouldn't do such a thing to him. Hadn't cutting his life short been enough for them? He shook his head, pulling himself out of the memories of his past. If he could drink the Lethe waters, he could start anew.

     “Do not worry about it.” she assured him, seeing the confusion and pondering on his face. “You can go to Lethe soon. You deserve happiness.”

     “Thank you, my lady.” He bowed again. “May I ask something of you?”

     “Yes.”

     “Might we walk together a bit longer?”

     “Yes, we might.” She actually seemed pleased that he asked that of her. Now, if she were a stranger, he would wonder at why she had been so agreeable to the walk. But if she was indeed Kora, then...

     As they walked along the shore, he would steal glances at her. Back then, they had enjoyed taking walks, whether through the village or in the woods. He had been the one to point out various things and what was safe to eat, or not. Since Enna had become fertile, the forests had become a much more pleasant place to explore, rather than the sickly countryside he remembered from his own childhood. Sometimes they would talk, and other times they would enjoy their meanderings in silence.

     “When I was still alive, I took walks with my daughter. I miss her too.”

     “Tell me about her.”

     “She was a lovely and sweet little thing. She made everyone, including myself, happy. I could not have asked for a better child. She was so full of spirit, and I always liked watching her dance. Every festival, we would go and dance and eat treats and laugh and just... have fun.”

     Persephone glanced at him. The festivals in Enna were the only ones that Mother had not excluded her from. Hearing Iasion speak of her so lovingly caused a tightness in her throat as she blinked back tears. She kept herself collected, letting him say as he pleased while she listened to him.

     As he talked, recalling happy times with his wife and daughter, he was careful to note her reactions. She appeared very collected, but he did not miss the glimmers of emotion that flashed across her face before, or the sudden wistful expression when he recalled a particularly happy moment he had spent with his daughter.
That's it.
There was no way that this could be a stranger. If she wasn't Kora, why would she be so affected by his reminiscing?

     “I had hoped to see my daughter again, but I did not think she would pretend she was not mine,” he finally commented after another short bout of companionable silence.

     She stilled for a moment as she looked at him before averting her eyes.

     “I was not sure what to say. To be frank, I did not expect to see you, in Hades' court. I thought you were happy in Elysium, but now I feel silly for not thinking about the fact that Mother is a goddess and you are not. I have missed you so much.” She blinked back more tears before Iasion closed the short distance between them and pulled her into a hug, his strong arms wrapping around her.

     “It is all right, Kora.”

     She let out a quiet sob as she leaned into him, burying her face against his shoulder. Ever since Hades had kidnapped her, she didn't feel much like 'Kora' anymore, but when Iasion said it, it made her feel comfortable. After he died, she had been certain she would never see him again, much less be hugged by him.

     He continued to hold her, stroking her hair just as he had done when she was little. She wrapped her own arms around him, hugging him tightly. After a while, he finally loosened his embrace, and they pulled away to face one another.

     “Look at you. You have grown into such a beautiful woman! Your mother must be proud of you!”

     All Persephone could do was nod. She most certainly wasn't going into details about that particular matter.

     “I... Oh, Kora... Persephone... there are so many things I want to ask you. I barely know where to begin.”

     “Do not worry about it. You do not have to go to Lethe until you are ready. So take your time.”

     “Time? There is so much I have missed. Look at you!” His face was full of awe and admiration. She blushed as she smiled at him. He looked just as she remembered him all these years ago, since he had died in the prime of his life. That was one thing about dying young – people remembered you in your youth and prime, and you were never old or weak in their memories. She remembered Grandmother very well, and had sometimes wondered what Eurycleia had looked like in her youth.

     He took her hands and squeezed them, and she smiled and squeezed back.

     “But you are so pale.” He glanced at her with concern. Everyone in Elysium bore varying degrees of a healthy complexion, why did his daughter look so pale?

     “So I am.” She glanced down at her hands before shrugging.

     “You are not... dead, are you?” he asked, an edge of alarm in his tone. She might be the daughter of a Goddess, but even the mightiest of demigods were still mortal. What could have caused her death? Had Lord Aidoneus taken her in the moment of passing?

     “No, no. I am still very much alive.” she assured him, her hands moving to his shoulders to squeeze them. Now that she was grown, Iasion definitely didn't seem as tall to her as he did when she was little, but even now he was an impressive sight, frozen in time as a youthful and strong man.

     “Oh, thank goodness. Death took me so early, and how cruel it would be if it had taken you as well!”

     “He has already taken me.” she could not help but reply, thinking of Hades. “The Lord of the Dead is a kind man. You need not worry that I am mistreated.”

     “How... how did this happen? I never thought that Hades would choose a bride. And my own daughter!”

     “Believe me, I was just as surprised as you.” She looked down quickly, having no desire to go into the details. Iasion did not need to know that she had been kidnapped, or that her sire had given permission for this. Let this be a happy reunion, she thought. She wanted one last fond memory of the man who had raised her.

     He did not miss her sideways glance, and his curiosity was piqued.

     “Is something the matter, daughter?” he queried. She shook her head.

     “No. This is a lovely place.” In this sunny land, the Eternal Sea was a cheery turquoise-teal color, the sand pale and providing an excellent contrast to these clear depths. It was a stark opposite to the shores of Tartarus, where the Sea was black, with its crests looking much like sharp blades that lapped at a rocky, gray-black beach.

     “It is, isn't it? But I still miss home, and your mother.”

     “She misses you too.” On this subject Persephone was happy to discuss. “After you died... well, she had no interest in anyone. She lamented your death and even went to Hades to ask him, but...” She shook her head and sighed softly.

     “She still loves me?” The hope in his voice was clear. Persephone nodded in full earnest.

     “Oh, yes. She still talks about you, and continues to mourn your absence.” She sighed softly. Perhaps, if Iasion was reborn and eventually became reunited with his lover...

     “Oh, Demeter...” He stared off wistfully for a moment, clearly grateful for this news. “But what about you? I do not want to just leave you behind, not after being reunited with you such a short time ago!”

     “I want what will make you happy. I have missed you dearly, never doubt that. But do not let my presence affect your decision.”

     “You sound so wise.” He smiled at her fondly.

     “Come. Let us walk,” Persephone said after a couple of moments. He nodded and fell in step, remaining at her side as they continued their stroll. A light breeze blew along the shore, causing the tall grass to rustle and sway, making a pleasant complement to the gently-lapping waves. Most of the Underworld was silent, but Elysium provided a soothing backdrop of ambient noise, making this place feel a bit more real.

     “You are certain I can go to Lethe? I have wanted to be reborn for a long time, but now I want to spend more time with you...”

     “You would not remember any of it,” she replied lightly.

     “Then I would not remember Demeter...” he frowned. She shook her head.

     “Lessons learned remain with the soul, and souls meant to be together eventually find their way back to one another.” She smiled confidently. “Please, go to Lethe with no regrets. You have my sincerest blessing.”

     He took her hands again and smiled gently.

     “I love you.”

     “I love you too, Daddy.” She blinked back tears as he took her into his arms again.