As they descended into darkness, Hades found himself wondering how, in just twenty minutes, his quiet, orderly existence had become so thoroughly complicated. There was something almost admirable about how completely she'd steamrolled through every single one of his objections without even realizing she was doing it. She's like a natural disaster, he mused, listening to her excited observations about stalactite formations. But the kind that leaves wildflowers growing in the wreckage. Behind them, the meadow began to wither as Demeter discovered her daughter was gone, but that was a problem for tomorrow. Today, apparently, he was getting married. How did this even happen? he thought as Persephone's delighted laughter echoed through the tunnels.