I couldn't remove the grin. The little pretty had a beautiful temper! I decided to give her a moment before interupting her tirade, I had to know what had caused this. I went to relax upon my throne and ponder my beautiful love.
Chuckling, I relaxed closing my eyes. She had struck out in her fury, she had actually challenged me! So few would and I could only marvel at her courage. Then again it wasn't courage if she knew my soul. Yes, deep down I knew even if she were to toss me aside, to strike my heart, to do anything, deep down I could never hurt her. She was my beloved, perfect in every way. She was still young, her excitement over ever little thing, her curiousity, her innocence were the most beautiful things about her. To be a woman and maintain such beauty was to be treasured. I might have to watch her more closely, couldn't have her trusting every fool she came across.
Ahh, Zeus, I smiled, she had wanted a me to sleep beside her? Such beaufiul innocence, she would make a perfect mate. A wonderful woman was blossoming and just needed a little push, perhaps becoming a bride. I wouldn't want to change her though, never. I could understand now why Demeter had sheltered such beauty, it was too wonderful to just let her taste everything at once. But to introduce it slowly where she appreciated every thing, now that was delightful.
"I don't recall ever seeing you smile as you are Hades." his voice jarred me and immediatly I tensed. Zeus stood in glory, robes flailing around him, staring me down. He was not in his usual mood, no he looked far more challenging. His robes were purple today, his eyes cold steel.
I sighed, "Dare I guess why your here?"
He took a step forward, pulling a young gladiator from behind him. I looked down at Apollo and my blood ran hot. This blond Adonis made me want to rip his throat out to feast upon his blood until time was nothing but distant past and the Earth flamed. He stood in white, with a red cape hanging limply from one shoulder, his eyes downcast in silent acknowledgement of the King before him.
Zeus crossed his arms, rubbing his head in a manner suggesting this was not where he wanted to be. "I believe you already know." He paused, "She's in the bedroom?" I nodded, clenching my fist. "Apollo go talk to her." He waved at the hall door, opening the entrance gaining the path to my beloved. I growled, standing ready to battle with heaven's guardian, himself.
Zeus chuckled, "He's a friend, I have to know of her welfare." I waved Apollo through, watching in warning as he dissappeared through the entry.
"I haven't touched her." I growled turning to Zues. "You've no right to come barging in on me without warning."
Zeus grinned, "You were expecting me sooner or later." He strolled through the hall doors and I followed on his heels. He led me to the dining hall, his eyes taking in what was left of dinner. I groaned still seeing ambrosia on the floor, his eyes sparkled and he looked at me in question. I shrugged pouring some wine in a goblet and handing it to the lecherous god.
"What entered that mind of yours my brother?" his question was soft, almost acknowledging of our relationship. It was the closest he'd ever come to actually trying to understand, even if I didn't realize it.
"I love her." It was a statement like any other, but my heart, my body screamed it. I would not function without this lovely creature once she deemed it necessary to return, I had no intentions of existing if she left. It would be impossible.
Zeus growled, looking away from me before tearing his gaze back to mine in fury. "Then why not take her! Make her yours! Why did you not let her feast upon your food?" He shook with unleashed anger. "Of all the goddesses why her?"
I shrugged, going to lean against the cool marble. "She is everything that I could ever dream of. I would not force my life upon her, I could not. It's her choice to leave, I did not steal her, I did not rape her. I have given her what she chose, and I will continue to do so no matter who chooses to interfere." It was a threat, Zeus acknowledged it, but to actually respond. It would be war: heaven and hell, lightness vs. darkness. Even with all the etheral beings, Zeus would be hard pressed to challenge his brother. His brother was powerful, nearly as powerful as Zeus, himself. It would be a fool's war.
Apollo pranced in at this point interrupting the tense atmosphere, and Zeus was grateful. I turned to look at the cocky god and felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand in disgust.
"You come to your senses old man?" the little bastard asked. He perched on Persephone's bench plucking grapes to toss in his mouth.
"I'm rather hoping you would have come to yours, my ignorant nephew." my voice was fierce sending chills through Zeus.
Apollo, in his own selfish ignorance, spoke again, "Y'know 'Meter had high hopes me and 'Sephe would be a match?" His face was smug, his grin what most women would faint over.
I watched in revulsion, "She wants you to lay your filth upon her? I truly doubt the kind Demeter would even allow you to touch her handmaiden with your womanizing ways." He shrugged, uncaring of the insults. His boyish grin never faded, "Did you plan to become a true husband?" If she could live happily with this god, if she could value this beauty that made women weep, this golden star that could not see past his own glory, the I would give her to him. I would release her to find her beautiful light, to live happily above, to love freely where she wanted to give.
Apollo, chuckled, "Of course I'd marry her." Then like an afterthought, "I'd even wait to find a mistress until she was with child."
I fairly spit flames, "Mistress?"
He gave me a flustered look, "Of course, ask dad since you don't know women. Once you had one, you just can't stop. Too many different flavors, if y'know what I mean?" He turned his back to me and I felt flames licking at my hands. My body, of its own violation, floated closer. My hands ached to tear him apart.
Zeus, was moving quickly to get between the two, but he would never be quick enough. This was it, Hades would bring war with this act, and there was nothing the Lord of Olympus could do now.
"Love?" a soft whisper floated through the room. It struck me as a blow, how could she love Apollo in such a way? Openly acknowledging it in front of not only me, but Zeus as well brought shame as well as hurt. My eyes darkened, but I could not move. I could not turn to see the lust for this brainless fool in her eyes. I didn't want to see the sparkle for anyone else. Her soft hand reached around me then, gently against my arm. I felt a hot sting on my eyes.
She quietly, slowly came around, her eyes looking at me in question. "Are you okay, Love?" she whispered. My heart soared, my blood roared through my head, my body shook in winning glory, she'd called me love. I bent taking her in my arms, pressing my lips hard against hers, unable to hold my response back.
Her soft body curving, melting into mine, accepting my need. I pulled away, looking to her eyes. The were heavy lidded, desire dripped from them as she watched my lips, her lips swollen with the aftermath of my need. "Yes, my love." I lay my forehead against hers. This was my treasure, my heart, and I'd be damned before allowing them to take her.
I turned, pulling her to my side, challenging Zeus. He stood in silent wonder acknowledging her, seeing her perhaps as the goddess she was borne to be finally. He laughed, "Perhaps it was my folly to question the wrong one."
Persephone smiled, but her eyes were only for me. At the moment I wanted nothing more that to escape to my room and worship every inch of my beautiful heart. I kissed the top of her head. "Perhaps." I mumbled in acknowledgement.
Apollo laughed, "Your rather demented old man." I turned to look again at the cocky prick. "When this spell runs out she will despise you."
"It's no spell." this growl came from the little firecracker next to me. I felt her body tense as she turned to gaze in disgust as well.
"Perhaps," Apollo acknowledged. "But sooner or later you'll come to your senses." His eyes were all for Persephone, "You'll tire of this white devil between your legs and you'll ache for your golden prince to rescue you."
I was immune to names, but Persephone was roaring. "How dare you little prick! Your nothing, but dirt beneath my love's feet! I've a mind to banish you to the darkest pits of hell! To pluck your eyes from their sockets so maybe unattached to your brain they can see the beauty before me, to see how truly hideous you are!" She was damn near lunging for said eyes when I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight against me. Pride brimming that her thoughts were damn near what mine had been moments before. She turned in tears, "Don't make me go back." Her plea rippled through me and I pushed her hair from her face.
"Never." I promised.
"Never." she smiled softly pressing herself against me, burying her tears in my shirt. I looked to Zeus.
"I believe it's past time for you to leave." Zeus shook his head at the boy.
"Apollo, go home, think about your foolishness." Zeus ordered. "Perhaps you'd like to thank my brother for saving your worthless hide." Apollo looked shocked for being reprimanded even in the offhanded manner. "I would listen, because any man can drive a chariot."
Apollo, knowing full well the king would back his threat turned to me with down cast eyes. "Thank you my lord." I nodded, and he disappeared through Zeus's hand.
"Now, maybe you and I can sit to discuss a few things." he raised a brow at Persephone and I realized he didn't want to tell her something. I nodded.
Raising her chin with my hand, I looked down into her emerald eyes. They shined with love and this little imp held my heart at that moment. She could take my life, devour it, she could do as she pleased and I would happily let her. "Go to sleep, I'll join you later." She looked ready to argue and I lay my lips softly over hers. "I won't be long." She smiled against my lips and pulled away.
"Goodnight my king." she said. I grinned, Zeus shook his head watching her skip out towards our room.
"How?" Zeus grinned.
"What's that?" I asked smiling, I filled a goblet for myself of the sweet wine.
"How did she ever happen to find that heart you keep buried?" his laughed boomed through the halls. I shrugged. "Do you plan to marry then?"
"Whatever she wishes." I cocked my head to the side. It would be a wonderful marriage I would use every niche of power I possessed to keep her happy.
"Whatever she wishes?" he chuckled taking the seat across from me. "You realize the trouble you two have stirred?"
I waved it off, "No more than your little moments of fancy I'm sure."
He looked surprised, "I dare say this is no moment of fancy for either of you." I grinned, of course it wasn't. "And I never remember enraging such a powerful mother as you have."
"Demeter?" I asked softly. I hadn't thought much of her, she was angry?
Zeus sighed, "We have a lot to discuss it seems. You know it would help if you poked your head above ground every once in a while."
I grinned, "I've been busy."
He laughed again, "I don't recall a time I've ever seen you smile, let alone so much. It suits you my brother." I held up the wine in silent toast. "But there are things you must know." He seemed crestfallen, he took a deep breath and rocked my core with his news.