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January 15 - January 16, 2022
White narcissus grew in clusters along its banks, ignited like white fire against the dark surface.
rising like the jagged edges of his obsidian crown.
So, they really had been shades—shadows of themselves.
Then he had revealed it was all an illusion. Beneath the glamour he maintained was a land of ash and fire.
“That sounds like punishment,” Persephone said, thinking it terrifying to exist without purpose. Yuri offered a faint smile and shrugged. “It was our sentence for living mundane lives.”
some said that a mortal, whom Lord Hades loved, died and came to exist here.”
Maybe she hadn’t been the only lover who’d inspired Hades.
Lord Hades watches the world. As it became less chaotic, so did the Underworld.”
“Most have been told the Underworld and its King are dreadful, so when they die, they do so in fear.”
It amazed her that in one breath they could talk about how much the Underworld had evolved, and yet still witness archaic practices.
how would her Divine form ease their fears? Then Yuri added, “We worship the Divine. You will bring them hope.”
and that hadn’t changed even when her magic flared to life, encouraged by Hades’ worship.
She quickly learned it was one thing to have magic, another to use it properly.
“All they see is a goddess who might help them get an audience with Hades or return to the living world.” Persephone frowned. “Why do you think that?” “Because I was one of them.”
“Hades chose his consort well.” “His consort?” Persephone’s brows rose. “Isn’t it obvious that Hades intends to marry you?”
You will be my queen. I do not need the Fates to tell me that.
If he was to make her his queen, it would be because he cared for her, not because she was a goddess.
“Some of them should be afraid, Persephone.” “Those who should, will be, no matter the greeting they have from me.”
“As much as you find disfavor with the title of queen, you are quick to act as one.”
“You will be my queen,” Hades said fiercely, almost like he was trying to convince himself it was true. “The Fates have declared it.”
“Although, I would rather you want me as queen because you love me, not because the Fates have decreed it.”
“That we are only together because of the Fates. That you have only chosen me because I am a goddess.”
“If there were no Fates, would you still want me?”
“Do you know how I knew the Fates made you for me?”
Persephone shook her head slowly, ensnared by his gaze. “I could taste it on your skin, and the only thing I regret is that I have lived so long without you.”
“I will punish you until you scream, until you come so hard around my cock, you are left in no doubt of my affection.”
This was rapture, euphoria, ecstasy. And it was all interrupted by a knock at the door.
She could barely breathe, feeling as though she were clawing her way to the surface of the Styx again, desperate for air, but content in the knowledge that this death would be a happy one.
This is how he looks when he faces souls in Tartarus, she thought.
“I will make it up to you.” She arched a brow and commanded, “Swear it.” Hades’ eyes simmered beneath the glow of the crystal lights. “Oh, darling. You don’t need to extract an oath. Nothing will keep me from fucking you.”
“Do you want to talk about earlier? Those doors came down because of your magic. They weren’t opened by anyone on the inside.”
The point of meditation is to gain control—are you not hungry for control, Persephone?”
“Meditation means focusing your attention moment by moment rather than getting caught up in the things that plague you—the things that drown you, the things that cause your magic to create a shield around you.”
The way you taste, the feel of my cock slipping inside you, the way you moan when I fuck you.
She knew how the media worked—she was now a mystery to be solved, and those who investigated her background were a threat to everything for which she’d worked so hard. A threat to her freedom.
She didn’t want to be someone’s possession. She wanted her own identity, to be credited for her hard work, but dating a god took that away.
“You and your boy-toy are official.” Persephone glared. “Man-toy?” he offered. She still glared. “Okay, fine. God-toy, then.”
I mean, I am the Messenger of the Gods and all.” “Weren’t you replaced by email?” Hermes pouted. “Now who’s not being helpful?”
“What about normal, mortal life don’t you understand?” “All of it?”
That was probably the second-worst lie she had ever told, next to the one where she promised her mother she’d stay away from Hades.
“It was very clear that you either offer us your story or you don’t have a job here anymore.”
No, she would figure this out on her own, and she was certain of one thing—Kal would regret his threat.
Most were about how Zeus and Poseidon had turned their mother/sister/aunt into a wolf/swan/cow for nefarious reasons, and Persephone found herself wondering how Hades could be related to the two.
As for me outing you, I’m not really interested in seeing anyone get hurt for their association with the gods.”
There was something in the way he spoke that made her think he’d been wronged by them, but she didn’t press.
He just … uses some of the words you use when he talks about helping people. He talks about hope and forgiveness and second chances.”
“Is it really so wrong to want to live an unassuming, mortal life?”
“Goddess or not, you are my lover.”
It is only a matter of time before someone with a vendetta against me tries to harm you. I will keep you safe.” Persephone shivered. She hadn’t thought about that. “You really think someone would try to harm me?” “Darling, I have judged human nature for a millennium. Yes.”
“What is so terrible about being known as my lover?” “Nothing,” she said quickly. “It’s just that word.” “What’s wrong with lover?” “It sounds so fleeting. Like I am nothing but your sex slave.”
