Seeds: Volume Two by M.M. Kin Read Free Book Online Page A

their father, and being forced into their wedding beds by their grooms only exacerbated their terror. Though these men were murdered, they had their own crime, that of forcing themselves upon innocent maidens. Had they not, they might have been spared just as their brother was spared by Hypermenstra. So her sisters' punishment was to draw water from the Cocytus and fill up the tub so they could bathe in it and wash away their sins.”
         Doesn't sound too bad , Persephone thought to herself. The river looked placid, and she didn't see any instruments of torture. She knew better than to voice that assumption.
         “There is more to it, is there not?” Persephone asked as her eyes moved to the pile of urns, noticing tiny perforations around their rounded shapes.
         “By the time they got to the tub, most of the water had leaked out. It took them several decades to complete the task. They could complete this task on their own time, since there were no shades to push them along. Every time they stepped into the Cocytus, they were overcome with incredible sadness and lamentation. Some of them lamented more than others, but as you can see, all finished the task in due time.”
         Ah, and here is the third river of Hell , Persephone mused. “Does this river run through other parts of Tartarus?”
         “Indeed. Through Tartarus, the Cocytus cuts a winding path, as does the Acheron and the Phlegethon, flowing where they are needed.”
         It was a unique punishment indeed, but she could see Kampe's wisdom. Persephone could understand how having a cruel father who threatened your life, and a groom you had never met before taking you by force, could reduce a woman to such measures. Had she had a sword or dagger when Ares tried to force himself on her, Persephone wouldn't have hesitated to stab or castrate him.
         She felt appreciation to Hades for honoring her wishes, and as if he was aware of her feelings, she felt him squeeze her shoulder as the trio continued down the path.
     
    o0o
     
         Persephone's stomach had been bothering her for most of the day. It was something other than hunger pains, and it had been located below her stomach. Having a scrumptious-looking feast in front of her as Hades had his supper only increased her discomfort. She curled up on the divan, her back to the table as she tried to ignore the tantalizing scent of the dishes. She heard him coax her to come and eat, but she covered her ears with her hands. Damn Hades!
         Finally, the door to her room swung open. She retreated into it without so much a glance over her shoulder, closing the door behind herself. How dare Hades try to coax and tempt her with the food when he saw her discomfort! In her anger, she slipped off her sandals and flung them against the wall. Cloe appeared in a moment to pick up the shoes and put them away, which only pissed her off all the more.
         Tartarus had been a wonderful distraction, but she had also felt moody this morning, wishing to see something darker than the library or one of the gardens. She couldn't explain why she had felt so impatient and frustrated even when Hades hadn't forced her to sit with him for the morning meal.
         With an angry mutter, she pulled the pins out of her chiton, letting the soft black material fall to the floor before pulling her tunic over her head. She leaned down to tug down her loincloth, and gasped softly when she saw a bright pink-tinged red stain on the white silk. With slightly trembling hands, she lowered it further and stepped out of it before lifting her left thigh, gingerly touching the area between her legs. Her fingers came away wet, and Persephone stared down at the crimson slickness on her fingertips.
     

     
    Chapter XXII
     
    o0o
     
         Persephone stared at the bloodstains on her trembling fingers, her heart beating rapidly as she tried to process what had just happened to her. Why was she bleeding?