“Move on?” he asked, his voice took on a deadly edge. “Is that what you want?”
“We both know it’s for the best.”
“I’m beginning to think you don’t know anything,” he said. “I’m beginning to understand that you don’t even think for yourself.”
Those words hurt.
“How dare you—”
“How dare I what, Persephone? Call out your bullshit? You act so powerless but you’ve never made a damn decision for yourself. Will you let your mother determine who you fuck now?”
“Shut up!”
“Tell me what you want.” He cornered her, pining her against the edge of the pool. She looked away, and ground her teeth so hard, her jaw hurt. “Tell me!”
“Fuck you!” she snarled, and jumped, twining her legs around his waist she kissed him hard, their lips and teeth crashed together painfully, but neither of them stopped. Her fingers tangled into his hair, and she pulled hard, tipping his head back, kissing down his neck. They found themselves outside of the pool, on the marble walkway. Persephone pushed Hades onto his back and impaled herself on his shafted, taking him deep. The brutal movement of their bodies and breathing filled the bathes. It was the most erotic thing she’d ever done. Hades moved between squeezing her breasts and gripping her thighs. Then rose into a sitting position, taking her nipples into his mouth. The sensation drew a guttural sound from Persephone’s mouth, and she squeezed Hades to her, moving harder and faster.
“Yes,” Hades said between his teeth and then commanded, “Use me. Harder. Faster.”
It was the only command she ever wanted to obey.
They came together, and in the aftermath, Persephone rose from Hades, grabbed her clothes, and left the bathes.
Hades followed after her, naked.
“Persephone,” he called. She kept walking, pulling on her clothes as she went.
Hades cursed and finally caught up with her, pulling her into a nearby room—it was the throne room.
She turned on him, pushing him away angrily. He didn’t move an inch, and instead caged her with his arms.
“I want to know why,” she demanded. Persephone could feel something burning in her veins. It ignited deep in her belly and rushed through her like venom.
He didn't speak.
“Was I an easy target? Did you look at my soul and see someone who was desperate for love, for worship? Did you choose me because you knew I couldn't fulfill the terms of your bargain?
“It wasn’t like that.”
He was too calm.
“Then tell me what it was!” she seethed.
“Yes, Aphrodite and I have a contract, but the bargain I struck with you had nothing to do with it.” She crossed her arms, prepared to reject that statement when he said, “I offered you terms based on what I saw in your soul—a woman, caged by her own mind.”
Persephone glared at him.
“You are the one who called the contract impossible,” he said. “But you are powerful, Persephone.”
“Do not mock me,” her voice shook.
“I would never.”
The sincerity in his voice made her sick.
“Liar.”
His eyes darkened. “I am many things, but a liar I am not.”
“Not a liar then, but a self-admitted deceiver,” she said.
“I have only ever given you answers,” he said. “I have helped you reclaim your power and yet you haven't used it. I have given you a way to walk out from underneath your mother, and yet you will not claim it.”
“How?” she demanded. “What did you do to help me?”
“I worshipped you!” he yelled. “I gave you what your mother withheld—worshippers.”
Persephone stood for a moment in stunned silence.
“You mean to tell me you forced me into a contract when you could have just told me I needed worshippers to gain my powers?”
“It's not about powers, Persephone! It’s never been about magic or illusion or glamour. It’s about confidence. It’s about believing in yourself!”
“That's twisted, Hades—”
“Is it?” he snapped. “Tell me, if you'd known, what would you have done? Announced your Divinity to the whole world so that you might gain a following and consequently your power?”
She knew the answer and so did Hades.
“No, because you’ve never been able to decide what you want because you value your mother's happiness over your own!”
“I had freedom until you, Hades.”