He was directed by the shades to his father, in the garden with his mother. They walked among the lilies and the luminescent flowers of the night. The air was filled with the heavy scent of night jasmine.
“Mother,” he said, approaching them. “Father.”
“Zagreus.” His father looked at what he was holding. “What is that from the world beyond?”
“An offering to you, mother, from the mage’s husband.”
“For me?” Persephone brightened. His father glowered as she reached for the package and opened the box. “Oh…what are these?”
“Perfumes.”
She took out a body wash, popped open the cap and took a deep sniff of it. “Oh, this is wonderful.”
His father looked at Zagreus. “This man will not stop.”
Zagreus looked steadily at his Father. “No, Father, he will not.”
His father sighed. Obviously Perephone had already started to wear him down, and this was the last straw. Maybe… “What does this man want again?”
“He wants to be with his lover.”
“He can be with his lover in Hades.”
“No. He wants to be with him.”
Persephone looked up at Hades. “He wishes to be a member of my retinue, and be able to be with his lover.”
“If he wants to be with him, as you say, then they must work together.” Hades raised his head defiantly. “Since you are his messenger, bring him this message: If he will bring me the magic emerald before he dies, then he and his husband will both be Oneiroi.”
“What about Charon?”
“He will not want to give up the chance to bring Zeus himself to my shores.” Hades grinned suddenly. “Walk with us, Zagreus, and see the gold in the stone.”