DEADLY DINNER
Hades had come up with the prefect plan to lure Persephone to join him for dinner. Now, was the matter of getting that rebellious hot head to say 'yes'.
"Have dinner with me." He said shortly after entering his chambers. He wanted the conversation to run quick. He didn't have time to wait around for her to find something to throw on his head. He loved his head too much.
"No." He can fuck himself to dinner! I'm not going anywhere near him.
"It's either that or you can sleep hungry tonight!"
With stomach rumbling like a monster in the background, chin shot up in rebellion. "I'd rather eat dust than spend another minute around you."
Damn that sassy mouth! "Suit yourself. I thought I could show you around after dinner. You know, help you relax a little." Come on take the bait! He turned away, producing the key to lock her up.
He's gonna lock me up! Fuck myself. If I wanna get outta here I might as well take a look at the routes outside this damn room! She thought better of the situation. She was wasting her time sulking in here. She would join him for dinner, walk around and come up with a better plan. Besides, she couldn't think with an empty stomach since she hadn't swallowed anything for two days! Frankly, she was surprised she could last that long. Persephone was the last goddess in Olympus who cared about her diet, she wasn't like Aphrodite or Hera who were insanely obsessed of their weight, eating in small portions and habitually drinking her mother's psyllium husk thinking that it would help them reduce the extra weight which they didn't even have in the first place. Plus, she loved food way too much to ever follow in their footsteps. (That very much explained her voluptuous curves).
"Wait. I've changed my mind. I'm coming with you."
About time. He'd expected her sudden change of heart and played along. There's nothing more glorious than to have someone fall for your tricks. He learnt from his past, his dealings with his siblings taught him many things. He became a master at strategizing and he could see through another laid in front of him. He'd known Persephone far too long and possessed the skills to guess her thoughts accurately. If she thought she was good. She's bound to be disappointed.
Persephone couldn't wait to get dinner over and done with. Hopefully Hades would keep to his words and show her around. This was her possible means off escape and she isn't going to let her hatred towards the worthless species walking beside to stop her from getting there. Silently, she followed his lead through the hallway. With every step she took, she was forcing herself to keep calm and sucked in the urge to slit his throat with the nearest sharp object. (Boy, you've no idea how many normal objects could be used as assassination weapons). Every time she passed a couple of empty metal armour holding a very sharp looking sword, she imagined Hades lying on the floor with a pool of ichor gushing out of his forehead with herself laughing maniacally at the sight of his dead body…(Too bad death isn't possible for gods, but a serious wounds would teach him some things).
In a few minutes, they appeared to be standing outside a huge, beautifully ornamented door guarded by two guards looking as though they were suffering from a serious case of constipation. They opened the door at the attendance of their King and his fuming companion.
He guided her through the dining room. A long table was placed at the centre, decorated with a big vase crammed with pink roses (she resisted the temptation to bury her damn nose in them). A chair was pulled out for her by a manservant and she proceeded to take her seat. Hades settled at the other end of the table which was thankfully further away from her! Persephone noticed the servants distancing themselves. She felt proud at the knowledge that she managed to strike fear in Hades' servants and it was only a matter of time before the Devil himself started shivering like them.
The servants laid out multiple plates of different dishes on the table after Hades signaled them to do so. She was served with a regular menu containing mainly of ambrosia, fruit-based dishes and a bowl of oats, nuts and raisins clumped with nectar. She wasn't allowed to indulge in meat- it was considered an act of gluttony that was set by Apollo. She couldn't help feeling envious at her nemesis as he was presented with mortal meal of moussaka, a huge chunk of roast meat that could possibly feed a whole starving family and other varieties which she'd never seen before. But those were the rules. Hades was allowed to live his life as he wished but she had to follow the rules of Olympus which were set by a bunch of assholes that had nothing better to do in their free time!
Hades sat looking at the creature sitting opposite him. He could have parked his damned chariot at the space between them. He grimaced at the thought and continued watching the woman with the angry brown eyes. "I trust you're adapting to the change provided by my home?" He said trying to converse with the former blabbing champion.
Is he trying to fuck me up with his lame attempt to make me talk? Gods, he's desperate! She scoffed. "No. And I hate this place."
"And why is that so?" He asked after chewing a mouthful of moussaka.
Wow. I didn't realise that my ex-boyfriend is such a douche bag! "Oh I'm sorry, I said the wrong thing. You see your kingdom offers the most outstanding scenery, the fact that I could look at nothing over a metre is just wonderful! The smell of sulphur and coal definitely beats the flowers and sunshine I grew up with and the endless screams of the damned are like music to my ears. Really, Apollo would bow at your feet if he heard your orchestra team!" She mockingly beamed.
Her sarcasm was obvious. However, there were two things she'd over-exaggerated. Firstly, the castle was always lit by candles; there was no reason for her to complain about the darkness. Secondly, there were no 'screams of the damned' up here because all those things can only be found in Tartarus. "The Underworld has welcomed its Queen. There is no backing out. So I'm glad you're finding things to your liking." He raised his glass at that.
Ok. You know what, I'm gonna shut up now! Because the more I hear this dick head talk, the more I want to strangle him!
"…sent it to your room…" He was saying something which she didn't catch because she was busy killing him using 10 different ways in her head. "…you'll look incredibly sexy in that, I'm sure."
What did he say?! Damn this dude is seriously looking for TROUBLE!
He carried on, forking some meat, asking series of questions which she didn't answer. He wasn't appeased by her sudden silence. He needed a much more delicate topic to stir her up. "I must tell you what a torture it is to always wake up in cold sweat, dreaming of you begging for the release only I can give…"
This arrogant asshole! He's changing tactics. She scanned the room to see if the servants heard what he'd just said, but she saw none of them.
He saw the worry in her eyes as she glanced over the room. She didn't know that the servants were in the kitchen arranging dessert as she was so determined to stare at the plate to avoid making conversations with him. "To fantasies of you screaming my name as you grind underneath me."
Oh Gods. She kept repeating the mantra 'Silence is golden' (got it from Athena) in her head. He wasn't going to stop soon. Her right hand tightened on the cutlery. Breathe. Breathe. Fuck! Don't lose it! Silence is golden. Silence is golden. Silence is fucking golden! FUCKING SHIT!
"Sex with you will be remarkable. I'll be more than you will ever drea-" He saw it coming. Automatically, his left hand shot out to grip the knife that was thrown at his direction. Gratefully, his godly powers extended his physical abilities and senses to make out counter attacks seconds before it reaches its target. It wasn't a good shot. Her aiming was not precise. Even if he hadn't caught the object she threw at him, it would sail and at the very least, damage the large woodwork situated directly at the far end of his left side.
Dammit! She mouthed. That was a horrible shot! Artemis would be very disappointed. (All those throwing javelin practices were wasted!)
The army of servants who'd just came out rolling trolleys from the kitchen had stopped dead in their tracks and they were looking at her ghastly with their jaw dropped wide (So wide, you'd be surprised it hadn't dislodged from the socket already). None could believe it! Did this puny goddess who looked as though she'd just stepped into her early adolescence, just threw a knife at the King of the Dead?! It was like witnessing Prometheus steal the fires of Olympus…No. No. This was much worse! If Prometheus had to suffer endless agony for what he'd done…what would this goddess have to go through for a much bigger offense? Trying to harm one's host was the worst thought anyone could think of, especially if one's host was the very guy who tortures the brainless, worthless fuckers imprisoned in the depths of Tartarus.
He twirled the knife with style and a high level of expertise. It was doubtless that he was the sort of guy that toyed with knifes and sword while others would rather avoid coming in contact with such brutal sharp items.
Very suddenly, very much unexpectedly…quite shockingly…
He stabbed the knife on the table, creating a long splitting haphazard crack on the solid mahogany, pieces of splinters burst into the air at his dynamic bash. His hand clenched the hilt of the silver knife, knuckles turning white at the pressure.
Persephone's posture straightened at the loud wallop. She'd let out a startled gasp and hers weren't the only one. Her heart raced in her chest as he slowly lifted his gaze from the offending item to stare right into her eyes. Well done Persephone! You've officially fucked up your own plans. His face was expressionless, his eyes darkened, she couldn't make out if he was angry or frustrated at her. He pushed his chair back and strolled towards her. She refused to look at him as he neared; instead she fixated her gaze on the knife that was planted firm on the table. The close proximity of his tall body standing next to her gave her goose bumps. Her hands balled into fists to stop the shivering. The dark aura that he radiated revolved around her making her feel unsure of herself. She frowned at the realisation that the servants had dispersed themselves. It is proven that the best thing about servants is their capability to disappear at the first sign of trouble…and they're almost certainly trying to avoid cleaning up the bloody mess of a possible 'Crime of the Year'. Shit I'm so screwed!
"Look at me, Persephone." She heard that commanding voice but she didn't dare look at his face for now that he was standing so close.
He tilted her chin to make her face him. The heightened blush on her cheeks and the fire in her brown eyes was enough to make him want to throw her on the table fuck her hard and be damned with the consequences! Control yourself Hades. The time will come for you to devour her sweet surrender. He freed the strands of brown curls that she'd unconsciously tucked behind her ears, loving the way the locks framed her exquisite face. She's absolutely lovely. Slowly, he ran his thumb along the contours of her quivering lips, resisting the urge to slip his forefinger into her mouth; trailing it along her the middle of her tender moist tongue.
Gods, my body is such a traitor! She was trying her best not to break Rule 15: Never probe in sexual thoughts! He bent his head dangerously close. Without thinking, she'd raised her palm to slap him right across his left cheek.
He'd allowed this one. The stinging pain on his cheek was a satisfactory distraction against his throbbing hard erection.
She was doubtful if he felt the pain from the deafening smack. He didn't even reel back. He was looking at her as though she'd just kissed him. A slow smirk widened the corner of his mouth. "Clearly, you'll make a fine Queen."
~HP~
Hades sank lower in the bathing pool trying to ease of the tension from dinner. His manservants were adding more hot coal to fill the tiled layer of space underneath the spacious bath, to keep the water warm. He rested his head back on the marble, his focus was absorbed on the new mosaic piece that adorned the ceiling above him. He had that design specially made for her. The bustling manner of his servants scampering around lighting up the gothic crystal lanterns to brighten the chamber didn't distract him one bit. Until…
"I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. The royal masseuses are requesting the honour of attending to you. They said they want to help you relax." The head of his manservant informed in hushed tone.
"Tell them no and I want all of you to leave." Help me relax? Bet they've heard about dinner. Still, those girls would most likely want to massage something else…hoping that I would reward them for their passable performance! Years back, he wouldn't have minded all the tolerable attention he had from various women who flung themselves at him and he would have taken up the offer to work on more than two at a time (yes, he'd had millions of threesomes, foursomes, you name it.)…but since he'd met Persephone, he was resolute that she's the only woman he would ever please and she would be the only one to please him.
His mind replayed the events that happened scarcely an hour ago.
"I would never be your Queen!" She said after that disastrous dinner. He had insisted to escort her back to the chambers despite the knife throwing episode. "I. Am. Going. Back."
He smiled smugly. "You can't. There is no way out."
"If there's a way in, there's always a way out." She'd glared.
He'd shrugged. "Not always"
"What is it that you're afraid of Hades? Are you not god enough to accept the fact that I will escape your clutches? Have you had too many women falling at your feet that at the mere mention of me loathing you is too much for your ego?" She'd lifted an eyebrow, provoking him.
"You know me, Persephone. You know I have no fear and I'm always right whenever it concerns you."
She'd smirked. "Like you said Hades, not always. You don't know me at all!"
On the contrary, he knew everything about her. He also knew how stubborn Persephone can be. And the only way her could make her believe in his words is by proving her wrong. I must show her that she belongs here now and she might as well give in to me. "You know what Persephone let me hook you up to a deal."
"A deal?" She'd halted.
"Yes, a deal. Like a contract, treaty, agreement you know, a pact between us."
"Yes. Yes. I know what a deal is!" She'd looked annoyed. "But why would you wanna do that with me? Besides from what I've heard from others and yourself…you don't come easy. There's always a catch. And often it's a high price to pay."
He'd moved closer to her and she stepped back. "I would make an exception for you. My reservations are simple. "
"Nothing is simple with you."
He'd sneered. "I'll grant you one month Persephone. One month's time starting from tomorrow, if you manage to find your own way out of my kingdom…you are free to go."
"Free to go? Wait…you are letting me go?" She was shocked.
"I will only let you go if you find your own way out." He had to stress on his words. Persephone had the tendency to conclude things the way she wished it and that is not good for dealings.
Own way out? She'd scoffed. "And then what? Have you kidnap me for the second time?!"
"Step out of the Underworld Persephone, and you will never look upon my face again."
She'd looked at him with disbelieve and laughed hard. "Oh Gods, of all the low downs and rotten bullshit you threw at me, this is the worst! Did you really think I'm that foolish Hades?! With someone like Hecate working for you, I'll never find my way out! Besides, how am I supposed to get out of here? I'm sure there are guards posted on every entrance! Just because you had me caged like a dog, that doesn't mean I'm stupid enough not to know this basic things!"
Caged like a dog?! What the fuck is she saying? He'd given her far more than all the other women ever had…and she's complaining?! "I'll make this easier for you. There is one passageway in the Underworld that is unguarded. Aeneas used it once." He'd gruffly said watching her eyes lit up with obvious hope at his exposure. Later she looked deep in thought (in obvious suspicion) before questioning him.
"Why are you telling me this? Why would you of all people give away such secret to me?! Too many clues. You're giving out too many clues…why? Dammit if this you trying to scam me, I swear I'll slice your dick off in your sleep!"
He chuckled at her threat. "I swear upon the river Styx, Persephone, that this deal is not a trick and involves only the two of us. Neither Hecate nor anyone else can change the course of this agreement. I will tell Hecate never to reveal your plans to me. No matter how critical it may seem. Does that satisfy you, Persephone?" He'd asked looking right into her eyes. He knew she always had trouble concentrating when he looked at her like that and it is exactly what he needed now…
She'd seemed to hesitate for a moment. "And what if I fail to find my way out? What will happen then?"
"The moment the midnight hour passes, you no longer stand any chances of escape." He'd said taking her left hand. "The very next day, you'll be officially betrothed to me. Soon after, the wedding will take place and I'll have you as my wife. My Queen." He'd kissed the back of her hand. "You shall perform your duties as the Queen of my kingdom, wholeheartedly. No more thoughts of running away." He'd looked at her again. "You'll accept me as your husband and promise to make this work between us."
"Gods, I thought your reservations were supposed to be simple?! They're bloody sacrificial! It's not even a fair trade!"
"It sounds pretty simple to me. And it is a fair trade. Maybe you're just not up for it." He'd said touching her nose.
She'd flinched. "You play dirty!"
"I play to win."
"When I get out of here Hades, you better start praying. Because that'll be the end of you."
He'd sneered. "We have a deal then."
"Yes." She said sulkily. "Ain't I supposed to sign a damned document?"
Very quickly, he'd grabbed her waist to him. Pulling back her head, he'd given her a hard kiss, feeling the soft skin of her lips. She'd stumbled as he let her go. "There you have it. Deal is sealed." He moved further back, he didn't want to get slapped again.
Her eyes spat fire and she'd purposely knocked his shoulder as she marched pass him before entering the chambers, and slamming the heavy door in his face.
Hades kicked his foot on the pool bed and shot up to the surface. Rivulets of water trickled down his muscled body as he hoisted himself of the bathing pool. He walked to the low marble bench and retrieved the soft towel. Covering his body with it, he turned to head to the room he was currently sleeping in. Before entering the chambers, he stopped and looked straight ahead at the closed door that held her away from his embrace.
Not for long, my sweet Persephone.
~HP~
Soon, Hades.
Soon, I'll break free from you. Smiling to herself, she slipped on the fluffy robe. There was a light spring to each step she took. She felt happy. Draping the robe on a marble seat, Persephone dipped her right toes, testing the water. Hmmm…it's warm…just perfect! She descended the couple of stairs, slowly immersing her body in the clear water. It would have been lovely to have flower petals floating on the surface but she didn't want to trouble the servants just for that purpose.
Leisurely, she submerged her head into the water. She could hear nothing in this half-floating position since the water muted out all sounds. Her eyes were caught in the floral-designed mosaic above. Somehow, being able to look at the resemblance of nature was enough to make her feel at peace and serenity.
~HP~
He had just climbed on bed when he sensed her movement (which he never told her he could). He felt her abandon the comfort of the room and head to the bathing chamber. He contemplated whether or not to sneak a tiny winy peek. Okay, if the woman of your dreams was bathing in the nude would you sit suffering quietly in bed? Besides, what she don't know won't hurt her. With steady hands he parted the door slightly. Blessed Fates! The view he was rewarded with was priceless. His sweet lady had her back to him. He could hear her humming away. Long brown hair was plastered to her smooth back. As if reading his thoughts, she brushed the long length of her hair of her back to rest it on her left shoulder. Damn. Her exposed back was glistening so then, Persephone decided to splash the water up to feel it rain back down on her naked body. He could make out the soft curve of her supple breasts as she raised her hands high above her head. Hearing her soft seductive laugh, his bad behaving cock sprang to life. Holy mother of Zeus, it felt as though she was giving him a strip tease.
"I'm so corrupt." He muttered. He knew he was being an asshole for abusing her privacy (well, this isn't the first time)…but surprisingly, only Persephone was able to him do such things. No other woman could simply flash her eyes and arouse him beyond his wildest dreams. They all had to work hard whereas Persephone had to do nothing! She stood in a class of her own.
He didn't watch for long. The reminding fact that he'd offered her a damningly risky deal, made him to wrench his gaze. He'd let this memorable sight be a strong motivation for him to make sure she never gets out!
