The feast ended with a bang and Hades made sure everyone returned to their homes or back to their duties for the night.

"It was a beautiful evening," said Mono.

"Glad you enjoyed it," Hades smiled because he knew that Mono wasn't one to compliment easily. "I'm just happy that everything is back to normal."

"Don't be so sure," said Mono grimly. "I would be careful because Demeter is still plotting against you." There was a heavy silence between them. "Well, goodnight milord." Mono strode away with his ragged cloak flowing behind him.

Hades released a heavy breath before he returned to the cluttered table, but his wife wasn't there anymore. "Seph?" He called out but she didn't answer. He didn't wander too far into the cave when he found her standing under the blossomed tree that was healthy and vibrant. "Are you alright?" Seph's golden eyes were lost in thought. "Honey," he whispered against her ear and wrapped his arms around her small frame. "What's wrong?" he asked her.

"I just have a slight headache," she sighed and rested her head on his chest.

Hades kissed her temple. "It's been a long day," he said. "For both of us."

"There's this weight on my heart," she said. "I'm going to have to face my mother and Kore, but I do not know how."

"I'd worry about those things when the time is right," said Hades. "There is no point in ruining your perfectly good mood now."

Seph released a brief laugh. "It truly was a beautiful night, thank you."

Hades tightened his arms around Seph, her soft skin and warmth radiated into his soul and consumed every single fibre of his body, she suddenly relaxed in his arms and Hades took advantage. He trailed his hand along her stomach and under her plump breast that was tightly bound, which he didn't like at all but she still looked exquisitely beautiful in this gown. He wrapped his hand around her slender neck and tilted it slightly to the side, her neck was exposed for his eyes and his mouth watered to steal a taste. Hades laid his lips against her golden skin and trailed down to her the peak of her shoulder, the sweetness of flowers and purity poured through him and he realized how starved he was for Seph.

"I know a better way for you to thank me," said Hades.

Seph released a moan when he bit her neckline. "I think that way which you speak of will help with my headache too."

Hades chuckled and turned her in his arms. "We better get this dress off before I ruin another one," he teased her, but his eyes were beyond serious.

Seph circled her hands around his neck and the chill crawled down his spine straight to his hard erection, there was no denying that Seph controlled his body and that he responded to every single touch or kiss. Her wildflower scent that he never enjoyed more than when he was near her always took him to the deepest and darkest places of his lust. Seph's touch seeped under his skin and it felt alive, like the flowers bloom upon feeling her magic. Hades had no control whenever she was near him, she could make or break his strong immortal body by just laying her soft lips against his own.

"Kiss me," she demanded very gently.

Hades coaxed her lips apart and slid his tongue against hers, he was filled with a deep fire to consume her hard and fast, except he didn't because Hades wanted to take her gently and torment her slowly to the brink of pure ecstasy. His tongue danced with hers and he knew that her taste was incomparable with anyone else; she was sweeter than honey and hotter than fire. Hades bit her soft plump lip and groaned when her body pressed closely against his own. He was glad he didn't wear his armour tonight- the only thing between him and Seph were a few pieces of fabric.

Hades teleported them as quick as he could into their locked bedroom, he unzipped the dress and let it pool on the floor, he then ripped the blanket to the side and laid Seph across the crimson silk sheets, her wild auburn hair coiled into curls and teased him to run his finger through them. Hades stood over her naked body, her eyes hazy from lust which resembled his own, but he didn't let it control him because all he wished to do was worship her glorious form that was always ready for him first.

Seph leaned back on her elbows and a slow smile creeped on her lips, she cunningly backed away from him.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

Seph's dark lashes lifted and her golden eyes gazed at him. "Somewhere you can't find me," she giggled.

Hades senses flashed feral. "Don't even joke about that," he growled.

Seph rested her weight on her knees and she faced him, she put her hands on his shoulders and then she trailed them along his corded neck. Her earnest eyes sank into his heart and he could never forget the feel of her gentle hands and mesmerizing eyes. She laid her lips against his and kissed him, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed her body as close as he could to his own. Hades let Seph pull his shirt off, her hands roamed across his chest and down his abdomen and then she pulled his pants off, the fire engulfed him and throbbed down to his shaft. Seph dragged him down to the bed with her, she kissed him like he wanted her to- with passion.

"I'm not going to let you sleep all night," promised Hades.

Seph's laugh ripped through his heart and Hades connected their bodies with a hard thrust into her wet core that fisted him perfectly. And like he promised, he kept her awake all night until they both passed out from exhaustion and wrapped in each other's arms.

Although something greatly peculiar happened this night.

-Persephone's POV-

Persephone awoke with start; her body was covered with a sheen of sweat, it beaded across her head and soaked the roots of her untamed hair. She looked over to her side and Hades was still dead to the world, his face was relaxed and he laid unmoving on his stomach. Persephone pushed the thin blanket off her body and rolled out of bed, she strode into the bathroom and soaked her entire body in the pool of scorching hot water hoping it would take away the nightmare, but it failed. The nightmare that terrorized her was when she had turned into Kore and killed that ghoul along with her garden burning down in uncontrollable flames.

The hot water engulfed her in a womb of comfort, she sank deeper until she was fully submerged. Her eyes were closed and her breath had stopped but she still felt nothing but hopelessness because she didn't like being consumed by fear, she wanted this desolation to stop within her and get on with her life. 

Persephone got out of the pool and dried her body with a long cloth, she grabbed the spare white gown she had and slipped the loose fabric over herself. She tiptoed back to their room and knew that Hades wouldn't wake up this early, so she let him be. Persephone ran her hand across his silky hair when she noticed the terrible markings on his back and shoulders. The red angry marks where bloody and sore, she didn't even dare touch them in case they would sting if she did. She wondered if she was the one to do this to Hades, but she could never hurt him this much and besides she doesn't even remember it getting this rough.

Persephone left their bedroom towards the balcony with determination, she grabbed the lighted candle from the table and opened the balcony doors to a dark view of the glorious Underworld realm, although one could hear the distant sounds of screams and cries which wasn't always pleasant.  

Persephone sat on the marble floor and placed the candle in front of her, a few moments passed as she concentrated on the dancing flame that was small but had spirit. Persephone closed her eyes and whispered Kore's name over and over again, her consciousness was engulfed in the abyss of darkness with only a candle leading her way, Persephone backed away when abruptly something sucked her into that dark room.

"Kore," she muttered the name but it was quiet except for the light sound of water moving back and forth like waves. "I came here to see you. Will you please show yourself?"

"Why?" a distant voice echoed through the dark room.

"I'm sorry," said Persephone. "I don't mean to be scared of you, but I can't help but think that I created you out of desperation."

"You did," answered Kore. "You built me from all your rage."

Persephone lowered her eyes, but when she saw her reflection in the clear water it was Kore who stood before her. She looked up and nothing was in front of her, but when she looked back down Kore was her reflection. "I understand," she mumbled. The reflection rippled apart and vanished, Persephone looked ahead and found the dangerous goddess standing in front of her.

"Are you still afraid of me?" asked Kore.

"Not anymore," said Persephone. "I'm not scared of you because that would mean that I'm afraid of myself, and that's not who I am."

Kore's crimson lips turned into a smile. "I am not just built from your rage," she said. "Your power, thirst for justice and your love for Hades is also wired into my body."

"Is that why you couldn't hurt him?" asked Persephone.

Kore nodded. "I can't hurt the innocent either," she reassured.

"I think I feel much better now," Persephone let out a heavy breath.

"And stop with the nightmares," scolded Kore.

Persephone's eyes widened. "You can see them too?"

"No," said Kore. "But I can feel you quaking with dread."

Persephone raked her hair. "Sorry," she mumbled. "That day still haunts me."

"Why?" asked Kore. "I protected you didn't I."

Persephone's heart welled up. "Yes, you did."

Kore crossed her arms. "Now, leave me be," she waved Persephone off back to the physical realm.

Persephone's eyes snapped open and the candle blew out, her eyes were masked by the smoke of the dead flame.