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It wasn't uncommon for someone to be waiting for Persephone on the other side of the Styx. Usually it was her mother, or perhaps Hermes, who had always been the most beloved of all her siblings. In recent years, Aphrodite had been there, though it wasn't Persephone she was waiting for, but Adonis.
And this year, Aphrodite was there on the other side of the Styx, only this time Persephone was the only passenger in the boat together with Charon.
The goddess of love was alone. Perhaps her mother and brother had been delayed. Perhaps they feared the force of the other goddess's wrath. Or perhaps they weren't there because they knew this was a moment that belonged only to them.
Persephone waited until Charon and his barge had moved away before saying:
"Adonis is not coming."
"You think I don't know that?" the other goddess said, bitterness seeming to fill every syllable.
"I think you had hope until you saw me alone on the boat."
"Think what you will."
Persephone took a deep breath. She had only ever thought of Adonis as a son, as much as Macaria was, and perhaps even more so than Zagreus and Melinoe, since in Adonis's case, there were no memories she'd rather forget about how he came to be conceived. Just a beautiful baby delivered in a box, and over the past two decades, she'd watched him grow into a remarkable young man. But she suspected the same couldn't be said for Aphrodite. She'd seen that as the years passed and Adonis grew older, the other goddess's expression changed from one of affection and fondness when she looked at the boy to one of desire. And although her almost-son was too noble to dwell on his conquests, a peculiar smile often formed on his face whenever Aphrodite's name was mentioned, which made Persephone certain the feelings were mutual, even if that certainty didn't extend to their consummation.
"I'm sorry," Persephone said.
"No, you're not. You always wanted him all to yourself."
"Not like that."
"Have you seen him since his death?"
“Yes. As soon as I arrived. My husband allowed him into the fields of Elysium, where it’s always spring and the sun always shines. He’s accompanied by those who lived lives of nobility and courage, and he’s happy, if that’s any consolation.”
“No, it’s not. I know you must think I’m a horrible person, but I’d rather he were alive, unhappy, and by my side, than dead, surrounded by heroes.”
“I don’t think you’re horrible.”
“I know I’m beautiful, but—”
“Yes, you are, but it wasn’t your appearance I was talking about.”
“I think you’re wrong.”
“And I disagree.”
Aphrodite smiled slightly. It was either do it or start crying, and it wasn’t like her to cry in front of others if she could help it.
“Come on, it’s going to be a beautiful spring,” Persephone said.
“You can go, I want to stay here a while longer.”
“Do you want company?”
"Not really."
"Right."
Persephone took a deep breath and walked toward the spring light, leaving Aphrodite staring into the infinite darkness of the River Styx.