She startled as his voice interrupted her thoughts. He’d led her all the way to the palace doors and she hadn’t even noticed.“Just lost in thoughts, I suppose. My body aches worsen each day and it jumbles my thoughts here of late.”
“Surely you don’t complain over a single chore? I’m running an entire realm while you pick flowers.”
While she knew he was jesting, Persephone was not amused by the quip, but she stayed silent as they walked to his private study. He lowered her into the chair across from his and poured wine from a decanter into both chalices. Hades sipped from the more ornate of the two cups. Intricate scrolls and flourishes spiraled from lip to base, the body studded with jewels and with no signs of wear. Hers, on the other hand, wasn’t decorated at all. Just a tarnished silver cup. On her worst days, she wondered why he would conjure such a monstrosity for her as he sipped from luxury. On others, Persephone reminded herself that they were both cups that served the same purpose no matter the aesthetic.
Hades sat and motioned for her to drink. Food appeared with a wave of his hand, but her stomach soured at the thought. Months ago, Persephone couldn't eat enough, finishing every meal with a greedy glance around for more. The past couple, however, she was never hungry.
“Tell me about your day, Persephone. How were the asphodels?”
“Flourishing as always. How about yours?”
“Busy. Many matters required my attention today.”
She used to ask him about those matters, to take an interest in her newfound home. Hades made clear long ago that he was not willing to share, so she stopped asking about his daily affairs along with those of his court. The Twelve had a staff of servants and a few even held advisors. They let more elite daemon who worshiped them live on their estate and hosted parties for entertainment. However, Persephone had neverseen another living soul in the Underworld. He truly was a master of deflection.
“I’m glad you were able to attend to them.”
They ate for a few moments in silence with nothing but the clink of silverware to fill the space. “What is it you’d like to do this evening, Beauty?”
It was a trick question. There was nothing to do. It was the same routine every night– drink the wine, eat the food, play a game of chess, go to bed. Sometimes sex after chess, but not too often.
“Just spend a quiet evening by your side.” She smiled and he returned it as she pushed her found around the porcelain platter.
“Have some food, Persephone, and finish your wine. I’ll get you another glass.”
“I’m okay with just the one tonight.”
“No, I insist. Tonight is our anniversary after all.”
“I’m sorry?” Persephone pursed her brows as she looked up from the table.
“You’ve been in the Underworld for a year now.”
“I thought that wasn’t for another week? I’ve been marking the calendar you gave me and I’m sure I haven’t messed it up.”
“No worries, Beauty. It’s easy to get confused here, but that’s why you’ve got me.” He lifted his chalice toward her with a nod and then drank to his praise.
“I’m just sure I haven’t messed up my days.” Persephone used her calendar religiously to track the time. It’d been hard enough to adjust in a world with no sunlight. Marking the days brought a sense of comfort she couldn’t explain. It kept her grounded.
“No matter, Beauty. You were very close to death when I found you and slept through many of the first days. I’m sure your miscalculation came from there. Trust me, Persephone.It is tonight. This big reaction to such a small problem is unnecessary.”
It ate at her for the rest of the night like a toxin. She was so sure of herself, but alongside that confidence was doubt. Hades knew this world better than anyone. Could she perhaps have missed a few in the beginning? A shiver raised the fine hairs along her arms as she narrowed her gaze toward him, her neck prickling with caution before she shook it away. Narcissus birthed that distrust and she wouldn’t let him get in the way of her relationship with Hades.
Persephone decided with a deep breath to drop it and trust Hades. He’d had nothing but her best interest at heart, and what did the misjudgment of a few days matter anyway? She loosened her shoulders and focused on their evening.
Her head spun after the second glass of fruit wine, and by the end of the third she was loose with her tongue and laughing at every one of his jokes. By the fifth, she couldn’t keep her hands off of him. Persephone sauntered over and straddled Hades in the oversized chair. She placed kisses down the column of his throat, her hips grinding in time with each roll of his hips. His hands roved over her body, cock straining in his pants as he palmed her breasts.
She moved her kisses to his lips and he opened to her, a man too hungry to wait. He kissed her greedily and sat up straighter with every moan he coaxed from her. “Beauty,” he groaned. “I’m going to fuck you on this chair if we don’t make it to bed soon.”
Her belly clenched and she found she wanted that more than anything. They’d never had sex anywhere but his bed, and even then there was little exploration involved.
“Do it,” she breathed. “Fuck me on the chair.”
“You know I prefer the bed.”
“Please, Hades.”
A low rumble vibrated through his chest against her nipples. She was so desperate for more, she would barter anything to have it.
