Each head bore a mane that seemed to have a life of its own. As Hades petted his beast, the low guttural growls rumbled deep within the beast's chest. His claws were long and curved like scythes, capable of inflicting damage or death. My fingers gripped onto Hade's cloak as my irrational fear took over. The beast wouldn't be able to kill an immortal being, but that didn't mean he couldn't hurt them. I knew a little about the rules of the Underworld.
When his tails swished in the air, I saw the thick serpentine ended tips. Each tip had a venomous snake on it, their forked tongues flicking out to taste the air, watching and ready to strike. I released Hades and began to back away, only to disturb the ghastly horses behind me.
When faced with the eyeless horses, I finally screamed and began to run down the small path beside the river. My white dress in the backdrop of black would make me an easy target, but I was beyond caring, especially when his giant beast began to bark and growl viciously.
I stumbled but held my hand along the tall, endless rocks that towered the side of the black river. Out of the shadows, Hades appeared before me and blocked my path. I gulped at his dead, soulless eyes and stoic face.
“This is my realm, and there is no escape,” he said before gripping my arm and dragging me into the shadows.
I covered my face and let out a piercing scream, but nothing happened. He was gone when I opened my eyes, and I was in a room. I shivered and rubbed my bare arms. It had been warm beside the river.
Confused, I glanced at the giant black and gold marble columns. The room, craftsmanship, and luxury reminded me of Mount Olympus; in Olympus, everything was white, ivory, and gold. I swallowed hard as I looked at the dark cage around me. The replica of Olympus spooked me, but it confirmed the whispers about Hades.
I was in the infamous House of Hades—the God of the Underworld's palace.
Chapter 6
Hades
I lingered outside her door, but there was only silence as I listened in on her. She was at the location I was told she would be at. I don’t know who lured her there, but I was grateful for the precise location. Persephone was in the underworld now and no one could take her from me. I stood upright and traced the smooth, polished door.
While trying to show her Cerberus was harmless, I hadn't anticipated her to run away from us in terror. In those few moments to have her beside the dark river, she radiated a light in the endless darkness. Her pale flesh seemed to glow in a translucent quality against the backdrop of the infinite night, and her flowing white dress gave her an ethereal quality.
Yet the bright energy surrounding her when she bolted from me made me give chase. She was the embodiment of spring, of life itself, yet she was here, in my domain, surrounded by death. Her aura was like a beacon for me, but I required patience for her to settle into the palace before I approached her again.
My palace felt bright with her presence. She was far more than a whim to me. When I hunted her, I felt a mixture of exhilaration, longing, and a profound sense of our destiny. I glanced at the fire lighting the long hallway. My Palace was brighter now that my queen was here.
Zeus would keep his word, so I didn't worry about the consequences. Persephone was mine, and she would eventually accept her new position. I dropped my hand away from the door. My little bird was locked in her cage with no escape.
???
Each day, I impatiently finished my duties before the shades gave me a thorough report of what Persephone had done in the Palace, from wandering the labyrinth of halls to climbing the tower to see all of the upper section of the Underworld. She cried daily, and I knew she struggled—how could she not?
The underworld was a far cry from the sunlit fields of her Mother’s world. Yet, from the shadows, I was beginning to see glimpses of her resilience. From her amusing foot stomps to her chin tilted in the air with defiance.
I slinked into the darkest corner of her room to ensure she was asleep before silently edging towards her. She lay curled on a chaise draped in dark velvet, her white off-shoulder dress pooled around her like moonlight spilling over the edge of a cloud. The burning flames of the lamps flickered around her.
One strap had slipped further down her arm, revealing her shoulder, pale arm smooth as alabaster. Her chest rose and fell in the steady rhythm of sleep, although her brow was faintly furrowed as if the weight of her new life invaded her dreams.
I watched her often since her arrival, careful to remain unseen. She was still a stranger to my realm, her steps hesitant and her uncertain awkwardness with the shades there to serve her. Soon, I would introduce her to the various sections of the Underworld.
I crouched down to see her cherry-red lips and her pale cheeks that had a hint of pink to them. The soft lines of her neck led my eyes to the curves of her chest, causing the same discomfort I suffered on a daily basis. The pretty Goddess had no clue how she affected me from the moment I saw her.
Unable to stop myself, I tugged on her bodice until her breast was bare. I dug my teeth into my lower lip when I revealed more of her porcelain skin. Her rosy nipple made my mouth dry. I rested the material beneath her breast to trace my finger over the soft flesh of her nipple.
It grew taut either from the cold or my touch. I gently used my fingers to stroke and tug on her nipple until it began to harden. The ache in my manhood grew, as did its length when I used the pad of my thumb to rub the tip of her nipple. The contrast of her dark nipple against her white flesh made me grit my teeth how I wished to taste every part of my Queen.
Persephone stirred, her lips parted with a soft sigh. I froze. My breath caught in my chest. I thought she might awaken for a moment, but she only nestled deeper into the cushions. I was uncertain how long I watched her, but I always enjoyed torturing myself, and this was the sweetest of agony.
???
Word of Demeter’s increasing agitation reached me by the fourth day, and I knew I needed to speed up Persephone’s induction into our world. She needed to see some light again to lift her spirits. My communication skills were non-existent but my will to keep her with me burned as ferociously as the hottest pits in Tartarus.
As soon as I searched for her using my senses, I felt the warm light from her presence. I vanished into the closest shadow until I appeared on the tower staircase. Once I reached the top, I pushed open the door, and there she stood.
Her long hair caught in the warm gusts of air from the Elysian Fields. She stood staring over the landscape of the Underworld without moving or uttering a word. She wore a pale blue dress today. It fastened on one side and left her neck and shoulder bare.
I was the wealthiest God and could provide anything her heart desired. The need to drape her with glittering jewels and matching crowns to glorify her beauty and status was incessant. Our chamber had all of her jewellery in it, but I feared it would not be enough. Mortals’ often praised me for my wealth, and my Queen should reflect this.
