A/N: As always I am deeply grateful for your reviews! You guys make my day when I see a new review up. I'm always glad to know what people are thinking while they're reading this. So what do you think Hades thinks of Persephone in his world? Find out today!
Chapter 7: No More Schemes
Hades was finally free of Persephone, and was relieved. His skin was crawling with her touch, and his blood was heated from within. She was a sweetly affectionate creature, and he didn't know what to do with her. He went down to the bathing springs, and immediately stood under the coldest waterfall he could find. The chilly water soaked his skin, but only partially cooled his desire. She could not have been more frustrating than if she was trying to seduce him.
She was constantly touching him. He understood her need for reassurance and didn't mind it, but it would have been better if he was allowed to put his hands on her as well. So many times he felt her softness brush against him, and he had to refrain from claiming her. He'd been in agony as he fought his attraction to her. Many times he'd almost slipped. When she touched his shadow…
His shadow was another part of him, a part of his power that was visible and semi-tangible. It was like an extra limb, and it was sensitive like the skin on his arm. His subjects were aware of it, and politely avoid his shadow. But when Persephone touched a part of him that was rarely touched, he nearly lost it. And she was so unaware of her actions! He'd vowed to be her protector, but it was all her could do not to seduce her.
Her lack of fear bothered him. Everyone feared him. He learned to control himself so they weren't afraid, but there was still that undercurrent of worry if he ever lost control. But Persephone wasn't afraid, at all. She broke through his defenses and made him relax in a way no one else could have. He was happy she saw his kingdom in the same light he did, but he worried what she would do that knowledge. He was not used to being… vulnerable.
His teeth chattered and his body was juddering when he finally removed himself from the waterfall. His bones ached with cold, but his chest ached with something else entirely. And dammit, Hecate and Thanatos were trying to set him up! There was that picnic basket, and then Thanatos with that scroll which was obviously only to get a good look at Persephone.
He knew his servants—more like old friends—were only trying to help him, but they didn't understand how much Persephone and him didn't match. They weren't suited to each other. It couldn't be. She was his ward, not a prospective mate! He found their antics amusing to a point, but he didn't want to do anything to get Persephone hurt. Such as if his control broke and he finally seduced her. He was going to have to talk with his friends.
He transported himself to his rooms and dressed himself, choosing dark colors to match his mood. He wondered briefly if it was even worth it to hide behind his clothes. She saw through his disguise in an instant. In one day she'd realized his hair was blue, not black, when his own siblings didn't even know!
He needed a distraction. He sat in his study and attacked the work Thanatos left for him. It should have felt good to get back into his routine, but it felt hollow. He was only trying to take his mind off the sleeping maiden, and it wasn't working. It was a near thing that kept him from joining her on the bed when he set her down…
He shook his head sharply. He couldn't be allowed to carry her into her room again. It was too dangerous for both of them. Thankfully Hecate had done something so that the ill-fitting dress no longer teased him, or he would not have been responsible for his actions. He'd ordered Hecate to prepare a wardrobe for her. When would it be done?
He bent over his paperwork, sternly telling himself to focus. It worked for a time. Someone cleared their throat sharply, and he looked up to see Thanatos standing at the door. His neck had a crick in it, and his hand was cramping from clenching his quill so hard. His back was stiff, and his eyes burned with fatigue.
"Yes, what is it?" he asked sharply.
"Lady Persephone waits on you for dinner," Thanatos said mildly.
His stomach rumbled, and he realized he was hungry. "Alright, I'll come. You'll be joining us for dinner, and Hecate?"
"Oh no, my lord," Thanatos shook his head, widening his eyes innocently. "Hecate and I are much too busy to take a break now. You should enjoy dinner without us." He disappeared before Hades could protest.
He grumbled to himself for a moment, debating the merits and dangers of dinner alone with Persephone. He was beginning to suspect that he really needed a chaperone there to prevent him from taking advantage of her, but both his trusted advisers were mysteriously busy. He almost didn't go, but his conscience summoned up an image of Persephone forlorn and hungry, waiting to eat until he joined her. He scrubbed his hand over his hair, not that it made a difference, and resigned himself to a meal with her.
His outlook brightened considerably. It wasn't that he didn't like her. It was that he enjoyed her company rather too much, and he'd appreciate her company just as much in bed, or the baths. He reined in his thoughts, sternly telling himself to behave as he walked into the parlor off the dining room. Persephone was there already. She too had changed, into a sapphire dress that for once was made to fit her. It hugged her body, showing off her chest and hips. Though it was more modest than Hecate's dresses, he found that hiding her skin only made him want to bare it more.
"Lord Hades!" she greeted him joyously, walking up to him and kissing his cheek, then taking his hand. He nearly wept with wonder. He hadn't realized how much he missed touch until she came into his life and showered him with it. Her eyes were bright as he stared into them, a green-brown color he'd never seen before. Like her hair, her eyes appeared common and muddied from the distance, but this close to her, the rich brown was like fertile earth, with strands of green sprouts pulsing with life. It was no wonder the other gods had desired her.
"Lady Persephone," he said, and brought her hand to his mouth. A bare taste of her skin whetted his appetite. Her cheek colored prettily, and he wanted to do what she had done to him earlier and sweep his fingers across it. Instead he turned to the table—and stopped in horror.
The large table was gone, replaced by a smaller one that barely fit two place settings across from each other. It was so tiny that his long legs would be on her side of the table. It was inevitable that their legs would touch. There was barely an inch between their plates. It was entirely possible that their hands would brush. They might even reach for the same glass by mistake. He began to feel angry. This had Thanatos and Hecate's hands all over it, and it was too far. He was trying to maintain his distance from Persephone, not destroy it completely!
"Thank you for dinner, I think it looks very pretty," she was saying. He glanced at her. She at least appreciated it without being aware of the connotations. For her sake, he would endure it for tonight, but as soon as possible, he was going to order them to stop this nonsense.
He led Persephone to the table and pulled out a chair for her. When he took his own seat, he purposefully sat away from the table, to reduce the chances of them touching. It worked, though he had to lean over more than usual to reach his food. While they ate, Persephone talked about their day. He didn't have much to contribute, and simply enjoyed her voice.
She really liked his kingdom, he realized. She wasn't simply saying it because she wanted something from him. There had been a nymph or two that attempted to get into his bed for his power, and it was inevitably his riches they praised, not the humble fields and gardens that she preferred. As with every other time they were together, she was not happy unless she was touching him. He hated the look of fear on her face when they had no contact, so he left his hand on the table. It was within her reach because of the smallness of the surface, and her fingers often rested on his.
He extended his shadow carefully to lay across her feet, and she relaxed even more. What an odd creature she was. Most were leery, if not outright terrified of his unnatural shadow, but she accepted it as part of him without reservation. It was very strange that she should be less afraid when he was near, instead of more. She had no idea of what he was capable of. She looked at him like he was a hero, when he knew he was the dreaded god of the Underworld.
After dinner, neither of them were tired. Hades no longer had work to do thanks to his spree while she was sleeping, so he didn't have a convenient excuse to leave. Not that he wanted to leave, but he felt it safer for her if he did. Some protector he was, when he was turning out to be the biggest danger to her.
He took her to the least amorous place he could think of, which was the library. However, he soon found that was his downfall, for while his desire to know her body was quieted, his desire to know her mind was roused instead. She wandered around the shelves while his eyes followed her, keenly interested in her choice.
He couldn't help it. He stepped up behind her. She leaned back, never doubting that he would catch her. After so much time with her, it was natural to press against her as well. He suggested a volume that he thought she might have read. She had, and he engaged her in a debate. That was where she came alive. All day he had worried that she was too passive, too quick to agree with him, but in the library she was not the least bit shy to express her opinion.
He found himself taking outrageously contrary views just to see the way her green-brown eyes flashed when she refuted him. He went to so far as to suggest more reading material, and she was quick to do the same. He called a halt to their discussion so that they might read. In truth, it was more so that he wouldn't pin her to the shelves and kiss her silly. The large library was a rather drafty room, and impossible to heat. Against his better judgement, he brought her to his study again. It was at least warmth, sitting on the couch before the fire.
They sat side by side while they read. There was the entire length of the couch that she could have sat on, but instead she chose his cushion. If he wanted to keep some distance between them, maybe he should have sat in the armchair instead. Then again, she probably would have curled up in his lap. It would have been very pleasant, and very disastrous.
She leaned on him like he was no more than a piece of furniture. She read as if she was oblivious to him, but he heard every breath she took. It was impossible for him to concentrate. He stared at his scroll without moving it. He saw the words, but wasn't reading them. How soon could he plead tiredness and escape to his room? He eyed the connecting door to his bedroom with longing. He wasn't really tired, but he needed to get away from Persephone. His cold wash had not helped at all. He felt woefully inadequate to dealing with her.
His arm began to fall asleep, pins and needles attacking him. He twitched a couple times before she asked, "Are you alright?"
He cleared his throat. "Just need to change position if you don't mind."
"Not at all." She sat up.
He raised his arm and flexed his fingers, blood flow resuming. She went back to leaning on him, this time directly against his side. He froze. He knew he should ask her to move, but she felt so comfortable against him. She was warm and pliant. He hadn't been touched, even in friendship, for so long. He hadn't realized how much he craved any sort of contact until she came.
He was probably going to Tartarus for this, but he said nothing. He lowered his arm, casually resting it on her side. She didn't move. His hand brushed her arm. She didn't protest. His heart beat wildly. He told himself that it was wrong, that he should stop, but he was reveling in her softness. And this was all he was doing; it wasn't like he was seducing her. He was only holding her while she read. It was far more innocent than what the other gods would have done to her.
A thrum of anger ran through him at the thought of the other gods forcing her. How dare they touch what was his! His thoughts faltered. Was Persephone his? Maybe. Not in the way he longed for, but she was his to protect. A fierce satisfaction swept over him. Yes, he was her protector. If that was the only way he could have her, it was better than nothing.
He watched her, fascinated by the play of firelight on her hair and skin. If she looked up now, surely she'd realize how he felt about her. But she didn't look up. Instead her body grew limp, her head heavy. She lowered her cheek to his chest. She didn't notice when he took the scroll from her nerveless fingers. She yawned deeply, and succumbed to sleep.
She trusted him enough to sleep with him. True, it wasn't the kind of intimacy most would expect, but being allowed to hold her as she slept was its own kind of reward. He let her rest until he felt the draw of sleep himself. He picked her up and carried her to her room. She didn't wake, but she snuggled deeper into him as he walked. He was lightheaded with her scent of rain and flowers. He set her down on the bed, hesitated, then pressed a brief kiss to her forehead. Then he left before he violated everything he believed in.
Once free of her calming influence, he turned his attention to his so-called advisers. He summoned them to his study, where he stood behind his bog desk to confront them. They came in at the same time, wearing studiously blank faces.
"This stops now," he said firmly, his temper already on edge. They both adopted a too-innocent expression.
"I know what you're trying to do," he said before they could claim ignorance. "You're trying to foster a romance between myself and Lady Persephone."
Neither of them had the decency to look guilty.
"I am telling you to stop it now!" he snapped, making them jump. He didn't raise his voice, but he didn't have to. They knew he was deadly serious. "Demeter did not send her daughter to me to be seduced. Persephone is my ward, and nothing more. Do I make myself clear?"
They exchanged a look, enraging him further. They believed they knew better than him regarding the young goddess.
Hecate ventured, "My lord, Demeter is well aware of the ways between gods and goddesses. It's entirely possible that she sent Lady Persephone here with the intention that you woo her."
If he was any other god, that might have been true. Instead…
"Not possible," he snorted. "You forget who I am. I am Hades, god of the Underworld. Hades, god of the dead. Hades, the monster they'd rather forget. They fear and revile me! No mother would give their daughter to me, let alone an innocent like Persephone."
Hecate flinched, but kept up a brave face. "And yet she is here, for whatever unknown purpose."
"She is here to be safe, not to be forced into my bed!" he snarled, slamming his fist on the table. He knew he was acting rashly, but couldn't stop himself. The pain in his hand felt good, and assuaged the pain in his heart. It hurt to remember why he would never have the young goddess.
"And in case you forgot," he continued in a soft, deadly tone, "There is Persephone herself to consider. What makes you think she would even have me?" He gestured to himself. He looked the same as ever, but the air of menace that he usually restrained had slipped its bounds. His shadow loomed on the wall behind him, reflecting his true, monstrous nature.
Hecate and Thanatos both looked up, on the verge of speaking. Even after what he told them, they still believed a creature like him would have a chance with a maiden like Persephone! He didn't want to hear their words, to be poisoned with false hope.
"No," he growled, stopping them before they could begin. "I don't want to listen to what you think you know. There is nothing that could persuade her to have me. She is a goddess of spring and sunlight. Sooner or later she will tire of my dark world, and she will leave me."
He glared at them, silently daring them to contradict his words. After a tense moment, it was Thanatos who braved his wrath.
"You are determined to protect Lady Persephone at all costs," he began cautiously, "But consider the other members of your family. You would know better than I how single-minded they are when a female has caught their eye. If, as you say, Lady Persephone does tire of the darkness and wishes to see the light, you will no longer be able to protect her outside of your realm. The other gods are sure to resume their pursuit of her. The only way to see that she is unmolested is to claim her yourself. No one would dare go against you then."
The words of Death were seductive and reasonable, because they were true. When Persephone left the Underworld, he would be powerless to protect her. But if he did claim her, not just as a momentary tryst but as something more, none of the gods would touch her. They still feared his wrath—and rightly so—too much to gainsay him. And if she bore his mark, she would never be able to completely leave him. He would also have full access to everything she was, her body…
The thought sickened him, for he no longer desired her physical self alone. He wanted her to come to him willingly. He wanted her to stay willingly.
"No," he said shortly. "I will not protect her at the cost of her innocence and freedom."
Thanatos looked startled and started to speak. Hades cut him off harshly.
"No!" he shouted, the room quivering around him. They blanched and clung to reach other to withstand his fury. "No more conversation! No more reasons why I should be with Persephone! This is not open to discussion. I am done with this! There will be no more schemes. No more suddenly disappearing and leaving me alone with her. No more picnic baskets I don't know about. No more routine scrolls that have to be signed right away. No more skipping the meals we usually take together. No more finding excuses as to why I have to be the one with her every second.
"Tomorrow, I expect both of you at breakfast, and there better be a bigger table for us to eat on. You will take an interest in Persephone, and not foist me on her for the whole day. I am serious. If I catch one more plot to get us together, I will sentence both of you to mine duty for fifty years. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, my lord," they chorused together, for the first time looking properly abashed.
"Dismissed." He waited for them to leave, but they hesitated. His pulse pounded in his head. Still, after all this, they had more to say?
"What?" he demanded.
"You should know," Hecate whispered, not looking at him, "That we only wish for you to find joy." Thanatos nodded in agreement.
Their words pierced his heart. He couldn't be angry at them when they honestly wanted to help.
"I know," he sighed heavily, rubbing at his chest. "But my joy won't be found in Demeter's daughter."
They exchanged a worried look, as if to say if not with Persephone, then who? He had no answer for them.