Persephone
Hades had left me to rot in his palace, or so I thought.
His dedication to his role as God of the Underworld was admirable.
Watching the remains of the mortals being received into the Underworld was difficult.
Some plants flourished and bloomed, only to become barren once their blossoms deteriorated.
The roots remained intact until the cycle began again.
The Underworld reminded me of the roots which were buried deep inside the earth.
When I felt Hades' eyes on me, my stomach tightened with anxiety. His anger was as dark as his home; he’d held himself in check, but something simmered beneath his surface, making me nervous. I jumped to conclusions and made accusations without verifying all the facts.
I distracted myself by concentrating on breathing in the stagnant air, heavy with the scent of damp earth and extinguished flames.
The scent wasn't as strong inside the palace, but it was abundant in the courtyard.
Hades had been down here for centuries and I couldn't imagine being trapped down here forever.
I pushed the thought away and looked at the judges for a distraction.
The three judges began to confer, distracting me from Hades.
Their dark grey chitons were longer than Hades's, and they all wore gold crowns but nothing as intricately decorated as Hades' crown.
Their faces were rigid and stern, yet their piercing eyes were animated as they weighed the soul's deeds.
I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, yet my pride prevented me from apologising to my abductor.
Unable to help myself, I peered at him from the corner of my eye only to find his eyes on me.
His cold, dark eyes remained on my face as he reached out and took my hand.
He placed it on his marble armrest and covered it with his hand, trapping it beneath his.
My empty belly spasmed at the contact. There was something about Hades or the Underworld that was affecting me, and it confused me. When I attempted to tug my hand away from his, his grip tightened, and he looked away from me as the next shade stepped into the middle of the courtyard.
I tried not to respond to his grip on my hand and resumed watching the remaining trials.
Thankfully, there weren't many who ended up in Elysium or Tartarus.
They had to be exceptionally virtuous or wicked to earn those destinations.
The Underworld was bleak, yet there was light from the volcanic fires, and I knew the Elysian Fields blazed as bright as the sun.
The reflection of the light could be seen from the tower.
The Underworld was as mysterious as its ruler.
◆◆◆
Without uttering a word, Hades escorted me to a part of the palace I didn't recognise.
The palace was too large and confusing for me, even after days of exploration.
I entered the room and froze when I saw the colossal centrepiece bed.
Before I could say anything, Hades was gone.
When I swivelled around, the large golden doors snapped shut.
After some hesitation, I walked around the room to inspect the layout and towering pillars encircling the bed. I swallowed because I knew this was Hades’s room. There were tall mirrors on one side, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Did Hades primp and preen in his crowns before seeing to his realm?
At a closer look, I saw that panels on the wall were doors.
I opened them and saw rows of clothes and crowns.
When I opened the one beside it, I gasped because there were female chitons of all colours and crowns made from various unusual metals and precious gems. Below the clothing were jewel-encrusted belts and slippers.
The temptation to touch the soft fabric and glittering gems was difficult to resist.
Was he attempting to bribe me with pretty baubles?
“My Lady,” a faint whisper of a voice startled me.
I slammed the panel door shut and turned to see a dark hooded shade with its head dipped toward the floor.
“What is it?” I snapped before I winced at my sharp tone.
I resented the shades for keeping me inside the palace, but after seeing their journey, I could understand why they served in the palace. With their daily routine in servitude, they wouldn't deteriorate as quickly.
The soul didn't speak, but I followed it through a large archway to see a bath waiting for me—the hint of jasmine and roses in the air.
When I reached the tub, the water was milky white, and deep dark red petals floated on the water.
The marble floor beneath my feet was warm, explaining why steam was coming out of the bath.
Irrespective of whether I was in his chambers or not, I stripped off and climbed into the large tub.
It was like a large communal bathing area or a hot water spring.
The soothing warmth of the water made me groan and stretch myself out.
The scented water was a welcome relief to my senses after being in the courtyard for so long.
“Thank you, you can go now,” I said, closing my eyes.
I didn't expect a response, but what I got was the shade washing my neck and shoulders.
The fabric was soft, and the floral scent was soothing.
I knew if I opened my eyes, I would be surrounded by obsidian marble and gold.
My eyes had grown accustomed to it, but for a few moments, I wanted to imagine I was at home in the white heavens of Mount Olympus.
I rested my head on the pillow and spread my arms out in the water, encouraging the shade to wash my arms. Its touch was surprisingly gentle but might be timid because I snapped at it earlier.
“Do you have a name?” I asked, opening my eyes.
My heart stopped beating when I saw Hades sitting on the edge of the marble pool while washing my arm. His crown was gone, as was his cloak. The true expanse of his chest and black artwork was on full display.
“I believe you know my name,” he said, causing me to drag my eyes away from his chest to his eyes, which twinkled with amusement.
“You are shameless,” I said before I tried to pull my arm away.
“Perhaps,” he murmured as his grip tightened, and he continued to move the cloth up and down my arm. “But you are my queen, Persephone, and as your king, it is my obligation to ensure that all of your needs are taken care of.”
I glared at him before I tried to yank my wrist out of his grip.
“If you prefer, I could join you to make it easier,” he drawled as he began to stand up. My eyes dropped to the small square material covering his manhood.
“No!” I squeaked out because I needed him clothed and out of the bath.
“As you wish,” he said before he sat down. This time, he moved the cloth beneath my chin to slide it down my neck toward my torso.
I closed my eyes as an inner battle erupted within me—the need to get away from him and the need to feel his touch.
What was he doing to me?