she shouldn’t assume that he couldn’t. This wasn’t just a dog in the mortal realm. This was a magical creature whose parentage was the stuff of legends. He might very well be able to understand every word she said.
She lifted shaking hands, slowly, ever so slowly. “Do you mind if I give you a few pets?”
Apparently, Cerberus didn’t want to wait for the affection. Two of his heads ducked underneath her hands and he rubbed himself against her palms. His eyes rolled back in his heads as he thoroughly enjoyed her touching him.
“You’re just a big baby, aren’t you?” She scrubbed beneath his ears and his right leg thumped hard on the ground.
The middle head stared at her with big, soulful eyes. They were so wide, so babyish that it made her heart break.
“I’m sorry, hon. I only have two hands.”
He let out a long whine.
So apparently the terrifying beast that guarded the gates to the Underworld liked to be scratched by whoever would touch him. Kore supposed it made sense. She doubted anyone touched him often. And everyone needed a hug sometimes.
She eyed his teeth. “Don’t bite me, bud. That’s all I’m asking.”
Cerberus appeared to nod and then wiggled his butt closer to her, dragging it through the sand.
Kore leaned close and wrapped her arms around his big shoulders, drawing him so close to her heart she could feel his own thundering against her collarbone. Cerberus heaved a heavy sigh and leaned all three heads against her back.
Kore hadn’t thought about all the nymphs and oceanids who were constantly touching her. She had forgotten all of it until Cerberus rested his head on her shoulder and suddenly, she remembered very clearly how much she needed physical contact.
All nymphs did.
“Thank you,” she whispered against Cerberus’s neck. “I feel better now.”
His tail thumped a few times more before he wiggled in her grip. Not fighting against her, but definitely letting her know that he wanted to be released. Reluctantly, she let go of his muscular body.
Cerberus took off down the sands, barking like a mad creature at the souls waiting for Charon to dock his ferry. The spirits all raced away from the terrifying beast and formed themselves into a jostling line.
Charon stepped off the ferry, but he didn’t look at the souls at all. Instead, he looked directly at her.
He was far more skeletal than she’d expected. His wiry arms were strong though, and when he pointed that thin finger at her, she knew there was no other option. She had to see what he wanted.
Kore drifted across the sands. She glanced down at her bare feet and realized with embarrassment that her clothing was still girded at her waist. She must look like some kind of hellion who had gotten into the Underworld without anyone’s approval.
Her toes touched the worn wood of the dock. It creaked under her weight, groaning as she walked across the rickety wood to stand before the ferryman. The souls whispered as she passed them. Their thin, blue glow dimmed the closer she got. Almost as though they were shifting away from her in fear. They shouldn’t fear her at all, but she found the knowledge gave her a burst of bravery. Lifting her chin, she met his gaze with more bravado than she felt.
His eyes were a vivid, burning blue that glowed within the skeletal features of his face. His head was completely shaved and his eyes were sunken into the darkness of his skull, shadows cast by a thick brow. “Hello, my queen,” he murmured.
The deep voice seemed to boom, even though he hadn’t spoken loudly. She wondered if maybe he couldn’t speak quietly after years of shouting over the mortal souls.
“Hello,” she said, her own voice little more than a quiet whisper. “You are Charon?”
“The boatman.” He bowed before her, sweeping his arm out in a grand gesture. “I carry the souls to their final resting place.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the waiting mortals. They were patient now, eyeing Cerberus, who stood behind her with a snarl on his features. Those terrifying teeth could apparently touch the spirits.
Kore took a deep breath and stepped closer to the boatman. Perhaps this was the way she could help a few souls without them mobbing her. “I’d like to pay for a few whose families did not take care of them.”
Charon’s expression softened. “My queen, with what money are you going to pay for them to get across? Mortal coins are the only ones