Chapter 12

Persephone started to wake up slowly, and pieces of her memory came rushing back. She jumped up in bed, frantically looking around the room.

“You’re okay.” Hades was at her side immediately. “Persephone, look at me.” Persephone took a long breath and recognized Hades’s bedroom. Her body began to relax when it saw its surroundings.

“Hades,” Persephone sighed, “what the fuck was that?” Hades nodded understandingly, but he looked conflicted.

“I think… It’s better if I show you.”

“Show me?” Persephone’s brow furrowed as she looked at him. “What are you talking about?”

Hades stood up from the side of the bed and held his hand out for her. Persephone obliged, letting him help her get out of bed. She was unsteady as she walked, moving like a newborn deer. Hades held her elbow firmly and helped her move slowly, stopping right before the shining piece of glass that functioned as a mirror.

“Stay calm,” Hades warned her, his expression still unreadable. “You’re still Persephone. Okay?”

“You’re starting to scare me,” Persephone looked at him cautiously, “I don’t understand what’s going on.”

“I’ll explain everything in a minute,” Hades promised.

When Persephone nodded her agreement, he stepped out of the way and unobstructed her view of the mirror. Persephone shrieked.

The goddess staring back at her from the mirror was not the goddess she remembered. Persephone’s himation had turned black, matching Hades’s garments perfectly, except more tailored for her form. Her eyes were entirely black, and she could practically see the power emanating from her in waves. She saw black and purple flames lighting up from her fingertips at certain angles. As she stared, a crown appeared on her forehead, made of bones, dried red roses, black narcissus flowers, and thorns. She reached for the mirror, trying to understand if what she was looking at was real. When she moved, the himation moved around her body like oil on water, trailing after each curve. It created a silhouette that was so intoxicating, all soft and rolling, it would make Aphrodite weep.

“Hades…” Persephone gasped, turning around to face him. There was an expression of caution and pride on his face, and he offered her a small smile. “What happened?”

“You found your power.” Hades sighed, sitting down in one of the chairs near the fireplace. “It happens to all the gods of the Underworld when we accept our positions. No one expected it would happen to you when Hecate wanted to give you a little practice.”

“I don’t understand.” Persephone shook her head and sat down across from him. Hades nodded as if this was all very normal.

“You were so unfamiliar with your dark powers. Hecate and I thought it would take some getting used to before you answered the call.”

“The call?”

Hades shrugged. “The call of the Underworld, the call of your destiny. All of us went through it, some younger than others. I think only Nyx and Erebus didn’t experience it since they predated everything, but some of the Underworld’s minor deities don’t go through it, either. In order to reign in the Underworld, you have to know it and become a master of it. You have to live through the cycle of death and rebirth.”

The blood drained from Persephone’s face as she turned around in her chair to study her reflection again. “Are you saying I died?”

“You died repeatedly. You experienced the totality of the cycles of death and rebirth in a way that only you now understand, so only you can command,” Hades corrected. “I have a theory. It was likely more intense for you than us since Demeter tried to delay your destiny for many centuries.”

“Like…us.” Persephone was suddenly feeling bold, the fresh powers mixing in her body in a way they never had before. Previously, it was like opposing forces crashing against each other in her gut. Now, it was a pleasant buzz that vibrated and mixed over her skin. Hades sobered further and froze.

“Yes,” he began slowly, afraid to say something wrong. “I know…” Hades hesitated again. “I know I felt very strongly for you the moment I saw you. Impossibly so. It has ruined me in as many days, but I have even less of a desire to let you go.”

Tangible relief rushed through Persephone at Hades’s admission. Their previous arguments seemed eons away now. It really did feel as though she’d lived and died a thousand times over while answering the call.

Hades began fidgeting in his seat, and Persephone realized he was nervous, waiting to hear what she would say. She raised a brow and smiled at him, enjoying the sight of the mighty god of the Underworld, nervous and at her mercy.

“You know,” Persephone stood up slowly from her seat and started walking towards him, “We could have been doing this for centuries if you had tried to come and find me.” Persephone swayed her hips as she walked, watching Hades’s eyes glaze over.

“A mistake that will haunt me for another millennium.” Hades swallowed thickly, his lips dropping open as his breathing picked up.

Persephone smiled, a rush running through her body as she relished Hades’s obvious torment.

“So many long, lonely nights.” Persephone’s voice was breathy as she closed her eyes and leaned back. Standing before Hades, she began running her hands up her body. Her arousal was starting to burn her up from the inside. Her nipples hardened under her clothing as she focused on the feeling of the soft fabric caressing her skin, the thrum between her legs beginning to draw attention to the building ache there.

“Persephone,” Hades growled in warning. He was practically panting.

Persephone fluttered her eyes open and realized Hades was sitting on the edge of his chair, his erection evident beneath the folds of his chiton while gripping the armrests so tightly his knuckles were white. Another thrill ran through Persephone as she continued to tease him.

“You have no idea,” Persephone moaned, pinching her nipples between her fingers, “how horrific it is to stay awake, night after night, feeling so empty…”

“Persephone,” Hades groaned, sounding tormented, “let me touch you. I’ll give you whatever you want. Anything. Please.” His voice nearly cracked at the end, and Persephone giggled.

“Your throne?”

“Done.”

“Your kingdom?”

“All of it. I’ll fight Poseidon and give you the seas if you ask.”

Persephone laughed again and stepped closer to him, nearly straddling Hades in the chair but still not touching him. She placed her hands over his and leaned forward, watching Hades’s eyes go immediately to look down her garments.

“You should’ve negotiated.” Persephone grinned wickedly. “You’ve just bartered away your throne and your kingdom, and I would’ve settled for your heart and your cock.”

Hades practically roared and surged forward, wrapping his arms around Persephone’s waist and pulling her into his lap. Her legs went on either side of his as she straddled him.

“We should probably talk more about this,” Hades growled. He started kissing Persephone’s neck, and she started rocking against his thighs.

“I think we’ve talked enough,” Persephone gasped, her eyes rolling back in her head. “Whatever this destiny is, I accept it. We can figure out the details later.”

“Good answer,” Hades growled. He nipped at her jaw, and Persephone started canting her hips faster.

“Such a pretty goddess,” Hades murmured against her skin.

Persephone’s entire body was beginning to overheat, and any semblance of thought disappeared from her mind. She may have been in control a few moments ago, but as soon as his hands were on her, Persephone belonged to Hades.

“More, more!” Persephone moaned softly, her head falling back.

Hades wrapped one arm around her waist and tangled the other hand in her hair, twisting it around his fist. He used it to pull Persephone’s head to the side, giving him more access as he left a necklace of red marks around her neck. Persephone could hardly catch her breath, relishing the feeling of Hades’s beard on her skin and the sharp, exquisite tug of his hand in her hair.

“Go on,” Hades encouraged, sounding wicked. “Does it feel good when you rub against my thigh like that?”

Persephone nodded, her voice failing her as the sensations started to build between her legs.

“No.” Hades shook his head and tightened his grip on her waist, effectively stopping her movements. “Use your words.”

Hades shook his head and tightened his grip on her waist, effectively stopping her movements. Persephone’s eyes flew open, and she nearly started whining.

“Use your words,” Hades repeated. “Does it feel good?”

“Y-yes,” Persephone stuttered. Her hips started moving of their own accord, trying to find friction, but there was nothing but empty air and soft fabric between her thighs.

“Good,” Hades praised, “but I need to hear it all, love.”

Persephone was practically vibrating in his arms.

“Yes,” Persephone gasped, “it feels good. You feel good. Yes. Yes!”

She started babbling, desperate for more. Hades’s smile widened, his pupils blown out as he placed her back on his lap.

“Go ahead.” Hades snapped his fingers, and their clothes disappeared. “Show me how desperate you are for it. I want you to stroke my cock while you grind on my thigh, baby.”

Persephone cried in relief. Her legs were stretched wide over Hades’s thighs, his broad body underneath hers. Hades was already hard, his cock leaking and already streaking his abs with precome. Persephone wrapped her fingers around it and started stroking Hades, finding a rhythm as she stroked him and rocked her bare pussy against his leg.

Hades moaned at the sensation and couldn’t take his eyes off Persephone. She was already coated in a thin sheen of sweat. Each curve of her body looked designed to be fucked.

“So good,” Hades grunted. “You’re making such a mess. Do you think you can take me?”

“Yes!” Persephone nodded her head eagerly, teasing herself with each drag of her hips but unable to get enough friction to come.

Hades flexed his grip in her hair and tilted her head downward.

“Get my cock wet if you want it,” Hades commanded her. His tone had an edge of power as his voice dropped even lower and nearly shook the room.

Persephone licked her lips at the sight of him, flushed and hard, and spit on his cock.

“Fuck,” Hades growled. His whole body tensed as his erection twitched, his eyes predatory as he stared back at Persephone. “It’s going to need more than that, baby. Touch yourself.”

“Oh, gods.” Persephone nodded. She slipped two fingers between her legs, her body shaking with the need to come. Persephone fucked herself for a few moments, curling her fingers the way she liked until her body seized.

“Stop,” Hades commanded. Persephone screamed with frustration but immediately obeyed, unable to refuse Hades. “Now, rub it on me.”

“You’re such a bastard,” Persephone hissed, but there was only desperation in her tone. Hades only chuckled under his breath but was cut off when Persephone touched him again. Her hand was wet with her arousal, and Hades found himself thrusting into her grip, groaning like an injured animal when she twisted her wrist on the uptake.

“Stop!” Hades barked.

They were both struggling to catch their breath, and the room smelled of sex and sweat. Hades swallowed thickly and stared at Persephone for a few seconds, completely lost in their attraction. Hades released his grip on Persephone and grabbed her face, kissing her fiercely and biting at her bottom lip.

“Please fuck me.” Persephone sighed against him.

Hades kissed her again like he was trying to steal her breath.

“Are you ready for it?” Hades teased, his voice already sounding wrecked and out of breath.

“Yes, you fucking dick,” Persephone snapped, so aroused, she was almost in pain.

“Go lean over the bed.” Hades kissed her jaw. “Show me your pretty cunt is ready for me.”

Persephone froze. Suddenly, all she could hear in her head was her mother’s disparaging comments—critiquing and picking apart the way her body had always been. Insecurity flickered across her face, and Persephone nearly bolted from the room.

Hades picked up on the shift in her body language and cupped her chin softly, angling her head so she was forced to look him in the eye.

“Did I say something? Did I do something you didn’t like?” His voice was so earnest and concerned, it made tears well up in Persephone’s eyes. He abandoned his pleasure in an instant, immediately concerned with Persephone’s changing mood.

“No, no,” Persephone whispered, “it’s not you. I… I just… Sometimes, it doesn’t always happen, but my mother, like, I have all these insecurities about…how I look, and it’s random when it strikes.” Persephone started babbling, struggling to string the sentences together. Most of the time, her mother’s opinion never got to her, but there was something so raw and honest about the way they were coming together now that triggered Persephone’s thoughts.

Hades’s expression went from total adoration to pure fury, aimed entirely at Demeter. He tightened his grip gently on Persephone’s face, looking her straight in the eye.

“I know what I say doesn’t undo centuries of the poison Demeter has filled your head with,” he whispered, “but you are everything I dared dream for in a partner.”

He kissed Persephone’s nose.

“In a woman.”

A kiss to her cheek.

“In a consort.”

A kiss on her brow.

“In a goddess.”

Persephone’s cheeks were wet with tears as she nodded. Hades smiled at her, and she kissed him back, trying to convey her building love and adoration for him. She’d stopped trying to understand everything that’d happened to her since she stumbled into the Underworld that fateful day.

The kiss grew more desperate, and Persephone’s delayed pleasure started growing again between her legs. Hades’s erection was still heavy between them, and Persephone quickly worked herself up again to the point of delirium with need.

“Now,” she demanded, panting again. “I need you now.”

Hades smiled, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her flushed body. “How do you want it, my love?”

Persephone dragged her nails down his chest, reveling in the desperate sounds she coaxed out of Hades. “The… The way you said.” Persephone blushed, biting her lip as she looked at him. She’d never been a coquettish lover, but Hades made her feel like a cat in heat. Hades’s eyes lit up.

“Then you better listen to me.” His voice took on an admonishing tone. “Go bend over our bed and show me if your sweet pussy is ready.”

Persephone nearly jumped off Hades’s lap and sauntered towards the bed. She took her time, swaying her hips and trailing her hands over her body, relishing the feeling and determined to love every inch. Persephone came to the edge of the bed and leaned over it, bracing her elbows on the mattress. She arched her back and spread her legs apart until she was entirely on display for Hades. It was vulnerable, and part of her was concerned that her insecurities would come rushing back, but instead, all she felt was deliciously wanton. The cool silks on the bed rubbed against her nipples, and Persephone moaned.

“Fuck.” Hades groaned.

Persephone turned her head to watch as Hades stood up from the chair. The sight of him took her breath away. He looked wrecked already. His broad body was coated in sweat and hair, his erection jutting out from between his legs as he sauntered over toward her. The look on his face was one of pure adoration as he stared at Persephone like a starving man.

“My gods,” Hades rubbed a hand over his face, “you’re dripping on the floor, Persephone.”

Persephone let her head drop to the mattress, swaying her hips invitingly as she arched her back even higher.

“Please, Hades,” she whined. “Please fuck me.”

Hades’s hands gripped her hips and then slowly slid down her legs. Persephone picked her body up slightly to watch what he was doing. She nearly came untouched as Hades got on his knees and licked the floor. He pressed open-mouthed kisses on her ankles and calves, trailing his lips up her body until he reached her weeping cunt.

“Never waste ambrosia.” Hades growled against her skin before licking a hot stripe from her clit to her pussy. Persephone wailed and fell back to her elbows as Hades began to feast. He sucked her clit between his lips, and Persephone was coming with a shout, her body going white-hot with pleasure. Hades kept eating her out through her orgasm, refusing to let up as she started trembling with aftershocks.

“Fuck.” Persephone started clawing at the sheets. “Fuck me, Hades, fuck me—”

Hades gripped Persephone’s hips and thrust inside of her to the hilt. Persephone’s mouth dropped open as she moaned in debauched pleasure. He stayed there for a minute while waiting for Persephone to adjust as she basked in the stretch of Hades inside her.

Hades started thrusting like an animal, barely pulling out entirely before he was fucking into her again. Persephone released her grip on the bed and succumbed entirely to Hades, who threw all his weight behind his movements. Her body dragged and pulled exquisitely across the bed, the sensations rubbing against her clit and her breasts.

“You feel fucking incredible,” Hades growled, his thrusts growing more and more erratic.

Persephone only moaned in response, unable to form a single word. The pleasure was building in her body again, mixing with her new powers and ruining her for anything else. She could spend the rest of her immortal life being fucked by Hades, and it wouldn’t be enough.

“One more,” Hades grunted, delivering a sharp slap to her ass. Persephone let out a pleasant cry, the warm, stinging sensation spreading across her bottom. “Come one more time for me, baby. Show me how well this gorgeous body was built for it.”

“Hades, p-please—” Persephone whimpered. Her climax was building to the point where she wasn’t sure if she’d survive it.

“I know you can do it,” Hades started talking her through it. “You’re going to be my good girl and cover my cock in your come, okay?” He started rolling his hips, delivering devastating thrusts that kept pushing Persephone higher and higher. Hades wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled her upright, pressing her back against his chest while he kept fucking her.

The sudden change in angle started hitting spots inside Persephone, which sent her over the edge. Persephone’s entire body seized up tight as she spasmed around Hades, screaming so loudly, her voice cut out. Pleasure ripped through Persephone’s body to the point of overstimulation, wracking her body as it seemed never to end.

Persephone collapsed forward on the bed, falling to her chest when her elbows couldn’t support her. Hades thrust through her aftershocks, and then he finished with a strangled shout, gripping her hips tight enough to leave bruises.

Persephone was boneless as her legs trembled with aftershocks. Her eyes were already too heavy to keep open. The last thing she remembered was Hades vaguely hauling them both onto the bed before she passed out entirely.