Her eyes popped open.

Few torches were mounted emitting an orange glow that bounced off the walls. A pungent dampness hung in the air and invaded her nostrils. Using the wall beside her, she balanced herself against it, her head spinning as she stumbled around using the rough, rocky path as a guide. From what she could make out in the dimly lit area, it appeared she was in some kind of cave.

Oh Gods, Persephone thought, her eyes trying to focus on her surroundings. Deciding that the only way to move forward was to do just that (move forward) she followed the torches into an opening.

From what she could make out there were silhouettes trudging around. Some were behind bars, others bumped into her with blank expressions; completely void of any life.

As for the imprisoned, they slumped forward against the bars while others gripped the the metal in vice-like fists and barred their teeth in frustration.

A sickly pit in her stomach formed and Persephone felt her hands shake at her sides. She stepped back around the corner, hoping she could be hidden enough in the darkness.

A cold cackle broke the silence.

Persephone's eyes darted towards where the sound emitted. Her heart hammering in her chest as she begged her body to keep still.

A man flashed a wicked grin at her behind his own jail cell. His dirty hands pawing at the bars. He continued to laugh, his voice deep and cold, resting his face against the metal.

"We are joined," he whispered loudly. Persephone wasn't sure what he was talking about or who he was even talking to but she found herself gripping a ridge in the stone wall to keep upright.

His words seemed to have affected others, besides Persephone, though. For as soon as he spoke, wild screams and laughter were heard in the distance. Others started mumbling incoherently. Those, Persephone noticed, were the ones who clutched their heads tightly in their hands and rocked backwards against the wall of their cell. All of which seemed to be fighting an inner battle but frightened her nonetheless.

"The Queen herself," he spoke again over the babble, "has come to grace us with her presence."

Persephone froze in place as he spoke again. Each syllable dripped with menace.

"Come forward," he beckoned, his arms outstretched towards her, squeezing through a gap in the bars.

Persephone knew she'd be safe as long as they were in their cells. She stared around her. The only ones who were not in a prison cell seemed to be of no harm. So, knowing that (from his tone) he could make this a whole lot worse for her is she didn't go forward, she slowly walked towards him. The mud squelched in between her toes; coating her feet and staining her dress. With her head held high, she approached.

"Here is the Dreaded Persephone..." he drawled when he sensed her draw closer.

From the short distance, Persephone could make out the man's features more clearly. His hard was long and tangled, sweat shined on his forehead and blood clotted on his cheeks. With closer inspection, Persephone gasped.

The man's eyes had been sewn shut.

"Do I disgust you madam?" He spat.

"N-no," she replied weakly, averting her gaze.

"And why not?" He whispered, his voice dangerously calm. "Does none of this shock you? Is this what you want?"

"No," she frowned, taking a step forward to get a better look at her accuser. "Why would you ask me a thing like-"

"The Queen speaks," he smirked. "Well... Our Queen comes with a lighter tone than that of her King!" He shouts for the others to hear. In response, the chatter rises again; the depraved groans, the mad cackles and the cheering as other prisoners lean out of their cages to watch poor Persephone.

"Who are you?" Persephone inquires sternly. "Who gave you the right?"

"No one... now that I'm in Tartarus."

Persephone felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Her mouth fell open and her eyes grew wide. "W-what?" She stammered, taking a step back.

"Do I detect fear?" He laughed. "Don't worry," he continued when she only stared, "we know what to do with sinners."

Persephone felt one of the blank faced criminals nudged her from behind and force her into the arms of another who threw her back at the blind criminal ahead of her. Her grabbed hold of her dress tightly, his head bending down to whisper against her ear. The thick smell permeating his entire being that Persephone struggled to breath.

"I think you'll find that that even Hades has his sins-"

A tear above them stopped the mad crowd immediately. The blind man was interrupted as Hades dived down to grab Persephone roughly back, his sword drawn and already slicing off the man's wrist.

Persephone wrapped her arms around Hades' waist and buried her face into his chest. She felt like hitting herself for such a cowardly act, but found her body had already betrayed her. She was clinging to man she hated and proving to the criminals around her that she was weak as she knew the blind man suspected.

"Persephone..."

She could still feel his claws against her skin, scratching at her dress. The putrid smell that hung in the air and the bloody eyes that knew found her in a crowd-

"Persephone!"

Her eyes snapped open. She was still clinging desperately to Hades when her eyes met a par of concerned grew ones. He dropped his sword, which clattered loudly on the floor. His breathing was shallow but he still held her too him.

"Are you injured?" She squeaked, her faces flushing profusely. She turned her head away trying to hide her blush.

"No," he breathed, leading her slowly to a chair. It was then that she realised they were inside her room. "Are you?" He dropped to his knees in front of her, his eyes searching her face for sign injury.

"No," she smiled weakly, "just a little... "

"Yeah," he nodded, his face expressionless. He moved to get up and leave but paused at the door. "Why... Why did you try to leave?" He turned to face her but she immediately averted her gaze.

Persephone inhaled deeply, trying to steady her heartbeat. She hadn't realised till then that her cheeks were wet with tears. How long had she been crying?

"I-I..." she faltered, "I just wanted to go home," she sighed, her shoulders slumping forward.

She waited patiently for a response. When none came, she looked up to find Hades watching her with an odd expression. He nodded.

"You could have gotten yourself killed." He stated, flatly.

She shook her head as tears pricked the back of her eyes. She was in no mood to argue right now. She need to wash and go to sleep. Mud still caked her feet and dress and she could feel her body beginning to ache.

"It was not my intention," she muttered.

Hades reached out to take her hand. His callous skin tracing lightly over her soft fingertips. Persephone felt the sensation shoot through her, her heart fluttered in response.

"I need.." she mumbled, turning her head away. After a pause, Persephone bit harshly down on her lip. Her eyes returned back to his, pleading "I need to go home."

His face took on an exasperated expression, "this is your home now."

"No!" She shook her head desperately. "Don't you see? I don't belong here."

His jaw clenched and a fire flicked in his grey eyes, "Persephone," he snapped, "you belong here more than most do."

"What? Like them!?" She snapped, ignoring how pathetic she appeared and tried to look fiercely into his eyes. "Like those men below us?"

"No," he spat, "you belong with me..." he muttered, repressing the rage she began to stir. His voice faltered and Persephone saw a different mood flash across his face briefly. If she had the energy she would have allowed herself to scrutinize him but... she weakly shook her head, exasperated by the God who stood before her.

Silence hung in the air.

She shook her head, tears already dripping down her face. "Go," she ordered. When he remained still as a statue, she began to scream, "GO!"

With one last bewildered glance back at his future bride, Hades left.

Persephone's body racked with sobs. She could still feel Hades soothing touch on her skin but it was little comfort to the callous voice in her head.

I think you'll find that even Hades has his sins...

We know what to do with sinners...

A/N: Sorry this is so late but reviews have helped me come back to this so thank you!