Seeds Volume Two

by M. M. Kin

  “I have a message from Zeus. He has a question, and he would appreciate an answer.”

  “Certainly.” Hades looked almost bored.

  “He would like to know what you have planned in way of a wedding ceremony. Zeus would be honored to host the wedding feast, and–“

  “I have my own plans regarding such matters. I have been to Olympus often enough to see what debacles these weddings of our family can be.”

  “Still, Zeus would like to know if she is married proper, or will be.”

  “Mind your business. Tell Zeus to not worry about the wedding arrangements. Things will be done in due time.”

  “Very well.” Hermes bowed. “I have one more question.”

  “Why should I deign to answer another?”

  “Of course, you do not have to, but Artemis would like it if you did.”

  “Oh?” Hades raised an eyebrow at the mention of his niece.

  “She... wishes to know if you would do a small favor for her.”

  “What is it?”

  “She would like to remind Persephone of a wish that Zeus gave her a long time ago.”

  “That is it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hmm. Very well. You may go now.”

  “Yes, sir.” Hermes quickly bowed out and was on his way out of the Underworld before Hades could change his mind.

  o0o

  Persephone sat on a stool in front of her mirror, wearing a robe of deep green velvet, her feet bound in slippers of the same material reinforced with thin straps of leather. The teeth of her silver comb pulled through the thick waves and knots of her hair as she used her other hand to try to manage the wild tangle. What would it be like to cut off her hair? Just take a pair of shears and lop it all off at the nape of her neck? Sometimes she hated having to take care of her hair, combing or braiding it, since her hair was frizzier than her mother's and had the tendency to form curls at the ends.

  “Do not try to pull it down like that,” she heard Hades chide gently. She looked up, seeing him in the reflection as he stood there in a black robe that was loosely tied in the front, revealing his chest. He reached out with his hands, lightly running his fingers through her hair and letting the natural waves bounce free.

  “It makes me look so wild,” Persephone pouted, shaking her head.

  “Ahh, but I have seen you frolic plenty of times like this. It reminds me of these times. Besides, there is something comely about how you look with your hair loose.” He stroked the top of her head affectionately. The memory of frolicking in the meadows caused her to give out a quiet sigh.

  “I miss frolicking.”

  “You can do it in Elysium, or the Blessed Isles, or any of the gardens,” he replied calmly.

  “It is not the same.” she shot back just as evenly. He shrugged, still stroking her hair. He had seemed about to say something more, but he remained silent.

  o0o

  Zeus and Hera stared as they listened to Hermes as he brought them the newest bit of information from the Underworld. So Hades intended to do things properly, although who knew when he would. The Lord of the Dead seemed indifferent to the passage of surface-world time, and had his own way of doing things. He didn't want a wedding on Olympus? Damnit. Zeus didn't think he would be too happy going to an Underworld wedding. There would be nothing to eat there but for the Food of the Dead, unless food was brought in from above. What mischief might ensure that one of the gods accidentally eat a piece of the forbidden food if such a gathering was held in the land of the dead?

  Food of the dead. Zeus mused that subject. Hades was apparently not ready to hold such a banquet, and… Zeus blinked.

  “I have an idea,” Zeus muttered, stroking his beard.

  “All of us know better than to eat the Food of the Dead. Demeter might have given her daughter that admonition. If there is a chance that she has not yet eaten the food of the dead, then I could get her back for Demeter...” Zeus said with increasing enthusiasm. It was not guaranteed to work, but it was definitely worth a try. Hellas was in dire enough traits, and if this went on, the extinction of the descendants of Deucalion and Pyrrha was imminent.

  Chapter XXXVIII

  o0o

  Hades smiled to himself as he glanced over at Persephone. She gazed at the souls before them calmly, assessing them as she listened to their stories. In the beginning, she had been completely silent, listening as they petitioned Hades. He appreciated her respectful silence but didn't want a dummy queen sitting next to him. He would ask her what she thought after hearing a story, and encouraged her to ask questions to the soul if she wished to understand the situation better. She had been shy at first, speaking only when he prompted her, but as she spent time sitting on her throne, she gained confidence as Queen of the Underworld.

  Without Demeter to constantly shelter or supervise her, Persephone was free to say anything she wanted, and ask any question. Thanks to his own magic, Persephone’s nightmares hadn't bothered her for a couple of weeks now. She would be upset if she knew, but as long as her sleep was peaceful, why should she care, and as long as she was happy, so was he.

  He felt her hand rest atop his for a moment, squeezing. He welcomed these little touches, and when she drew her hand away, he took the opportunity to grab it gently, pressing his lips to the back of it.

  She smiled at him. She looked exquisite in a gown of soft gray velvet, hematite-studded silver pins and jewelry completing her look. She looked almost like a ghost in all the gray, her pale skin white against her garb. Her hair was completely swept off her neck, sitting atop her head and the back of it in a tangle of coiffed curls held back with a crown of silver set with the same polished stones. Against the black and white marble and the wrought metal thrones and the various gray-hued souls, it looked as if color had drained from this world but for the color of her hair and the barely perceptible light that radiated from within her.

  When the last soul bowed to them and filed out of the throne room with a shade, Persephone turned to her husband.

  “It has been a long day.” Her smile was faint and suggestive. “I was thinking about relaxing with a hot bath...”

  “Hmm... certainly not by yourself?”

  “Most certainly not.” Her eyes sparkled.

  “Delightful.” Hades had an enraptured expression, gazing at her as he regarded her with a smile.

  “Look at the lovers.” A soft laugh made its way across the grand room. They looked forward to see Hekate standing there, her arms loosely crossed as she stared at the couple. Persephone blushed and quickly sat upright. Hades frowned, not liking the sudden interruption.

  “Sorry for appearing so suddenly, but I heard you were holding Court and thought I would get a quick appointment. I need to speak with you, Hades. It is good to see you, Persephone. Perhaps we could go visit Nyx tomorrow? We will talk more later." Hekate's eyes flicked back to the King of the Dead.

  “I will see you in a little bit, then," Persephone whispered. Hades nodded as she slid out of her throne and left.

  “What is it?” Hades asked casually, leaning his head against one hand as he glanced down at Hekate. The goddess stepped forward, wearing a deep purple gown, her thick, curly ebony hair pulled back with a matching purple sash. The regal color served her well in this situation, and she squared her shoulders.

  “We need to talk about Demeter.” Her voice was no-nonsense. The Lord of the Dead let out a slow, short groan.

  “Do not waste my time.”

  “Surely you know of the chaos Demeter is wreaking. People are starving to death! There is fighting over what little food is left. The Spartans are attacking neighboring villages for food. The temples are filled with the wailing of the mortals, begging for food and help.”

  “That is my sister's doing, not mine.”

  “You know why she does it!”

  “Ahh... but I have told Hermes to assure her of Persephone's safety. I would not lie, you know that. She refuses to be satisfied with my words. I
have even given her a simple codicil for seeing her daughter again. She refuses my generous offer. Is that my fault?"

  “You kidnapped her daughter! How can you refuse the blame?” Hekate was indignant.

  “I do not deny that my decision was rash. But you cannot change things that have already happened. What have I done? I have but taken one woman, a woman who has known only my affection and respect. You can see for yourself that she is well-cared for. Am I the one causing the famines? Have I lifted a hand to harm any of the humans above? You know that I am the God of Death, but I do not involve myself in the ways the mortals meet their end. The gods above are more responsible for their deaths than I am!" His dark sapphire eyes glinted fiercely as he leaned forward. "My brother quakes before her wrath, but he does not apologize for the crime he has committed against her."

  “You can be so damned logical when it suits you.”

  “Never forget that, Hekate.” His tone was dry. “Do not presume to think that I am ignorant of the goings-on of the world above. But I will not be part of Zeus and Demeter's quarrel. Both of them are extremely stubborn, but I am not to be blamed for that.”

  “You are stubborn as well.”

  “Is that news? I think not.”

  “Come now, Hades. Please do not let this continue. Hellas is being ravaged. The gods are desperate, but Demeter will not be moved. She has but one demand, and only you can fulfill it.”

  “I have demands of my own, and she knows them. And do not think she has just one demand. Zeus has his own part to fulfill.”

  “What is this, tit for tat?”

  “Not on my part, like I said. Zeus and Demeter have their own problems. I am not part of it, nor will I be.” His tone was resolute.

  “Do not be an ass.” Hekate frowned. Hades scowled right back, and the room took on a sudden chill.

  “I have made my decision. Do not speak of this subject any further.”

  “But...”

  “Hekate.” The Lord of the Dead uttered her name with an edge that plunged them both into silence as the shadows around them rippled violently. His lips were set in a tight line.

  She swallowed and bowed her head. If Hades had been privy to her thoughts, he would have known that she was considering whether she should have gone to Zeus first, rather than Demeter, and also feeling the weight of remorse that she considered her burden for her part in Demeter’s wrath.

  “Leave now,” Hades commanded. She retreated without protest.

  Hades let out a low sigh, leaning back. Calling him an ass, of all the nerve! Was it his fault that his brother was the stupid ass? He hissed softly as he rose from his seat, hands clenched into fists. The affairs of the surface world could be so needlessly complicated sometimes. Could he be blamed for not wanting any part of it? Fortunately, now he had a companion that served as an excellent distraction from such unpleasant matters. He quickly pushed Hekate and her words out of his mind as he strode off in pursuit of Persephone.

  o0o

  As the days passed, Persephone experienced another monthly cycle. By now, she was used to it, and even almost welcomed it, using it as an excuse to keep Hades at bay since his physical attentions could be very.... distracting, not to mention thrilling. There were times when she questioned whether she ever wanted to return to the surface world or not, and Hades's loving attention made that all the more difficult, so she was relieved to abstain from it for a while. After a handful of days, Persephone ached for his touch. She had been tempted to give him modest concessions, but abstaining from any form of intimacy was the only way she could manage to stay resolute for so long and keep a clear head. His touch was so thrilling that she needed these monthly interludes of solitude.

  Hades had done everything to her sexually except for intercourse itself. She ached for him, and he knew it. But she remained virginal, if in only the barest sense of the word. His hands and mouth had explored every inch of her body, literally. And she had come to know his own body as well. But she did ache for his manhood in ways that could not be satisfied by other means, no matter how lovely they felt.

  At this moment, she walked along the shore of the sea in Elysium, enjoying the lapping of the waves at her feet. Her mantle was down, revealing her hair done up in a loose bun.

  o0o

  Hades watched Persephone from under his helmet as she walked on the sand. Her gown and mantle were a deep blue, setting off her creamy skin. He desired her, and he felt his manhood twitch. He licked his lips, wanting what she wanted.

  Persephone slowly looked over her shoulder. He often observed her from his unseen state, and though they both knew that she could sense him, he did it anyway for their amusement. There was something thrilling about touching her, too, when she could not see him; teasing her with shadows or invisible caresses in the most surprising of places, to which she playfully pretended to struggle, mock-outraged. The thought made him harder, and he licked his lips again, shivering as he thought about what he could do to take her... fully.

  “Hades...” she breathed. “You should know better than to play hide-and-seek around me,” she playfully chided. He pulled his helmet off, cradling it under one arm and shaking his hair from his face.

  “I hear no objections,” came his remark.

  o0o

  Persephone smiled faintly at that. There was no denying how she felt around his presence, whether it be at a distance or in the heights of intimacy. Other men did and would find her desirable, but she was certain no one could ever make her feel the way Hades did.

  Under the light, it was easy to see the blue in Hades's dark eyes, and she gazed up at him, loving the sapphire glints she saw. Unconsciously, she drew closer to him, and he held out an arm. She could not stop herself from stepping forward and leaning against him, her hands touching his chest as his arm draped loosely around her shoulders.

  “I love you, Persephone,” he whispered as he kissed along her temple.

  “I know.” She closed her eyes, burying her face against his chest. Heat seemed to radiate from him, and she pressed herself to him. Warmth suffused her nerve endings as she wrapped her arms around him.

  “Aidon... I need you." She hugged him more tightly, wanting him to simply fill her with his heat and surround her with it. Passion and desire was a source of solace for her in this dead realm, for it was only the living that felt what could seem an inferno in their flesh.

  “Seph.” She looked up to see him staring down at her.

  “I need you,” she whispered again, feeling the rhythm of her heart through her veins, and the beat of his own heart against her chest. His hand reached up to cup her face.

  “I’ve always needed you,” he replied as he ran his thumb along her cheek, and she leaned her face into the warmth of his hand. She nodded slowly but firmly, holding his gaze.

  o0o

  As always, Persephone felt a bit dizzy as they materialized in the bedroom of the residence on the Blessed Isles, a temporary aftereffect of teleportation. He kept her steady with an arm around her middle, letting her orient herself before he guided her to the side of the bed. She leaned against the bedpost as he unpinned his cloak, tossing that to the floor.

  “So what did you have in mind for tonight, love? A nice massage? Some shadow-play? You teasing me, or the other way around?” he asked, his voice purring in that low way that never ceased to cause her to feel the hot stab of sexual quickening. The mental images that came from his words caused pleasant memories to tickle her consciousness, and she stared at him with pure want, ready to cast aside the last shred of her sexual innocence. Her clitoris ached, and she wiggled around her hips slightly, shifting her weight from foot to foot. He tugged off the pins that held up his tunic, causing his entire chest to be bared before her appreciative gaze.

  “I need you, Hades. All of you." she hissed, her womanhood throbbing with the delicious burn of arousal. He reached out, removing her pins as well before his hands moved down to her bare breasts. Her neck and throat were peppered with hungry
kisses, and her girdle was tugged off before he pulled away her clothing, leaving her bare before him.

  She stood there pale and beautiful with moisture glistening just under the dark red curls that sat at the juncture between her legs. She reached with one hand to finger herself.

  His hand, strong and firm, gently plucked her slim hand away from her pussy. Only when he was in the mood to watch did he let her pleasure herself in front of him. But not this time. She whined in frustration, trying to free her hand, but his grip was too strong.

  “No fair,” she moaned, twisting around.

  “It is fair, my love... I will pleasure you to heights you can only reach through my touch...” He kissed at her neck and then raised her hand, licking her juices from her slender fingers. His face was a mask of bliss, and he shuddered, teasing her with his hands before motioning her to get onto the bed. She was fully aware of his ravenous gaze as she settled herself amidst the blankets.

  “What would tickle your fancy tonight, lady Persephone? Ah, the very sight of you...” He gestured towards his own aching erection, which made for a very visible tent under the fabric of his tunic.

  “There is one thing that I have wanted... that we have both wanted for a long time.” She lifted her pretty chin, making for a splendid sight against the deep scarlet blankets that lined the comfortable bed.

  “And... what might that be?” Hades asked as he loosened his belt, letting his tunic fall to the floor.

  “I want you to take me in the way I know you have always wanted to. I am yours, Aidon.”

  o0o

  Hades stared at her for several moments before feeling an almost overwhelming rush of exhilaration. Yes.