24. Goddess Queen

The next few days were very calm. I thought Hades would soon tell me about what was going on with the mortals, but he had stayed silent. We also had informed most of the underworld of the upcoming nuptials and thus my crowning simultaneously. When we announced a huge celebration broke out in the cities in the underworld. I was shocked to see the residents of the dead so happy over the news. Hecate was overjoyed as was Charon.

Hecate had taken me to the streets so the dead could wish me congratulations and praise my decision to marry their king. I didn’t know if it was because of Hade's temper over the last decade and now he seemed to be calm again, and they attributed that to me. I wished it was because they saw me as a good future queen, but I was not sure which was the reason for celebration. Cerberus had backed off a little. But he had still taken to sleeping in Hades and my room.

I loved that monster. When I wished he was around he would suddenly come to find me. No one could understand what had happened to him. Why had he become so attached to me, but I didn’t care. I loved that the three headed dog was someone to vent to. I liked his lack of verbal response. But it was also good he had stopped following me every second of the day. The souls I visited were terrified of him and he didn’t care for any of them. Hades told me this morning that once we were married and I was queen we would visit the mortal King Minos.

The wedding would be in a few days. I felt like it was a little rushed. I was not even all better yet. I still had panic attacks that resulted with me shooting out thorns. I still had not gotten the story of what happened with Mithe, nor had I seen her. I didn’t think anyone had excluded me on purpose. It was my fault I never asked anything. I spent most of the time just hanging out with Lola and walking amongst the souls. But as I sat there hanging out with my friend in the courtyard, I realized I needed to do something.

I couldn’t sit here any longer not doing anything. “Lola I am sorry I need to go find Hades.” I told her. “Is something wrong?” She asked. I just shook my head. I knew where I would find him. He would be in the throne room. He spent a lot of his time there when it was the morning. He addressed his subjects at that time and what they wanted. I knew soon I would be a part of it. I wanted to get a feel for that. I walked to the vast room walking along the side of the line of souls and noticed there were even some mortals in line..

I didn’t know how that was possible. How had they come here if they were not dead. This was the realm of the dead and they clearly were not. Hades grinned seeing me. His black suit hugged his massive frame. He looked divine, which he was. I took notice that he had no crown on his head. If he didn’t wear one, then would I not as well. I looked so undressed compared to him in jeans and a red t-shirt. I had lots of clothes there. None of them fancy. Would I have to become more formal with my attire once we were married? No one had told me.

I approached him and he completely ignored the man who was supposed to be addressing him. His eyes lifted from mine and at the souls and mortals standing waiting for his attention. His voice echoed in the large hall. “Bow before your queen.” Everyone looked nervous and they dropped to their knees and bowed face to the floor. I had never seen that. I knew mortals did that to the gods they worshipped in their temples, but no one had ever done it to me. Hades didn’t tell them to rise. Was I supposed to? I didn’t know but I walked up to my future husband.

Hades pulled me into his lap. His mouth slid along the side of my face until it was next to my ear. “I think I like sharing my throne with you. Maybe we should just share this one.” I blushed. I liked how Hades put me in so much of a high place, that he wanted to share it all with me. It was apparent. “And I can’t wait to see you in that crown on your beautiful head. I had it made the day I met you. Among other things.” He had been so sure that I would end up with him. It was kind of heartwarming. In truth I felt drawn to him as well, but I was not as sure when we first met.

I looked at the people still bowing on the floor for me. I said to Hades “Should you tell them to stand?” I could feel his beard ticking my ear as he said. “Nah let them stay down a little longer.” I wanted to giggle. I didn’t know why that amused me so much, but it did. I had never had any worshipers and with them bowing before me I could feel their worship flowing through me. Hades large finger traced my neck. “You feel it don’t you?” I breathed a little quicker. Hades continued. “This is what being worshiped feels like. You feel the praise in it, it is power. Have you felt it more since coming home?” I did feel stronger physically but had never constipated it, not until that moment.

“The Underworld has more souls than the realm of mortals. We have the most devote worshipers and I will tell you Persephone Darling, you are now probably the most powerful goddess. Not even Athena has this many souls worshiping her.” So, this is how it worked. He kissed my neck. I moved my head to the side to allow him more access. I felt my mouth fall open but as I looked at those still bowing, I felt a little embarrassed doing this in front of them. “Hades?” I spoke. “Mhhh?” he mumbled as he kissed my neck again. “We should let them rise. I came to see if I could join you. I wanted to learn what I will be doing.”

I could feel Hades smiling against my smooth skin. “You tell them to rise. Why don’t you answer their requests for the remainer of the morning.” I didn’t know about doing his job, I didn’t want to overstep. “Persephone Darling, I trust you with the Underworld.” I smiled a little still nervous I told all those still bowing to rise. They did and Hade's head moved some, so he was not on my neck anymore. His hands though moved and wrapped around me.

I tried to sound confident when I said, “Whomever was next may speak.” The people looked confused, and Hades said nothing. He wanted me to run this whole thing. When no one moved I said calmly “I am a goddess you want your favors granted come forward or leave and get none of your wishes, seen to.” I didn’t need to look at Hades to know he liked what I said. His hold tightened on me, and I felt some stirring underneath me. He was getting hard beneath his suit pants. I felt my face becoming flushed but tried to push the thoughts of Hades large cock out of my head.

The man who had been in front of the line stepped forward. He looked confused how to address me. “You may call me goddess or queen.” I knew I wasn’t the Queen of the Underworld yet, but I would be in a matter of days. Hades was getting harder beneath me. “Yes, My Goddess Queen.” I liked the sound of that. One of the things my mother said growing up was “God's love power.” She had been right; I liked this kind of feeling. The man continued; he was a soul not mortal “I have come to ask for my wife to be released from Tartarus.” I looked at him.

“Why is she in Tartarus?” I asked. “When you were missing Goddess Queen, she had said that the King of the Underworld was out of control, and it was his own fault for losing you.” My heart pounded it was a lie it was not his fault at all, it had been my mother's doing. The man continued. “I told her not to say that and it was not the case, but I know she regrets it now.” I looked at him. I could see he was pleading for his wife's soul to be returned to him. How many times had he asked Hades to release his wife?

However, I didn’t like that she had blamed Hades for my imprisonment. I asked the soul “How long has she been in Tartarus?” The man looked at me, he was fighting tears. “Two years, please Goddess Queen.” I thought for a moment. I knew she had been being tortured almost all that went there were tortured. I thought. “I will visit her and decide her fate after I have my own punishment on her for saying false things.” I looked at the room and loudly spoke. “I do not accept falsehoods. If they are spoken in this realm there will be punishment. That goes for those of you who reside on earth that are here. Falsehood is unacceptable.”

“Thank you, my goddess queen.” The rest of the morning was addressing the others in line. When the last one was gone, I was feeling really good. It was empowering making these decisions. I liked the thrill of it. Hades had not interrupted me or guided me at all, he let me have total control. I had felt the best I had in days. Though I was confused about the few mortals who asked things of me that I had no knowledge of and told them I could not help them at all. I felt weird about that. Hades would need to tell me what was going on soon. I was missing things I needed to know so I could make future decisions.