Whoops, I didn't notice how fast time passed! I was super busy and I'm really sorry for the delay, I'll try to update more regularly again.

Chapter Nine

The days passed while Hades felt himself getting grumpier and grumpier. He buried himself in work to not have to think about the events, but during the nights his dark, angry thoughts came back to torment his soul and cause him nightmares.

He was sitting on his throne, his chin rested on his hand, looking at people's lives and deciding where to put them. His bad mood made it difficult for him to stay unbiased, so he had to concentrate to not punish any innocent people because he felt like it. He was usually stern, yet fair, but right now he was focused on his own problems and the self-pity he was sulking in. He hated himself for what he had done to his wife and dwelt in his feelings of despair and loneliness.

He gestured for the soul in front of him to leave, the young woman who had died of malaria quickly hurried away, confused by the way the man looked at her, as if the world's sorrow was resting on him alone. Before the next person in the row could walk up to him, a beautiful middle-aged woman in a flowing dark dress entered the room and walked up to his throne, her arms crossed.

"You look pitiable", she said while mustering him from head to toe, with eyes that were of such a light silver-grey that her iris was barely visible.

"Thank you very much, dear Nyx. What gives me the honour of one of your rare visits?", Hades asked sarcastically, her disrespectful tone doing nothing for his nerves.

"I'm here because this has to change now. I've watched you during the last days and I have to admit that even Hermes is more charismatic right now while you sit here, all desperate and thinking that you might have lost her."

"Thank you."

"I'm serious, Hades."

"Lord Hades."

"Right now you don't seem much like a lord."

"What does it bother you?"

"I can't stand seeing you like this. I know you since you climbed out of your father's body, covered in blood and with an expression so cold and intimidating that everyone was glad when fate decided for you to rule over the Underworld, as they didn't want to go near you. I was always proud to call you my nephew, but this is simply ridiculous."

"Oh, I didn't know my well-being was so important to you, auntie."

Hades clenched and unclenched his fists. He hated being reminded of the fact that there were Gods that were much, much older than him. And being accused of sulking! He wasn't some school boy, he demanded respect! Nyx moved closer and snipped his forehead. He growled and jumped up, poking a finger into her face.

"How dare you!"

"Ah, that's the Hades I know! Keep that spirit!"

Hades growled, but slowly sat down again. He wanted to learn to control himself, after all.

"So you came here just to tell me that?"

"Yes. It annoys me to see you so weak and measly, while you, my nephew, should be strong and mighty.

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Fight for her."

"She doesn't want to see me anymore."

"She's had enough time alone. Now go and get her back! Back then, Erebus just pulled me to the bedroom by my hair to win my heart. I'm sure you'll come up with something, but don't spend your days musing and sighing, this doesn't fit you."

Hades nodded slowly while the words sank in. Maybe she was right? He had been rather...hopeless during the last days, but the fight wasn't lost yet. He still had all chances!

"Yes...yes, maybe you are right, Nyx. I thank you."

"Ah, don't thank me, Lord Hades. I just hate seeing weakness, especially on you, the only one among your many siblings I respect. At least a little."

Said Hades straightened his shoulders, stroked his hair back and went out to find his wife. Nyx looked after him, a small smile playing around her lips. She couldn't deny a certain fondness towards her nephew, probably because he was so much like herself – stubborn and determined. She didn't support all of his decisions, for example marrying Persephone in the first place, that's why she hadn't attended the marriage; in her opinion he should have chosen a less troublesome bride from the Underworld, preferably one of her own daughters like Nemesis or Ker, but like herself, nothing could ever change his mind when he had made a decision.

Hades stroked his hair back and let a giant bunch of narcissus grow in his hand as he went to Persephone's garden. The young woman was sitting on one of the lower branches of the pomegranate tree, eating one of the fruits. Hades stopped in front of her and bowed before offering her the flowers.

"My dear...forgive me if I put pressure on you, but you had a few days to think and I would like to know if you can forgive me. I can only repeat how sorry I am, I will do everything to make you feel good."

Persephone looked at her husband for what seemed like an eternity before nodding slowly. She was bound to spend six months with him anyway.

"Okay. But this is the last chance, there won't be another one if you act like that again."

Hades nodded eagerly, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Thank you. How are you feeling now?"

"I'm all fine again."

She jumped down from the branch to look at her husband expectingly.

"Now...what do we want to do now?"

"Whatever you want, I could show you the horses, for example."

"You have four, don't you?"

"Yes. Nykteus, Aethon, Alastor and Orphnaios. They usually pull my chariot."

He offered her his arm and Persephone hesitantly took it. She felt slightly unsure about touching him as the image of him being on top of her and shoving the pomegranate seeds down her throat flashed her mind again, but at the same time she always had to think of his gentle side. He could be so caring and loving, unless you angered him.

Hades guided her to the stables where the horses greeted him with low whinnying. He went to stroke one of the stallion's nose.

"This is Orphnaios. He is the most gentle one of them."

"He's beautiful"

The Queen of the Underworld stepped closer to the horse and touched it's soft nose. The stallion blew his warm breath into her face as an answer.

"Do you want to ride him?"

"Ah...it's been a while since a last rode a horse..."

"He's a good boy, really. He won't throw you off."

Before she could decline, Hades had opened the gate and guided the tall, pitch black stallion outside to bridle him. He could have asked a shade to do that, but he wanted to show his wife that he was...autonomous. Orphnaios stood still and waited patiently as his master offered his hands to Persephone. She put her foot into his folded hands and swung onto the horse's back. Due to her sitting position, her dress slid up and revealed her slim calves. Hades stared at the naked skin and she quickly pulled her dress down again. He cleared his throat and gave her the bridle. She carefully pressed her thighs against the horse's back and Orphnaios started to walk.

Hades watched as his wife urged her horse on and on until she was galloping through the twilight, her hair dancing around her and her cheeks reddened. She looked so carefree and happy, the last time he had seen her like this was with Cerberus. It seemed like he should get more pets to keep his wife entertained…

Finally Persephone stopped the stallion that was breathing heavily by now, still smiling. She swung her legs over to the left side and let Hades grab her waist and lift her down. He stroked her messy hair out of her face, his eyes totally fond.

"See, that's what I mean. That's the Hades I like", she muttered with a small smile.

"And I like to see you smile."

"You are one to talk, your smile is rarer than finding my father without a woman."

Hades ran a hand through his hair.

"Yeah…I have to admit that you are right about that. I never...spend much time concentrating on personal entertainment. Before I abducted you, all I ever did was working and sleeping. I'm afraid I need to work again soon too, there is much to do lately.

"Can I visit the horses again?"

"Yes, but please don't ride out alone."

"It's dangerous, I know. I won't endanger myself anymore, I promise it."

"Thank you."

"You know what? I'd love to eat something. Now that I can finally eat again, I can't get enough food."

"Then come, I'm sure lunch is ready already."

They walked to the dining room in silence and sat down as the table was already set.

"Can I ask you a question, Hades?"

"You can ask me anything."

"You are around for quite a while now. Why didn't you decide to marry earlier?", Persephone asked and put food onto her plate, her stomach grumbling already.

"My brothers always told me I should, but...I never met someone like you before. And then I just knew I had to keep you. Another selfish action of mine."

"No, I...I'm not that sad that you abducted me. Otherwise I'd be sitting around with my mother or the nymphs now, giggling and braiding flowers into my hair. That's all we ever did and I have to admit that I was never bored since I know you."

"Hearing that makes me glad."

"So...were there many women before you married me?"

"...are you seriously asking me about my experiences with women now?"

"Yes? No? Ah, I don't know. I just...doesn't matter."

"No, tell me, please."

"To be honest...the thought of you being with other women makes me kind of jealous."

"Jealous? Why that?"

"I don't know. Despite all you're still my husband."

Hades smiled fondly and took her hand over the table.

"I already told you that there's no need to worry. I will not be with other women as long as we are married."

"Isn't that...difficult?"

"I have a better self control than my dear brothers and I love you."

His eyes were so honest that Persephone forgot about the past day for a while. This was the man she liked, the man who always cared about her. She finally started eating and the food tasted amazing after such a long period of not eating anything. She wouldn't have thought that the Underworld food could be so good, but then again it wasn't much like she had imagined it to be in general. Dark and cold, yes, but there were beautiful places like her garden.

"Do you think you could make my garden bigger?", the young Goddess asked after a while.

"Of course, just tell me what you want it to be like and I'll arrange it."

"I would love to have a little pond with fish."

"Then you'll have that. You can have a whole lake too, so that you can swim in it."

"This would be great, actually. I used to swim a lot, back on earth. My mother didn't like it as she was always worried that Helios or Apollo might see me as they passed the sky, so I had to do it secretly."

"Demeter might be strict, but she loves you. I never had a caring mother."

"Your mother is Rhea, right?"

"Yes. An oracle told my father Cronos that his sons would rob him of his powers, so he tried to prevent that by eating his sons right after they were born. I spent my childhood in his stomach until Zeus cut me out."

"That's horrible."

"I never knew anything different. After we had defeated our father, we drew lots to decide who would reign over which realm. Zeus cheated as he desperately wanted the heavens to make him the king of all Gods, Poseidon was happy with the seas, so I got the Underworld. At the beginning I hated my duty with a passion, but as the centuries passed, I got used to it. Judging souls can be tiring, but it is necessary. And I have riches too, that can be quite handy. Zeus or Poseidon could never give you this."

He stretched his closed fist out to his wife and then opened it. In his palm was a beautiful necklace that matched the engagement ring she was still wearing.

"It is very beautiful, thank you. Still I feel bad for not being able to give you anything back."

Persephone was about to close the necklace around her neck, when Hades started laughing. Silent chuckles filled his throat, then he laughed louder and louder, the sound echoing from the bare walls and high ceiling. This went on for a while until he finally calmed down and the laughter died in a low chuckle.

"What is so funny about that?", Persephone asked confused.

"It's just that you said you were not able to give me anything in return. This is not true at all. You might not notice it, but you fill this gloomy place with life and joy. It's as if you were a small light in the darkness that lightens my path. You have no idea what you give me by just being here."

Fun fact: I didn't plan for Nyx to be in this at all. I changed the whole chapter completely and divided it as I felt like Hades' reputation was way too fast. I really hope the story doesn't seem rushed anyway, I tend to do that.

Anyway, please leave a review, they always make me happy! (And as it was my birthday a few days ago, this would be a great present!)