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I Could Fall in Love by Jennifer Campbell by Selena I could lose my heart tonight 'Cause I could take you in my arms I could fall in love with you I can only wonder how So I should keep this to myself I could fall in love with you And I know it's not right Siempre estoy sonando en ti So I should keep this to myself I could fall in love with you I could fall in love =============================== From his castle far beyond the mortal world, he watched the comings and goings of those who someday would become his subjects. They all came to him, eventually -- with open arms or screams of protest, they came to exist for eternity under his rule. He considered himself a good, just ruler, but still people feared him. His name had become a curse; mothers told their children if they didn't behave, he would take them away. Artists depicted him as a dark monster, looming over Greece and bringing disease and war in his wake. Yet, all he ever did in the mortal world was watch -- and wait. He waited for his chance to grant health to the sick, eternal youth to the elderly, wholeness to the slain. He offered peace and happiness to those who had lived decent lives. Still, they feared him. Normally, he wouldn't have cared one way or the other. He did his job, and that was enough. But as he looked out the tower window of his castle, over the barren landscape of his realm, Hades, God of the Underworld, felt a new, strange emotion. He felt lonely. He waved his black-gloved hand before his face, opening a window to the mortal world. He smiled sadly as he watched a beautiful young woman walk delicately through a field of daisies. She wore a long white dress that flowed around her smooth legs and wafted behind her in the wind. Her dark hair flew around her face, and she brushed back strands as she leaned over to pick a flower. In such a manner, she wound her way through the field, gliding over the ground and gathering flowers with petals as soft as her skin. Hades lifted his hand and stroked it slowly down the length of her hair, but he touched nothing. I can only wonder how touching you would make me feel, he thought sadly. He sighed, and with an irritated wave of his hand, made the vision vanish. What would beautiful Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter, ever want with him. She was so ... alive. All he could offer her was death. Yet Hades yearned for her, just as he had yearned every day since he first had seen her. He wanted her to bring color into his dreary existence; he wanted to love her with every breath, feel her strength next to him as he passed judgment on mortal souls. As he closed his eyes, he could see her radiant smile. She smelled of all the sweet things in life. A tremble passed through his body as his opened his eyes and lost the vision. Enough, he thought. Enough of this obsession and loneliness. I have spent too many nights alone. His decision made, he swept from the tower with determined steps, and down he went to the stables. He yoked the black stallions to his chariot himself and soon thundered out of the castle, down the mountain road and toward a gateway into the world above. The trip took no more than a few moments. He rode into the field, swept a stunned and frightened Persephone into his chariot, and they were back at his castle in a matter of minutes. As they drew up into the stables, Persephone finally found the voice to scream, and her daisies fell from her hands, onto the stable floor, as she beat against Hades' chest. "What in Tartarus do you think you are doing?" she screamed. "Don't you know who I am?" He grabbed her fists in a gentle but firm grip. "Persephone, daughter of my sister Demeter and goddess of the budding grain. I know very well who you are. The question is," he said, "do you know who I am?" She looked into his eyes and began to tremble. "Hades, lord of the dead," she whispered. He smiled and softly caressed her captive hands. "Very good." "Why have you kidnapped me?" "Because, my beautiful Persephone, I wish to know you better. Life in my land can become dull without someone to talk to. I want you to have dinner with me this evening." She jerked her wrists from his grip and looked at him suspiciously. "That's all you want? Just dinner?" "That's all. Do you agree to my offer?" "I don't have a choice," she muttered. "Of course I accept." "Good," Hades said, suddenly feeling triumphant at this small victory. He offered his arm, which she hesitantly took, and he lead her from the stables and through the great doors of his castle. They spoke not a word as they walked through the dark halls of death -- the only sounds were her frightened breathing and the clatter of his boots against the floor. He lead her into the dining room, and Persephone gasped in surprise. Candles burned everywhere she looked: on tables, on the floor, from chandeliers high above. Hades smiled as he watched her eyes light with wonder. He silently vowed that he would spend the remainder of his existence trying to make that expression appear on her face as often as possible. "It's beautiful," she said, looking up at him with wide eyes. "I never thought that such beauty could exist in your realm." "It pales in comparison to you," Hades answered softly. Her gaze turned curious as he crossed the room and pulled out her chair from a small table weighed down in fruit, cheese and meat. With a shy smile, Persephone sat, and Hades felt her intense eyes follow him around the table as he took his own seat. Sweet Zeus, he thought. She's even more amazing in person. And she's about to be all mine -- as soon as she tastes of my food, she will be mine for all eternity. With trembling hands, he picked up his wine glass, and Persephone slowly raised hers as well. Their glasses met with a soft clink. Then she slowly lifted the wine to her lips ... ... and Hades felt a sudden fear clutch in his stomach. This wasn't right! He couldn't do this to her! "Stop!" he shouted. She dropped the glass in surprise, and it shattered on the floor, splattering wine on the hem of her dress. Cursing his own indecision, Hades quickly grabbed his napkin, crossed to her and fell on his hands and knees to wipe up the mess. As he started to dab at the dark stains on her dress, he felt something soft caress through his hair. He looked up to see Persephone smiling at him, the candlelight flickering across her face. Her hands continued to run through his hair, and Hades forgot to breathe. "I could fall in love with you," he whispered. She leaned over and softly pressed her lips against his cheek. "Too late," she said. "You already have." He nodded as she pulled back. "Yes, I have." "Why did you stop me from drinking?" "Because once you eat or drink in my land, you must remain here forever. I do not want to trick you into staying with me. I want you to stay because you choose to stay." He licked his dry lips and took her hand in his. "Will you stay, Persephone?" "You would give me that choice." "I have to," he said. "I would never want you to be unhappy." She caught her bottom lip between perfectly white teeth, her expression thoughtful. After a few moments, a light grew in her eyes and she met his questioning gaze. "Say it again." "Say what?" "My name," she replied. "Say my name again, and I will stay." Hades kissed her hand and smiled happily. "Persephone, light of my life, do you think you can learn to love me?" "Can I love you?" she mused. "Yes, I think I can." She stood, pulled him to his feet and drew him into her arms, and Hades knew with absolute certainty that his loneliness was over. The end. |