Persephone walked hand in hand with Hades after they enjoyed their lunch with Beowulf and the judges. It was incredible how life worked its magic on her and Hades. A few years ago, she had no clue that she would find solace at a place like the Underworld, which was surrounded by the souls of the dead and torturous demons fuming in the fires of Tartarus. This was far beyond her imagination, but she didn't think it was unforeseen. She wanted, no, craved beyond anything else to be free and treated like an equal, and that's exactly what she found here.

"Heaven in hell," she mumbled.

Hades looked at her puzzled. "Huh?"

"I found heaven in hell," she repeated with a grin.

Hades couldn't help but smile. "How's that even possible?" He asked his wife as they came to a halt on a balcony, that stood over the raging fires and bellowed screams of hollowed souls.

"No one can escape hell," she said. "But one can always find their heaven in all the chaos."

"That's harder than many think," stated Hades grimly.

Persephone leaned on the railing. "Didn't you do it?" she asked. "You found your peace in a place like this and flourished."

"I had help," said Hades.

Persephone nodded. "I know," she said. "This may be hell. But you ruled this realm with honour, no doubt about it." Although, she didn't know what it was, but something was missing in this realm. "Hades, do you think something's missing?"

"Missing? No," he answered. "Do you?"

Persephone pondered for a long moment. "I need time to think about it," she said.

Hades kissed her cheek. "Well, you keep thinking," he chuckled. "I have work with the judges and then I need to meet Mono, so I'll be home pretty late."

Persephone nodded. "I'll be at the garden," she told him.

"Go to sleep without me," said Hades as he hugged her. "I'll try not to disturb you."

Persephone gazed into his eyes. "No, let me know when you're back," she said. "I like to know that you're home safely." Hades kissed her lips before he left for work.

Persephone took a few more moments on the balcony and observed the tortured souls that were here for eternity. She turned to leave when she bumped into Pain and a bunch of books dropped all around them.

"Oh hell!" Pain gasped. "I'm so sorry. Are you alright?"

Persephone chuckled. "I'm fine," she said. "What about you?"

Pain straightened her red hair and violet hood. "All good." She bent down to her knees and started picking up the books.

"Where were you headed?" asked Persephone as she helped Pain pick up the books.

Pain quickly stuffed them in her satchel. "To your garden actually," she said. "I hope that's alright with you?"

Persephone smiled. "Of course," she said. "I'll come with you." They walked the rest of the way together. "Why are you carrying so many books?" she asked Pain. "Is it for something important?"

Pain's pale skin turned bright red. "Er- no," she answered.

"Why do you look like I caught you doing something immoral?" asked Persephone with a chuckle.

"I was going to your garden just to read for fun," said Pain. "It's one of the few places where I can actually find some peace and quiet."

They entered the garden and Pain settled herself at the small table near the pond. Persephone went over to the rose vines and grabbed a handful of red roses that matched Pain's long hair. She took them to where the witch was seated and placed them in the bowl.

"They have a lovely fragrance," said Pain. "Can I have one?"

"Of course," she let Pain choose from the bundle. The witch picked the smallest bud and she neatly placed it in the pages of her book. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Nope," said Pain. She gestured towards the chair across her.

Persephone gladly took the seat. "Do you think the Underworld is missing anything?"

Pain dwelled on her question for a very long time. "Missing?" she frowned.

Persephone played with a rose that was fluttering over her hand. "Where do the souls go if they weren't sinful during their mortal life?" she asked.

Pain shrugged. "They just stay here," she answered.

"Amongst the dead that were once evil?" asked Persephone.

"I guess so," said Pain. "I never really thought about it."

"You came to my garden to look for some time away from the noise," said Persephone. "What if we made a place like that for the souls?"

"Like your garden?" asked Pain.

"A place that mortal souls who lead a good life get to rest in a place like my garden," said Persephone. "Heaven in hell."

Pain smirked. "Paradise."

"Exactly," said Persephone.

"It's a good idea," said Pain. "But that's a bit out of my expertise."

"Do you know anyone that can do something like this?" asked Persephone.

Pain pondered. "You'll need someone with great sorcery skills," she said. "And someone who isn't scared to handle that level of magic."

"I'll have to discuss this with Hades," mumbled Persephone. "Nonetheless, thank you for your help, Pain."

The witch smiled. "Anything for you, my queen."

Persephone patted the young woman's shoulder and padded off into her garden to help the plants, but to also think about her idea. She wondered who would be strong enough to not only build another realm inside of the Underworld, but also be able to practice such dark magic, which Persephone knew for sure was forbidden.

Pain came running towards her. "I know who can help you!" she exclaimed.

Persephone put her hands on her hips. "Who?"

"Hecate," said Pain. "The goddess of magic, witchcraft and necromancy."

"I've never heard of her before," said Persephone.

"Because she's very... Oh, how should I put it," Pain rubbed her chin, "she's a loner and hates almost everyone."

"And this goddess can help me make a realm?" asked Persephone.

"She could," said Pain positively. "She's the only goddess I know of that's powerful enough to practice such a powerful degree of magic."

"How come I've never seen her before?" she asked Pain.

"Because she doesn't like going to Olympus," said Pain. "Zeus banned her from practicing black magic for a very long time. So, she holds a lot of resentment."

"Why did Zeus ban her?"

"She was getting too strong," said Pain simply.

"Of course," sighed Persephone because that was typical behaviour on her father's part.

"I hope that helps," said Pain.

Persephone smiled. "A lot," she said, "thank you."

Pain went back to the small table and put her feet up before she started to read her book again.

"Hecate," mumbled Persephone under her breath. "Now, where do I find you?"

Night had broken over Underworld and Persephone had separated from Pain. She went to her chambers and remembered that Hades was working late. She closed the door behind her after she gave the guards outside her door some fresh flowers to take home with them for the night. She dismissed them and she locked the door because she knew Hades had a key.

Persephone replaced the black roses that were on Hades desk with pure white hydrangea. She loved these flowers and they sat beautifully on his dark ebony table. She cleaned up his table of the scattered papers when she found a parchment with her father's seal on it. She grabbed the paper and read what seemed to be a letter. Zeus was warning Hades of Demeter's wrath, which Persephone already knew of, but what intrigued the goddess of spring was the last part of the letter. Zeus advised Hades to feed Persephone food from the Underworld. It was the same advice Hera gave Hades as well. Persephone put the letter where she found it and walked into the bedroom.

As she stripped herself of her clothes, she wondered why Hades never tried to feed her the seeds of the Underworld. It wasn't like she wouldn't agree with him. She wanted nothing more than to bound herself to him, to this home.

Persephone sauntered into the bathroom. She climbed down the few steps into the pool of hot water that glowed bright aqua. She sat on the step as the water swallowed her body. Her mind pondered over a few things as she soaked herself in the bath, but she didn't dwell on it long because there was no point when she had no answers. She dipped her head below the water before she climbed out feeling cleansed enough to head to bed.

She reached out for one of her nightgowns, except she didn't feel like it. Instead, she opened Hades cupboard and found a silky black shirt that he always wore. She slipped on the satin fabric and it swallowed her tiny frame and reached her knees. The sleeves were too long and the neckline plunged deep exposing a great amount of her breasts. Although, she couldn't help but smile. The shirt smelt of him and that provided a little bit of consolation that she seeked to fall asleep without Hades.

Persephone laid back on the sheets that were cold because they were empty. She pulled the sheets over her bare legs and up to her heart. It's been a while since she has had to sleep all by herself; it felt strange how accustomed she got to having Hades glued to her side. She didn't even have Cerberus to warm her bed and snuggle with. She flipped onto her side and then on her back, when she finally felt her eyes drift off into a bottomless dream cuddling Hades pillow on his side of the bed.