King's Queen ✔

Chapter 33: Her Own Kind of Beautiful

"Scared?" questioned Persephone playfully.

"In your dreams, honey," retorted Hades.

Persephone had too much fun teasing him. "You're doing a lot more than being just scared in my dream, darling," she remarked.

Hades lifted a brow. "You'll have to tell me later what I'm doing in those dreams of yours," he said. "But for now, don't even think that that'll distract me from winning this race." He swiftly jumped on top of Nyctaeus and positioned himself on the golden saddle with ease and authority.

Persephone couldn't help but admire her husband. His jet-black hair was glossy under the burning bright sun. He had a frown that made him look very dangerous and strict, which she knew it wasn't because he was upset or angry, the sun was simply shining too much for his comfort.

She appreciated Hades broad shoulders and tough hands that expertly held onto the Nyctaeus' reins. His shirt's sleeves were rolled up exposing his rugged forearms that looked sturdy, his wrists were thick and his beautiful hands that had showed her more pleasures than anything in this world looked reliable. He wore dark leather pants that were clinging to his muscular thighs and long legs, which helped him leap on top of such a massive horse without even a stepladder. And those mesmerizing crimson eyes were devilishly hypnotic; she could get lost in those pools of dark rubies.

Persephone bit back a smile when she realized that she was blushing over Hades. For years, she'd see him at parties, annual gatherings and whenever Zeus summoned him; he was always stern and composed, his eyes held no emotion. But Persephone always recognized that flame of passion underneath the sheet of ice and that no one matched for her, she wondered where he learned to wield such magic that enchanted her. Every smile or glance had her yearning for one more. The raw power that clung to Hades could never be duplicated or faked. He was a king worthy of all that he has and much more.

"The race is from here to the other end of the track," said Beowulf. "I have sent a boy to the finish line, so you'll know when you've reached it."

"Thank you, Beowulf," said Persephone.

Beowulf smiled and waved off to join the other spectators that had gathered to watch their king and queen race against each other.

"Ready?" asked Beowulf.

"Ready," answered Persephone.

Hades shot her a grin. "Ready."

A thunderous shot fired and cut through the air. Alastor and Nyctaeus heard the gunfire and kicked through the wind with agility and speed.

Persephone secured her hands on Alastor's reins, she lifted her butt off the saddle and leaned forward so she could faster. But Nyctaeus was no easy opponent especially was such a skilled rider as Hades, they made a formidable pair together. This was the first time Alastor was riding with her, and she knew that would affect their partnership. But this would only worry her if she wasn't so good with animals.

She purposely lagged behind Hades for the last sprint that would decide the winner of this race. "Εκτελέστε, Alastor, τρέξτε," Persephone whispered 'Run, Alastor, run' to the immortal horse and the beast fired alive with more strength in his muscular legs. Alastor passed his younger brother and his master with fire in his flaming red eyes.

Persephone leaned forward and the last sprint was all it took to push through and beat Hades. Nyctaeus was just barely a step behind Alastor, but that one step was what allowed Persephone to win the race. Alastor tore through the flimsy ribbon that was the finish line and stopped right after it was over. The small boy ran away with his arms in the air to the spectators to let them know that the queen had beat the king.