King's Queen ✔

Chapter 16: The Vines of Love

Persephone stretched across the bed straightened her limbs like a wild feline, her hands skimmed along the cold tussled sheets around her and noticed that they were empty, Hades probably left for his duties already, she thought. She rolled out of bed and took a quick shower to get started for a new day. 

Her long damp hair laid on her shoulder but as she wandered back into their bedroom, she gaped at the sight in front of her; there were vines of flowers adoring their bed wildly, the long thorny lianas circled the legs of the bed in a deadly grip, and after conquering them, the lianas travelled above the metal bars behind their pillows sprouting small white hydrangea.

Persephone was taken aback by the sight, but oddly it looked beautiful in its own wild way. Their limbs were wrapped around each other in a dreamy dance that seemed eternal, for the flowers the time had frozen as they enjoyed the sweet snuggle of the large green leaves and the sturdy support of the thin wood that bent along the metal. Her lips lifted slightly and her cheeks flushed terribly as she recalled being in Hades embrace last night. 

For her time was lost, his arms had held her tightly to his strength and his vibrant warmth engulfed her into a fruitful darkness. When she was still living with her mother, she never would have imagined her life to take such a drastic turn, however she couldn't help but hope for it.

She expected to live under her mother's hand and relax under the shade of the willow tree for eternity, but when, Hades whisked her away from her garden, she never knew she needed someone as much as she needed him. She was falling in love, he was casting a spell on her that only made her reach for his touch and protection.

She felt a great shudder tremble through her body and her cheeks heated awkwardly. She scurried out of their chambers, when unexpectedly, she spotted Hades fretting over something on his desk, she quietly opened the balcony doors and began to dry her long hair with a cloth.

-Hades POV-

Hades had gotten up quite early, so he let his wife rest since they slept terribly late, he went to his study to work on some contracts before they piled up because nothing was more irritating than unfinished contracts of the dead. There were piles of documents to look through; there was all the sacrificed souls that were brought by his demons and the new souls to keep track of constantly, then there was the problem with passing souls, he had to figure out a way to calm them down, so they could move on.

Hades fell back in his chair whilst holding the bridge of his nose, he felt like a heavy boulder just crashed on top of his shoulders, a loud hammering thumped along the temples of his head and nothing kept it at bay. Until, Hades felt his lungs fill with warm spring fragrance like it had last night, the blooming flowers and fresh fruit tickled his noise, his head lifted and he spotted his wife's round hips walking out of the glass doors with her long fiery hair laying beautifully at her side; that was a dark auburn from being wet. 

Her voluptuous body was adorned in a long lilac gown with a deep cut at the back exposing her delicate bones structure. Hades admired her skin that glowed with a healthy radiance, there was still clear droplets of water rolling down her neck making him want to go to her and lick it off her creamy smooth skin. Hades watched as Persephone handled her thick hair so skillfully, first using the white cloth to dry the dripping water, then turning it to the other side, to dry it again, she pushed the heavy mass to the back laying it all in waves as the shorter ends cupped her face.

The burning flames of the underworld cast a warm golden light over her immortal form that was timelessly breathtaking, her amber eyes glistened a brighter shade of gold even with the help of the everlasting fire; he grinned, those very eyes had stolen a peek into his heart without him ever intending it, her innocent touch drove him over the edge and he had fallen from the lonely cliff right into her arms. When she had entered her father's court with a brilliant smile, Hades heart ached with a great thunder- that was never sated, until he finally met her in her mother's garden. The sun had danced on her shoulders, as the flowers bloomed around her from the sweet pollen, that fell out of her hands like the ones surrounding their bed today.

A smile crept along his lips which threatened to broaden when he remembered this morning. His eyes had just opened, when he noticed, the thin vines slithering along Seph's warm body. They were swarming the bed and flourishing their beauty and skill like their mother whilst blooming small white flowers, they were careful not to wake her and continued to grow at a rapid rate, and when he had reached for his wife the flowers hadn't snaked away from his touch, instead they sprouted more leaves and blossomed brighter; he was quite surprised, it was like they were protecting her and keeping her safe in their embrace. 

But Hades did not trouble himself over it, he knew that this was just another way for his wife to express herself without words. The flowers had just told him she was calm and comfortable... right?

-Persephone POV-

Persephone leaned on the railing of the balcony and gazed out towards the valley of the underworld, there was a wall of massive shadowy mountains that just made the molten lava glow even more, but even from this distance, the heat should be a lot more intense but it wasn't, it felt beautiful in the palace like the season before wheat harvests.

Persephone's eyes began to get heavy when she felt large cold metal claws circle her waist, her lips lifted willingly as she leaned back into her husband's arms.

"What were you thinking about?" His deep voice sent shivers down her spine, she snuggled herself closer to his warmth before she answered back.

"I was just wondering how it is not burning hot in the palace even though were surrounded by fire." She turned in his arms finding his view to be much more enjoyable, she gazed into his striking eyes and oh how it took her breath away, her husband was beyond devilishly handsome; it had to be sin, she thought.

His dark hair was raked back exquisitely, so his crown could take its rightful place, her body went aflame when she stayed in his arms and examined the look in his eyes. They were so cold, but they could also fill with so much passion, but only when he was with her had she seen such intensity.

"If you keep staring at me like that then I can't guarantee what I do next will be gentle," he growled.

Catching herself, she felt the heat reach her cheeks which made him grin wickedly, he leaned down, and suddenly, ran his hot tongue up the delicate lines of her neck like he was savouring the feel and the taste of her skin.

"Come to bed with me," said Hades huskily making her giggle and pull out of his reach.

"You have work to attend, my love," ordered Persephone pointing against his hard metal-plated chest. He let out a painful groan. "What was so important that it even got my husband out of bed?" Persephone asked mischievously. Hades let out a stunning smile displaying his handsomely white teeth.

"There are just a few contracts I need to manage before they pile up" -as Hades began to explain an idea popped in his head- "would you like to attend the meeting with me today?" He asked.

"Er- would you like me to?"

"Of course."

Persephone nodded her reply and smiled.

Persephone walked back into their room, she sat at her dressing table and pulled her hair into an extravagant bun using a few white flowers from the vines, the thin plants intertwined in her auburn hair holding it in place.

She positioned the crown of crystals on her head that had been gifted to her by Hades, the gemstones illuminated with her very touch like they came to life just like the flowers that blossom at her touch.

Hades waited in the foyer with his own magnificent black crown that had mighty crystals and metal thorns that shinned like the clusters of stars that swarmed the night sky. His face took her breath away and his armour looked so dangerously majestic.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yes." Persephone took his outstretched hand with a warm smile. Walking side by side with her husband was so empowering and reassuring that he believes in her and trusts her just as she felt for him.