by M. M. Kin
“Hades...” She placed her hand over his, blushing prettily as she looked down. It appeared as if she was having an inner conflict over what was happening, however minor. Hmm. Let's remedy that, shall we?
“Persephone...” He smirked before lowering his head to press his lips to her forehead. She did not pull away as his lips traveled down her face, and when his lips met hers, she reached up, her hand gingerly questing through the air as it sought his face.
o0o
All she saw was the foliage, but she felt the definite shape of his brow, and he let her fingers slide down until she was able to cup his cheek. When she felt something warm and wet slide along her lips, she realized it was his tongue, and opened her mouth, feeling his lips press against hers with fierce ardor. Seemingly of its own volition, her other arm snaked around his neck, and with his own arm around her middle, they had each other locked in a firm but loving grip.
As she felt Hades explore her mouth, she returned the favor. The feel of his body against her own reminded her of her arousal and the fact that she had not shared any intimacy with him for nearly a week as she attempted to maintain the upper hand in her captivity. Yes, he valued her thoughts and companionship, but there was no denying the physical reaction that one of them could – and inevitably would – elicit from the other.
Persephone broke the kiss, but slowly, her nose touching his as she felt his hands roam along her body. She knew she ought to say 'no' to any kind of touching from him as long as she remained his prisoner, but at this moment, she didn't have the heart to put up real resistance to something she enjoyed so much. Her grip around his neck loosened so she could lay back, giving him freer access to her body as his hands continued their explorations. When he pressed down or massaged a certain area, she could see the impressions that his fingers made against her skin.
As he touched her, she reached out, groping blindly until she felt solid flesh under her hands. It was almost like a puzzle, figuring out just what part of Hades she was touching. Her right hand slid along a muscled area that she deduced to be his left upper arm, and squeezed it gently. He flexed his bicep in response, and she giggled softly.
“Mmm,” she heard him groan before she felt the light, prickly sensation of his beard against her stomach as he placed kisses around her navel. One hand slid down to squeeze her left buttock, causing her to give out a soft little coo of surprise and pleasure.
“You are a vision of loveliness. Aphrodite herself pales before your beauty,” Hades whispered reverently.
“Surely nobody is lovelier than the Goddess of Beauty herself." She had always wondered what Aphrodite looked like in person since the superbly-crafted statue of her in Hades's garden of sculptures couldn't possibly capture and illustrate the full loveliness of the beautiful Goddess.
“Her beauty is superficial. It is beauty for beauty's sake itself. But your beauty... it is vibrant, radiant, alluring. Your eyes hold a glint of wisdom that Aphrodite lacks despite her years. Aphrodite displays her beauty as much and as often as possible. You are more reserved – and modest about it. Your beauty is a rare gift to be cherished.”
“You do know how to make a girl feel good,” she shot back with a pleased tone. She had learned in her time with him that when he complimented her, it was never flattery. His tone was full of warmth and love, and she found herself with a strange sensation of melting deep within. It was hard to not feel comfortable here. The sky was gold and radiant, the plants lush, the air was warm, the water soothing and refreshing. She heard the dull roar of the water, welcoming the background noise. Hades's touch thrilled and comforted her, and his strong, smooth voice had an almost soporific effect on her.
What was the point of pushing his hands away? She was now aware of the pleasures that one could share with a loved one without having actual intercourse, and while she enjoyed his touches, she was afraid to admit that she wouldn't mind being deflowered by him. What better candidate than a man who had already proven himself to be a skilled lover? Her womanhood tingled warmly at the recollection of these memories with him.
“I would be worried if I did not,” he responded with a soft chuckle before she felt his hot breath on her breast. She sighed out his name as he wrapped his lips around the soft pink nipple. Her body squirmed against his, and he relished the feel of her warm skin.
“Yes,” she hissed softly as he started to suck, rubbing his tongue against the tip of her nipple. As he lavished his attention upon her breast, he slid his hand along her stomach, pausing only a moment when he came to the edge of the triangle of dark curls that sat above her womanhood.
“You are wet,” Hades observed as his fingers slid further south, and she felt a digit part her nether lips, sliding inside.
“So I am.” Persephone smiled faintly. When he wiggled his finger, she squirmed around. When he nudged her knees apart further, she offered no resistance, spreading herself open.
“And what are you going to do?” she asked as she felt his other hand stroke her inner thigh.
“I have not decided yet,” Hades replied, lowering his head as he spoke so she could feel his warm breath on her womanhood.
“Do not take too long," she responded impatiently, wiggling around as she felt his hot breath. So that's where he was! She could envision him positioned between her legs, just as he had done several times before. She squinted, hoping to see some sort of outline or hint of his body, but he truly was invisible. Not even the slightest glimmer or distortion of the air betrayed his appearance, though the feel of his hands was clear enough evidence of his proximity.
“I shall not.”
“Good.” She heard his soft chuckle before he slid in another finger. Even now, after what they had shared, she still found herself surprised at times at the pleasure she felt, or that intimate pleasure existed outside of intercourse. Before she had been carried off by this handsome, dark – and at the moment, unseen – god, she would have never imagined that a man wiggling his fingers into her would excite her so much.
“Hades...” She arched as he pressed his thumb against the hood that concealed her aching bud from his view. He continued his ministrations, coaxing her clit from its hiding place and leaning his head down to flick his tongue over it. Persephone hissed softly in shocked delight, digging her fingers into the sand. He was so gifted with his mouth and tongue... such pleasure promised her even more for when she gave herself to him. What would it be like to be filled by him? To have him take her into his arms and make her his? Such a thought was thrilling and terrifying.
Her imaginings of future pleasure were interrupted by the ones found in the present as she felt him lap more enthusiastically at her sensitive bud, sending white-hot frissons of joy through her body.
As he proceeded with his tongue and fingers, her breathing became more erratic as she tried to not buckle around so much. Her left hand rose before it reached forward, finally finding the top of his head after several exploratory grasps in the air.
Persephone groaned softly as Hades increased her pace, gasping and crying out encouragingly. It felt almost as of her loins were on fire, sending warm tendrils of heated sensation through her body. She threw her head back, issuing a gasp as she felt Hades push her over the edge, surging into the abyss of orgasmic bliss.
She lay there, trembling slightly as Hades lapped up the reward of her ecstasy. He continued to lick and finger her at a steady, gentle rhythm, sending shivers of post-orgasmic tremors through her flesh.
“Aidon,” she sighed, stroking his head, feeling his thick, long hair under her palm.
“Seph...” he replied as he nuzzled her inner thigh. Persephone's head lolled back as he drew his fingers out of her and she considered what he had just called her. It was a nice shortened name. Aidoneus and Persephone. Aidon and Seph. That thought suffused her with such a warm glow of satisfaction.
She felt his head lift under her hand as he sat up, grasping her wrist and kissing the back of her hand. It remained aloft in the air as seve
ral more kisses were placed upon it before he lowered it to her stomach.
She reached out again and his hand threaded her fingers before she felt him change position, lifting her leg and shifting so that he now sat next to her. He lowered her leg and she felt hands grasp her sides, pulling her up into his lap. She had but to lift her hand and there his chest was, his heartbeat under her hand. Reaching up, she felt his shoulder and a thick lock of his hair. Further up her fingers explored, tracing along the circle of his beard and detecting a faint smile on his lips. His arms held her in a comforting embrace, and her hand traveled back down. Her fingers slid down the smooth muscles of his chest, noting the faint but defined ridge of his abs. She grazed over his treasure trail before grasping him around the base of his manhood, feeling its hard thickness.
She gave it a gentle but purposeful squeeze before her hand slid up the shaft, feeling his embrace tighten slightly. Again, she thought of coupling with him. Even though he had just pleasured her, her womanhood ached afresh. If she could just lower herself onto him and fulfill her innermost fantasy...
Not yet. She was having a good time, but now wasn't the time for that. As much as she wanted to...
“I... I want you and I should not. You are so wonderful.” Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “I enjoy being with you and being here... This is such an incredible place. I will never be the same person again.”
“Oh, but you are. You are the woman I fell in love with. You have just learned a lot of new things and had wondrous experiences and given the chance to become the Goddess you are. I know you enjoy it here, and I am glad you do,” he said as he stroked her cheek.
“When you... were tasting me, I thought of what it would be like if... we had intercourse. It excites me, but it also scares me.”
“There is no reason to be afraid. You should know better.” He placed a light kiss on her brow, his tone without the slightest note of reproach, yet she could not help but feel just a bit guilty and annoyed, much in the same way she felt when he offered her food. She looked away, still blushing.
“Everything I offer to you wholeheartedly. You are the Queen of my kingdom and my heart." His embrace tightened, drawing her against his chest.
“I know that, Aidon... You know that I still wish to return to the surface world... but I would be happy to come back here so long as you are my host. Truly, I would be happy to be your guest again… and again.”
“I will not be a mere host,” Hades replied, his voice calm and stern. “I will not have you as my guest, but my bride and lover. I do not take half-measures.”
Persephone lowered her head, her thick hair obscuring much of her face from his view. Couldn't he make that compromise, if he cared for her so much? It was reasonable after the fact that she had been kidnapped!
“I will not force you into intimacy or eat my food, but there is no reason you should be afraid. Come now, love. Let us set aside this discussion for later since we were having such a pleasant time."
She was tempted to argue the matter further, but why mar such an enjoyable occasion? What was it Cyane had said? Sometimes if a woman appeared to be especially cooperative, she could charm a man into giving her what she wanted. Hekate had hinted at a similar thing in her bid to try to help the younger Goddess in an attempt to circumvent Hades's order.
So Persephone relented, nodding slowly. If it took a little more time, so be it.
His hand slid down to cover hers, stroking it. His lips pressed against her forehead before he whispered her name, thrusting his hips upward, reminding her of just what they had been doing before their momentary interlude. Her hand slid downward, gently cupping his sac, feeling no small thrill of satisfaction as she felt its warm, comfortable weight in her hand. She was familiar enough to be able to navigate comfortably around his unseen body, and his small sounds of pleasure told her just how comfortably familiar with him she had become. As she stroked and massaged him, his hands moved along her body in a lazy manner as he held her close.
When his lips closed on hers, she forgot their argument and let herself become lost in Hades's desire and affection for her.
Chapter XXVII
o0o
For once in his life, Hermes was unsure of where he might continue his search, since there had been no hints or even the slightest sign or premonition that might aid his quest. The nymphs had been no more helpful to him than they had been for Demeter. Kora had been there one day, gone the next. He had been searching for over a week now ever since Zeus bade him to aid Demeter in the search of her missing child.
Hermes was a mischievous and energetic individual, but he was not a cruel or malicious person. Had he known that Ares would attempt to rape Kora, there would have been a better chance of him keeping his mouth shut about the discovery of the daughter of the Harvest Goddess. It wouldn't be the first time that Ares had been a brute, but the God of War certainly hadn't counted on his attempted conquest's mother to be a powerful Goddess. And now, to see that Kora was gone!
Ares had been the first suspect to Hermes – and the most obvious. Hermes had done his due diligence, and Ares simply did not have the intelligence to keep Kora concealed from her mother's magic. That aside, the God of War was a terrible liar.
Hermes had gone to several other gods and in his own way – eavesdropping, investigating, or engaging his interrogates with well-placed questions – divulged the fact that none of them had anything to do with Kora's disappearance. Now the quick-footed god had eliminated all of the most obvious suspects from his list. He was determined to do his best and if he wasn't able to bring her back, at least he would know where she was. He did feel somewhat guilty for her disappearance; she was a sweet girl.
He had to admit, he was glad to have been given a mystery to solve, having been bored for a while now. He certainly liked cracking them open like nuts to discover whatever secrets might lay within, and knew that he wasn't the only one anxious to find out Kora's whereabouts. Whenever he came to Demeter with his reports he always felt guilty when he saw the pain and anguish on her face.
o0o
The Lord of the Dead glided through Zeus's grand house, a dark presence casting his shadow among the treasures of the elegant domicile.
“Welcome, welcome!” Zeus greeted him from the divan he was reclining on, gesturing to another one for his elder brother. On the table was set a small feast, but Hades disregarded the meal and the proffered seat. He knew why Zeus wanted to see him, so he would waste no time. Better to be in the Underworld with his love than up here with his brother!
The Lord of the Underworld cut a majestic figure, wrapped in a black cloak that billowed around him and added dimension to his form. A thin golden crown set with onyx graced his head, and his brooch and wristbands were no less elegant. The raven-haired god remained on his feet, staring at Zeus coolly.
“When I received your summons, I knew what it was for, so I am not going to waste my time with pleasantries. I assure you, your daughter is safe,” Hades said evenly.
“Very well then,” Zeus swallowed.
“Interesting you ask that when you did not even think to grant her the courtesy of notifying her of her betrothal.”
Zeus stared for several moments as his brother smirked at him coldly.
“I would think that my guarantee of her safety and well-being would satisfy you. Do you think I would go back on my word? Are you so mistrusting of your own brother?”
Again, an uncomfortable silence hung in the air. Inwardly, Hades relished his brother's discomfort. Was Persephone happy? She had made no demands to leave the Underworld for a while, and he hadn't put food before her in the same span of time. The unspoken truce continued as it had.
Bit by bit she was exploring the Underworld and learning about her new domain. Soon enough, she would be ready to sit beside him as his Queen. His craftsmen had already created a splendid throne for her. Zeus' question was simple enough, but there was no pleasure in responding with a mere 'Yes'.
“You li
ve in a realm that is far different from the other gods. I have seen that place."
“Quite a few times," Hades shot back. With all the children Zeus had – and that was just counting the divine offspring – that was a good number of trips to the Fates, to ensure that the vicious cycle that his grandfather and father had been trapped in would not ensnare him as well. But Zeus kept his trips as short as possible, knowing only one brief path within the Underworld, and nothing else.
“It is a place that even the gods fear., and for good reason. Kora's just a... little girl!”
Little girl, you say? A maiden of five and twenty years? Hades sneered inwardly. The image of a lithe and curvaceous Persephone, her cheeks rosy from the pleasure he gave her was still enticingly fresh in his mind. Already he missed the feel of her body snuggled up against his. What would Zeus and Demeter say if they could see their daughter right now, clad in finery and adorned in jewels, though the finest of fabrics and the rarest of gems paled before her beauty?
“You do not give your daughter enough credit,” the Lord of the Dead replied, waving his arm in a dismissive gesture. “But then, have you ever really known her? As it is, I am a far better judge of what she needs.”
“Can you not answer my question without going off on a different tangent?”
“No.” Because it amuses me, Hades thought dryly. He had told Persephone that Zeus was not without his faults, and that was the truth. Of his faults, there were plenty to be had. Zeus might rule Olympus with a firm hand and do his best to arbitrate the various conflicts within his family, but Hades had little respect for his brother on a personal level.
The Lord of the Dead was a reserved man, but he wasn't above sending a barb someone's way or teasing them if he felt it was warranted.
“Is she happy?” Zeus asked, trying to not sound too insistent.
