224. ‘It Was Zeus’
‘It Was Zeus’
I said it softly, honestly.
Because it was.
Hades may have taken her
but he had done so with the blessing
of Kore’s father.
‘Zeus gave Hades
permission to take her.
She is in the Underworld,
inside the Forest of Silence.’
The sound that came
from Demeter’s throat
was so terrible
I couldn’t even name it
a cry of despair.
Her fingers dug
into my shoulders.
‘You must take me to her!’
But at this I shook my head.
‘You cannot enter
his domain without
his permission,
Goddess of the Living.’
Her face crumpled
into deep agony
and I added quickly,
‘Perhaps… perhaps
I can return to him
and negotiate some form
of release?’
Demeter’s eyes blazed at this.
‘I will not negotiate
with the monster who stole
my daughter.
I will turn this world
into nothing. Kill every mortal
that prays to every God.
Leave them diminished
and destroyed if they do not
return my child to me.’
I was quiet as she spoke.
Then I whispered,
‘My mother and I
were separated
by the games of Gods too.
Which is why I will try
to get your daughter
back to you.’
Demeter looked into my eyes
as though only just
recognizing who I was.
‘Of course. Hekate.’
She touched my cheek
gently now.
‘Asteria would be
so proud of you.’