Readers: "You have the guts to update the chapter late! Where have you been?!"

Writer: "I'm so sorry! All Stolen Sunlight data are gone from my laptop! And it took me quite a time to recover from the shock!" *whisper* and I played too many games…

Readers: "Oh, noes! This must be a conspiracy! The viruses are conspiring against you!"

Writer: "That's about right! Damn you, viruses!"

So there you have it! The Stolen Sunlight folder disappeared just like that. I scanned my laptop, but found no viruses (I'm using wind*ws defender because it uses less memory). Maybe some damnable nephews or nieces have been messing up my laptop without me knowing?

Lesson learned. Anyway, so sorry that the update took so long!

*psst… I know what you feel, NaughtyMage17, since I want to write that sort of thing… but tentacle rape is kinda… too high-leveled for normal audience. I don't want to corrupt anyone more than they already are lol*

From now on, I'm not entirely sure that I can update the fic once a week. I'm teaching vocational students and it takes most of my times. I have to work hard so that I can buy a new motherboard and play mohun world. I miss Fatal*s so much. Too bad he didn't appear in mohun portable 3rd.

...ah.I spilt it out...

~-0o-o0-~

"We are married, but why are you still hiding something from me…?"

~-0o-o0-~

Chapter 36

~ Childless I ~

H/P/H/P

Although the incident between Hecate and Rhea is in the process of being forgotten, Hecate can't just discard it like that and throws everything away. Last time she was failed because she didn't know a thing about Rhea and alcohol. It was her mistake to begin with, but this time it will succeed no matter what.

Although most of the ingredients and all recipes have been burned, Hecate remembers the recipe. Only half of it.

Sharp knocks almost make her jump, but she composes herself and quickly hides the aphrodisiac recipe she's been writing inside her wardrobe.

The visitor doesn't wait for her answer and waltzes inside like he owns the place. Wasting no time with idle chatters, he lifted his hand and speaks curtly, "The usual."

"Right away," Hecate chirps and disappeared into adjacent room, only to return with purple-colored potion and presents it to him. With a slight nod, he takes the potion and drinks it in one go.

"I know this is not my place to speak, but does she know about this?"

The man glares daggers at her, growling, "I hate it when people start meddling in my life."

"No, I didn't mean to! I just want you to reconsider. If she knows what you are doing, what potion you are ingesting on a daily basis, she'll be angry with you. It's like you've stripped her right as a mother."

He says nothing, returning the empty vial back at her, and exited the room without bidding his goodbye.

Hecate lets out a deep sigh, bowing to the retreating figure, "As you wish, Lord Hades... I will keep this to myself."

~-0o-o0-~

Limbs entangled, lips on a passionate journey, the rhythmic bounces of soft, silk-like breasts, and hymns of moans and groans decorate Hades' bedchamber almost every night. They caress and look at each other in the eyes, appreciating both of their perfections and imperfections.

As a king, Hades is accustomed to be served and give commands, and the habit manifests itself in his private life. Most of the time he is passive, becoming a receiver of Persephone's lustful offering. Recently when he is in the mood to lead, the supposedly romantic night is transformed into a humiliating, but pleasing night for Persephone.

"…what did you just say?" from his half-mocking, half-teasing tone of voice, Persephone knows that he is enjoying this…

With half of her face buried in the plush pillow, her voice comes as a meek whisper, "…please…"

She yelps when Hades slaps her butt. Both cheeks redden in pain.

"I can't hear you," Hades leans closer, flashing a mocking smile at her.

Persephone mutters under her breath. Why does she even agree to be a part of this… this sick, perverted role play?! She wants to die just being in this embarrassing position…

But she can't help but moan and lifts her ass higher in the air, exposing her wet nether lips. She is in a desperate need for something… anything to satisfy her aching pussy! If Hades keeps this up, she has no choice but to make love to an eggplant!

Hades arches his brow and proceeds to tighten the rope that binds Persephone's wrists just up her buttocks. "What is it you want? Tell me."

Finally give in to the desire, Persephone begs, "…please! Please just… plug it inside me… I can't stand it anymore…!"

She screams when Hades slaps her again.

"Beg properly, slut."

To the contrary, the slap arouses her even more. Swallowing her pride and dignity, she stammers, "P-Please abuse this… this lowly servant's pussy…" at this, Persephone trembles and murmurs, chickening out, "…M-Master Hades…"

…this is truly embarrassing for Persephone.

Her ass is quickly slapped. With a sharp yelp, she instinctively lifts her behind higher, pussy splattering with womanly juice.

Hades snorts, "…enjoying this? You are such a whore."

"Y-Yes, Master Hades… th-this lowly servant is nothing but a cheap whore…"

Although she doesn't show it, Persephone is pretty scared of Hades at this point. His face lights up when he sees how helpless and humiliated she is. Not to mention that… that twisted smile… it truly frightens her.

This is the reason why she can't flee. Once Hades is in charge, he is totally in a different person from his usual aloof persona. Who knows what will he do when she resists?

…it is as if he was possessed by an evil spirit, if it exists.

Persephone shudders in delight when she feels Hades' finger inside her. She bucks her hip lustfully and whimpers when Hades pulls his finger away.

"Who told you to move, slut?"

"Forgive me, Master Hades…" Persephone murmurs her apology and stays still, although she wants to just push her behind against Hades' fingers. Her nether lips are aching to be filled…

Hades lets out a chuckle as he caresses her butt cheeks, admiring the soft, spongy texture they have and without warning, impales himself inside her. Persephone moans out loud, toes curling in rapture.

Little does Persephone know that Hades is smirking behind her...

~-0o-o0-~

Everything runs smoothly as he had previously predicted. These three years, he has been consuming Hecate's infertility potion once a day, which allows him to sleep with anyone without accidentally impregnates them. The effect is not permanent. Once ingested, the potion will last for eighteen hours, which is more than enough to sate his lust.

Because of that potion, Persephone is still childless, which is good because Hades loathes children. They are just useless lumps of meat that need special attention so ridiculously often. Not to mention their annoying cries. They make him crazy that he wants to silence them for eternity.

No, he does not feel any remorse of doing this awfully selfish act nor does he feel guilty for keeping Persephone in the dark. She is his and his alone. Obviously he does not want to share her with anyone else, especially with stupid, idiotic children. He will do whatever it takes to keep Persephone from knowing his secret and sex is a perfect tool to manipulate her to his liking.

Hades smirks.

Everything is perfect…

~-0o-o0-~

Rhea is tending to Persephone's garden when the owner appears. The younger goddess is dressed in a simple garment meant for relaxing, rather than for a formal occasion. Her hair is freely hanging down, unlike the usual tight bun it's always been.

"Let me help you," Persephone sits down on the grass beside the titaness, bringing the barren soil in her palms, and wills the flower to bloom.

Rhea smiles faintly, "…thank you."

The two continue nurturing the flowers in silence until Rhea speaks, "How is it going between you and him?"

Persephone tilts her head sideway. Green meets sky-blue. "Every day is so beautiful with him by my side. I suppose I have reached the greatest happiness in my life…"

"Oh, how wonderful! I can't wait for the day when I can hold my grandchild in my arms," Rhea chirps happily.

Persephone stops what she is doing, eyes widens a little. Rhea's statement echoes in her mind.

…the day when I can hold my grandchild in my arms…

…my grandchild…

Now that she thinks about it, why isn't she pregnant? She and Hades are coupling almost every day and by now her belly should have bulged a little, yet it isn't. It stays as flat as it has always been.

"Mother, I heard you were… fertile."

Rhea doesn't notice the stiffness in Persephone's voice, "I was and I am. Earth goddesses are as fertile as the Earth itself, Persephone. Why, I have birthed six children myself, yet still retain my slim figure. Mortals would have gained weight and width by the time they gave birth."

…I have birthed six children myself…

Earth goddesses are as fertile as the Earth itself…

…Earth goddesses are as fertile…

"Persephone?" a gentle call and a touch on her shoulder are all Persephone need to return back to reality. She gasps and hastily looks at where Rhea is, and then apologizes profusely for daydreaming.

Rhea giggles and resumes tending the flowers, "Oh, you silly girl."

Throughout the time Persephone spends with Rhea, her mind is somewhere else.

~-0o-o0-~

Once the dinner has ended, Persephone follows Hades back to their room. He takes off his heavy, fur cloak and tosses it carelessly on the bed. Persephone silently takes it and drapes it on the armchair.

The couple doesn't talk much when they are alone and she is grateful for the comfortable silence. She likes everything quiet.

Slowly she makes it to the stool and reaches to undo her hair, which was arranged in a bun. To her surprise, she brushes her hands against cold, calloused skin. Looking up in the mirror, she catches her husband's figure behind her. He is quite dexterous and undoes her intricate bun painlessly.

…it is a wonder how on earth he knows of such thing…

Persephone wishes Hades would talk more, but that wish is near impossible.

She smiles when Hades plants a chaste kiss on her hair and proceeds to combing her hair. He could be so gentle and romantic sometimes, but Persephone is one hundred percent sure that he doesn't even know that the kiss is one of many romantic gestures.

Well, some things about Hades will never change.

Several minutes later, he embraces her from behind, his face buried on the nape of her neck. Smiling, she leans against his strong body and caresses his arm.

Persephone feels something warm in her chest. It's the same warmth she feels when Hades is touching her, embracing her, and kissing her. All this time she has been denying it. She's been denying her own feeling.

She remembers that she used to hate him. He kidnapped, married her by force, and then finally forced himself inside her. She hated him. She hated him to the point that she'd kill him, but she couldn't. As a goddess of life, she couldn't just kill someone off hatred. It is never in her nature to do such a terrible thing.

Years passed and the hatred slowly disappeared, replaced by indifference. Now, it has been replaced by love.

Is she being unrealistic? But he's been kind to her, albeit oblivious, and it's hard not to love the romantic gesture he did. She doesn't quite understand how hate could change into love, but it just does.

Oh, well… some things about love are better be left unquestioned…

~-0o-o0-~

"Lord Hades," her soft voice echoes in the dimly-lit room. Hades glances at her and then back to looking at the Underworld 'sky'.

"…am I fertile or infertile?"

The question remains unanswered for several minutes. Hades does not look like he is going to answer it. The suspense is making her crazy.

"Why aren't you answering?"

Hades looks at her behind his shoulder, and opens his mouth, "Because I don't know."

"Lies," she mutters through clenched teeth.

He arches his brow at her response, "You are beginning to look like that slut."

"Your mother is no slut."

"Yes, yes," Persephone knows what that answer means. He thinks that her opinion is unimportant or is too lazy to argue back.

"Why are you lying to me?" Persephone asks again, determination is shining in her eyes. "We've had sex countless times, but why am I not with children?"

"…do you want one?"

"I do want children, but I feel that I'm not ready yet. Why am I so infertile when life and creation are flowing in my veins? Could it be that I was cursed? Or… am I sick?"

Hades leans against the window, looking at her quizzically, "No. You look fine to me."

"Then let's go see Nyx or Erebus. They are powerful entities and I'm sure they can figure out this strange disease."

"Persephone," she doesn't know how on earth he is able to stay calm knowing that his wife is in a terrible situation, "don't you think you are exaggerating? You are fine, I'm sure of it. Nothing is wrong with you."

"Then why am I so infertile?"

"Hmm… maybe the Underworld has something to do with it? This place is known as the Land of the Dead and maybe, just maybe, this place influenced your body so that you've had a hard time conceiving. If you want children, we could go outside and create some."

"N-No, thank you…" Persephone blushes and averts her eyes. Hades probably is right. Living for so long in the Underworld has made her infertile, just like everyone. Yes, that's right. If she and Hades were to initiate sex in the world above, surely she would've been with child right now.

Yes, that's right.

Hades continues to 'stargaze', his broad back facing her. Unbeknownst to Persephone, a self-satisfied smirk makes it to his thin lips.