Her heart still raced. Her lungs still ached. She throbbed… pleasantly. She smiled as he held her, letting her find her footing before he released her. He held her, ever so lightly, about her waist.
“Which is greater? Your hunger or the want of a bath?” He regarded her with an unreadable expression.
She arched one eyebrow pointedly. “My appetite is appeased… A bath is all I require.”
A small smile pulled up the corner of his lips and he shook his head. It was an expression she was becoming infinitely familiar with. And extremely fond of.
He shook out the peplos before handing it to her. “There’s a hot spring on the mountain.” She took the peplos, watching him knot the fabric of his chlamys about his waist. The line of his back, the breadth of his shoulders, the slight curl of his raven curls at the base of his skull, a fine sight to be sure.
It took her some time to wrap her own peplos. She pulled and tucked to the best of her ability, but the seams were ripped. When she was covered, she took his free hand in hers, looking at him with a joyful smile. He glanced at their hands, but did not loose himself from her hold. She squeezed his hand, making him smile reluctantly.
She followed him down the tunnels, through several cavernous chambers, into the main hall and out the front doors. He gave her no time to pause, but turned back towards the mountain and set off along the narrow path that hugged the steep mountain face.
When they reached the top, she stared out over his home. She’d never expected the Land of the Dead to be so tranquil, or so very lovely. But then, she’d never thought she would love the Lord of the Dead as dearly as she did.
###
“It is not how I imagined the Underworld, you know.” Persephone lay on her stomach while her eyes peered across the far-reaching recesses of his realm.
“There is a bleaker, darker side to my realm, Persephone.” Hades’ eyes moved down the length of her back, tracing the curve of her buttock and the firm strength of her thighs. For a man so recently sated, he felt the fire of passion warm his blood rather quickly.
She turned to him, drawing his attention to the delights of her face. “Is it horrid? Tartarus?”
He studied her, absorbing her features. Her green eyes waited, wide and curious. Her mouth, such soft full lips, parted slightly beneath his gaze. The freckles that topped her narrow nose and cheeks were playful, making her no less seductive. Even here, beneath his weak and milky sun, she seemed to glow.
“That horrid?” she gasped, taking his silence as his answer.
He nodded. It was.
She slid closer to him, pressing along the length of him. He did not resist her, but drew her closer. She felt warm, the only warmth he’d ever known.
She rested her chin on her folded hands. “Still, it is beautiful here.”
Her words surprised him. She thought his realm beautiful?
Elysium was a vibrant jewel upon the brilliant sea. An island of bounty and harmony, it was the most removed from the Underworld, the best of the Land of the Living with none of its frailties. Below them, Asphodel’s wheat blew in waves, golden and brown. She could not see Tartarus’ entrance, hidden behind an outcrop of rock. Without knowing what lay within that portal, his realm might be considered as she described it.
“In its way, I suppose,” he agreed as his attention returned to her.
“Asphodel reminds me of the plains of Larissa or the lands west of Athens,” she said.
She was beautiful, too beautiful to resist. He reached forward, smoothing the hair from her forehead. His hand slipped to the side of her face, savoring the feel of her against him.
She smiled at him and the pulling within his chest grew sharp.
A chorus of barks filled the air, drawing her eyes from his.
She watched the hounds. “There are no birds, no cows, no animals save your horses and hounds. I know why you keep the horses, what their purpose is. Do the hounds serve you as well?”
Hades glanced at the dogs. “They are Cerberus when I have need of him. They are hunters, when Thanatos calls. They are hounds, when at play.”
The hounds ran, snapping playfully at one another. The smallest fell behind, glancing in their direction with golden eyes.
“He fancies you.” Hades’ voice was soft. “It was he that brought me to you in Thessaly.” He did not tell her that he’d left Theron with her. He did not tell her that Theron would have stayed with her with or without his consent. Theron was most devoted to his master, and the hound chose Persephone as his. Hades could find little to fault in the animal’s choice.
She nodded. “I shall remember that when next he’s at my side.”
“That he feels a sense of loyalty to you is…” Hades grew silent, considering his words.