Persephone looked down to see that her hands were shaking so badly, a third of the wine had spilled across her lap, soaking into her chiton in pink splotches.

Hades took the chalice from her nervous grasp and held it to Persephone’s lips. After a few sips, Persephone drew back, and Hades set the chalice down on a side table. She took hold of Persephone’s chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. Hades’ lips curved in a slight smile, her eyes deep as pools of still water.

Wife. She was her wife.

Persephone didn’t know how to hold that word in her mind without her consciousness overflowing. She froze when Hades leaned in to kiss her, desperately reaching out to the earth to bring her back to the blissful unconsciousness of sleep, but there was no way she could find the peace of mind she needed, not with Hades’ lips burning against her mouth and the warmth of Hades’ hands enfolding her shoulders.

“You are as tense as Artemis’s bowstring,” Hades said.

“We don’t have to... not tonight, please. We could pretend it happened. I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

Hades’ sword hand fell upon Persephone’s knee. “A marriage is not valid unless consummated.” She pressed a kiss just below Persephone’s ear, her breath tickling.

“But I didn’t—”

“Hmm?” Hades drew back to look at her. It was the first time Persephone had seen her with her hair unbound; it softened her strong jawline, giving her a more delicate appearance. Her lips were darkened slightly from the wine.

“Hera hasn’t blessed this marriage, so it’s not—final.”

Hades turned away for a moment, bending down to undo her sandals. “Zeus has approved this match. She has no reason to challenge him—or me—over this matter.”

“And what of Demeter?”

“She will learn to accept our union. As will you, in time.”

“Never. “

“We shall see about that.” Hades ran a hand through her hair. “Enough of this. I wish to see my wife undressed.” When Persephone made no move to comply, Hades sighed. “Would you prefer if I stripped you myself?”

Persephone shook her head. Anything to keep Hades’ hands off of her a little longer. She reached for the fibula on her shoulder, fumbling with the clasp until it came free. Her chiton peeled away, revealing the shape of her strophion. She moved to the other shoulder and repeated the gesture, placing the brooches down on the table.

Hades had already seen her naked, but this time felt different. They were married. As one of the elder six, Hades outranked her. It was clear she expected Persephone to fulfill all her wifely duties, and if she did not perform as required, Hades would be well within her marital rights to exact punishment. The thought of what Hades might require her to do made her cheeks burn.

“And the rest, my lady wife.”