Darklight by Jill Myles Read Free Book Online Page B

from the water, the three-headed dog on the far shore, the fields in the distance. The skeletal ferryman behind them who steered the craft. He did not see fear in her eyes. As a goddess, Persephone was no doubt used to strange and magical things, though his kingdom might intimidate even the stoutest heart. But she did not seem cowed. Only curious.
    He felt his chest puff with pride. She would be a fine bride, if only she would accept him.
    And she was the only one for him, ever. No other woman would suit him quite like Persephone.
    The barque pulled up to a small dock on the edge of a copse filled with trees. They
    disembarked there, and he noticed Persephone’s pleasure at the sight of the greenery.
    “Trees grow here?”
    “The Elysian Fields are a magical place,” he told her. “Come. Let me show you.”
    Souls that had lived a good, pure life came to the Elysian Fields. It was the place that all souls dreamed of coming to when they came to the underworld. Green meadows full of tall, waving grasses rolled out endlessly before their eyes. The fields were lit as if from brilliant sunlight, but it was magic that made it so. To a soul looking up at the sky, they would see the sun and a cloudless day. To the gods, they saw the rocky cavern ceiling of the underworld through the magic. But it was still a beautiful place, and Persephone left his arm to laughingly run through the fields as if enchanted.
    He let her go, watching her enjoy herself. She danced and frolicked amidst the waving green grasses, smiling at the souls that passed by. The touch of her bare feet upon the field made plants spring up behind her, adding a delicate beauty to the already pleasant meadows.
    Eventually, she danced back toward him, all smiles. “I had no idea such a wonderful place existed here.”
    “You make it more beautiful.”
    Her laughing smile faded just a little, turning to seriousness, and he saw that spark of desire flash in her eyes as she looked up at him. It was the same spark she likely saw in his own gaze when he stared at her.
    “You know I cannot stay, Hades. A goddess of spring doesn’t belong here.”
    “I do not ask you to remain as my captive, Persephone.” He took her hand in his and pressed it over his heart. “I ask you to remain at my side, as my queen. I would give you the underworld and everything in it. Only stay with me.”
    At my side. In my bed. The words hung between them, unspoken.
    The soft flush returned to her cheeks and her gaze went to his hand, holding hers over his heart. In the distance, he heard the soft murmur of voices heading to a familiar spot.
    “Come,” he told her, changing tactics. “I will show you something else.”
    “Something else?” She asked playfully. “Is there something better than this place?”
    “I do not know if it is better, but I think you will like it, all the same.” He gave her a look filled with desire, wanting nothing more than to pluck the leaves from her hair and wrap his fingers in the lush curls. To drag her down to the grasses with him and make love to her.
    But he would go slowly.
    Instead, he pulled his helmet out from under his arm and showed it to her. “Do you know what this does?”
    Intrigued, she looked at it, then at him. “It’s a helmet?”
    “Watch.” He put it over his head and waited for her response as his figure faded from sight.
    She gasped, her eyes going wide with surprise. “Hades?”
    He was pleased at her response and reached out and brushed his fingers over her cheek. So beautiful.
    Persephone laughed nervously, her gaze flicking back and forth as if not entirely sure where he was. One hand reached out and brushed over his clothing. “You’re still there?”
    “Still here,” he said softly and captured her hand, brushing a kiss on her palm. “The helmet makes the wearer invisible. It was my greatest prize… before I stole you.”
    She bit her lip, the soft, melting look coming over her face again. She did not pull her hand