Atop the beast rode a monster more horrific than her mind could conjure. With black chiton and black cape, his body appeared to be made entirely of smoke. The black iron helm on his head hid most of his features, but those flashing deep blue eyes could only belong to the Lord of the Underworld. Even the plume atop the helm was black, with smoke spilling from the top and showering down upon his shoulders.
Two pauldrons covered his shoulders. Open lion’s mouths with fangs revealed in wicked snarls. He held a sword in his hand, then brandished it aloft with an angered shout.
Would he kill her? Was that the only way to become Hades’ bride?
She lifted an arm over her face and prepared herself for whatever terror he would rain down. Once, long ago, Kore had cut herself on a knife. She remembered the slice of flesh parting and the strange moment where it hadn’t hurt at all. Was that what she was feeling now?
The greatest torment was waiting for the pain she knew would happen. The death of her maidenhood coming from the hand of a god who suddenly proved he had no mercy at all.
“Kore!” This time the shout came from Artemis herself.
The battle cry of the huntress rang out, strong and true. Kore twisted onto her hands and knees, bolting toward her friend with the hope the goddess could save her. She could only imagine Artemis would be a good opponent for Hades. Surely the huntress would lose an arrow through the helm of the Underworld.
But, when she frantically scrambled toward her friend, she realized Artemis wasn’t looking at Hades at all. She couldn’t even see the god.
The helm.
So the rumors were true. Hades’ helm really made him invisible to all those he didn’t wish to see him.
She reached out her hand to Artemis, praying the huntress would snag her fingers in time, but a thick arm wrapped around her waist. She was whipped in the opposite direction and held against a broad chest. Her back pressed against his heart, she could feel the thundering beat against her spine.
Was he nervous? Did he fear she would run from him forever now?
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. He was supposed to be the caring suitor who took her away from her family with soft words and even softer touch. Not the warrior in full regalia thundering to the land above and tearing her away from all she knew and loved.
“Kore!” Artemis screamed again.
Hades jerked on the reins and the charger wheeled around. They raced back to the Underworld with a speed that rivaled the swiftest pegasus in the lands.
She tossed her head back and stared up at the sun for one last glimpse. One last look at the most magnificent sight of blue sky and fluffy white clouds. They leapt into the darkness and the moss closed over their heads. Sealing her into the darkness forever.
For a few moments, she saw nothing at all. She feared her sight was lost forever. Wasn’t that what happened to souls who were dragged into the Underworld? The mortals claimed they needed coins to cross the river, and what did she have? Nothing but a power to make flowers grow wherever she wished.
Then spurts of sight came. Like the flickering light of a lightning bug.
She saw a glimpse of the blue, shimmering in the depths just beyond her vision. Then, the souls were easy to see. They floated in the air, as if they were underwater. Or perhaps she was. Their eyes were closed in rest and the fabric they wore fluttered around their bodies.
The horse beneath them snorted, and Kore was suddenly very aware she was pressed against Hades. The back of her head thudded against his collarbone with every movement. His thighs bracketed hers, holding her safely in place but also creating a living cage she couldn’t escape.
Kore took in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tried to center herself. Calm. She strove to still the beat of her heart and dry the sweat on her palms. She’d wanted this. Marrying the Lord of the Underworld had been the plan all along.
She just hadn’t realized it would be so swift.
When she opened her eyes again, the entire Underworld unfurled before her. Laid out like a map, she could see every single detail as the horse galloped through the air.
The river Styx snaked across black sands, the mourning souls standing at its edges. They gestured wildly, thrusting their