All the light was snuffed from the room. A suffocating dark enveloped them almost instantly. Penelope took the moment to steady herself, to focus herself on the endgame.
As fast as the light disappeared, a ball of energy emerged in the center of the room, a figure stepping out. “Well, well, well.”
A shudder ran down her spine at the sound of the god’s voice. It was deep, resonating. She could feel his words in every fiber of her being. “So… this is the woman for whom Odysseus of Ithaca was willing to deliver hundreds of souls to my door.”
Penelope avoided his gaze, opting instead to keep her eyes trained on her wringing hands. “Lord Hades,” she spoke, breathless, “Thank you for coming.”
“And what could the queen of Ithaca want from me?” He mused, circling around her as she stood.
“My husband…” Penelope took a deep breath, her voice trembling. “He told me of your dealings, of your demands.”
“And so his wife is here to beg for his life, is that it?” He crept ever closer. She could have reached out and touched his tunic if she dared. “Tell me, woman, what it is you have summoned me for.”
“Lord Hades,” she started, clenching her hands into fists at her side. “I want to… I want to extend the deal, make an addendum.”
The god of the underworldlaughed. He reached forward, gripping her chin, forcing her to meet his soulless eyes. “This can’t be the same woman that unraveled the suitors… You’ll have to do better than teary eyes and trembling hands, little queen.”
Penelope bolstered herself, squaring her shoulders, making herself bigger. “I cannot be without him, Lord. You must understand.”
“Understand-”
“Do you feel no grief when Persephone returns to her mother?” She interrupted him, eyes widening as she did. “I’m sorry,” she winced, shutting her eyes tight.
“Youdareto presume how my wife and I handle our separations? You dare to relate to my kingdom, my queen?” There was an undeniable anger in his words, in his poise.
Penelope bit down on the inside of her lip to keep from grinning. “Never, your highness, never.” She said, shaking her head, eyes drifting back to the ground. “I only meant... I could not bear to live in such grief, my lord. And surely, you, ofall beings, know how unbearable it is to be parted from one's beloved.”
Hades took a step backwards. “Foolish woman,” Penelope’s breath caught. “Say what you want, queen.”
“Lord Hades, I want to leave this plane with my husband.” Her voice was still quiet, still withdrawn.
The lord of the underworld laughed again. “A woman who wants to follow her husband into death? Hardly a novel concept, Ithacan. Just put a dagger to your breast and end your life.”
She shook her head, clutching at the fabric of her dress. “No, no, I want more.”
“More?”
“I want to make a deal, Hades.” She inhaled deeply. “My life for his, on one condition.”
“No,” he said immediately, voice firm. “The king dies. That was his deal.”
“I know, please, Hades.” She mustered up some tears. “I know his deal. I know his promise. But give him rest when he dies. Let me rot in his place. Put me in Tartarus, torture me for all eternity. But let himrest, and release my son, my kingdom, from your grip.”
“Bold ask, little queen.” Amusement was leaking at the edge of his words. “What’s the catch, mortal?”
“I will…” she gasped, feigning a sob, “I will follow him into the underworld at winter’s end.”
He watched her closely
“Hades,” she shook her head, “These are my terms,” she exhaled slowly, shutting her eyes. “If he tries to stop me, if he moves me, tricks me, ortriesto find a way to keep me on this plane, webothget to rest. You will send us both to Elysium, and we will live out our afterlives in peace, untouched, and together.”
Again, the god laughed. “You’re foolish.” he turned his back to her. Penelope reveled at the power she felt in his movements. He thought her weak.
“Little queen, you think that this man who crossed through each hell to be back by your side would argue if you wish to leave this world with him?” She saw him shake his head. “He is selfish, queen. He killed six hundred men to be by your side. He will not deny you the afterlife.”
“I think he will.” She said, voice wavering as she said it. She knew this game, she knew how to play it. This god was no different from the suitors that vied for her hand. Men with power were all the same — arrogant and naive.
She had spent years learning exactly how to weave her lies, how to string togetherexactlywhat she wanted.
