Thread: Ancients Reborn: The Gods and Goddesses Greece (Raivh and Blair1216)

Hearing Scarlets light footsteps, Preston turned his head to look her way, having been staring into the flickering array of colors emitted by the fire burning in the stone hearth. His green stare was emotionless, vacant almost, and seemed to peer straight through or beyond her. She entered and took a seat, adjusting herself, and he allowed his gaze to drift back to the fire a short distance away and to the left of him, the right of her. Inhaling slowly, he exhaled when she began to speak. His grip on the armrests began to tighten, teeth clamping together as her soft voice, even without its stubborn quality, appeared to grate on his nerves. He couldnt remember much about what hed done to her, but the evidence was quite clear upon her face, which he refused to look at, opting to instead stay focused on the flames. The way she worded the final bit of her apology caused a sardonic grin to tweak the corners of his mouth. Hmm, he growled out, chuckling, before he grew quiet again. With a deep breath in, filling his lungs and expanding his chest, he glanced over at her. He sought out her sapphire eyes that seemed to be anywhere but on him. Looking her over, he settled back in the seat, making himself more comfortable than he already was. Youre afraid of me, arent you? A hand came up and he scratched the rough stubble on his chin, still smirking. Now that you know what it feels like to be struck, to be hurt physically. Those bruises on your face and your he trailed off, glancing down at her bare legs. Theyre all from encounters with me. His green eyes held a controlled blaze as he trapped her under his gaze. And youre terrified to look at me with those blue eyes because you know that they only stoke my anger further, he murmured. Sitting there, silent for a long minute or two, he finally rose to his feet. Slow, heavy footsteps, muffled by the carpet, carried him over to where she sat, and placed a hand on the armrest of her chair. He squatted down beside her, almost eye level, and let his eyes roam over her profile. Then, lifting a large, calloused hand, he slid the tips of his fingers over the skin of her forehead and temple, pulling several stray golden locks out of her eyes and tucking them behind her ear. His hand rested against the nape of her neck for a moment, fingers stroking over her smooth skin, and then slid to her shoulder. You have a youthful beauty, you know. Like the spring or summer. Youre not cold like me, like the winter weather outside, yet youve experienced both. He spoke in a low voice that rattled in his chest. Curling his fingers around her chin, firmly at first, then gentler, he turned her face to his. Look at me. A dark smile spread gradually over his sculpted features, and he shifted his weight. His thumb brushed along her slender jawline, over her lips, and back, green eyes on hers. So beautiful. So young. Tracing a particularly nasty bruise, he added, So fragile, vulnerable and nave, Persephone, to not know that it was Hades who abducted you, stole you away and took you to the Underworld, held you captive and made you his queen. It was Hades who stole your innocence, your virginity, everything you loved. Or, rather, the Persephone of ancient Greece cherished. The wood popped in the heart, admitting defeat to the flames that consumed it. Large windows in the room were frosted over, snow hanging in the corners, stuck to the panes. Releasing his hold on her but never her gaze, he rose to his feet. He stepped back, turned, and crossed the room quietly to the arching exit. Youre lucky that Cerberus wouldnt leave you in those woods. Dont make me regret carrying you back here, he said and vanished into the hall.