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Chapter 10
The wardrobes were fil ed with clothes - gorgeous, expensive, silky robes in every color imaginable
- but al of a similar style. Loose, long skirts, some slit up the side and some not, high waistlines and form-fitting bodices designed by wrapping lengths of fabulous material around and draping the folds over her chest. They were al beautiful and exceedingly feminine, which was in direct contrast to how Lina usual y dressed. At home she usual y chose comfortable velour sweat suits or shorts and T-shirts, depending on the weather. For work she had several wel -tailored, professional looking suits, some with slacks, some with skirts. She tended to choose neutral colors, so that she could mix and match and expand her wardrobe. She let her hand slide across the silky material, enjoying the feel of the fabric as wel as the bright, contrasting mixture of colors. When had she started dressing like a corporate matron? Probably about the time she had given up on romance. The thought was an unpleasant realization, and she pushed it aside, refocusing her concentration on the wardrobes.
In the wide, deep drawers there was a plethora of filmy undergarments, as wel as delicate leather slippers and long, feminine nightgowns that reminded Lina of something an old-time movie star would have worn.
"Wel , they did cal them goddesses of the silver screen," Lina whispered as she fingered a particularly beautiful wrap.
The vanity had been stocked with more makeup and hair paraphernalia than a beauty supply store.
"So this is Hel . I've got to remember to be a real y bad girl when I get back," Lina muttered, picking through a glittering pool of eye shadows.
The bathroom was another marvel. The bathtub was more like a bathpool, and someone had already fil ed it to brimming with steaming water that beckoned, making Lina realize just how grubby her journey had made her feel. She'd take a quick bath, change her clothes, freshen her makeup, then she'd cal Iapis or Eurydice or both of them, Lina sighed, and be escorted to have refreshments with Hades. What did one eat in Hel , she wondered as she wandered around the huge bathroom.
"Hope it involves more ambrosia," she told a col ection of colorful glass bottles of various shapes and sizes covering a marble ledge. Lina pulled the stoppers off each of them, sniffing appreciatively at their oily scents until she found one that she particularly liked, which smel ed of lilies, then she poured it into the pool. From another ledge she grabbed a comb and used it to secure the mass of hair she piled atop her head. Undressing quickly she slid into the gloriously hot water and settled gingerly against the bottom with a long sigh of satisfaction.
She could have stayed there forever, but she reminded herself that Hades was waiting for her, and she certainly didn't want Iapis bursting in on her. She hurried through the wonderful bathing experience, promising herself that very soon she would pamper herself with a real y long soak. Rising out of the water she searched for a towel, which she quickly located on a shelf near the huge mirror.
And Lina froze, transfixed by her reflection. No, it wasn't her reflection, she reminded herself. It was Persephone, and she truly was a Goddess. Of course she had realized before then that her body was different. Of course she'd known that her soul possessed a younger, prettier woman's body. But she had had no idea...
Her slender hand reached up to trace a path along one of Persephone's perfect cheekbones. Her face was stunning. Luminous eyes, a remarkable shade of violet, were framed by thick, black lashes and arching brows. Her lips - Lina touched them - were full and the color of a blush. Lina knew, because as her eyes traveled down the rest of her naked body her cheeks flushed to that same lovely tint. Persephone was lush. Her breasts were high and round, as perfect as the rest of her. Her hand moved lightly over one smooth mound. When the pink nipple hardened instantly in response, sending a sweet, tingling sensation through her body, Lina watched the lovely lips open in surprise as she uttered a little gasp. Was this body ultra-sensitive, or had it just been so long that Lina had al owed herself to have sexual feelings that she had forgotten the thril of arousal?
And what about Persephone's love life? Was the goddess a virgin? Or did she have many lovers?
Lina's gaze continued to study her new body while she considered the questions. The Goddess was slender without being gaunt. Her waist curved in gracefully, but her hips swel ed, ful and sexy. Her legs were long and beautifully shaped; the area between them was covered with a V of soft, dark curls. Her hand moved to touch that inviting triangle.
Lina's eyes snapped guiltily up. She shook her head, laughing nervously at her reflection.
"Oh, for heaven's sake. I have to live with this body. I can't be embarrassed to look at it." Lina grabbed a towel and began to vigorously dry herself, purposefully going intimately over every part of "her" body. "Or anything else." But as she chose a new dress and absently combed through the tangle of her long hair, questions kept circling around her thoughts. What kind of life had Persephone lived? She must have had a lover - at least one. With this body, how could she have been celibate? Was that real y why Demeter had made this exchange? Maybe she wanted to get her daughter away from an undesirable boyfriend. Lina sighed and rubbed her forehead. Too much had happened too quickly. She had no idea if the gods required sleep, but she certainly felt exhausted. She needed to get the refreshments over with so she could come back to her room and real y relax and refresh.
Clearing her throat she cal ed aloud, "Iapis! I'm ready for refreshments now." Within two breaths there was a firm knock at her door.
"Come in," she said.
The door swung open and Iapis bowed to her. "Goddess, please fol ow me this way." He motioned down the hal the direction in which they had come.
"Thank you, Iapis. I am very hungry."
"I believe you wil be pleased with the delicacies Hades has chosen to honor you." Lina raised her eyebrows. "Hades cooks, too?"
Iapis laughed. "You shal see, Goddess."
Lina bit her lip and fol owed him from the room. What was she thinking? There was probably no cooking in Hel . Like spirits would need to eat? She remembered Eirene pul ing wine from an invisible fold in the air. Goddess of Morons, that's what she was. She needed to keep her mouth closed and her eyes open until she learned the ropes of her new job.
Iapis interrupted her self-chastisement. "Goddess, shal we include Eurydice? I would not want the little spirit to think I am attempting to usurp her position."
"Yes, that's very thoughtful of you, Iapis." Lina raised her voice. "Eurydice! I need you." Almost instantly a door down the hal opened and Eurydice burst out, rushing to her Goddess's side in a flutter of wispy clothing and flying hair.
"Oh, Persephone! I am so glad you cal ed," she gushed, hugging Lina.
"Your Goddess thought that you might wish to accompany us so that you could find your way back easily if she cal ed for refreshment at an odd hour."
Once again, Lina was impressed by lapis' kind treatment of the girl.
"Thank you, Iapis, for putting it so nicely," Lina said.
"Of course." Eurydice nodded her head several times, reminding Lina of an exuberant puppy trying its best to be obedient. "I need to know many things so that I can properly care for Persephone." With an effort, Lina kept from sighing aloud.
"Persephone, Eurydice, if you fol ow me, I wil be pleased to escort you to my Lord." Iapis led them through a maze of corridors, al the while explaining, mostly to Eurydice, mat even though the palace was large, it was real y not difficult to remember one's way around it. Hades had designed it in sections. The frontmost part of it was designated as the Great Hal of Hades, where he held court and heard the petitions of the dead. There was a smal er central meeting area, which was where they were headed. It was linked to the guest wing - where Persephone and Eurydice were staying - complete with two bal rooms. Lina wondered briefly why Hades had bothered to build an entire wing for guests and two rooms for dancing, when he obviously wasn't used to receiving visitors, but she kept her thoughts to herself and let Iapis speak uninterrupted.
"There is an entire wing of the palace designated as Hades' personal chambers. So, as you can see, Eurydice, you need only become familiar with the positions of the different wings of the palace to know where you are."
"Yes, I understand. Perhaps I could be al owed some material with which to draw, so that I might sketch myself a simple map," Eurydice said, looking expectantly at Lina.
"Absolutely. I think that's a great idea. Maybe it could help me find my way around, too. I'm terrible with directions," Lina said. "Iapis, do you think you could find some drawing materials for Eurydice."
"Of course, Goddess. It wil be my personal pleasure to be sure your friend has al that she requires," Iapis said.
"Thank you," Lina and Eurydice said together, grinning at each other as their words mixed harmoniously.
Iapis turned another corner and stopped between a huge set of double doors, which, of course, opened without his touch into a large room in which there was one focal point - an enormous black marble dining table. Directly over the table were suspended three massive crystal chandeliers. Lina squinted her eyes against their bright, faceted beauty and suddenly understood that the glittering stones were probably not crystals at al .
"Diamonds," Eurydice said in a hushed voice.
"Yes," Iapis said. "My Lord chose to hang the diamond chandeliers in this room because they cast such perfectly clear light over the dining table and complement the chrysocol a candelabrum." Lina dropped her stunned gaze from the diamonds to the half dozen multitiered candelabrums neatly arranged across the vast length of the table. They were made of an unusual blue-green stone into which blazing snow-white candles fitted neatly.
"Chrysocol a?" Lina asked. "I don't think I'm familiar with that stone."
"Chrysocol a hides itself wel within the earth." Hades' deep voice made Lina jump. She hadn't heard him come into the room. "I enjoy its unique blending of the colors of turquoise, jade, and Iapis lazuli, but the reason I chose to display the chrysocol a candelabrums on the dining table is because of the stone's properties." He paused, as if deep in thought.
"What are the stone's properties?" Eurydice asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Hades smiled warmly at her. "Chrysocol a is a stone of peace. It soothes the emotions." Eurydice's eyes widened. "I think it is the perfect choice. for a dining chamber."
"I agree with you, little one," Iapis said, causing the girl to blush. Then he bowed to Hades and Persephone and gestured to the table. "If you wish to be seated, I wil inform the servants that you are ready to be served."
Hades nodded curtly and strode to the table. He pulled out a high-backed chair that sat in front of one of the two place settings near the end of the massive marble expanse, and motioned for Lina to take her seat.
"Thank you," Lina said, smoothing the silky folds of her skirt as she sat. She'd been so entranced by the chandeliers and the candelabrums that she hadn't even noticed the beautiful china and crystal dishware.
