Page 259 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

A Return

Styx was waiting for me at the mouth

of her river’s cave. Her long green tresses

were loose again as they always were

when she was tending to the souls

in her waters. She saw me approach

and rose, her dress’ hem wet

and her eyes full of questions.

‘I must find Kore.’

I told her quickly of Zeus,

the Boons and his conditions

on Kore’s return to her mother.

She listened carefully and nodded.

‘I will come with you.’

I was about to protest

but a single glare from her silenced me.

Charon appeared upon his ferry.

I could already see Styx’s acidic waters

damaging his small boat.

But he smiled, his eyes reassuring,

and gestured open-handed

for us to jump in.

We did as he asked

and he moved us with the speed

he would move Gods,

not the mortal souls he was used to.

Quickly the rapids were gone

and we were standing at

the banks of the Forest of Silence.