I knew from the time I saw Hades that I, daughter of Demeter, would be his queen.
This may be an odd notion to have, as a child of Spring, but I knew that was my destiny. I knew that I was meant to be with him; that I was the only one who could bring light to his sad eyes. That I could bring Spring to his Underworld, and that I would rule beside him.
I never told anyone this, naturally. I would never tell anyone that as a child I would have such feelings; such thoughts. No one would take me seriously anyway. I was only the daughter of the over-protective goddess of the Harvest. I was teased by all the other demi-gods in Mount Olympus for it; that, and for the state of my cloudy, thick curls and nutty-brown skin. My mother is always the color of fresh soil; and I inherited her complexion. Compared to the alabaster gods of Olympus, I felt like an outcast.
Lord Hades made me feel beautiful.
Lord Hades was always beautiful to me; as a child, he would always bring me small almond flowers, which has the meaning "hope." He has always been the color of chalk; the pure, cold whiteness of his skin made him look like one of his citizens in the Underworld. His hair, including on his chest, face and arms; was the odd black of the night. His chest was broad and muscular- with all the power that a god should have. I remember my eyes linger on his chest that day I saw him in Olympus.
Lord Zeus had thrown me a celebration for my twentieth birthday. While he was my uncle (and in some rumors my father), he treasured on me as he did with many of his children. Many of the gods had come for the lavish party, and I was given the seat of honor sitting at Lord Zeus's feet. My mother beamed with pride as gods from all over Greece came to pay homage to me. I heard everything from ravings of about my beauty, to people singing praises for me and my gift of bringing Spring to the world. I smiled and acted like the gracious girl I was supposed to play, but I couldn't help but gasp when Lord Hades entered the hall.
Everyone was shocked by his presence, Lord Zeus included. The Wealthy one rarely left his kingdom, and his arora took up the entire room with his silence. Lord Zeus tried to bring the room back to gaiety by calling out to him. "Brother! You finally came for a visit! Come! Join us! We are celebrating the young Persephone's birthday!"
Lord Hades said nothing, but I felt his eyes on me. His eyes are like no color I had ever known; there are the color of a star dying in the sky. They hold a strange mixture of light, of darkness, and of everything in between. They stared into my soul, and I was held captive in his gaze.
"What's that behind your back, brother?"
The entire room held its breath as they watched him. From behind his back he revealed a brilliant red tulip, kept alive in a little clay pot. Many of the other gods began to chuckle when they saw this humble gift. Some even made snide comments that the richest of gods was becoming cheap. However, this was no cheap gift by any means. Red tulips, in the language of flowers, is a declaration of love.
In front of all of Mount Olympus, he quietly declared his love for me.