Page 131 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

The Cypress Tree

A thing this alive should

not grow among the dead.

I thought this to myself as Hermes landed

and let me go. My legs trembled on solid ground,

if that is what it could be called.

The soil was damp and full of ancient roots.

For a moment all I could do was look around.

The blue quartz of the mountain had receded

and was replaced by golden amber crystals

wedged into the inner walls of this cavern.

The river ended here under this tree

and began here too as it circled the mountain.

An ouroboros of water, the snake eating itself,

I thought to myself as I watched

the way the river light struck the amber crystals,

making them look lit from within.

And in turn they made the gold leaves

of the cypress tree glisten,

and Hermes’ tawny eyes danced

like a stolen sun glowed within them.

‘Hekate.’ His smile made his boyish face

look like a much younger child’s.

‘I was hoping that we would meet one day.

It appears that day is today.’

He tilted his head and his cap slipped

slightly to a crooked angle,

only adding to his charm.

‘Now my question is:

does Styx know you are here

crossing the River Lethe?’