“I did not mean to hurt you,” he said, and those words opened a raw wound in her chest.
“I know,” Persephone said, tears burned her eyes. In turn, Hades’ own breath came fast, as if he were holding back a dam of emotion.
“I was so lost in my desire, in what I wished to do with you, I didn’t see what was happening. I pushed you too far. It will never happen again.”
No, she wanted to scream. It was what she feared—that Hades would halt exploring with her out of fear.
“What if that’s what I want?” she asked.
Hades stared at her, searching her gaze, and she continued.
“I want to try so many things with you, but I am afraid you will not want me.”
“Persephone—” Hades took a tentative step forward, then another.
“I know it isn’t true, but I cannot help how I think, and I thought it was better to say what was on my mind than keep it to myself. I don’t want to stop learning with you.”
His hands came to rest upon her face, a gentle touch, as if she were porcelain. He tilted her head so that her gaze would meet his and spoke.
“I will always want you.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and as he pulled away, Persephone latched into his forearms.
“I know you hurt for me, but I need you.”
“I am here.”
She held his gaze and guided his hands from her face to her breasts.
“Touch me,” she whispered. “We can go slow.”
She did not release his hands as he gently squeezed her breasts, or when his thumb and forefinger brushed her nipples.
“What else?” he asked, voice low and husky.
“Kiss me,” she said, and he did. His lips pressed gently to hers and his tongue slid over the seam of her mouth. She opened for him, tasting him, their rhythm a slow, intoxicating exchange. Hades hands remained on her breasts, kneading and caressing.
Then he shifted closer, one hand moving into her hair, and froze suddenly, pulling away.
“I’m sorry, I did not ask if that was okay.”
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I’m okay.”
She reached for him and brought their lips together. This time, she led, driving her tongue into his mouth. Her fingers thrust through his silken hair, releasing it from its tight binding. She used it to pull him closer and kiss him harder and then her hands shifted—skimming down his chest to his cock, which strained, desperate for release.
This time, his hand came to rest over hers, grinding against her palm.
“Touch me,” he said.
And she did, first through the fabric, but when that wasn’t enough, she unbuttoned his pants and freed his sex—he was warm and soft and hard and as her hand moved, working from root to tip, they continued to kiss until Hades pulled away, his face glistened with sweat.
“Kneel,” she whispered, and they both hit their knees, kissing desperately until Persephone eased Hades onto his back. She lifted her gown and straddled him, sliding over his sex with her own—the friction was delicious and without delay she guided him inside her. She let out a breath so deep, it felt like her soul had left her body. Hades groaned, his fingers digging into her thighs.
“Yes,” he hissed, as she moved, rolling her hips to feel him deeper. Their eyes held and their breath quickened. Persephone took his hands, guiding them over her body—to her breasts, down her sides, over her ass.
“Fuck,” Hades’ curse was low and breathless.
She leaned forward and kissed him, devoured him, drowned in him—there was nothing but him beneath the skeletal moon and starry sky and when she grew too weak to move, Hades sat up, gripped her neck and her back and helped her slide along his cock until he came.
They sat in the middle of the field, joined, until their breathing eased. After, Persephone stood on wobbly legs. Hades’ held her hands from the ground.
“Are you well?”
She smiled down at him.
“Yes. Very.”
Hades followed her to her feet and restored his appearance. After a moment, he held out his hand.
“Are you ready for bed, my darling?”
“As long as you are coming, too.”
“Of course,” he replied.
As they made their way back through the garden, Hades’ pace slowed to a stop. Persephone looked at him, wary.
“What is it?”
“When you said you wanted to…try…things with me. What things, exactly?”
Persephone’s face flushed—it was ironic, given that they’d just had sex in the field outside the palace.
“What are you willing to teach?” she asked.
“Anything,” he said. “Everything.”
“Perhaps we should begin where we failed,” she answered. “With…bondage.”
Hades stared at her for a long moment, before brushing a piece of her hair from her face.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I will tell you when I feel afraid.”
Hades rested his forehead against hers, and as he spoke, his breath warmed her lips.
“You hold my heart in your hands, Persephone.”
“And your cock, too, apparently,” Hermes said.
They turned to find the God of Mischief standing a few steps away looking thoroughly amused. He was dressed as if he’d stepped out of antiquity, in gold robes that shimmered in the night and sandals that squeezed his calves.
“Hermes,” Hades growled.
“I thought interrupting now was probably better than a few minutes ago,” he said.
“You were watching?” Persephone asked, torn between feeling angry and embarrassed.
“To be fair…you were having sex in the middle of the Underworld,” Hermes pointed out.
“And I have thrown you just as far,” Hades said. “Need a reminder?”
“Ah, no. If you are going to be angry at anyone, be angry at Zeus. He sent me.”
Persephone’s stomach dropped.
“Why?” she asked.
“He’s called for a feast,” he said.
“A feast? Tonight?”
“Yes,” Hermes looked at his wrist, which Persephone noted had no watch. “In exactly an hour.”
“And we must be in attendance?” she asked.
“Well, I didn’t just watch you have sex for nothing,” Hermes said mildly.
Persephone rolled her eyes. “Why must we attend? And why at such short notice?”
“He did not say, but perhaps he has finally decided to bless your union,” Hermes paused to chuckle. “I mean, why would he call for a banquet if he was going to say no?”
“Have you met my brother?” Hades asked, clearly not amused.
“Unfortunately, yes. He’s my father,” Hermes responded, then he clapped his hands together. “Well, I’ll see you two soon.”
Hermes vanished.
Persephone turned fully to Hades.
“Do you think it is true? That he is summoning us to bless our marriage?”
Hades’ jaw visibly relaxed before he answered, “I will not venture to guess.”
To Persephone, that translated to—I will not hope—and she’d be lying if she didn’t admit that it only made her feel more uneasy.
“What do I wear?” Persephone asked.