Love & War pt 3
They lead her further into the misty plains of their domain. Her eyes glances all around, trying to gain some sense of familiarity with her surroundings. She had to find a means of escape, she could not and would not stay here….not with this demigod of destruction. The deeper they went into the darkened abyss the more her senses peaked. The Princess heard the familiar deep guttural groan of pain and despair making her head swivel around searching for the source.
It is then she discovered the pools of liquid filled with the unclaimed souls of those who had fallen. Bile rose in her throat as she realized the very scent of death surrounded her. It clung to her skin, swaddling her like a mother did their child with a soft blanket. She shuddered and swallowed trying to keep the rising bile down.
As if sensing her unease, Hades casted a glance over over his shoulder to look at her. “Careful Princess, even I nor the fates would be able to bring you back if you should fall.”
She swallowed and gave him a stiff nod in regard to his warning. Further down the path she swore she saw open water but it wasn’t until the mist cleared was she able to know for certain. They stood along a wooden dock, the two men waiting patiently for something.
“Is there a problem?” She questioned in a soft voice, her keen gaze shifting between the two.
The young god glanced beside him before focusing back on the stagnant murky waters before them. “We must wait for safe passage.” He spoke in a gruff voice
Princess y/n sighed and shifted her gaze to the back of Hades. She heard him chanting softly in a tongue she’d nerve heard before. Catching movement out the corner of her eye, she looked down to see the once still waters begin to stir.
Instinctively she took a step closer to her betrothed, her stance ready for any sort of an attack. The hard glare he sent toward her was ignored as she kept her eyes focused straight ahead. She trusted nothing down here, not even her very senses which is why her gaze shifted all about. Anything could sneak up and capture her, making her none the wiser to their presence. The Princess was certain her fiancée would be happy to have her disappear before their intended nuptials so she knew he wouldn’t dare try to save her.
Anything could sneak up and capture her and she would be none the wiser. The mist began to part, allowing something to pass through. She couldn’t quite make out what it was but she picked up a little creaking noise makes him with the scent of ash and decay.
“What is that?” Y/n hissed scrunching up her nose in disgust
“Our passage thru….the Ferryman” Hades explained, his face pulling up into a proud smile
Coming forth from the mess the dark when vessel approached. A grant oar stained in blood made of bone propelled it forward bringing it closer to the small group that awaited it’s arrival. As it drew nearer, the princess noticed no one was on board and was confused at how it came back to move about so freely.
It wasn’t until the boat docked that she realized that the vessel itself was alive. The upper half of the stern was cloaked in black but just beneath that shadow she caught a glimpse upon the bone-like appendage. Fear struck her then, for only a fleeting moment before she was escorted onto the phantom vessel-like body known as the ferryman.
“Do not fear Princess, this is but a harmless old soul meant to provide passage to only those who are still living.” Hades smiled trying to grant her some sort of comfort.
“I am not afraid” she quipped not bothering to address him with a look
“Are you cold then, because otherwise I’ve never seen anything shake in the way in which your body trembles.” James chastised, his face adorned in a cruel smile
The princess snarled his way, her hands balling into fists by her sides. Before anything more could be said Hades cleared his throat getting their attention.
“Children please have some sort of decorum. This is no way for royalty to behave, especially a couple such as this.” He spoke smiling at his son and soon to be daughter in law.
It was something about that simple gesture that sent a shiver down her spine. Whatever argument she had died swiftly on her tongue. Turning the princess gave him her back, ignoring his presence for the remainder of their venture. The scent of sulphur burned heavy in the air, seeping up her nose and making it near impossible for her to breathe. She couldn’t help but place a hand on her face trying to help ease the fire like sensation that tried to take over her senses.
“Relax it will be over soon.” Hades hummed as he took notice of her predicament. Walking over he placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. A reddish glow permeated from his palm as he allowed a small measure of power to deep through. “I swear you mortals are such dramatic creatures.” He sighed with a teasing tone.
Princess Y/n uttered not a word as she focused primarily on her breathing. Once she found it much easier, she gave him a quick nod of thanks to which he replied in kind with a gentle pat on her shoulder. She found his behavior a bit strange to the stories she was told since she was but a child. Instead of a cold and tormented god, she found Hades to be somewhat warm and comforting. It confused her and had her question if maybe all was not as it truly seemed with her…hosts.
Her eyes glanced to the side to see James gently fixing a bit of the ferryman’s hull. The way he moved so calm and effortless, complete opposite of the rigid form he displayed just a few moments prior….it made her feel a sudden desire that was unknown but somehow she was willing to explore. Shaking her head, y/n fixed her sight straight ahead once more. It would be fruitless to fantasize about her captor, particularly when she was seen as nothing more than a nuisance.
She could make out the shoreline now that the fog had cleared, and with it the two large black doors shown prominently…the entrance to her new home.
“Ah nothing like a grand welcome.” Hades sighed fondly with a bright and content smile upon his face.
He spoke once more in the foreign tongue, thanking the creature for their safe passage no doubt, and helped them to dock. The Princess moved to climb out of the vessel and follow the two immortals, but right as she brought her leg over a hand came into view. Following it along she saw it belonged to none other than the shifty Prince.
“Father made me” he grumbled behind a deep frown.
His eyes were cast off to the side, not bothering to even address her properly as he waited impatiently for her to accept his hand. With a scuff she rolled his eyes and shoved his hand away muttering that she was not some mere damsel to be saved. The demigod ignored her and proceeded to lift her off the gunwale much to her dismay. He then carried her up the beach trying his best not to respond to her tirade and glared at his father who held a pleased smirk. Setting her down, James moved away to allow her some space to gather her bearings. She wiped away at the invisible filth that was left behind by his touch, finding pleasure in the way it prickled him. With a smirk she watched him as he brushed past her bumping her shoulder as he went. The group moved further down the beach until they reached a set of stone steps.
“All this just to enter your domain?” Y/n hummed in curiosity
Not a word was given in response as they began to ascend. Upon further inspection she took notice that there was a door a bit away from the larger one, the entrance looked more appeasing than that of the other. “So do you simply say a few magic words and the door bends to your will?” she snorted making light of the situation at hand.
Both men ignored her, Hades simply using the tip of his cane to turn the door open. “Not everything needs to have dramatic effects Princess.” he hummed taking notice of her slight embarrassment. Hades knew her pride would never allow her to bend to their will so easily but he hopes that his wife would have more ease with turning it to his favor. “Welcome to the underworld my dear”
Y/n looked around as she walked through the gate, her eyes falling on what appeared to be an everlasting night sky. There was howling in the distance, shrieks of anguish, pain and despair….but she also sensed a bit of joy and even light. While she was taking in her surroundings, the demigod appeared near her looking around as if bored.
“Grand isn’t it, just over there is my own domain….take care to stay out of it.” he hissed lowly
She turned to face him then, a bit of her long lashes hiding some of the fury in her eyes. Before she could respond a new voice filled their ears. “Well who is this gorgeous creature in our midst. A nymph or a shade dear husband?” they cooed approaching Hades.
The princess turned quicky, a heated response ready on her sharp tongue. But whatever she was ready to say died on her lips. There before her stood Persephone, Queen in all her right. Where Hades was dark, she was pure light, a light that radiated within the vast darkness of this ever long tomb. Y/n lifted her head in both challenge and regard at her majesty. “I am no shade, I am y/n, Princess and one day Queen of Sparta.”
“And his bride” Hades interjected causing Persephone to seethe as she glared at him
“Well let the fun begin” James smirked
