The Consort

A Queen

His fingers traced the elegant lines of the ocean blue ball-gown. The strapless cinderella style gown was accentuated with elbow length white gloves. My hair had been curled and then pinned in a half up-half down style, elaborate dangling diamond earrings hung from my lobes a matching pair to the thick chained diamond necklace adorning my clavicle. As Hades’ long fingers rubbed from the bottom of my neck to the top I pulled the silver diamond tiara into the top of the hairstyle, pinning it in firmly. 

Taking my hands and pulling me away from the full-length vanity mirror Hades turned me towards him, his light hands cupping my arms as he stared at me breathlessly. “You look beautiful.” He reminded me for the seventh time since he helped zipped up the dress, I smiled up at him, the compliment warming my heart from the inside out. The nervous butterflies made their way through my stomach nonetheless.

“What if -” I began to voice my concerns at meeting the crowds today but Hades enveloped me in a fierce, tight hug, his arms stretching across my back comfortably. He pressed a kiss to my temple and I blushed - as always. 

“You worry too much my Queen, the population of the underworld will surely love you as much as I do.”

He placed my arm in the crook of his elbow, waving a hand at the dark, heavy fabric curtain that separated our bedroom from the rest of the South Wing. The staff bustled about the halls, their translucent images still frightened me some. Hades tightened his grip on me, his not-so-subtle form of comfort and reassurance. Taking a deep breath I smiled, the staff paused mid stride to stare. In all their lives they had never seen their master with a woman -they had never seen him with anyone bar his brothers. After a moment they collected themselves offering me a bright, energetic smile before resuming their duties. 

We paused before the large gold double doors with ruby handles. The comforting presence of my husband slipped away towards a different set of doors which would allow him to greet the masses before introducing both myself and the recently appointed God of Death. My chest tightened in apprehension as the winged figure appeared by my side with a smirk, as if a mere thought had brought him to life. It had been almost a week since I last saw him, Hades had kept me enclosed within our room - teaching me about life and love and how everything worked here. 

A long arm snaked around my waist, seizing me and quickly placing my body in front of his. My breath hitched within my throat, my eyes glancing up and down the hallway as Thanatos’ long fingers grazed my dress. His hot breath teased my ear, his teeth gently taking the lobe into his mouth. 

“Did you miss me Persephone?”

A hot shiver worked its way down my spine, I shook my head, trying to dislodge his touch and the feelings welling deep in my soul. Hades voice called through the room, and Thanatos stepped away from me immediately. 

The applause was deafening, the crowd of faces all blending into one another. Children sat atop their parents shoulders, elderly parents sitting on their walkers nearby, all smiled and waved or cheered. Hades snuck an arm around me, pulling me to his side roughly, the crowd below us hushed eagerly awaiting the next few moments. Thanatos stepped up to the microphone, clearing his throat loudly to draw the attention from us. 

“Ladies and gentleman, I present for the first time, King Hades and his consort, the ever stunning Persephone.” The crowd chattered and I gulped, his word choice astounding me. To be named a consort instead of a Queen was not uncommon - and for the next two weeks I would be known as such, until my dowry had been paid in full, and my mother had accepted the terms of my marriage with the King of the Underworld.. 

The crowd cheered as Thanatos bowed and melted back into the shadows. My husband gripped my sides, turning me to face him. His dark gaze met mine before he swept me into a kiss that left me dizzy and breathless.

Everything and everyone was silent for three whole seconds. Three seconds where I could feel the blood pounding in my ears, the tight grip my husband had on me, and feel Thanatos’ smirking before the people erupted in a cheer that silenced it all.