Chapter 17 Persephone
Persephone
Hades remains silent for several judgments.
He doesn’t pull his hand away from mine or give any sign that he wants me to let go, so I do not.
The nervousness that runs through me feels misplaced.
This is where I belong. I’m meant to be by his side.
I pause for him to take the floor each time, but he simply nods to me.
I keep thinking he will signal to me that he wants to take over in passing the judgments, but he does not. Four of them go by. Five. Ten. My heart beats faster for a while, but I keep my hands around his and steady myself with his presence next to me.
The questions still come to my mind: am I ready for this? Am I prepared to judge souls after my absence? How will I know what to say, and where to send them?
But as every new soul answers, I find that I do know. It’s achingly obvious to me. I find that I only need to observe them, and then look inside myself for the answer.
And it is there, just as my powers are in the Underworld, and just as they are on Olympus.
Hecate’s announcement was not a surprise.
The new moon does not last long, and she follows its path in the sky to come and go from Olympus or wherever else she may venture to the Underworld.
I knew she would come to me when it was time to go back.
The crossroads are her home. And those who are lost find her there.
I didn’t expect that she would come to court, and I don’t know why she made her announcement publicly.
I’ll have to ask Hades about the exchange but not until we are back in his rooms. His rage was palpable, although I’ve no idea why. Is there not peace between them?
Hades does not let it show on his face, although it is very clear to me. It radiates off him, and I do not know how to ease that feeling except through my touch.
Finally, Hades takes an audible breath and straightens. For hours, he sat tall and proud before me, so I did not think he could be taller or more commanding, but somehow he is. Relaxing my posture, I pause once the guard states the reason for judgment needed and I remain quiet.
Hades turns his hand in mine so his palm is up and I can lace our fingers together. Then, as he passes judgment on the next new soul, he squeezes my hand as if to say you did well.
I glow with that feeling through the rest of the session at court.
I spend most of it watching the gathered souls.
They spend their time watching me or watching Hades.
This is yet another sign of how difficult things were when I was gone.
Every soul who meets my eyes seems to crave reassurance that the worst is over. Fear lingers still.
I hope the worst has passed. And yet, I know not what has occurred in Olympus.
I also do not know what Hecate will reveal to them.
I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Beatrice.
But surely they know I lawfully took my leave after my displeasure with my father.
Now that leaves me only with acquiring Hades’s blessing to leave with Hecate as I need to so I may continue my work on Olympus as well.
Court goes by quickly and slowly at the same time. I’m torn. The pieces of me that have missed my place here wish to return to Hades’s rooms, or even out into the gardens, where we can wrap ourselves in each other and let the hours go by in pleasure.
I also wish to show the realms that their queen has not abandoned them, even if I must take my leave from the Underworld at times.
I must, I realize. I must be gone from time to time. I cannot abandon the mortals, either. I cannot abandon my mother. At the thought of her, my gaze drops and my heart pains. My mother’s grief spreads and causes too much pain to others as well. That is the nature of grief, isn’t it?
There must be a way to make sure everyone has what they need. There must be a way to bring lasting balance to the realms. I will find it.
Relief leaves with a heavy breath of mine when Hades dismisses the court and the doors at last close. There are no more souls to judge today. We have made it through the first session after the realm nearly collapsed.
He keeps his hand on the small of my back as we go to his rooms, guiding me with soft pressure to keep up the pace. It appears my king is just as anxious to be alone as I am.
I find myself needing his touch. His approval. His kisses and desire. As his hand slips lower, to the small of my ass, a measured moan of pleasure leaves my lips, and his heated gaze meets mine. Guards be damned, they witness the interaction.
The second the door shuts behind us, he pushes me up against the wall, takes my face in his hands, and kisses me with as much passion as I give him.
I’m needy for his love and approval. Our desires force moans into the warm air between us.
Hades slides his thigh between mine and runs his hands down my body.
He rocks himself against my clit, relentlessly.
The pleasure is everything and all I need.
He doesn’t stop; kissing, sucking, and rubbing against my clit until I cry out and come on his thigh, both of us still fully clothed.
Flushed and breathless, I stare into his dark eyes filled with nothing but lust. Before he can kiss me again, I drop to my knees and tear at his clothes until I’ve freed his thick cock, then run my tongue through the slit at his tip making him hiss.
Smiling to myself with utter satisfaction, I close my lips around his shaft and take him into my mouth until I gag.
The head of his cock presses against the back of my throat and I love it.
The depravity and the deep need settle in the heat between my thighs.
Hades lets out a rough groan and braces himself against the door, thrusting his hips slowly into my mouth.
I wrap my tongue around him and let him fuck my throat, tightening my lips whenever I can.
It’s not easy to take all of him. He fists the hair at the back of my head and eases himself deeper and deeper.
My eyes sting and water with his thrusts and I fucking love it.
I don’t stop him. I revel at his desire to take me this way.
I manage to draw a few more groans of pleasure from him before he comes, moaning my name.
His release is salty yet sweet, and all I can do is swallow.
It feels filthy and perfect. I have never felt more like a queen than on my knees throbbing with need for him to please me the same way.
Hades pulls me to my feet afterward and swipes the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. He breathes heavily, his chiseled chest rising and falling with each labored breath.
Then he kisses me again, slower this time.
Warmth flows down my shoulders with his gentleness.
When he pulls back, he takes my hand and leads me to his grand bed.
I direct my magic at the fire, and it jumps up in the grate.
Flames lick up instantly and the power I feel is undeniable.
The hearth’s heat and light pour into the room, adding to what’s already there.
The sun is still in the sky, though the rays are getting longer.
It will be evening soon, and then it will be night, and Hecate will leave the Underworld.
At that thought, my heart stutters. Thankfully, my love distracts me.
Hades sits on the edge of the bed, and it groans with his weight.
He draws me in between his legs. He takes the crown carefully off my head, setting it aside on the table.
Slowly, he bends down and gathers the hem of my gown in his hands.
The teasingly slow pace only makes me want him more.
He lifts it up over my head, then lets it hang over the foot of the bed.
He lifts my delicate silk undergarments away next, one by one until I stand naked before him.
Then he takes me by the waist and guides me closer for a kiss.
With his warm tongue, he licks my nipples, then sucks at them gently but firmly, then runs his thumbs over them until I’m shivering with desire.
My head falls back and soft moans pour from me easily.
My clit throbs with need. Barely able to stand the incoming threat of pleasure, I whisper his name as a plea.
Only then does Hades slide his fingers between my legs and circle my clit with his thumb until I come undone once again.
Every inch of my skin lit on fire with envy of whatever part of me has his attention.
Hades pins me between his legs, holding me as I come down. His hands return to my waist. He drags his gaze all over my body, finally meeting my eyes.
“I do not wish to chain you,” he states. Once again my heart skips in that way it did before. As if it’s attempting to escape the very cage it’s contained in.
Swallowing thickly, I let my weight rest in his hands. I’m still lightheaded, still weak-kneed with pleasure. I would have more of it, if Hades would give it to me. It is not night yet. Hecate has not come. I am certain that I will come many more times before she arrives.
“Perhaps I would enjoy the challenge,” I tease, testing him.
Hades’s face hardens, and his grip tightens on my waist. “Do not tempt me, Persephone. I cannot stand the pain of your absence.”
“You cannot see past your own desires,” I whisper.
“Perhaps I’m blinded by my love for you,” he says in agreement. “Is that a sin?”
“Maybe not, but it cannot be at the death of innocent souls,” I answer calmly. My heart thuds in my chest.
Cupping his chin, I look deeply into his eyes. My heart aches. I want to give in to him. I want to tell him I will stay, and I will never leave. I want to tell him I can live without half of myself, but I cannot. I cannot split myself in two.