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5
Hades
My track record isn't exactly something I'm proud of. Being a god on Mount Olympus has afforded me more than my fair share of women.
But I'd give back every last memory if it meant I could offer Persephone a clean slate.
It's what she deserves.
The world. Heaven and Hell.
Everything.
I stare at her as she speaks with Gaia. Gaia and I have never gotten along. She's always stirring up trouble: her hands are in so many pots, and she rarely thinks before she acts. And the result is a cluster other people are forced to sort out.
She gets upset and a flock of birds rush into places they don't belong. She's in a good mood and whales begin jumping out of the ocean, causing panic from the people watching from their boats. She reacts without thinking of the consequences. And when you are a god or a goddess, there are always consequences for our actions.
But as I watch the two goddesses embrace, I can't help but think about everything I know of Persephone. She is faithful and honest and works hard for the farmers who rely on her prowess. She helps them yield plentiful crops and never begrudges them anything.
I may have a dark past, but a goddess like Persephone could bring me into the light.
Not entirely, of course, but my cold heart could unfurl for a goddess like her. Hell, I think it's already happening. As she walks toward me, all I can think is that I want her to be mine.
I run a hand through my dark hair, shocked at my desire for a creature so pure and innocent. But as she nears me, my shock turns into something scorching hot.
"Hades," she says, addressing me with that soft voice of hers. As if she has never thought or said a dangerous thing in her whole life. "Were you waiting for me?"
Her eyebrows lift, her clear eyes are flecked with shining stars. One look at her face and I would move mountains for her.
"Yes," I tell her plainly, not interested in holding anything back. I want her to know my intentions. "But I don't want to wait long."
Her head dips. "Why is that?"
"Because I want you as mine. I already told you, I love you."
"You can't love someone you don't even know."
I narrow my eyes. "Why is that?"
That catches her off guard. She twists her lips, thinking. "Love doesn't work like that."
"Again, why not?" I ask, stepping toward her, closing the space between us.
"Because." She swallows, hard, eyes darting for an answer. "Because love can't be hurried. It takes time for things to grow."
"In the fields you watch over, I believe that," I tell her, leaning in and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She smells like lilac flowers and sunshine. I'm smoke and storm clouds. I swear one night with her would wash away every evil thought I've ever had. "Crops take time to yield a plentiful harvest, Persephone. But we aren't a farm."
"What are we?" she asks as my lips press against her ear, kissing her skin and breathing her in.
"We are bound to be ruined."
"Ruined by what?" she asks, her voice catching on a thread of desire. I feel it. I know she does too.
"Ruined by love, Persephone." My tongue runs along her earlobe. I know I won't last long holding back. I want all of her, but I will start with a kiss.
She pulls back, our eyes meet. "You want that? To be ruined by love?"
"I want you. And I know it will change me. I don't think I could stay so dark, so dangerous, if I had you to care for."
"You want that? To care for me?"
"I want all of you, Persephone."
She tilts her head to the side, looking so deeply into my eyes it's as if she is reaching for my soul and pulling it out, drawing it close to her heart.
"You’re sure you don't just want to make a baby with me?" Her words are soft, but I know it's her fear. That it's her fertility I am after, not her heart, body, and soul.
"I'm sure." I cup my hand at the base of her neck, pull her lips to mine, draw her nearer and nearer until there is nothing left between us. It's how I want it now and forever.
Our lips collide, and it's takes a concerted effort to not devour her then and there. The music swirls around us and there is dancing and laughter everywhere -- but here, at this moment, when I kiss her it's as if there is nothing else on the entire mountain. It's just us. A pair that makes no sense. Dark and light, good and bad, and oh, so damn right.
The softest moan comes from her core and I know she is awake to the idea of forever with me.
