Chapter Seven

Persephone woke up on the day of the wedding with a heavy heart, she wasn't even sure if it was morning. The Underworld had no concept of time, day and night were the same; indistinguishable. Hades hadn't made another move on her since the kiss only a few days ago, but she knew he'd won. He was right; no one would come for her. She was trapped. She'd just have to hope that she could gain some freedom from this awful marriage. A soft tapping at her door resulted in her pulling the duvet over her head and burrowing deeper into the bedding. She knew that wouldn't stop the nymphs coming in though, they answered to Hades only and he'd ordered them to go in her room even if she refused them.

Soon enough the sound of running water could be heard and the duvet was tugged away and she was pulled to her feet. She knew that in the rooms next door Hades would be getting the same treatment from the nymphs, but she guessed that his attitude was a more upbeat one. I wonder if I could just drown myself, maybe gods do die but none have ever tried it. She sank under the water knowing it was hopeless; even if she did die she'd end up here anyway. For her there was no escaping Hades. The nymphs tugged her back to the surface and resumed washing her hair with special oils, she caught a whiff of rose scent and tears stung her eyes. It felt like it'd been months, years even, since she'd smelt a real rose or any type of flower for that matter but she knew she'd been here for only a week.

The next few hours passed in a blur, she was seated in a chair where her hair and make-up was done, she wasn't sure how long the make-up took but knew it took longer than normal due to the fact tears constantly streamed down her face. All too soon she was ushered from the room and following nymphs through the Underworld. She knew better than to ask where the wedding was to be held, the nymphs never spoke. As she walked the fine silk of the dress whispered against her legs, it was beautiful – perhaps if she was marrying someone she loved she'd admire it more. The top half of the dress was made in a toga-like fashion, with one shoulder covered and remaining shoulder left bare, it hugged her figure showing off her slender curves. The dress touched the floor; a slit on the right side ran up to her thigh showing slender legs beneath the fabric. Diamonds twinkling like stars adorned her hair, ears and neck; a cluster adorned the bust of her dress drawing attention to her breasts.

"You look beautiful," a cool voice snapped her from her thoughts and Persephone looked up to see Hades leaning against a stone wall, his eyes taking in every detail of her appearance. She shifted uncomfortably as his eyes slowly strolled over every inch of her body, she didn't even need to look at his face to tell what he was picturing. "Don't scowl like that," he smirked walking towards her as the nymphs shifted aside so he could pass through. He lowered his face down to hers and for a split second Persephone thought he would kiss her, he'd not made another move to do so since their kiss a few nights ago. Instead he pressed his nose close to her hair and took a deep breath; even if she had wanted to she couldn't have repressed the shudder that shook her body.

"May I ask who is wedding us?" She asked trying to keep her mind clear, to keep calm.

"A temple priest." Persephone arched her eyebrow at this, which priest? Who would be insane enough to wed the two? Unless Hades had spun them a lie... "Come, let's not waste anymore time." He bowed and kissed her cheek, resting a hand on her waist he led her into great stone room. It was almost empty, a scattering of nymphs and minions were gathered to one side, at the front of the room just in front of a stone alter covered with a black silk cloth stood an old man. He was draped in black robes, he was old and greying, his face was weathered and worn, and his eyes a steel grey looked tired and anxious. He doesn't want to do this, Persephone realised as they stopped a few feet in front of him. He bowed to them both deeply, his bow to Hades was considerably deeper and Persephone guessed that he was a priest at one of Hades' temples.

"What did you tell this man?" She asked Hades coldly, "I can tell he doesn't want to marry us anymore than I want to marry you!"

"He is my priest, he must obey me." He never set eyes on her as he spoke; his eyes were focused intently on the priest as if daring him to speak.

"It is my pleasure to marry you both, and an honour to meet a goddess such as yourself. Your beauty is a great rival to Aphrodite herself." Persephone bit back a grin as she faced the man.

"I wouldn't let her hear you say that, she'll get jealous." She wasn't worried about him being struck down here though, no god could hear what was said in the Underworld, nor could they spy on the goings on there. It was something to do with the power; it rivalled Olympus's own power. "But I can tell you don't want to marry us, why?" She heard Hades givbe a slight cough. "What did you tell him?"

"The truth. That I've claimed you as mine brought you to my domain so you will be my co-ruler." Persephone was stunned; she'd not expected him to say the truth so...casually!

"It's true Goddess; my Lord Hades has no need to lie to a lowly servant such as myself. I must do as he commands." Persephone frowned, she knew priests were honour bound to their Gods or Goddesses, but if it would conflict with another...they had ways of objecting. This marriage would surely anger her father! She had been kidnapped and was forced to marry a man she didn't love, to rule a world that was against her very being.

"But –"

"Persephone." Hades said sharply glaring at her, she flinched and for the first time she felt truly terrified. Now she got the impression that defying him was not the best of ideas. "Please forgive my bride, she is just nervous. May we please begin?" Persephone could see the priest was still hesitating. You're not getting out of this, a small voice in her mind told her. This is real. There's no one coming to save you, but you cannot drag this man down with you. She blinked away tears and forced a smile as she looked at the priest.

"May I?" She asked him quietly holding out her hand for his, the priest looked at her nervously but gave her his hand. Closing her eyes Persephone took a deep breath, she pictured her thoughts as currents, her body a river. The thoughts trailed through her mind and out her fingertips leaving her mind empty. She focused now on only happy thoughts, the smell of summer – berries, wildflowers, the scent of an oncoming storm. Everything that made her, her. When she opened her eyes she let go of the priests hand and smiled faintly. A miniature rose, no bigger than her little finger, lay in the centre of his palm. The petals in full bloom were a pale pink and emitted a faint golden sparkle.

"Goddess this is a beautiful gift –"

"Its my favour," Persephone explained to him glancing at Hades from the corner of her eye to study his reaction. She could see he was impressed. "Now if a God or Goddess questions you about this you can show them that you performed this ceremony with my blessing." Hades looked genuinely shocked and opened his mouth to say something. "I don't want to marry you." She said sharply unable to look at him, "but this man shouldn't be held responsible and punished for your cruelty. Please...may we just do this?"

Hades swept Persephone off her feet as soon as they stepped outside; he carried her bridal style to his bedchambers not caring if he was practically running. Persephone didn't protest, she couldn't speak. Tears stung her eyes and fear gripped her immortal heart. All too soon he was gracefully laying her on the bed, his lips pressed against hers, his body heavy on top of hers.

"Do we have to do this now?" She pleaded in a whispery voice as his hands all but tore the dress off her.

"Our marriage is only official if we consummate it now," he whispered trailing kisses from her lips to hear ears. "I promise you I'll be gentle," Persephone flinched. Her mother had kept her shut away in forests for just this reason – she wanted her daughter to remain pure, an innocent maiden. She knew about sex, Aphrodite had schooled the young goddess in it when she had reached her 'teens'. She knew that it would most likely hurt for the first time, but Hades words just heightened her fear. "Ssh," he smoothed her hair from her face as he lay atop of her now fully naked.

For the first time Persephone let herself study Hades' appearance. She had noticed he had a handsome face, tanned with deep dark eyes that you could just lose yourself in. His hair looked soft and luxurious, like velvet, she refused to let her hands roam through his hair – she didn't want him to think she was enjoying this. She would not accept this fate. Her eyes trailed down, taking in the muscular arms which circled her body, the heavily muscled chest and toned stomach inches above her own smooth, flat stomach. Finally her eyes rested on his manhood, her cheeks burned crimson and she let out a small cry. She closed her eyes and turned her head, she could feel his hands rubbing her stomach, massaging her shoulders and breasts. His movements distracted her from the swell below his abdomen. They were moving in rhythm together, thighs grinding together slowly at first but gradually picking up speed. Persephone could feel her breath quickening, she held onto his shoulders and as he slowly entered her she let out a small gasp. He whispered in her ear, kissed her gently and held onto her.

Persephone lay in his arms after, he was still whispering in her ear; empty promises and meaningless words. Tears trickled down her cheeks and she turned her back to him. He'd won. She was now his wife and bound to the Underworld. She'd given herself to him willingly, or as good as. She'd not fought him – she'd almost enjoyed it, she'd been attracted to him! Squeezing her eyes tightly shut she pulled the black silk duvet up to her shoulders tightly and tried to sleep. But sleep would not welcome her. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she listened to Hades murmuring softly and eventually snoring softly, a hand still resting on her stomach, caressing it lovingly even in his sleep.