Chapter 4

“My name is Hades.” Hades’s voice was deeper than any pit of hell Persephone could conjure. She tried to keep herself from visibly shuddering. His black eyes sparkled as he straightened to his full height, his fingers lingering in Persephone’s.

“I’m charmed.” She smiled. She could feel the dark power in her body beginning to take over her bloodstream. Persephone thought she might faint if she looked directly into Hades’s eyes too long. In that instant, no matter how foolish or farfetched, she decided Hades was hers.

Demeter tried so hard to keep me away from this man, Persephone thought to herself. Did she know how strongly this power in my body matches his? It practically screams for him.

“I have to admit,” Hades chuckled lowly, sounding like gravel, “I have never been so intrigued by one of Hermes’s companions before.”

“Hermes’s companions?” Persephone’s eyebrows raised. Hades blushed instantaneously, a hint of red on his dark complexion. Persephone’s chest swelled at the sight, enamoring him to her even more, which was beginning to feel even more ridiculous.

I swear to the Fates, Eros better not be hiding about.

“I apologize.” Hades dipped his head. “I didn’t mean to imply that you aren’t particularly special to Hermes, um, of course—”

“Oh!” Persephone started laughing. “No, I mean, not like that. We aren’t ‘companions’ in that sense.”

“Is that so?” Hades’s smile evolved from a polite, respectable grin to something rakish. “I must admit that I’m doubly intrigued by your presence now, Despoina.”

“I can’t imagine why.” Persephone batted her eyelashes and stepped closer to Hades until they were just a hair’s width apart. “A god like you must see a thousand pretty nymphs a day.”

Hades’s eyes darkened, and he held his hand out briefly as if he was going to touch her. He then dropped his hands to his side.

“I can honestly say I haven’t seen anyone so lovely in a millennium.” Hades whispered.

Persephone’s power started racing through her body, her heartbeat quickening as she suddenly found herself nearly overwhelmed with arousal.

As bold as his words were, his hands didn’t move from his side. Persephone got the unique sense that while Hades was undoubtedly charming, a tick in his jaw betrayed his nerves.

How cute. Persephone mused to herself. She ran her fingers through her hair before extending her hand and adjusting the brooch at Hades’s shoulder.

“This is lovely,” she whispered coyly. “However, I think I rather resent it.”

“Resent it?” Hades’s eyebrows shot upwards. “I don’t see how. All the gemstones and metals in the Underworld pale in your comparison.”

Persephone’s heart skipped a beat.

Hades’s expression was so open and eager that she somehow knew he wasn’t simply sweet-talking her. Persephone dragged her hand gently down Hades’s chest, brushing against the folds of his chiton and letting her touch linger. A low rumbling sound came from Hades’s throat as his body went taut as a bowstring. Persephone felt a rush of exhilaration at how affected Hades was by her touch.

“Yes, I rather resent it,” Persephone repeated, her lips dropping into a perfect pout. “After all, that brooch is keeping you dressed.”

“Oh, my—well, you know…” Hades started to stammer awkwardly, her cheeks crimson red as he struggled to find the right words.

Persephone could already imagine the feel of his beard across her skin and how soft those curls would feel in her fingers. A rush of magic danced across her skin; it was a soft pink and smelled of roses, and now Persephone flushed as her fertility magic betrayed her arousal.

The shock disappeared from Hades’s face, and his lips pulled into a thin line. Persephone froze, terrified that he’d recognized her magic or knew who she was. She didn’t breathe for a second, but Hades sprung into action. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her towards him, rubbing their bodies together. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, sending goosebumps down her spine.

“I smell flowers,” he purred. “I have extensive private gardens at the palace. Do you want to get out of here?”

“Gods above and below, yes,” Persephone admitted with a gasp. They were in their little world, where the air was thick, and Persephone had never felt so much tension.

“Don’t mention the gods above here,” Hades growled in a playful warning. “You’ll find they have no power.” Persephone shuddered in his broad arms and nodded her head obediently. She quickly righted herself and breathed slowly, hoping her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she felt when she approached the other gods.

They’d been animated in deep conversation, but everyone went silent when Persephone and Hades approached them.

“Hermes,” Persephone smiled, “I’m going to leave with Hades if you don”t mind.”

Hermes’s jaw dropped open. He looked at Hades, but Persephone didn’t follow his gaze.

Hermes grinned, holding his hands out, and offered a short nod to Persephone. “Of course. Are you going for a little tour of the Underworld?”

“Hades has private gardens,” Persephone’s expression was flushed, “and he”s going to show them to me.”

“I bet he”s going to show you—” Hermes was cut off as Ae?tes pulled him into a headlock.

“Don”t listen to Hermes.” Ae?tes offered an easy-going grin. “Enjoy!”

Hades and Persephone bade quick goodbyes to the rest of the group. She knew they were being as subtle as a titan, but frankly, she didn’t give a damn at this point.

Persephone started walking towards the exit, and a delighted tremor danced over her skin when Hades’s hand pressed against the swell of her back. His hand nearly covered her entire back, and Persephone was almost knocked to her knees with another rush of arousal.

She was a fertility goddess, after all—something Demeter had never considered as she constantly criticized Persephone openly for not having a more petite figure—and the idea of getting underneath a god like Hades was exhilarating. He was strong and broad and made her feel small and nearly dainty in comparison, which she was inherently not used to.

Once they stepped out of Hecate’s house, Persephone turned to look up at Hades. He seamlessly took the lead, grabbing her hand and escorting her out of the courtyard.

“Have you traveled with a god before?” Hades asked. Persephone could see some of his nerves return, and she smiled at his sincerity. It was apparent he wasn’t used to picking up women. Persephone was willing to wager he wasn’t used to casual sex.

It’s endearing, Persephone mused, if unexpected from the god of the Underworld.

“A few times.” She answered his question, careful not to mention Demeter by name. Hades nodded and released her hand, holding his arm for her instead. Persephone entwined her arm with his, and the world around them slipped away. They were suspended in darkness for only a few seconds before reappearing in a grand reception room.

“Oh, this is incredible.” Persephone gasped aloud, releasing Hades’s arm and running towards the center of the room. He chuckled in approval as Persephone tried to soak in the incredible sight.

The ceilings were taller than in any room Persephone had ever been, even taller than the ones in Zeus’s hall. Everything was carved from black stone, from onyx to marble, and veins of diamonds glittered in torchlight. A pair of double doors were at one end of the room and a great dais was at the other. A colossal throne sat atop the dais, carved from the same black stone as the floor, making it look like it was growing out of the ground.

Persephone looked up at the ceiling again and squinted, trying to see what it was made of.

“What are those?” She pointed, unable to identify the interwoven organic shapes.

Hades smiled proudly and walked closer to Persephone. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. Persephone found herself naturally arching towards him like a cat denied affection for too long.

“Those are roots.” His voice was soft. “They’re the roots of the mountain itself. At night, they bloom rather deliciously with jasmine.”

Persephone gasped. Demeter had warned her the Underworld was a barren desert with no plant life. Instead, now in the very court of Hades himself, she found a paradise carved from the earth with a ceiling made of night-blooming flowers.

“The mountain?” Persephone raised a brow.

Hades chuckled.

“We’re in the belly of Olympus,” Hades whispered conspiratorially. “The other gods would probably lose their minds if they realized their precious pantheon sits directly atop mine. However, not many gods enjoy visiting here.” Persephone’s eyes went wide, but imagining her mother’s horror made her laugh.

“Are you close to any of the gods?” Persephone couldn’t help but wonder—did Hades live the wretched, solitary existence her mother claimed?

Hades only shrugged. “I’m close to the other gods of the Underworld. Thanatos and I share a certain bond, but only we understand.” Hades’s expression slipped slightly, and Persephone didn’t want to push the question further.

“The Olympians would panic if they realized you’re the foundation on which their delicate existence sits.”

“Oh, Despoina,” Hades purred, wrapping his arms around her from behind. The sexual tension was palpable between them, temporarily waylayed by Persephone’s wonder and amusement at seeing the great hall. “The Underworld is the foundation of everything in this world.”

Persephone turned around in Hades’s arms, going up on her tiptoes, tilting her head as she got closer.

“Show me,” Persephone whispered against Hades’s lips. The tension between them shattered. Persephone felt the moment Hades lost all control.

He kissed her furiously as if they were on borrowed time. One of his hands came up to her head, tangling in her hair. Hades used his grip to tilt her head exactly how he wanted it, and Persephone relished the sudden loss of control. His tongue licked against the seam of her mouth, but she delighted in denying him.

Hades growled and bit her bottom lip, tightening his grip on her waist before dropping his hand to her ass and giving it a quick slap.

“Open for me,” he demanded.

Persephone’s desire to fight and tease Hades bled right out of her body at the command. She obeyed, and Hades’s tongue stroked against hers.

Persephone lifted her leg, wrapping it around his thigh. The position pressed their pelvises together, and Persephone moaned into Hades’s mouth as his erection rocked against her core. Her legs were bare, and the rough fabric of his chiton was rubbing against her thighs. Persephone couldn’t get enough air in her lungs, and she pulled away, gasping.

Hades trailed his lips down her chin, across her jaw, and down her neck, before sucking at the junction of her neck and shoulder. Persephone’s hips started canting against him, her body moving with a mind of its own, desperate to feel him inside of her.

“Please,” Persephone finally gasped, “I need you. I need you now.”

“Bedroom,” Hades grunted before reattaching his lips to her skin.

“No,” Persephone whined. “Now.”

Hades pulled back slightly. Persephone’s thighs clenched together at the sight of him. His curls were mussed and sticking up in errant directions, and his pupils were blown out with arousal—she assumed she looked similar. Dark wisps of magic and power started emanating off Hades’s body, smelling like leather and pine trees. Persephone succumbed to another wave of desire, feeling her arousal on her thighs.

“Despoina—” Hades started, but Persephone cut him off. She didn’t want to hear him say that name.

“On the floor,” Persephone snapped.

The ache between her legs was intensifying to the point where the absence of Hades inside of her was nearly painful. Hades gave her a wicked smile and dropped to the tile, propping himself up on his elbows.

Persephone bit her lip at the sight of one of the world’s most ancient gods on the ground at her feet. His chiton was tented with his evident need for her. Persephone had never desired power like other gods, but at that moment, she thought she could take any of the gods on and win.

“Take your clothes off.” Persephone panted, standing between Hades’s legs.

“You first,” he challenged.

Persephone grabbed the hem of her garment and ripped it over her head in one smooth movement. Her hair came loose, and her naked form was on display, long hair hanging down to her waist.

“Fuck me,” Hades growled. He sat up and wrapped his hands around Persephone’s thighs, pressing open-mouthed kisses up her legs.

“I’m trying to,” Persephone gasped.

“You offend Aphrodite herself,” Hades murmured, getting closer to her core. Persephone shivered. His touch was electric, and she had to shake herself free from the sensations, the pulse in her core becoming overwhelming.

“I need you inside me.” Persephone went to straddle Hades, but he stopped her and held her upright.

“I just want a taste,” he murmured, sounding like a starving man.

Persephone almost gave in, but something in her mind was egging her on. It was as though there was some countdown in her head, magic whispering in her ear that he needed to be inside of her and quickly.

“Later,” Persephone shook her head. She leaned down and grabbed his brooch, ripping it free from the chiton and tearing the fabric. She grinned in satisfaction as the cloth pooled at his waist, revealing a sculpted, hairy chest.

“All of it off,” Persephone sounded frantic. All her thoughts had vacated the premises; black magic and the soft powers of spring were mixing in her veins as if they were already copulating inside of her. Somehow, it amplified her need as sweat covered her body in a light sheen.

Hades grabbed the chiton, tore it, and threw it to the side. Persephone nearly sighed in relief at the sight of Hades’s cock, already dripping with precome and thick with arousal.

Persephone adjusted her knees on either side of his thighs, gripping the base of his erection and slowly guiding him inside her as she sat down. She went slowly, adjusting to the stretch of him as her eyes fluttered closed.

“Fuck,” Hades swore loudly, his hands gripping Persephone’s waist so tightly, she was sure he’d leave bruises. Persephone let out small, breathy gasps every time she took another inch. The burn was exquisite, and she relished it, throwing her head back and sighing.

“Come on,” Hades encouraged her, “take it all, love. I need to know every inch of me is inside this sweet pussy.” Hades pressed his thumb to her clit and began moving in slow circles, taking her nipple in his mouth and beginning to suck. The additional stimulation flooded Persephone’s body, and she took him the rest of the way, her body flush with his.

“Hades,” Persephone gasped, “You feel—”

“I know,” Hades cut her off, flicking his tongue across her nipples, “So good for me. Breathe through it.” Hades pushed some damp curls off his forehead, breathing just as hard as Persephone. Persephone kissed him, both of them barely able to sustain the embrace for more than a few brief moments, panting and moaning into each other’s mouths.

Finally, Persephone started to move. She undulated her hips and began riding him, chasing the arousal that was flooding her system.

“That’s it,” Hades encouraged, his hands going back to Persephone’s waist as he helped maneuver her body on top of him as he thrust upwards.

Persephone’s vision blacked out as he hit that spot deep inside of her, Hades swearing loudly as her walls clenched around him. She rode him with her whole body, relishing the friction of her clit against Hades’s pelvis.

“Fuck,” Hades swore, “I need you to come.” He was practically begging as he grabbed Persephone’s chin and tilted her head downwards. “Open your eyes. Look at how well you take me.”

Persephone gasped, overwhelmed at the sight of them conjoined, Hades entering her over and over.

“Hades,” she begged, “touch me!” Hades obliged, rubbing soft circles on her clit while he licked a hot stripe up her neck.

“Keep watching,” he demanded, his chest slick with sweat and rubbing against Persephone’s breasts when he thrust against her. “You’re so perfect, love. So, so, perfect. You were made just for me, weren’t you? I think the Fates made this sweet cunt just for my cock.”

Hades pinched her clit gently, and Persephone’s entire body locked up. Her orgasm went crashing through her body like lightning, leaving only fire in its wake. She felt Hades coming inside her, biting down on her shoulder while he started thrusting erratically as if desperately trying to keep his release inside her.

The jasmine blooms exploded across the ceiling, a soft rain of petals falling around them.

Everything went hazy as Persephone’s thighs burned, and she rode out the last of her orgasm. Her exhaustion hit her nearly as hard as her release, collapsing onto Hades’s chest before she could speak.