It was during the toast that Persephone finally caught his eye. He smirked a little and rose his glass from afar. Her eyes were glazed over, mouth open slightly ajar. It took her a moment to raise her glass in return.

He took a sip and then set his glass down on a server's tray without watching. He kept his eyes on hers as he prowled closer. With each step he fidgeted. Step. He fixed his cuffs. Step. He pulled on the lapels of his dress shirt. Step. He mussed his hair slightly.

He pushed past other gods, demigods, and creatures a like. He knew his guards were on his tail. Far enough behind, but close enough to intervene if anything went wrong. Demeter was in attendance and Hades knew she hated him. She wouldn't be too happy with what he was about to do.

"Good evening, Lady of the Spring."

Her face twisted, in dislike.

"It's Persephone."

"Yes, and I am Hades" he gave a slight bow.

She dipped her head, but just barely. Her eyes scanned the crowd behind him.

"I do not think I've seen you in attendance before?" Hades asked.

She shook her head. "I'm...new."

He smiled. That was an understatement. He had never met another being who's matched her beauty--and that's counting Aphrodite.

"Well Persephone, have you been to a Summer Solstice party?"

"We have parties."

He gave a small laugh. "I believe it." He reached a hand slowly towards her face, waiting for her to slap his hand away, but she just watched him carefully. He took a step closer and continued to brush a stray hair behind her ear. It was as if time had stood still. Persephone held her breath.

He heard Zeus' booming voice begin the countdown. Hades glanced at the clock quickly before returning his gaze upon Persephone.

"It's almost midnight." Hades whispered.

She nodded, eyes wide. He slowly wrapped her into his arms. "Shall we kick off summer the mortal's way?" He lowered his gaze to her lips.

"Three!"

Persephone slowly wrapped her hands around his shoulders, eyes fluttering closed.

"Two!"

Hades took that as his que. He pulled her closer, slowly bending down to reach her

lips.

"One!"

Time stopped. Noise makers blew in the distance. And Hades could just barely make out the sound of fireworks in the distance. But he was entranced in this moment. He knew she was beautiful. He knew he had to know her. He hadn't known he would feel this bewitched by her. He had magic in his veins, but nothing compared to how her lips felt upon his own. Her hands had curled up into his hair, brushing past his horns.

Someone bumped into them causing them to pull apart. Persephone cleared her throat and pulled away.

"I better go...thanks for...the kiss." Persephone gave a small smile, her face flushed with pink. Hades' mouth gaped, stunned. But before he could say anything she disappeared into the crowd.

**I don't own the cover art image, but couldn't find the artist**

1) I began writing in elementary school. The two most prominent stories I remember writing is about Catwoman (no not the DC character--I didn't even know about her at that time...but I liked cats and we had to write a story about having a super power...naturally I wanted to be a Catwoman!) The other story was written on the drive to California--and my one and only finished narrative. About a character named Daniel Radcliff who had to go through three trials. 1) He had to win against the Poker Playing Dogs. 2) He had to go through an ice cream field. 3) Had to fight himself but as Harry Potter. I have no clue how this story even came to be, but it was a thing.

2) I've never thought about writing in that way. I guess it's a release. I don't often divulge my emotions and writing allows me to express them.

3) My ultimate writing goal is to publish two series I have in my head. One has been living there for 15 or so years--at least the characters have been. The second one has been formulating over the last couple years...

Anakin could barely open his eyes. For the past, however long it had been, he felt nothing but pain. The only sounds he could hear were mechanical. Drilling. Electrical. Hours dragged on and as some droid tended to his burns, Anakin continued to yell in agony.

The gravelly sound of his master, Darth Sidious, spoke throughout. Mostly to himself. Claiming Anakin would continue his apprenticeship under a new name, ‘Darth Vader’. He explained what had happened on Mustafar. How he was proud of him for fighting his former master, Obi-wan Kenobi. How it was right to fight the jedi--as it was his own former master, whom he once would have called brother, kept getting in the way of his growing power. Of him and Padme.

The droids pulled away and with it their high-pitched whirring noises. It stung the skin around his eyes, but Anakin was finally able to manage to open his eyes. He was in a darkened room, on a medical table, surrounded by medical droids. From above, a dark face plate began to descend.

Anakin tried to speak up to refuse the helmet, but only a groan escaped. It came down upon his face. His eyes adjusted to the eye holes, peering out with his new eyes. The rest of the helmet came down latching over the forehead and clasping in the back creating a whooshing noise. Immediately breathing became easier. Other than the respitory aid, the suit he now doned was--to say the least, uncomfortable.

Once the helmet latched, the medical table that he had been lying on began to rise vertically. Anakin had felt Sidious in the room, watching, the whole time; but it was only now that he was able to see him. The lenses that the helmet provided seemed to have infrared and ultraviolet capabilities according to different screens. His eyes moved rapidly, trying to adjust. He squeezed his eyes shut, despite the pain it caused him.

“Lord Vader, can you hear me?”

Anakin took a few calming breaths before opening his eyes, saying, “Yes Master.”

A few moments had passed, then, “Where is Padme?” When no reply came, he continued hurriedly, “is she safe? Is she all right?” His voice cracked.

The image of Padme's face flashed before his eyes, right to the moment before his battle with Obi-wan on Mustafar. He could feel her soft hands cradling his face. Concern written all over. This was Obi-wan’s fault. He should have just left with her when he had the chance. He should have known Obi-wan’s neverending loyalty in the ‘force’ would ultimately get in the way of Padme and him. He had known about them. And yet, never tried to help. His ‘brother’. He needed to find Padme immediately--save her from the lies Obi-wan no doubt has poisoned her with.

Hesitantly, Sidious finally replied, “it seems in your anger, that you killed her.”

Anakin ground his teeth. “I, I couldnt have.” Disbelief. Shock. Anger. No. “She was alive.” His voice was soft, deadly. “I felt it.”

The last shred of anything good, taken. He promised her. He promised he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Just like his mother. Now his beloved. He..promised.

Anger swelled from deep within. The room shook, metal ripped off the walls, medical tools shattering to the floor. A strangled wail escaped his lips. He clenched his mechanical fists and ripped off the bindings that kept him placed on the table. He took a giant step, newly mechanical limbs forgotten, he didn’t even feel it, or any of the other pain, as his heartstrings literally tore from his chest.

He would have fallen to his knees, if his new armor allowed it. His lip wobbled. He pulled himself together, closing his eyes, and looked deep into the force, reaching out into the depths of space. He could feel trillions of life force, emotions rushing from each one: happy, sad, angry, regret.

But it was the lack of Hope that he felt that shattered him. That was when he knew with certainty that what Darth Sidious said was true.

He gasped, clenched his teeth and fists, and yelled into the cosmos: “NO!”

He could feel, rather than see Darth Sidious’ grotesque smile, but that did not matter. Nothing mattered anymore.

Anakin could barely open his eyes. For the past, however long it had been, he felt nothing but pain. The only sounds he could hear were mechanical. Drilling. Electrical. Then searing pain as some droid tended to his burns.

The gravelly sound of his master, Darth Sidious, spoke throughout. Mostly to himself. Claiming Anakin would continue his apprenticeship under a new name, 'Darth Vader'. He explained what had happened on Mustafar. How he was proud of him for fighting his former master, Obi-wan Kenobi. How it was right to fight the jedi--as it was his own former master, whom he once would have called brother, kept getting in the way of his growing power. Of him and Padme.

The droids pulled away and with it their high-pitched whirring and noises. It stung the skin around his eyes, but Anakin was finally able to manage opening his eyes. He was in a darkened room, on a medical table, sure enough surrounded by medical droids. From above a face shaped helmet began to descend.

Anakin tried to speak up to refuse the helmet, but only a groan escaped. It came down upon his face. His eyes adjusted to the eye holes, peering out with his new eyes. The rest of the helmet came down latching over the forehead and clasping in the back. Immediately breathing became easier. Other than the respitory aid, the suit he now doned was to say the least, uncomfortable.

Once the helmet latched, the medical table that he had been lying on began to rise. Anakin could feel Sidious in the room, watching, but it was only now that he was able to see him. The lenses that the helmet provided seemed to have infrared and ultraviolet capabilities according to different screens. His eyes moved rapidly, trying to adjust. He squeezed his eyes shut, despite the pain it caused him.

"Lord Vader, can you hear me?"

Anakin took a few calming breaths before opening his eyes, saying, "Yes Master."

"Where is Padme?" A few moments passed. "Is she safe? Is she all right?" His voice cracked. Her face flashed before his eyes to the moment right before his battle on Mustafar. He could feel her soft hands cradling his face. Concern written all over. This was Obi-wan's fault. He should have just left with her when he had the chance. He should have known Obi-wan's neverending loyalty in the 'force' would ultimately get in the way of Padme and him. He had known about them. And yet, never tried to help. His 'brother'. He needed to find Padme immediately--save her from the lies Obi-wan no doubt has poisoned her with.

Hesitantely, he replied, "it seems in your anger, that you killed her."

Anakin ground his teeth. "I, I couldnt have." Disbelief. Shock. Anger. No. "She was alive." His voice was soft, deadly. "I felt it."

The last shred of anything good, taken. He promised her. He promised he wouldn't let anything happen to her. Just like his mother. Now his beloved. He..promised.

Anger swelled from deep within. The room shook, metal ripped off the walls, medical tools shattering to the floor. A strangled wail escaped his lips. He clenched his mechanical fists and ripped off the bindings that kept him placed on the table. He took a giant step, newly mechanical limbs forgotten, he didn't even feel it, or any of the other pain, as his heartstrings literally tore from his chest.

He would have fallen to his knees, if his new armor allowed it. His lip wobbled. He pulled himself together, closing his eyes, and looked deep into the force, reaching out into the depths of space. He could feel trillions of life force, emotions rushing from each one, happy, sad, angry, regretful.

But it was the lack of Hope that he felt that shattered him. That was when he knew with certainty that what Darth Sidious said was true.

He gasped, clenched his teeth and fists, and yelled into the cosmos: "NO!"

He could feel, rather than see Darth Sidious' grotesque smile, but that did not matter. Nothing mattered anymore.

my chest tightens when you speak,

hands clench, teeth scraping.

I hold my breath, for I can't breathe.

I open my mouth, but no words escape.

& you look at me in anticipation;

eyes pleading, daring me to speak my mind.

My mind races, emotions crash over me--

I'm supposed to say something.

but like a tidal wave

we collide and it knocks me to my knees.

I'm drowning,

I struggle to stand, and am swept away.

the moment has passed.

i see it in your eyes

as pleading turns to frustration...&disappointment

you walk away, shaking your head,

and i can finally breathe.

~kdaughetee