I cried a little writing this one. Might have something to do because I went on a writing bender and wrote this and three other chapters right in a row without sleep.
Whatever. Worth it.
Read, review, enjoy.
(BTW, I noticed the chapters that have more of a sexual hint in the title, have more viewers than the ones that don't. Perverts.)
Chapter 11:
Paige hesitates before reaching into his palm and grabbing the seeds, tentatively putting one in her mouth. As she crushes it, the juice spills across her tongue and greedily she pops the other five past her lips. Hades' slight smile grows into a large grin the moment she swallows. She slowly looks up at him, a solitary drop of juice staining her lower lip. His hand rises under her chin and he lifts her face upwards, leaning in to steal a slow kiss and her lips part obligingly, allowing his tongue inside. Within it, he tastes much more than the fruit; triumph, delight and love in each dip. Hand gripping the back of her head, he resumes kissing her a bit longer, beyond elated at having her bound to him again.
He barely parts from her mouth before scooping her up into his arms. Quickly moving down the hallway and into his chambers, he dumps the young woman unceremoniously onto the bed while Paige looks up at him in confusion as he begins to undo his armor, allowing each piece to fall to the floor.
"What are you doing?" she inquires, backing up and righting herself on the bed.
"Reclaiming you as my wife," he replies, stalking toward her; one knee on the bed as he pauses.
"I didn't agree… I'm not her, don't you think this is a bit too fast?" she says, recoiling a bit further from him.
"You agreed when you ate those seeds, my pet. Don't feign ignorance, I know you're bright enough to have deciphered what was on those scrolls. I know the visions you've had, in fact, I can practically smell it on you. Even now, I bet your body aches in anticipation." He utters a low growl, approaching her despite her trepidation.
Paige lets out a short shriek, hopping off the bed and bolting out of the room. Darting down the hallway and grabbing the first door adjacent to the study, she yanks it open. She sees nothing beyond the blackness, save for a few small areas dimly lit by torches. After a moment's deliberation, she wastes no time dashing into the darkness, the furious god hot on her heels. She takes twist after turn, thoroughly losing her bearings and finally coming to a dead end as Hades stalks closer to her.
"This is one of the few places I warned you not to explore. You've broken the only rule I set. Not only that, you've denied me, disrespected me and tried to play dumb. It's a contract, my dearest Persephone. In other words, you are now bound to this realm. As it was before, you willingly ate the seeds. Your mother will inevitably force Zeus to return you to the human realm, but for the rest of the year, you will be here ruling at my side. You will recognize me as your husband and take your correct place beside me. If you refuse to stand beside me, then you will take your place beneath me. You will recognize me, and you will remember." Hades snarls as he grabs her wrist, drawing her against him.
"You had plenty of options, but you have successfully divested yourself of quite a few. I would have been gentle, I would have let you feel things you've never felt in this life. You ran, just as you had in your first life. You disobeyed me, as you had in your first life. Now, I will do as I did in your first life. We will repeat our history, my pet."
Paige lets out another tiny squeak of fright as she is drawn closer to him, her palms flat against his chest. She tries to push away, only to find his arms tightening around her and after a few moments of struggle, she finds herself hoisted and thrown over the god's shoulder. She lets out a growl, her hands balled into fists before pounding them ineffectually against his back in protest, a vision suddenly snapping into her mind.
The red haired woman, Persephone, is wrapped in the same gossamer dress. She is screaming, shrieking loud enough that Hades must rub his temples long before he manages to carry the struggling goddess halfway down the hallway. He soon throws her down on the marble, both of them with looks of indignation. Her face turns up towards him, a mixture of anger, lust and fright rolling off her in waves as she lifts a hand to strike him. Her hand connects with a loud slap, his head turning with the blow. Hades pauses for a moment before twisting his head back to face her, his expression absolutely incensed.
Paige finds herself on the ground, her hand stinging as she hears heavy, ragged breathing just inches away from her. Slowly, she turns to face the enraged Hades, his eyes flashing dangerously at her. He wastes no time tossing her back over his shoulder and continues navigating back through the maze.
"Oh, my dear, sweet pet. That was the correct move if you wanted to rid me of the last of my control. However, it was the wrong move if you wanted a chance of your virtue staying intact. You will remain silent if you wish to save what dignity I'll allow you to keep tonight," he murmurs darkly, simultaneously jolting her slight frame higher up on his shoulder.
Paige lets out a whimper of pure fear, the sound constricting the dark god's heart almost immediately as he brings her into his chambers again. Gently, he slips her down from his shoulder and settles her into his arms before depositing her onto the bed a second time. She opens her mouth to protest and plead, but is quickly silenced by an affectionate bump of his forehead against hers.
"I understand... I'll attempt to be more patient. Please, it's difficult to have you so near after so long. Just, please," is all he supplies to her, drawing her back against his body and nuzzling her hair; she stays still, muscles taut with distress.
Slowly, as the minutes fade by and no further aggressive measures are taken against her, she begins to relax against him. She slips her hand over his that lies curled over her hip before drawing it to her chest and hugging it to herself in silent thanks before slipping off into her dreams.
Priscilla had grown up among a large group of Romani people alongside her mother, Diana. They spent their time travelling, rejoicing and mostly keeping to their own people; culture playing a large part of their everyday life.
A blazing bonfire roars in the middle of a large clearing as men and women in mismatched, flowing fabrics dance around it. Every soul from the multiple caravans throw their voices into song and people play whatever instruments are available to them. Cheerful, filthy, impish children run around half-naked while playing. Food is passed around, drinks shared and games of luck and skill are enjoyed. A few of the older women sit at tables, shuffling their tarot decks. The young, unmarried women stick close together, giggling to one another as they send flirtatious glances at the men.
When night falls and their only sources of light are the fire and the moon itself, the girls enjoy their turn dancing around the bonfire. All but one send coy looks to favored suitors. Priscilla remains content dancing for herself, yet the young Romani man Prospero watches her every movement with unguarded hunger. The girls remain dancing until the children have been put to bed, the older women have retired and the majority of men had drank so deeply that consciousness wouldn't visit them until late the following morning. As the last of her people retire for the night, Priscilla looks around to check for lingering eyes and finding none, she steals off into the forest.
She hadn't checked thoroughly enough. As she makes her way through the woods, to the same spot she had met the man she had been meeting night after night, young Prospero follows her.
"He's late," she murmurs to herself, the bangles on her wrist jingling as she sets her hand on her hip in annoyance.
"Who would that be, Priscilla?" Inquires Prospero, his hand encircling her wrist and turning her gently towards him.
With a sharp jolt of fright, Priscilla clutches her chest and lets out a harsh bark of a laugh, relieved to find that it was just a fellow Romani.
"Were you trying to kill me? I nearly died of fright!" she exclaims, attempting to tug her wrist from his grasp.
"I know you've been seeing that man," he murmurs. "Tell me, has he been under those skirts too?"
Dumbfounded at the man's audacity, she reaches up to strike at him, only to have her other wrist captured as well. She is forced back against the nearest tree, the bark biting into her skin through the thin fabric of her blouse.
"I knew it, I knew it was you I saw. Your mother promised you to me and I'm receiving sullied goods. You deserve nothing!" Prospero spits the last few words at her, releasing her hands and watching for a brief moment as she turns away, only to stop suddenly as a dark stain of red blossoms just below her chest. As she falls to her knees, the man wipes his blade off on the back of her shirt. He leaves her lying on the forest floor and turns back toward the caravans.
She remains there for what seems like hours, growing colder and slipping in and out of consciousness before she's picked up, her body gently cradled against the equally cold chest of her secret partner. Glassy eyes turn up toward him and her mouth opens, but she finds herself unable to form the words she so desperately wishes to say.
"Please don't... just, please. I have only just found you again! Please don't leave so soon, my Persephone." Clutching her tighter to his chest, his frozen skin brings warmth even to hers as his hand strokes through her tangled hair, brushing out the leaves and debris before burying his face against the crook of her neck.
"I'll find you again, as many times as it takes. I promise, next time." He hiccups uncharacteristically as he masks a sob, her eyes losing their bright sheen, dulling as her last breath is captured by his mouth.
Sitting up and gasping, Paige looks around the room while tears make fresh tracks down her cheeks. Hades sits up against the headboard, watching her with a guarded expression, unsure of what caused this sudden outburst of sadness from her and keeping perfectly still as the distraught woman tries to collect herself. She lets out a short shuddering breath, her gaze settling on the god before she throws herself at him. In a surprising act, she crushes her mouth to his and clings tightly to his robes. Thoroughly startled, he doesn't immediately react, but soon gathers the woman into his arms to eagerly accept her affections. He soothes her with soft sounds and sweet nothings until her sobs die down.
Pulling her back from him gently, he wipes away her tears with a thumb and regards her solemnly.
"Mind cluing me in, dearest Perse- ... Paige?"
Paige shakes her head as if to clear her thoughts rather than avoiding the question, hoarsely choking out the words, "I died."
Continuing to keep her close, his hand smoothing over the back of her head, he murmurs softly to her.
"Which life was it?"
She turns teary eyes up at him, comprehension dawning over her as she utters, "Priscilla... are there more?"
Hades nods and embraces her once again, nose buried into her dark locks and enjoying the scent he had missed all those centuries, before pressing his lips against her temple and murmuring against it.
"They aren't all as tragic as that particular life, but it matters no longer. I will not release you this time. I've always found you, but I will not let you leave me again."
"Okay," Paige agrees quietly, eyes closing in silent acquiescence.