Darkness consumed Persephone as she slept under the coved ceilings and quiet night air. She was still under the sheets when she felt a faint kiss on her cheek. A familiar velvety touch caressed her bare leg and she was pulled out from her slumber.

"Hades," she whispered softly. She felt his smile on her neck. "You're home."

Hades lifted the blanket and snuggled close behind her. "Yeah."

She felt another weight jump on the bed and snuggle at her feet, which she was delighted for because her cold feet welcomed the intense warmth. "Cerberus," she called out and the three-headed dog licked her outstretched hand before he settled himself again.

"He insisted to come here with me," said Hades. "I couldn't say no."

Persephone pressed her back against his chest and circled his arm that was around her waist. "It's good you brought him," she said. "I missed both of you."

Hades kissed the top of her head. "I missed you more."

"How was work?" she asked as their leisurely breathing matched.

"Busy, as always," he answered. "I practically had to escape from Mono and the others, or else they would have kept me all night."

Persephone chuckled. "The king of hell running away from his duties."

"I had a good reason," he whispered against her ear. A chill crawled down her back and Hades snuggled her closer to him.

"Hey, I'm not complaining," said Persephone.

Hades ran his hand along the curve of her waist and hip. "Are you wearing my shirt?" he asked suddenly.

"Yes," she answered. "Is that a problem?"

Hades scoffed. "Either you wear my shirts from now on, or sleep with nothing at all."

Persephone laughed. "It was just for tonight because you weren't here beside me," she told him earnestly.

"Well, you won't need to do that often," he said, "since I'll always be by your side." Hades circled his arm around her and locked her against his hard body. She was safe in his embrace. Nothing gave her more comfort than being with him.

Hades heartbeat lulled her back into deep sleep.

Persephone slipped out from under the sheets and let Hades sleep for another hour since he came so late last night. Cerberus however followed her straight into the shower. She took the three-headed hound into the bath pool with her, she gave him a good wash like herself before they dried off, put fresh clothes on and made their way to the lounge room.

An abrupt knock on the door startled Cerberus and Persephone.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Milady," the guard spoke through the closed door, "Pain wishes to see you. Should I let her inside?"

"Yes, send her in," Persephone instructed quickly.

Pain sauntered inside with her usual solemn expression and violet hood. "I hope you had a good night's rest?"

"Yes, I did," said Persephone chirpily as she ushered the witch to take a seat on the couch. "What brings you to my chambers?"

Cerberus already knew who Pain was and he wasn't like other dogs where they needed to investigate the guest. He simply settled near Persephone's bare feet and smelt of fresh daises.

"I was researching your wish to build a paradise here," she said. "I found out that Hecate can indeed help you. She was last sighted visiting Medusa's temple on the island, Sarpedon."

Persephone was impressed. "This is great news."

Pain gave a small smile. "I got this book from Mono," she opened her satchel and placed a thin book on the counter. "It isn't much, but everything you need to know about Hecate is in there."

Persephone lifted the small book. "Thank you."

"I read it already," Pain said. "I thought you'd want to as well."

"You thought correctly," said Persephone. "I'll get right on this, and I'll let Hades know."

"Of course," Pain got up from the couch, politely bowed before she left the room and closed the door behind her.

"She's very kind. Isn't she, Cerberus?" Persephone teased and looked into the hound's curiously mischievous eyes. She patted the three heads and he went back to sleep at her feet, which were always kept so snug around him. Persephone opened the book to the first page, which was almost fell out because the book was so old. She carefully flipped the page and found a rough sketch of a woman.

A tall lady with a black gown stood proudly with her chin held high. She was drawn with three heads like the moon phases and torches in her hands. She had hair as pale as the moon and skin glistening like silver coins. Persephone could already feel an eerie, dark energy just from the portrait. She flipped to the next page and read that Hecate was the only child of Perses and Asteria.

Hecate was the steward of thresholds and knowledge. She was known to help people who needed guidance on their true path. Persephone continued down the page. Hecate was a guardian of woman and children and she bestowed blessings on their homes and family, that is if one gave offerings regularly. She was a wisdom seeker like any witch and loved to practice the dark arts, which many gods forbid.

As Persephone continued reading the book; it talked about Hecate like she was a severely strict goddess who was outlawed by disobeying orders. However, Persephone understood something entirely different. Hecate held a torch in her hand that was used to guide the lost back onto their true path, so Persephone got to wondering how someone like that could even begin to being wicked or despised.

"Seph," Hades voice broke her concentration.

"Oh, you're awake," she closed the book and saw her shirtless husband who was freshly out of the shower. "Time flies when you're reading."

Hades groaned. "Don't remind me," he sulked dramatically. "I have to read soul contracts today."

"And I'm guessing you don't like them," Persephone chuckled.

"They're really boring," said Hades. "If something could kill me, it's those damned contracts." Hades sat next to her with a towel around his nape that absorbed the droplets of water that fell from his wet hair.

She reached over and grabbed the towel. "I could help you?"

"You already are," his eyes closed as she ran the towel over his wet dark hair.

She giggled. "I meant with the contracts."

"If you want," he said. "But I was just going to let Rhadamanthys do it. He loves stuff like this."

"Alright then," she said as she massaged his scalp and pampered him. "I had another question."

"Anything, dear," he sighed happily as he enjoyed the massage.

"Is it possible to create another realm here in the Underworld?" Persephone asked.

"Yes, it is," he answered simply.

"Isn't such magic forbidden though?" she asked Hades.

"Not in my domain," he said smugly. "Anyone is free to do whatever they wish. That's why all the witches and demons are here. Zeus or any other god for that matter doesn't stick his nose in my business here in the Underworld."

"So, I can get someone to help me build a realm here?"

"Of course, you can," said Hades.

"That's great," she clapped. "Can you find me, Hecate?"

Hades froze and gaped at her. "Who?"

"Hecate," said Persephone.

"No. Anyone, but her."

Persephone raised a brow at his tone. "And why not?"

"Because she works with Demeter," said Hades as he rose to his feet and faced his wife. "And she isn't one to follow orders."

"If she works with my mom then she won't be a threat to me," said Persephone. "And I don't need her to follow orders. I need her to be my partner, there's a difference."

"Who told you to find her anyways?" he asked then pondered when she didn't answer, but her face said it all. "Pain!"

"Don't you dare scold that poor girl," said Persephone. "She wasn't at fault."

Hades gritted his teeth. "Hecate isn't going to be very accommodating," he tried to make her understand, but she was as stubborn as him.

"You leave that to me," she said.

"Persephone," warned Hades. His muscles turned to steel like he was already preparing for a fight with Hecate already.

"I wasn't asking for permission," said Persephone with a smile. "I need you to agree with me, so when I do start building this realm, it won't be hard on us if we're both on the same page."

"How about I just help you?" asked Hades.

"No," said Persephone. "I wish to build this myself."

Hades dropped his hands from his waist and gazed into her firm gaze that matched his even though he was three times her height. "I'll send word to Hecate," he gave in, not because he trusted Hecate but because he trusted his wife and his capabilities to protect her.

Persephone beamed a bright smile using all her teeth. "Thank you." she reached on her toes and kissed Hades lips that were held in a straight line. But they quickly released and fiercely kissed her back.

"What will you name this realm?"

"The Elysian Fields," said Persephone with a grin.

"The abode of the blessed and heroic," Hades said.

She nodded. "Exactly."

"I like it-" Hades pulled her into his arms- "very pretty."

"Thank you for agreeing," she put her arms around his neck. "It means a lot to have you on board with my plan."

"It comes with a price," he smirked.

She arched a brow. "Oh really?" Hades abruptly lifted her off the ground. She gasped and smacked his arm. "You scared me!"

Hades chuckled and took her to their bedroom. He dropped her on the bed that were still tussled from sleeping on them last night. Persephone moved back as he creeped over her and his heavy weight sank into the mattress. He unzipped her gown and untied the bows on her shoulders that held the gown on her body. He slid the fabric away and tossed it on the floor along with his pants.

"This is all it takes for you to agree with me?" asked Persephone.

Hades scarlet eyes that winked like rubies as he hovered over her bare body. "I'm letting you off easy," he said as he kissed down the line of her neck and shoulder.

Hades pushed her thighs apart and settled between them, his hand found her hot core and they both moaned from pleasure. She raked her nails across his hard back and arched her body into his. He latched his scorching mouth onto her breast and licked the hardened peak that ached even at the faintest touch. His mischievous fingers circled the sensitive nub of her core, he coated his fingers with her arousal and thrusted them into her scorching hot channel that gloved him tightly.

"Hades," she whimpered his name.

His mouth found hers and he swallowed her moans. His tongue twirled with hers and she wasn't ever prepared for the way he took her. He came at like a raging storm that stopped only when it wanted to. She only hoped that she walked out alive. Hades kneaded her heavy breast as he plunged his fingers deep inside her and his mouth consumed hers.

Her release shattered her body to crumble underneath him. Hades chuckled as she breathed heavily and tried to come down from her high. She winced when he pulled out his fingers from her sensitive core.

"That wasn't letting me off easy," she remarked mockingly and met his devilish eyes.

Hades shaft pushed through her hot folds and penetrated her body. She felt him slowly fill her up inside. The exhilarating sensation made both of them breathless. She tightened around him and she could have sworn her eyes rolled back. Hades rocked against her, he pulled his shaft out and thrusted back inside of her, filling her up with his length again.

"Always so sweet," Hades whispered hotly as he bit her neck and kept a slow pace, which drove her mad.

She clawed his back. "Hades," she pleaded desperately.

Hades kissed down her chest. "Yes?" he looked up with innocent eyes but a wicked grin.

Persephone gasped when she felt him bite her breasts. "I...need...you," she moaned desperately and Hades took control. He pushed into her hard and fast and made sure she got what she needed. The release built up fast and they both collapsed when they came together. Hades laid beside her but his hands didn't stop touching her body.

"I think we should get up soon," Persephone suggested even though she was content with being in bed with Hades all day.

Hades rolled off her and walked off into the washroom. He returned with a towel in his hand and his pants were already on. He opened her legs and carefully cleaned between her thighs.

Persephone rose and pulled his face towards hers so she could kiss him. "Thank you," she mumbled after she pulled away. "You're the sweetest husband."

Hades kissed her cheek. "Don't tell anyone that," he teased, "they'll get jealous."

Hades helped her with her gown and she helped him with his armour before they left together to tackle their tasks as King and Queen of the Underworld.