Chapter 12.
Maia
It was strange how quickly the Underworld was starting to feel like home. There were still some things I needed to get used to but I was getting the hang of it. It helped that all the staff was competent and seemed happy to work with me.
“Erebus.” I smiled at the manager of the palace. “Can I ask you something?”
“Naturally,” the nymph replied, pausing on the other side of my desk.
“How easy is it to import things from the Overworld?”
“You merely have to ask.”
“Really? And I can have anything I want?”
She nodded. “Anything you desire. If you let me know, I’ll make sure to order it for you.”
“Great. I’d like a packet of coffee.”
“Coffee?” she echoed, seemingly surprised by my request. “Alright. Any particular kind?”
I shook my head. “Just not the cheap stuff, something nice and dark.”
“And how much would you like? A year’s worth?”
“No, no, just one packet. It’s a gift,” I told her, closing the report I was going through. “I’m stiff, I think I need to stretch my legs.”
“The orchards are particularly nice this time of year,” Erebus suggested as we exited my office. “I’ll find someone to escort you.”
“I prefer to walk next to the Styx,” I told her. “And no need, I can go by myself.”
“As you wish.” She handed me my coat and opened the large front doors, waving me out. “Have a nice walk, Your Darkness.”
With a bemused smile, I crossed through the large front gardens, admiring the lustrous variety. I always imagined this place as destitute and dark, but there was a lot of beauty to be found. I just had to know where to look.
It didn’t take long to reach the Styx and I followed the murky river, watching the green water play with the banks. It smelled fouler than I remembered, not quite the relaxing walk I hoped for.
The ground vibrated and a golden carriage flew past me, leaving a plume of dust in its wake. The chariot stopped abruptly and a slender woman stepped out. “Hello.”
I raised a hand. “Penelope.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m clearing my head. Too many reports.”
“Ah yes.” She joined me by the river, a curious look gracing her features as she examined me. “Would you like some company?”
I gestured to her carriage. “Are you not doing anything?”
“Nothing that can’t wait.” She nudged me along. “Let’s find somewhere nicer to walk where the stench of the Styx won’t bother us.”
“Please. What’s that smell anyway?”
“Rotting souls at the bottom,” she replied casually. “Sometimes people jump, hoping to escape their fate.”
“Grim.”
“It’s an issue we’re working on but the current Styx isn’t exactly bothered. He’s also become a bit complacent after all this time. You might want to have a word with him.” She gestured up to one of the paths leading into the hills. “This way, I want to show you something.”
In companionable silence, we climbed the hill. The fields around us stretched far in every direction and some of them were covered in trellises and vines.
“Grapes,” Penelope pointed out. “To make that awful wine of yours.”
I snorted as we continued on. I wasn’t sure what we were doing but I was eager to explore the Underworld a bit more, especially with Penelope as my guide.
We passed a field where a bunch of nymphs were planting seeds in the dirt. They paused their work as they saw us and bowed deeply, not looking up until we were past.
“It feels so weird when people bow to me,” I admitted, glancing back at the hard workers who were whispering to each other, no doubt about us. If I understood things correctly, it wasn’t often that the Hades and Persephone were seen together. Not like this anyway.
“You’ll get used to it. Eventually,” Penelope replied, her breathing shallowing as we reached the top of the hill.
The green landscape stretched out from under us and joined together to form the banks of the river of the dead.
The large body of water swirled through the land, murky and green, with a steady stream of ships floating along as they carried the dead through the Underworld.
The ferries attracted flocks of strange birds with four legs that I’d only seen presented as food so far.
They circled around the fleet of ships, carried by the thick mist that hung everywhere.
A strangely beautiful sight. Haunting. But beautiful nonetheless.
I gathered a breath. “What a sight.”
“Hmm. It never gets old,” Penelope agreed, smoothing out her dress. “How does the sun compare?”
“Well, there’s not really any sun here, is there?” I stared up at the gloomy ceiling. “This is an illusion right? Who’s in charge of it?”
Penelope released a snort. “It’s the weather, nobody controls it although I’m sure you could if you put your efforts to it. You’re in charge of everything, Maia." She teased, nudging me gently. “Hades.”
“No, it’s weird when you call me that.”
“Oh, my apologies, Your Darkness.”
I gave her a teasing shove. “No, stop, stop, that’s even worse.”
Penelope’s genuine laughter cackled over the hills and I joined in, surprised by how easy it was to be around her.
The rumours about her had me believing she was hard and cold and intimidating.
But standing here, in the faint glow of the Underworld, she didn’t look like that at all.
She was approachable and warm, and I wanted to do all kinds of things that were definitely not part of my job description.
“Shall we keep walking?” I proposed before I did or said something stupid.
“Yes. Have you seen the Grove? It’s where all the grievances and curses of the Overworld manifest. If you’re ever looking to run into other deities, that’s where you can meet them,” she explained as we set in motion, wandering along the path.
“Wouldn’t I just see them during the monthly Olympus meeting?”
“Right, you can leave. Ruler and all,” she said, her smile hiding a sadness in her voice.
We continued our walk down the hill, the vast landscape stretching out around us. It was serene despite the subtext of death. Maybe it was different to be here, alive, able to return to the Overworld without being chained here for eternity.
I glanced at Penelope, only just realising how clear her skin was. She was untouched by the corruption despite being here for such a long time.
“Do you miss it?” I asked, looking at her curiously.
“Do I miss it? The Overworld? I—” Penelope shrugged, temporarily lost for words.
I spotted a figure crouching down by the river and I grasped her arm, interrupting her. “I think someone’s going to jump into the river! We’ve got to help.”
She held me back. “No, no, that’s Hecate. She comes down here every night to bless her talismans and process her curses.”
“Oh, I didn’t realise.” I stared at where her hand was touching me, relishing in her touch. Her grip was gentle but firm. Intentional. I wanted more of it, even if it was a terrible idea.
I quickly stepped back, breaking contact.
If there was one person I had to keep my composure around, it was her.
Penelope. Persephone. Queen of the Underworld and the one person I needed to foster a good working relationship with.
I couldn’t mess this up or complicate it with silly feelings or fleeting desires.
Instead, I observed Hecate by the water. A group of dogs had surrounded her and seemed to be helping in some capacity.
“I didn’t realise we had those here,” I said, pointing at the brigade of canines.
“They’re from the Overworld. They collect talismans offered to Hecate and she blesses them here, in the Styx.”
“Sounds like a lot of work. She does that all night by herself?”
Penelope sighed. “Yes, I’ve told her many times she should find people to help her but Despina can be a little set in her ways.”
“Should we say hello?”
“No, better not. She prefers keeping to herself.” Penelope stared at the woman by the river. “Actually, I might go down and see how she is. We’re old friends.”
“Right. I should get back to work anyway. I abandoned my reports but I want to have them ready for our next meeting.”
A brief smile graced Penelope’s lips. “Well, don’t let me keep you. I’ll see you at our meeting. Good luck with your reports.”
“Thanks, let’s hope I don’t lose my sanity.”
“Well, if you ever need a break, you can always stop by the mansion to sample the rich red.”
“Right. The wine. At your mansion. I just might take you up on that offer,” I replied. Part of me was convinced it was a bad idea but I pushed it away. It wasn’t a date, just me getting to know my counterpart. She was the Persephone after all.