‘Make the enquiries, Poseidon. I want every nereid, fish and single-celled-bloody-organism looking for her.’
Poseidon waves his hand dismissively. ‘Very well, if you insist.’ Like he’s doing her a favour, uncoerced. ‘I guarantee the girl is fine, probably better than she’s ever been.’
His form bursts into seawater as he returns to his palace, just as another voice enters the fray.
‘What’s all this about?’ My father has finally appeared, adjusting the draping of his richly dyed himation. ‘Apollo said he heard you screaming like a harpy.’
‘Zeus – someone’s taken Kore,’ Mother rushes. ‘We need to find her but we can’t let word get out too far. If herreputation is soiled then the union could be in jeopardy. I need you to –’
‘Demeter!’ Father scolds. For one stupid moment in which my brain hasn’t quite caught up to the fact that this is Zeus, I think he might reprimand her for being more concerned about my marriage prospects than my safety. ‘There’s no need to panic. We had so many offers that –’
‘Every single one of those is in trouble, you dolt.’
My hand shoots out and it’s not until Hades grips my palm back that I realize I’ve reached for him.
Then I think it doesn’t matter at all. He’s one of the few people who might possibly be on my side with this. And, even if he’s not, he’s a person and he’s here and right now I just need someone. Congratulations, Hades, you finally passed the minimum requirement for something.
‘You forget yourself, Demeter.’ Father’s voice contains storms.
Mother freezes and I see her struggle to bite her tongue. Her fists shake at her sides but she ducks her head sheepishly. I’m so tired of these power plays within my own family that I’m not even gratified by my mother finally behaving as she says I should. I’m just weary, exhausted to my very bones.
‘Forgive me, Lord Zeus,’ Mother says. ‘As I’m sure you can understand, this is a very upsetting time.’
Father nods, paying no attention to the fact Mother’s fists have tightened.
‘Yes, well, I can put out some feelers. She can’t have got far.’
‘The nymphs say she’s been missing since the first day of our appointments,’ Mother says. ‘Anything could have happened to her.’
‘More like she could have happened to someone,’ Hades mutters and I bark out an unexpected laugh. It sounds watery, like the tears I’m choking down have found their way out through alternate means.
‘I will handle it,’ Zeus says with finality. ‘Now get some rest. You look like a disaster.’
And then he’s gone, leaving nothing behind but a slight crackling in the air.
Mother’s back snaps upward and she glares determinedly in front of her. ‘Cyane,’ she calls. ‘Come help me pack. I’m going on a trip.’
I’ve had enough and I don’t think there’s much I could learn from watching her gather her possessions. I try to force myself to believe she only made my prospects her focus because she thought it would convince Zeus. But everything I just heard is ringing through my head and I don’t know what to believe any more.
‘That’s enough now,’ I say, releasing Hades’ hand and feeling cold the moment it slips away.
Hades steps to the lake edge and trails his fingers through the surface.
‘Are you …’
‘No,’ I answer. ‘But I will be.’
‘What will you do?’ he asks and I can’t stand the softness in his voice. I’m hurt and scared of what will happen now and everything about him is a confusing cacophony.
‘I’m going to plant a garden,’ I say.
I leave the lake’s cavern and detour to the room we dine in. I snatch the nearest bowl. Pomegranate seeds. They seem as good a place to start as any.
‘Is there anything I can do?’ he asks. I turn to face him and he looks so sincere that I break.
‘What are you doing?’ I snap. ‘Why are you being so nice to me?’
Hades smirks. ‘Because I’m a delightful person.’
