A Touch of Darkness

Lexa, who believes that Persephone is seeing someone, teases her over breakfast. Persephone dodges the question by asking about Adonis, and Lexa reveals her affections for him. Persephone goes to the library, where she researches Hades to learn of his divine domains and powers. Persephone is once again surprised when the book describes him in positive terms, especially due to his beliefs in reincarnation. She then researches plants and goes to a flower shop, buying seeds and related supplies. Next, she goes to Nevernight and teleports to the Underworld, planting the seeds in the garden while wearing gloves so her touch does not kill them.

Persephone begins a hunt for water. She finds a red ball and draws the attention of three Dobermans. She reaches the Lethe River and almost fills her watering can, but she is stopped by Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft and magic. Hecate teaches her that the Lethe will take her memories, the dogs belong to Hades, and she has a home in the Underworld. Persephone shows Hecate her garden, and the two of them tour the palace grounds together. The women arrive at Asphodel, the meadow where average souls are sent to spend the afterlife. Its beauty and cheer surprise Persephone. She and Hecate wander among the souls, and Persephone is introduced as the Goddess of Spring. The souls make her a flower crown before the goddesses return to the palace, where Hades is playing with the dogs. Hecate departs, and Hades refuses to answer any more questions from Persephone unless they play a game. Persephone agrees, so long as she chooses the game.

In his office, Persephone teaches Hades the rules of rock, paper, scissors, and they play for answers to questions. Hades believes that he is helping mortals when he gives them difficult bargains, such as challenging a person who struggles with addiction to drugs not to use substances for six months. Persephone challenges him to be more intentional about encouraging change and builds on his example by telling him that instead of making these deals, he could pay for rehabilitation services for such mortals. Hades almost kisses Persephone, but they are interrupted by Minthe, who takes them to the throne room. There, Hades summons a throne for Persephone. Charon presents a mortal who was caught sneaking into the underworld: Orpheus, who seeks his dead wife. Persephone questions him, but Hades sends him away. He and Persephone debate passion, love, and fate. Disappointed by Hades’s nihilistic outlook, she teleports home.

Persephone goes to her internship early, where Adonis reminds her of her promise to let him read her article. Impassioned, she writes a scathing draft, struggling with her coexisting feelings of desire for Hades and frustration at his behavior. Persephone is called to the front desk, where Demeter is waiting for their standing Monday lunch date, and asks to postpone, much to her mother’s displeasure. She returns to her desk to find Adonis reading her article without her permission. Demetri steps in, but Persephone pretends that nothing is wrong.

Several days later, Persephone returns to Nevernight but finds that she cannot teleport into the Underworld. She runs into Hermes, and they go to Hades’s office. He pulls her into a mirror so they can eavesdrop. Hades enters the room with Minthe, who accuses him of doing something to please Persephone. Hades dismisses her and invites a mortal woman inside. He cures the woman’s daughter of cancer but makes the woman keep his act a secret. He then pulls Persephone and Hermes out of the mirror, teleporting her to the Underworld.

Persephone attends to her garden and then explores the palace until she finds a library. Hades joins her and tells her that he temporarily revoked her favor because she left in anger, encouraging her to talk about her emotions rather than flee. He can help people who are living, but people who died because of the Fates are restricted from help or resurrection. He and Persephone argue about his bets. When Hades questions Persephone’s self-image as a powerless goddess and starts to depart, she pushes him to face his emotions the way he challenged her to face hers. They leave for Nevernight together, and Hades claims that he needs time to learn to trust her.

Lexa wakes up and reveals that Persephone’s article about Hades was published without her knowledge. Persephone goes to work and challenges Adonis, but Demetri calls her into his office in the middle of their argument, praises her, and asks her to write four more articles about Hades. In class, the other students are curious about Hades, especially his physical appearance, and hound Persephone. Lexa calls her to congratulate her on her feature article, inviting her to celebrate at Aphrodite’s club, La Rose. Then Demeter appears and chastises Persephone, which leads to an argument about her mother’s possessiveness. Demeter forbids Persephone from returning to Nevernight.