She came, gasping his name, threading her fingers through his hair so she could pull him up her body to kiss him. His lips crashed against hers, trailed her neck, and then her breasts, his tongue swirling around each tip, making them rock solid.

“There was no greater torture than feeling your anguish,” he said. “I knew I was somehow responsible, and I could do nothing about it.”

She pressed her fingers to his swollen lips. “You can do something about it.”

She reached between them, where Hades’ hard-as-steel cock pressed into her leg. She guided him to her center. They came together viciously. Hades’ hips dug into hers as his cock split into her and she reveled in the ache of him filling and stretching. Her head snapped back, pressing into the ground, and she arched against him, a guttural cry escaped her mouth. Hades bent to kiss her lips, capturing the sound. She couldn’t find a place for her hands. Her fingers clutched at his silk robes, at the grass, then his arms.

“Fuck!”

Maybe he’d cursed because she’d broken skin, she wasn’t sure—but either way, he pinned her wrists above her head. His eyes were wild and unfocused, and his tempo increased as he chased his orgasm, slamming into her harder than ever.

They came together and Hades collapsed atop Persephone, his head resting in the crook of her shoulder. They were slick with sweat, and their breaths came in harsh gasps. After a moment, Hades lifted himself onto his elbows, and brushed Persephone’s hair from her face.

“Are you well?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Did I…” he hesitated. “Did I hurt you?”

She smiled at the question because she had never felt better. “No.”

She touched his face, tracing his brows, his nose, his kiss-swollen lips, and whispered, “I love you.”

A faint smile touched Hades’ lips. “I wasn’t sure I would hear those words again.”

Hades’ admission hurt her heart.

Her eyes began to water. “I never stopped.”

“Shh, my darling,” Hades’ gaze was tender. “I never lost faith.”

But she had and the thought nearly destroyed her.

Hades gathered her into his arms and brought her to his bed. There, he kissed her, drawing her from her darkness. He nudged her legs apart with his knee, and just he prepared to consume her once again, there was a knock at the door.

Persephone froze, and to her surprise, Hades directed the person at the door to enter.

“Hades!”

The god rolled off her, and sat up in bed, his naked chest exposed. Persephone sat up beside him, holding his sheets to her chest as Hermes entered their bedroom.

“Hey, Sephy,” he said, giving her a sheepish smile.

“Hermes,” Hades called his attention.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “I found the nymph, Leuce.”

“Bring her,” Hades ordered.