Several days passed after the gathering in Olympus. Persephone was tending to the garden with Demeter, her hands busy with planting new seeds and caring for the flowers.
But her thoughts kept drifting back to Edward, and she wondered when she might see him again. She found herself glancing toward the places in the garden where they had spoken, half expecting him to appear at any moment.
Demeter, ever perceptive, noticed her daughter's distraction. "Persephone, is something on your mind?" she asked gently as they worked side by side.
Persephone hesitated, not wanting to worry her mother. "I was just thinking about the gathering in Olympus. It was a memorable evening."
Demeter nodded, her expression softening. "It was indeed. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, my dear. But remember, you must always be cautious."
"I know, Mother," Persephone replied, trying to reassure her. "I'll be careful."
Satisfied for the moment, Demeter returned to her task, but Persephone's mind was still elsewhere. She couldn't help but wonder when she might see Edward again, and the thought made her heart flutter with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
Meanwhile, in the shadowy depths of the Underworld, Edward found himself equally preoccupied with thoughts of Persephone.
The way she had moved with such grace through the garden, the gentle smile that had lit up her face during their conversation, had left a lasting impression on him.
He tried to focus on his duties, but the memory of her kept intruding, pulling his thoughts away from the dark expanse of his realm and back to the warmth of the mortal world.
Unable to resist any longer, he summoned his chariot which was pulled by four fearsome coal-black horses with eyes that glowed like embers, their hooves sparking against the stone floor of his palace.
With a flick of his wrist, Hades urged the horses forward, and the chariot surged through the Underworld, passing through the veil between realms. The landscape blurred around him as he ascended from the dark depths to the mortal world.
In the afternoon, as the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Persephone decided to take a walk through the forest surrounding their home. She often did this to clear her mind, to think about her future and what it might hold. But today, her thoughts were only of Edward.
She wandered deeper into the woods, the familiar path beneath her feet until she reached a small clearing where she often came to be alone. The trees formed a protective canopy overhead, and the air was filled with the scent of pine and earth.
Persephone sat on a fallen log, letting the silence of the forest envelop her. She closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing thoughts. But the memory of Edward, of his voice, and the way he looked at her, kept intruding.
Just as she was beginning to lose herself in thought, she heard a soft rustling in the underbrush. Her eyes snapped open, and she turned toward the sound, her heart leaping with a mix of excitement and caution.
"Aidoneus?" she called out softly, her voice trembling with hope. From the shadows, Edward emerged. His presence was as commanding and serene as she remembered. His dark hair framed his face, and his eyes held that same warmth she had seen the night before.
"Persephone," he said, his voice like a gentle breeze. "I didn't expect to find you here."
She smiled, rising to her feet. "Nor did I expect to see you. But I'm glad you're here." There was a sincerity in her words, a relief that she didn't have to hide.
They stood facing each other, the forest around them alive with the sounds of nature. The moment felt suspended in time as if the world had paused to allow them this stolen moment together.
Edward took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I couldn't stay away," he admitted, his tone soft but earnest. "I wanted to see you again, to speak with you."
Persephone's heart fluttered at his words, a gentle warmth spreading through her. "I'm glad you came," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. The tension between them was palpable, not in a way that was uncomfortable, but in a way that spoke of unspoken words and feelings yet to be explored.
After a moment, Edward glanced toward the chariot that waited at the edge of the clearing, the powerful horses standing still as statues, their eyes glowing softly in the dimming light. "Would you join me for a ride?" he asked, his voice low and inviting, though not insistent.
Persephone looked at the chariot, its dark form a striking contrast against the greenery of the forest. She hesitated for a brief moment, considering the implications of accepting such an invitation.
But when she looked back at Edward, she saw only sincerity in his gaze, and any doubt she had melted away. "Yes," she said, her smile returning. "I would like that very much."
Edward's expression softened with her acceptance, and he extended his hand to her. She took it, feeling the strength and warmth in his grip, and together they walked toward the chariot.
He helped her up with a careful gentleness, ensuring she was seated comfortably. As Edward helped Persephone into the chariot, she felt a thrill of anticipation flutter through her.
Edward climbed in beside her, taking the reins with a steady hand. For a moment, he paused, his gaze lingering on Persephone as if to make sure she was truly comfortable.
She met his eyes and gave him a small, reassuring nod. "Yes," she replied softly, locking her arm with his as she felt a rush of excitement.
With a subtle flick of his wrist, Edward urged the horses forward. Instead of galloping across the earth, the horses reared up. The ground beneath them seemed to fall away as the chariot ascended into the sky, lifted by the sheer strength of the horses.
The sensation was exhilarating. It was like stepping off the edge of the world and soaring into the heavens.