Page 140 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

Divine Serpents

I knew I should not be afraid,

but the serpents resembled a Hydra,

a terrible snake-headed monster

that only a son of Zeus could defeat,

and fear rattled inside my bones.

The closer they got, the bigger

they seemed, and the carvings

on their long, slithering bodies

were curious enough that I asked

Hermes, ‘What are those markings?’

Hermes’ soft, mocking laugh

warmed the air. ‘Where have they

been hiding you in Hades,

that you have not heard about this?

Those carvings are their love story.

They were given to them as a gift

of their enduring, immortal love.’

What a strange gift , I thought.

A lasting brand of their punishment

for loving each other so much.