Persephone packed a few of her dresses to return back to Olympus. She was happy to hear that Earth had been restored back to full health and harvest. Many rejoiced and celebrated that the gods took mercy on them. But not here in the Underworld, everyone's face had a grim frown and no one uttered a word since they found out the deal their queen had to take to save the very existence of Earth.

She grabbed the bag and found Hades right by the door. "All done," she said trying her hardest to stay happy, but it wasn't helping. Hades saw right through it all, he always had.

"Let's go," he grabbed the bag from her.

Persephone followed him to the main court where everyone waited for her. All the workers from the stables, all the way to the kitchen staff had arrived to see her off. "I'll see you guys in six months," she said with a smile, but their frowns and saddened eyes didn't dissipate. "How am I supposed to leave if all of you will be this sad?" she asked. "Come on, smile for me." Her voice was met with silence, because they didn't know what to say to the queen they welcomed so grandly was now leaving.

Mono stepped forth. "Have a safe trip," he said on behalf of everyone. "We'll be waiting."

"Thank you," said Persephone as she managed to hold back her tears. She needed to stay strong for them, for Hades. "Also- I, appoint Mono, Hecate and Pain in charge of Elysium for the six months that I'm gone," she instructed. "If you have any troubles, just send me a letter and I'll make sure to answer."

"Yes, my queen," replied Hecate with a reassuring smile.

Suddenly, a dark shadow cascaded over them. They all turned and looked to the door to find the massive three-headed hellhound. Cerberus had left his post at the entrance and had come to Persephone. The hound didn't care as he ran through the crowd towards her.

"Cerberus," she cooed sweetly. "Don't be so sad-" she ruffled his thick coat and kissed his three head before she gazed into his large eyes that were wet- "I'll be back before you know it." Persephone waved off her family and walked through the portal with Hades back to Mount Olympus.

Zeus greeted them on the other side. His expression was just as grey as Hades. "Did you say your farewells?" he asked.

"Yes," said Persephone. "How's mother?"

"She's still a little weak," said Zeus. "But thankfully, she's eating and drinking water."

Persephone grabbed her bag from Hades. "Can I have a moment, father?" Zeus trudged away with his hands behind his back. "How are you holding up?" she asked Hades. Hades jaw was locked together. His dark eyes told her how dangerous his mood was right now. Persephone let out a heavy breath before she spoke; "Make sure to eat on time and sleep in our room. Walk Cerberus every day and don't drink tea or wine alone, be around our friends-"

"What are you doing?" he asked sternly.

"Reminding you to keep living even without me," she said happily even though her heart was being crushed inside of her. "Visit my garden and replace the flowers on your desk before they die," she said. "I won't be there to change them, so you'll have to do it."

Hades pulled her into his arms and hid her face from everyone and everything. It was too late for Persephone when she noticed that hot tears fell down her cheeks. "Shhh," Hades whispered. "Don't worry about me, just take care of yourself."

Persephone hugged her husband. His dark scent swarmed around her and she delved deeper in that dark hole that was crushing her soul. "I'll be fine," she alleged. Persephone wiped her tears and put a smile on her face. "Six months is nothing for us immortals," she said with tenacity to hide her sadness. "Twenty-six weeks will go by in a flash." Persephone hugged Hades once more. "I love you, Hades." She ran off before she could hear any reply or last words from him, because she knew that'd just hold her back.

Three brutal weeks went by, and time did not move any faster for immortals than it did for mortals. Demeter had returned to her full strength with Persephone's help. Harvest had taken the world by a storm because Demeter could not be any more joyful. Every god came by to greet Persephone after they had learnt about her ordeal. Many even joked around the dinner table that the seasons had been created. Demeter didn't enjoy that joke because she was reminded that her daughter still has to leave her once again.

Night had arrived and Persephone marked another end of a long day. She took off her gown and left on the dark chemise when she crawled into bed without much care. These past couple of days, she didn't feel like eating or sleeping. Persephone stared out her balcony window and the starry night welcomed her. She didn't know if it was because she was tired or the tears had just stopped, but she fell asleep with sadness pouring out of her soul; it cocooned her in a cage of thorns and roses.

-Hades POV-

Hades returned to Mount Olympus after a few weeks he had dropped off Seph had passed. He didn't even want to face what had become of his marriage, his life and he definitely didn't want to even look at Demeter. But she had sent a scary message that Seph was in danger. Hades flashed from the Underworld as quick as he could. He ran through the halls and found his wife's room.

"What's wrong?" he asked as he approached dangerously.

Demeter opened the bedroom door. "She's locked herself inside," she said. "No one can get in."

Hades viewed the thick dark green vines that blocked the entrance with their scary thorns that weaved a treacherous maze. The vines had had black roses sprouting from the buds, he recognized them from Seph's garden and they were on his desk this very moment. Hades put his hand on the vines, expecting his hands to get cut from the thorns, but instead the vines moved away from his touch. They sensed his presence... Seph sensed his presence.

"How is that possible?" asked Demeter clearly astonished.

Hades itched his brow because he was irked. "Because we love each other, Demeter. When in the hell are you going to understand that?" Hades strode into the gateway the vines formed as he approached. Alone, without hearing Demeter's answer, he went to meet his wife who he missed dearly.

Hades emerged from the other side of the vines unscathed. Seph's bedroom had been swallowed by this thick, dangerous plant. All the furniture, windows, couches even the doorway to the garden was closed off. Hades found himself in the middle of the room. He wouldn't have known where he was if he hadn't seen the golden bed sheets. In the centre, laid his wife facing away from him. Her body looked frail on the massive round bed. She adorned a deep black chemise that was silky to the touch, her auburn hair wasn't weaved in a braid or flourished with flowers, like Seph loved to do. Instead, it was thrown behind her in wild waves spilling all over the pillows. Her head was tucked away behind her hands and his wife looked vulnerable enough to break if he touched her.

"You told me to take care of myself," said Hades, "but look at what you've done with yourself."

Seph's eyes ripped open. "Hades-" tears fell and she jumped into his arms.

Hades smoothed her head and held her close to him. Her floral scent put a smile on his face. "I missed you," he kissed her head. His shirt soaked up her tears. "I'm here," he whispered. "I've got you, honey."

Hades picked up his wife and cradled her in his arms. He moved from the bed and the vines followed his actions. The path ahead of them cleared on command, Hades took Seph from the bedroom and outside to her small garden for fresh air. The bright light bathed its warmth over them and he took a seat against the tree with Seph on his lap. Clear blue skies with lovely clouds looked beautiful with the fresh garden that was lively once again.

Seph didn't lift her head from his sturdy shoulder. Her arms were tightly wrapped around his neck, it felt like they would never let go of each other. "I can't do this," her voice rasped.

"Me either," he said calmly. "But there's no choice."

Seph lifted her head, her eyes red from crying chipped away at his heart. "I couldn't breathe," she said softly. "I feel like I'm trapped here."

Hades smile grew sad. He told himself before he came over here that he would stay cool and levelled, but he couldn't keep his word. "Looks like we both couldn't keep our promise to stay well," he said.

Seph's honey-gold gaze sank into his memory. She always looked at him with the deep profoundness that was unquestionably love. "Why are you here?" she asked. "Does my mom know?"

"She's the one who sent for me," answered Hades.

Seph's eyes widened. "My mom did?" she astonished.

Hades chuckled at her reaction which was the same as his when he met the messenger, Hermes. "I was surprised too," he shared. "Demeter told me that my wife was burying Olympus is thorns of poison, and that no god or goddess could even come close to them."

Seph pouted. "I lost control," she mumbled.

Hades kissed her pouty pink lips. "I know all about that," he teased. "My wife has a temper worse than mine."

A smile finally cracked on her enchanting face. "How'd you make it through?" she asked.

Hades raised a brow. "Come on, Seph," he said, "I thought you'd know-" he changed her position so she straddled his legs- "nothing of you can hurt me."

Seph's sweet lips lifted in her mesmerizing smile that he yearned to see for the past weeks. "I love you, Hades. Only you."

Hades brought his wife's lips to his own and kissed her breath away. They may have not met for almost a month, but their bodies remembered each other. Their touch was recognized, their heartbeats matched. It was harmony that they shared, it moved like a dance between them. The air grew thick of their need for one another. Hades flashed them inside her bedroom and he laid his wife onto the golden sheets. Cocooned inside the deadly vines, they were inside their own world trapping everyone out, so they wouldn't be disturbed.

Hades deepened the kiss, locking their tongues in a heated dance, she writhed underneath him. She pressed closer and melted her body against his. He snapped from all control and removed all of his clothes and his crown.

Hades pushed the straps on her shoulder below her arms. Her heavy breasts spilled out in his palms, her small waist revealed and then her voluptuous hips. He settled between her legs after he discarded the piece of silk on the floor. Seph raked her nails across his back that felt like steel. Her touch was heavenly or hellish he did not know, only that he never wanted her to stop.

Hades smirked wickedly, he licked and bit down her delicious neckline. Spreading her legs wide, he didn't waste any time before he went down for a taste of his wife's exquisite arousal. He began licking her wet, sensitive nub making her squirm under his assault, continuously tasting her sweetness made him go over the edge, he did not know how long he could hold himself back.

Penetrating two fingers into her hot core, she arched her back beautifully. She moaned loudly as his fingers dove fast like his tongue on her nub, which was throbbing from the intensity. He thrusted inside her; Hades felt her core fist his fingers revealing how close she was to her release. He quickened his pace and her release shattered through her.

Seph laid back down breathless, he admired his wife who looked so sensual as she lay on the disheveled golden sheets, with her hair tousled and her beautiful body underneath him. Hades kissed up the soft plane of her midriff, his hands feasted on every single part of her soft flesh that was perfect for him.

Hades kissed her lips with a gentle caress. "I miss you every night," he whispered. "In bed, in the garden, in court."

Seph connected her hands with his. "Every living moment went by like hell," she confessed breathlessly.

"Everyone back home misses you too," said Hades. "We're all living day-to-day just slugging along."

"This deal has made me realize how much I need you and everyone back home," she said as Hades left a trail of kisses down her neck and breasts. "I don't know how long I can keep doing this," she said. "What will we do, Hades?"

Hades nipped her earlobe and she yelped and gaped at him. "I think we're both forgetting something," he said.

"And what is that?" she asked.

Hades grinned. "We're the king and queen of the Underworld," he answered. "I'm sure we can find a loophole in this deal." Hades mischievousness grew tremendously, his hand explored down her waist and hip when he re-joined at the juncture between her legs.

Seph seized his hand by his thick wrist. "What's the loophole?" she asked eagerly, but he didn't answer. "You're so stubborn, Hades."

"Exactly," he chuckled. "I'm a stubborn mule who will find his wife no matter where they hide her from me." Hades positioned himself between her legs. The head of his shaft agonizing to be inside of her hot, slick core. "I will come to you, Seph," he promised as he dove inside of her.

Seph gasped. "But-"

Hades kissed her deeply interrupting her next words. "I will be by your side every night," he said firmly. "No matter where I am or what I'm doing, if you need me, I'll be here."

Seph kissed him back with the same feverish heat that was as strong as a storm. Hades plunged deep inside of her. She fisted his shaft until it was too much to bear. Hades and Seph crumbled in each other's arms after their release thundered through their entire bodies.

"Every night," she whimpered.

"I'll be here," Hades whispered, "by your side, in your bed."

Seph cradled him close to her. "No one else-"

"will know," he finished. "Nothing can stop me, midear. I am Hades after all."

Seph turned them over and she straddled his waist with him still deep inside her. "Every night, I'll be here," she vowed, "waiting for you."

Seph kissed him sweetly, that it always countered the intensity Hades brought to her. Her plump lips caressed his to yield all he had left holding him together. Hades gripped her waist tightly when he felt himself harden inside of her. Seph knew that he was aroused by her again, so she delivered. Her hips rose, pulling him out of her, before she plunged and her core swallowed his shaft once again. Torturing him relentlessly, she took from him like he took from her. Hades exploded underneath her as she rode him to oblivion.

"How are you feeling now, my queen?" asked Hades as he caught his breath.

Seph chuckled. "Did you just come by to lift my mood?"

Hades turned them over, positioning himself on top of her. "I gallantly came to help you," he said as his hand roamed over her plump breasts, "with no ulterior motive."

"Of course not," she moaned when his teeth nipped the hard peaks of her breasts.

Things may have taken a turn after Hades had arrived. His plan was to help Seph out of the hole she buried herself in, but if the way he could help her was giving her pleasure, so be it. Hades may have indulged himself for the next couple of hours. But he knew his wife's smile had returned and that was all that mattered to him, unconditionally.