Descent into Desire (16 page)

Chapter Eleven

Persephone let Cerberus go out into the hall, and then she shut the door behind Hades and locked it.

Hades turned around and raised his eyebrows. “What are you doing?”

“Keeping you from getting away.” She ran her hands up his chest and locked them behind his neck. “I don’t want to wait until our wedding night. I want you right now.”

He stroked her cheek, but he didn’t say anything.

“Please don’t say no. We only waited because you wanted to be sure I’d marry you. You wanted us to make love after I’d fallen in love with you.” When he continued to just look at her and caress her face, she asked, “I mean, you’ve had sex before. We don’t have to wait, do we?”

He laughed. “I wasn’t objecting, sweetheart. I was only savoring the moment.”

She tugged his hair playfully. “Don’t do that to me!”

He twined his fingers into her hair and tugged back. “What do you want me to do to you?”

“Everything.” She pulled his face down so she could kiss him. As their tongues danced against each other and he pressed his body close, she thought about how it would feel when he took her. She kissed him more urgently. When Thanatos had attacked her, she’d only partly been afraid of the pain or humiliation. She’d been angry that it would mean Hades would not be the first and only man to be inside her and touch her that way. But the Fates had been looking out for her. They had known, deep down, that she could get over being assaulted or injured far better than she could get over the emotional anguish of Hades being robbed of this night. Her dark thoughts were soon replaced by joyous ones as she gave in to his embrace.

He pulled away and ran his hands down her arms. “This is how I pictured you our first time.”

She felt cool silk on her skin. She looked down at the simple white silk nightgown. She smiled suggestively. “Want to know how I pictured you?”

He laughed as he massaged her shoulders. “I’m not sure if I do.”

She touched his face and looked down. He wore nothing but black leather pants.

He laughed more heartily. “Ah, I was a stereotype. I see.” He toyed with the straps of her gown. “You may have to pay for this.”

She turned around and pressed her back against him. His chest felt hot, and she rubbed her ass against the bulge in his pants. “Make me pay for it then.”

He groaned and began kissing her neck. “I may have trouble reining myself in if you go on like this, my dear.”

“Then don’t. Give me everything. Please.” She slumped against his body as his hands moved up and cupped her breasts.

He rolled her nipples between his fingers. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

She tilted her head back to look into his eyes. “You could never hurt me.” She turned and began leading him to the bed. “Come make love to me.”

The fire in his eyes made her entire body tingle. She felt her own need building deep inside. When they reached the bed, he turned her to face it and gently bent her over it. He pushed her hair aside and ran his fingers over her back, tracing her spine and then swirling his fingers in patterns over her skin. A sweet, hot ache curled deep inside her belly. His touch tortured her. She liked his gentleness, but she wanted so much more.

As if he’d read her thoughts, he took the straps of the gown in his hands and ripped it in half. She gasped as the air hit her skin. He placed his hand firmly on her shoulder and leaned forward. His hot breath on her neck sent a ripple of pure lust through her.

“I can feel your need, my love. It’s practically filling the room,” he whispered in her ear. He nibbled on her neck and moved to her left to begin kissing her back. He held her firmly as his tongue drew circles on her hot skin. His hand inched lower and lower until his fingers played back and forth between her butt cheeks. He slid one finger down, growling deep in his throat when he felt her wetness. He bent down farther and sank his teeth playfully into her left buttock.

She gasped as he spread her open, inserting one finger, then two. He knelt down behind her and found her sensitive nub. He brought his hand down and toyed with it as his other hand continued to explore her hot, wet pussy. She gasped again when his lips latched onto her clit. He sucked gently before slowly circling it with his rough tongue.

She found it hard to support herself on the bed. She relaxed her arms and sank onto the sheets. He slid his fingers out of her and began lapping at her pussy. Her blood surged hotly as his tongue teased her sensitive skin, surging into her with a maddening rhythm. When she moaned, he pulled away and ran his hands up her body. He lifted her up and turned her around.

“My love,” he whispered as he kissed her.

She melted into his arms. “I love you.”

He kissed her deeply, and then reluctantly pulled away. “I love you so much. All I am is yours, my heart.” He swept her into his arms and placed her on the bed. He climbed onto her slowly, never taking his gaze from hers.

“Please, Hades, I want to feel you now,” she pleaded.

He smiled and kissed her neck before rubbing his cheek against hers and whispering, “I will always be yours to command.”

She spread her legs, and he settled between them. He sat back and looked at her, exploring with his fingers again. His gentle touch and hot gaze were driving her mad. She arched her hips upwards when he ran one finger over her wet slit. He smiled down at her and got up to remove his pants. His cock stood out hard and thick when he threw his pants aside. He rubbed it as he looked into her eyes and moved back onto the bed. She felt the heat of desire coursing through her even more. He repositioned her hips and moved back on top of her, resting his arms on each side of her head. He moved to her entrance and pushed in slowly. She was so wet he slid in several inches before there was any resistance. He paused and kissed her.

“Take me, please,” she said against his lips.

He pushed into her slowly. She wrapped her arms around his chest and kissed him as he moved deeper. His cock was thick and long, so she shifted upwards. It was uncomfortable, but it didn’t hurt.

He broke the kiss, gasping for breath. “You feel so perfect.” He pushed deeper. “Gods, you’re so wet.” He pushed farther, and then began to move in and out slowly. He kissed her cheek. “Are you all right?”

She nodded. “Yes. Love me.”

He moved faster, and she held him tighter as it began to feel different. She felt a very pleasing friction that got even better when she arched up more. She moaned.

“Yes,” he said as he kissed her neck. “Show me how to please you. Teach me what you like.”

She shifted more and wrapped one leg around him, trying to push him deeper. She gasped as the head of his cock rubbed a very sensitive spot. After a few thrusts, it began to feel very good. The throbbing desire deep in her core curled tighter.

“Hades, I think I’m going to come.”

He tilted her head so she looked into his eyes. “I can feel it. It’s amazing.” His voice was low and husky. “I want to feel you trembling and shattering around me.”

She dug her nails into his back as he moved faster. She held his gaze. “I’m so close. I’m yours now. Completely yours.” She brought her lips to his as she began to tremble. A few more seconds and she felt her orgasm begin. Slow ripples of pleasure came and then another thrust from him made it truly break. Its intensity made her cling to him more. The all-consuming rapture burning through her was even better than the day he’d made her come in the garden. The feel of his hot shaft inside her was intoxicating. As she writhed in pleasure, he continued the exquisite rhythm. Her pussy pulsed sweetly, and she was even more sensitive to his attentions. He thrust deeper, and she climaxed again. She whimpered against his mouth. “Yes, oh yes.” He began to move more slowly as she milked his cock. Their lips finally parted, and she took in the pleasure on his face with great satisfaction.

She ran her fingers through his hair. He’d slowed his movements, surging in different ways. He obviously wanted to make her come again, but she had a more interesting idea. They had all night after all.

She pulled on his hair very hard. He gasped, and she was almost certain she felt his cock get even harder as it jumped slightly within her. “You’re mine to command?”

He smiled down at her. “Oh yes.”

“You’ll do as I say?”

He nodded and tried to kiss her, but she held his head so he couldn’t bridge the final inch. She opened her mind to him and felt his desire building rapidly.

“Then you will come exactly when I say.”

His eyes darkened with lust and he nodded more slowly this time.

She arched her hips and caressed his shaft. His breathing became more labored as she repeated the motion several times. She teased his lips with her tongue, biting gently before pulling back out of his reach. “Faster. Give me more.”

He pushed deep into her and thrust harder and faster. She closed her eyes and ran her hands over her breasts. She felt his body tense. She looked back up at him and smiled wickedly. She ran her fingers over his lips, and he took three of them into his mouth, biting gently.

“Come for me.”

He grabbed both her arms and pushed her down on the bed. With two hard thrusts, he spilled into her. He pressed her into the mattress and kissed her, tasting her deeply and thoroughly. She moaned and returned his lusty kiss as he groaned and collapsed onto her.

“Is this a taste of how demanding my mistress shall be?” he asked when he’d caught his breath.

“Just a taste. It was only my first try. I’m sure I’ll get better.”

He rolled off her. “My beautiful queen,” he said softly as he stroked her face.

“Lover,” she replied.

“Wife,” he said with renewed fire. He moved closer. “I do hope I haven’t worn you out.”

She shook her head and pushed him onto his back. She ran her hands over his stomach, and then down his thighs. With a thought, she had his hands bound to the headboard. His cock stirred as she leaned closer.

“We’re just getting started.”

* * * *

Persephone had looked everywhere, but she couldn’t find Hypnos. She sat down on the grass and sighed. “Hypnos? Are you here? I need to ask you something. It’s for the wedding tomorrow.”

A shadow fell over her, and she looked up at Hypnos.

“Are you avoiding me?” she asked as she stood up and brushed grass off her skirt.

“Not on purpose. Do you need my help?”

“Yes. I want you to do something in the wedding.”

“What?”

“I want you to give me away.”

His face still didn’t show any emotion, but he did become very still. “Wouldn’t it be better for Zeus to do that?”

She shook her head. “He’s going to officiate. Aphrodite will still bless our vows, but Zeus is going to do the talking. I think he’s pretty excited.”

“I’m not sure I’m the best choice.”

“You’re my closest male friend.”

“You know what I mean.”

It had been one month since Thanatos had kidnapped her, one month since it had been revealed through his demise that he and Hypnos were two parts of the same person. All of Olympus had adjusted to this as the cloud the Fates had put in place to protect their secret had dissipated. They all suddenly began to remember when the splitting of Hypnos’ personality had happened and why. They also enthusiastically rejoiced in the fact that it had come to an end because it signified to them that the plan of the Fates had worked. Persephone could tell Hypnos did not share everyone else’s opinion. He had many doubts and fears.

“Yes, I do, but I want you to give me away. I think what happened makes it even more appropriate. It affirms the good that has been done.”

He frowned. “I understand, but I vaguely remember some things.” He reached up and touched her cheek. “The bruise faded quickly, but I know he hit you. I can almost remember it.”

“But that wasn’t you! Zeus and the Fates did this for a reason, and it worked. Because of who you are, the darkness will always be there. Hasn’t this done something good? Don’t you agree it worked? How could you feel such guilt if it hadn’t? Isn’t that part of how Tartarus works?”

“Yes, everything you said makes sense. It doesn’t change how I feel. The first day you were here, when I—”

“When you kissed a beautiful woman because she practically begged you to?”

He looked helpless, as if he didn’t know what to say.

“I’m good at sensing what others feel. That day, you wanted to give me pleasure. That desire came above your own desire not to displease Hades. You want to love. Maybe now you can.”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“You weren’t whole for so long. You couldn’t love anyone because loving someone takes everything within you. You’re a better man now. If you won’t believe the Fates, will you believe me?” She reached for his hand. “I could never be afraid of you. You would never hurt me.”

“We can’t settle this in one conversation, Persephone. Can you please choose someone else?”

“No.” Getting Hypnos to accept this honor meant so much to her. Since his transformation, she’d felt fear and guilt from him constantly. At times though, she felt a peace that somehow caught her attention. He’d always been calm before, but something about it had seemed hollow. Now, in those rare moments, she felt his peace was more contented. She could think of no other way to describe it.

“If you command me, I will do as you say.”

She rolled her eyes and threw his hand down. “You know, the men down here are very stubborn.”

To her joy, he laughed. “There’s not much to be done about that.”

She held her hands together in a beseeching gesture. “Please, Hypnos. Remember what the Fates said? I was meant not only to love Hades but also to heal the Underworld? I want everyone at my wedding to see how true it is.”

“It means so much to you?”

“Yes. I will respect your feelings, but I will be very unhappy if you say no.”

He bowed his head in submission. “I will not make my queen unhappy.”

“Your friend. Before anything else, I am your friend.”

“More than anyone else ever has been.”

They stood in silence for a moment. “I want you to come fetch me in the morning. I’ll be at my mother’s house.”

He nodded.

“She approves. So does Hades. I asked them both if they thought you’d say yes. They were hopeful you would. It will make them happy.”

He took her hand and quickly kissed it. “I won’t ruin your day or mar your happiness. In time, I will see things your way.”

She squeezed his hand. “Yes, please believe that. I know you will.”

He released her hand and walked away.

She sighed and looked up at the sky. After a moment, she heard humming. She looked around. In the distance, she saw that someone had joined Hypnos as he walked further into the Valley of Dreams. The figure was petite and wore a dress. Persephone stared for a moment. Somehow, she couldn’t sense who the woman was. Something blocked her. Was the woman one of the dead? Was she dreaming?

That had to be it. The woman was asleep. Persephone had never seen anyone in the Valley of Dreams, except for the day she had watched Hades judging the dead. She wondered if Hypnos had met the woman before. Would he feel different now? She hadn’t thought about how mankind had been affected by Hypnos once again being the god of both sleep and death. She hoped it was going well for him, but more than anything she hoped he would come to her and Hades if he needed help.