Claimed By Hades.

Episode 2: THE RIVER THAT FORGETS

The bedroom of the God of death had no doors that I could open.

I tried.

I pounded on the wall of swirling shadows where Hades had disappeared until my hands turned red. it was like hitting cold smoke . it swallowed my fist .

" let me out!" I screamed . " you can't keep me here!". No one answered. The palace was silent except for a faint sound , like distant crying from far below. My wedding dress was torn. the diamonds were falling off. I ripped off my heavy veil and threw it on the black silk bed. The bed was too soft, too big. It smelled like him_ like cold winter and incense.

Behind a black stone arch, I found what he had mentioned . A bath. a huge pool carved into the rock, filled with steaming dark water that glowed faintly blue.on a stone bench, someone had left clothes.

not a dress, but a simple black gown. soft and light.

I was not going to wear his clothes. I was not going to bathe in his house .

I was going to escape.

I remembered the stories the old priestess told us. "the underworld had five rivers. if you cross the river Styx, you can return to the living world.if you can pay the ferryman .

I slipped out of the bedroom through a crack in the shadow wall which was not closed properly. My bare feet were silent on the black marble.

The palace was endless. Corridors of black stone, torches that burned with blue fire but gave no heat. Statues of weeping angels. I ran, holding my heavy dress, my heart pounding so loud, I thought the dead could hear it.

I followed the sound of waster. it got louder and louder until I reached a balcony.

Below me was a river. wide, black,moving slowly, with faint faces in the river. souls.

The river styx.

And I it's bank, stood a small wooden boat . A tall figure in a black hood stood holding a long oar. Charon, the ferryman.

Hope shot through me.

I ran down the black stairs almost falling. " wait! ferryman! please!" I shouted.

Charon turned his skull-like face to me.

"you" , he said in a raspy voice. "The stolen bride. He said you would try ".

"please take me across ", l begged. " take me back to my world . I have to go back "

"The king said no one leaves ". Charon said.

" I will give you anything. I have diamonds", I pulled out my dress.

Charon laughed." Gold is useless here, little living one. But... a kiss from a living girl who can see the dead. That is enough payment".

Before I could answer, a cold voice came from behind me.

" Touch her and I will sink you and your boat to the bottom of Tartarus, old friend ".

I froze.

Hades was standing at the top of the stairs. He had changed.No robe, no bone crown. He wore a simple black shirt and pants, like a mortal man, but he still looked like a god. His arms were crossed, his hair was wet, like as if he has just bathed too.

Charon immediately bowed and pushed his boat away." she came to me, my Lord" .

"I know", Hades said, his eyes not leaving me. " Go".

The boat vanished into the black fog.

I was alone with him at the river bank.

"I was not running", I lied, stepping back. My back hit the cold stone.

" of cause not", he said, walking down the stairs slowly .

" You just got lost on your way to the bath" .

He was too close now. The blue light from the river reflected on his dark eyes .

" You left the door opened on purpose", I whispered. " to test me" .

"To see if you are as brave as you are beautiful ", he said. " most souls who come here beg to stay, you beg to leave".

" why me?" my voice broke. " They are thousands of girls in Greece who are more beautiful, more pure-"

"Because you did not fear me," He interrupted. He reached out, and before I could move, his cold finger brushed my cheek.

" When I rose in that temple, Every one saw death. You saw a man."

His touch made my skin shiver, but not from cold. For a second, I saw his loneliness again _a thousand years sitting on a throne, no one daring to look him In the eyes.

" let me go back," I said softly. My village needs rain. My mother --"

" Your village will have rain. I sent it my self this morning . your mother thinks you were taken by the gods for a blessing . she is proud ".

He was so soft, I could feel the cold coming off his skin .

" You will be my Queen, Elena. not because I forced you, because you choose to stay ."

" I will never choose this, " I said but my voice was shaking .

He smiled,sad and handsome.

" Then you have three days to prove me wrong. until the wedding day.

He took my hand. his grip was gentle but unbreakable. He pulled me back towards the palace.

" Where are you taking me?"

" Back to your bath," he said. " you smell like fear and Zeus's temple . and you can not run through the underworld barefooted in a wedding dress. The dead will fall in love with your feet."

I wanted to be angry, but a small ridiculous laugh escaped me. He looked down at me, surprised that he made me laugh.

"Don't," I said quickly. " I'm still your prisoner."

"No," he said opening the shadow door back to my bedroom.

" You are my guest. until you decide to be my bride."

He left me at the bath, closed the shadow curtain,and left me alone with the steaming blue water and the soft black gown.

I looked at the water. I was dirty, cold and exhausted . and for the first time since I fell, I was not sure If I wanted to escape,or if I wanted to understand the sad god that had stolen me.

Outside, I could hear the faint howl of the three headed dog, as if guarding me for him.