Hades had been very quiet after Alcetis disappeared back down the road that would return her to her mortal life. Lina watched him with little sideways glances. He was holding her hand, but his face was inscrutable. He was definitely making her very nervous. Were they stil going to his room?

Had she misunderstood his reaction to hearing her cal ed the Queen of the Underworld? Could it have been an emotion other than fierce happiness she had thought she had seen? But then why would he have al owed her to pass a judgment that he was clearly against? Her mind felt like it was fil ed with fireflies.

They entered the palace through the rear courtyard, and turned to the left away from the direction of Lina's room. They walked past the entry to the dining room. Final y, Hades stopped in front of a huge door into which had been carved the rearing image of Orion and the helmet from the Great Hal .

Feeling nervous, Lina pointed at the door. "It's a good likeness of Orion. He looks very ferocious." Hades snorted. "I think a new rendition is needed - one which shows him nickering softly to his goddess."

Relieved by his banter, Lina gave him a playful nudge with her shoulder. "Oh, he's stil thought of as a dread steed. Eurydice certainly avoids him."

Hades shook his head. "I'm afraid his reputation of being a fierce, solitary creature has been forever shattered." He turned to her and took Lina's chin in his hand, tilting her face up. "But he does not mind. His gain far exceeds his loss." He kissed her gently, and murmured against her lips.

"Wil you join me in my chamber?"

"Yes." Her stomach tightened.

Hades opened the great door for her and she stepped into the God's private world. The first thing she noticed was the enormous bed that was centered in the room. It was canopied by a gossamer net of sheer silk that hung in luxurious folds al around it. Lina could see that the bed itself was covered with thick white linens so that the whole thing looked like it was a cloud that had lost its place in the sky. It was opulent and sexy and very, very inviting. Lina realized she was staring at the bed, and letting her imagination wander. She felt her cheeks grow warm. Yanking her eyes away, her attention was drawn to the impressive pair of chandeliers that hung from the domed ceiling. They appeared to have been made from black glass, and flames from hundreds of candles danced and glistened in their unusual surface.

"Your chandeliers are always so beautiful. Are these real y made of black glass?"

"Obsidian," Hades said. Pressing his hand intimately into the smal of her back, he led her into the room. "Although when it has been cut and polished it does resemble glass." Lina smiled at him. "What are its properties? I know they must be special if you chose this stone for your room."

"Obsidian's powers are that of protection, grounding, divination and peace." He glanced up at the winking light. "And I find it soothing."

"Wel , it definitely works with your color scheme." Lina gestured at the rest of the vast chamber. The predominate colors were black, white and silver. But instead of making the room austere and cold, the dramatic differences fit wel together, as if the God had found a way to comfortably wed light and dark.

"Would you like some wine?" Hades asked. He was nervous and he wondered if she could hear the pounding of his heart.

When Persephone nodded Hades hurried over to a squat table that sat between two white satin chaises and poured two glasses of wine from a bottle that had already been opened and placed in an iced container.

Lina smiled her thanks and took the crystal glass that was fil ed with golden liquid. Its fragrance drifted to her and Lina's smile widened.

"Ambrosia!"

"Rumor has it that you are fond of it." His lips twitched.

"Rumor should also have it that sometimes I'm overly fond of it."

"That is our secret." He smiled. Then he cleared his throat and raised his glass to her. "To new beginnings."

"To new beginnings," Lina repeated, touching her glass against his. As they drank their eyes stayed locked together.

Then Hades placed his glass back on the table. Without hesitation, Lina placed hers next to his. The dark God took a deep breath. Then he closed the smal space between them and took her in his arms.

"You are haunting me, Persephone. I cannot breathe without thinking of you." He captured her lips in a hungry kiss. Their bodies pressed together. Al she could think was, ohthank-you-final y! His hardness pulsed against her and she responded with liquid heat. Lina's hands roamed up and across his chest, the width of his leather chiton, and Lina wanted to curse in frustration. She had no idea how to get the thing off him. While his deep kisses sizzled through her blood, she directed her fingers until she final y found the ties that laced the leather together low on his side. She tugged and pulled, and they loosened enough for her to slip her fingers within so that she could stroke the hard muscles of his waist and abdomen.

Hades moaned against her mouth. His hand moved down to cup her curved bottom as he pressed her more firmly against him. Heat flooded his body as he felt her move against him in response. She nibbled on his bottom lip teasingly. Then she pulled back, but only far enough to meet his eyes.

"Take me to bed, Hades." She sounded breathless.

He swal owed, trying to clear the dryness in his throat, and nodded. Then he led her to his bed. Hades parted the silk curtain for her, but he did not fol ow her within. Lying back against his pil ows, Persephone looked beautiful and ultimately desirable. At his hesitation, the Goddess smiled questioningly up at him.

"I must tel you something first." Hades' voice was thick with emotion. "I have never before done this."

"You mean you have never brought a woman to your bedroom before?"

"It is true that I have never brought a mortal woman here, but that is not al that I have never before done."

Lina's eyes widened. "You have never made love?"

Hades' laughter sounded forced and nervous. "I have made love, just never with a goddess." Lina sat up. She wished desperately that she could admit to him the irony of their situation. He was nervous for the same reason she was feeling a herd of butterflies stampeding around in her stomach.

"Truthfully, I haven't been with anyone in quite a while." She reached and touched his hand. His fingers wrapped around hers. "And I can promise you that no god has ever made me feel the way you do."

He sat next to her on the bed, looking at their joined hands.

"When Alcetis cal ed you the Queen of the Underworld I was fil ed with unspeakable pride. To think that others believe that you might belong to me, that you could be content reigning at my side. I cannot conceive of anything that would bring me more joy." She released a long sigh. "I would be proud to be cal ed Queen of the Underworld, but I don't know..." She faltered, trapped between her promise to Demeter and her need to tel Hades the truth.

He cupped her face in his hands. "It is enough for now that I know that the idea is not repel ent to you. Time wil take care of the rest."

She placed her hands over his. "How could your wonderful realm repel me? I adore it," she said hoarsely.

His smile was dazzling, and Lina wondered how it was possible that the other immortals did not see him as she did. Then she was suddenly, fiercely glad that they did not. If they knew, then he wouldn't belong to her; he'd be like the rest of them. Hades kissed her gently, but she could feel the tension in his body through the corded muscles of his arms.

When he spoke his voice had deepened with his breathing. "Show me how to bring you pleasure. Just the thought of you, just a glimpse of your skin, makes my blood heat. But I know desire is not so simple for women." Despite his taut nerves Hades managed a chuckle. "And even with my limited experience I have learned that goddesses are, indeed, much more complex than gods. Teach me how I can flame your desire, Persephone."

Lina's mouth felt dry and she ran her tongue over her lips, feeling a shiver of pleasure as Hades'

gaze became riveted on her mouth.

"You could start by undressing," she said breathlessly.

With no hesitation, Hades pulled off his already loosened chiton, unwrapped his short undertunic and the linen loincloth that Lina had found so enticing when he was dressed only in it at the forge. Tossing his clothes away he stood before her naked. He was magnificent. The rich luster of his skin gilded his muscles, making him look dark and exotic. She had never seen such a beautifully made man. Her eyes traveled down his body and her breath caught in her throat. He was already fully aroused.

Lina felt a heady rush of pleasure at the knowledge that the power of a god was hers to command. She stood, resting her palms against his bare chest. Then, slowly, she drew them across his skin, loving the feel of the hard, wel -defined ridges of his chest and arms. When her hands moved down to his lower abdomen, she felt a tremor ran through him.

"One thing that al women like is to believe that their touch is arousing," Lina said huskily. "It gives us pleasure to know that even though our bodies are less powerful y built, one smal touch from us can make a man tremble and moan."

She took his hard flesh in her hand and stroked it caressingly. A moan that sounded almost painful came from deep within Hades' throat.

Lina's smile was a seductive tease. "Am I hurting you?"

"No!" He gasped. "Though I believe you could slay me with one touch. Al I need do is to think of you... to see you... to smel you and I become engorged, aching, longing for your touch." His words sent a bolt of heat through her body. She released him so that she could tug at the lacing on her left shoulder that held her robe together. She shrugged the top off, leaving her breasts bare. It only took her a moment to pull loose the ties over her hips, and with a smal , sensuous movement she caused the material to slide from her body. Then she stepped into Hades' arms.

"Your skin is so hot. I love the way it feels against mine," she said between kisses.

"Wanting you makes me feel that I am on fire," Hades whispered against her lips as his hands explored the deep curve of her hips. Then he turned and fel back, pulling her with him onto the bed. "Show me more, Persephone. Teach me how to set you afire, too." Lina rol ed off of him, so that they were lying on their sides, facing each other. She hardly knew where to start. She already felt so hot and wet that for a moment she almost pulled him on top of her. Then she took a deep breath and stopped the impulse. No, he wasn't like her ex-husband or any of her other disinterested lovers. This time it was going to be different. Hades was different. In him she had what al women real y desired - a man who honestly wanted to please her, and was wil ing to listen and learn so that she would, indeed, find that pleasure. Al she had to do was show him what she desired.

And that was much more difficult than she had imagined. What did she desire? She closed her eyes and col ected her thoughts. Al of her adult life she had wanted a man who would cherish her enough to care about her pleasure as much as his own. She had to be honest with Hades, as wel as with herself. She must break down the barriers her previous lovers had required her to erect. Lina shivered. She was ready. She opened her eyes.

Lightly, she touched the spot where her neck met her shoulder, and with a voice that sounded suddenly shy she said, "To me, it's the little things that matter. For instance, I like to be kissed here."

Hades propped himself up on his elbow, then he bent to the curve of her neck. Kissing and nipping her gently, he ran his tongue around the sensitive area.

"I would also like it if you caressed me while you kissed me. Let my body become accustomed to your touch," she whispered.

When her breathing deepened, he fol owed the seductive line of her shoulder down to her breasts, which he cupped gently in his hands.

"Oh, yes, there, too," she moaned as he rained kisses on the soft mounds.

"Wil it give you pleasure if I lick and kiss your nipples?" Hades' voice was husky with desire.

"Yes," she said, burying her hands in his dark hair.

As he teased and sucked his hand traveled down. First he caressed the length of her leg, molding his touch to her curvaceous muscles. Remembering that she desired him to pay attention to the smal things, he teased the velvety area behind her knee. Then, fol owing the unspoken cues of her body, he drew hot circles on her inner thigh. She opened to him and guided his hand to her core, showing him how to caress her sensitive bud, whispering breathless encouragement when his touch moved with her rhythm.

The wave of her orgasm came hard and fast. She gasped his name as exquisite electricity began deep within her and radiated throughout her body.

Hades held her close, his own desires temporarily forgotten in his amazement that he had been able to evoke such a passionate response from her. He wanted to shout with happiness. She knew him for who he was, and she desired him and had given herself to him. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. He was smiling at her and stroking the hair from her face. Her breathing had not even returned to normal when she began kissing him again.

"I think that the best lovemaking is mutual y satisfying." she said breathlessly, pressing him gently back against the bed. "It is a dance of give and take, where even though your partner's pleasure can become your own, it shouldn't exclude you from having your needs and desires fulfil ed as wel ."

She stroked his muscular body, kissing and tasting the saltiness of his skin until his breathing was ragged. Sweat glistened on his body and al of his muscles strained and tensed as he fought to control his desire. Quickly, she wrapped her arms around him.

"Don't hold back anymore. I want you inside of me - and I want to feel al of your passion." With a growl, he rol ed so that he was on top of her. Holding himself up on his hands, he stared into her eyes as he plunged into her body. Her wet heat surrounded him and it took al of his force of wil to hold back the explosion that raged to be released. Possessing her was better than his fantasy, better than anything he could have imagined. He held very stil for a moment, trying to regain control. Then, with a whimpering sound, she thrust up to meet him and he responded, matching her passion with his own until he was lost to everything but the sensation of her. Feeling her tighten rhythmical y around him, she drove him over the edge. As the spasms of pleasure coursed through him, Hades buried his face in her hair and said one word over and over.

"Persephone..."

A sweet, familiar scent awakened her. Hades was standing beside the bed smiling. He was naked, except for the snug loincloth wrapped low around his waist. He was holding a chil ed glass of golden liquid in one hand and a silk robe in the other.

"Good morning," she said, sleepily.

"Good morning. I thought you might be thirsty." He nodded at the crystal wineglass. "Also, Eurydice brought those things for you." He gestured over his shoulder at a table that was laden with pomegranates and a mouthwatering assortment of cheeses and breads. Lina thought he couldn't possibly have looked more adorable standing there nervously, trying to act like he was used to having a goddess in his bed.

"Thank you." She sat up and stretched. The sheet fel down around her waist, and his eyes devoured the sight of her bare breasts.

Entranced, Hades placed the glass on the table and knelt before her, taking her breasts in his hands and kissing her nipples. Although his touch was gentle, Lina couldn't help flinching. Her body was incredibly, wonderful y satiated, but also very, very sore.

The God pulled back. "I am hurting you?"

"I'm just feeling a little... sensitive. Seven times in one night is, wel , unusual." Hades actual y blushed as he draped the silk robe over her shoulders and smoothed her hair. She did look rumpled, and she had a red bite mark on the curve of her neck. Had he been too rough with her? Last night he had thought that he had pleased her, but this morning she seemed almost disgruntled. She stood up, a little gingerly, and shrugged into the robe. By al the gods! Had he hurt her?

She gave him a distracted smile, and sat gingerly before she descended hungrily on the laden table. She did not notice how the God flinched in response at her obvious physical discomfort. Hades silently damned himself for an inexperienced fool.

As Lina ate she felt her energy level return to normal, and the aches of her wel -used body dissipated. Responding to her revived good humor, Hades' nerves evaporated, and they ate breakfast like lovers, with their knees touching, feeding each other choice tidbits from their own plates. He was just explaining to her how he had fashioned the chandeliers that hung gracefully from the ceiling above them when two firm knocks sounded against the door.

"Yes! Enter," Hades cal ed.

Iapis entered the room, holding a square, flat box in his hand. He bowed first to Hades and then to Lina.

"Good day, Hades, Persephone." His eyes danced and he tried unsuccessfully to hide a delighted smile. "I have brought that which you requested, my Lord." He handed the box to Hades.

"Excel ent, thank you, Iapis."

Seeing the daimon reminded Lina that she had been neglecting Eurydice lately, and she felt a twinge of guilt.

"lapis, could you take a message to Eurydice for me?" Lina asked.

"Of course, Goddess."

"Tel her that I would love to see what she has been sketching." Iapis smiled. "She wil be pleased, Goddess."

"Good. Have her bring her work to my room later today. And please tel her that I am looking forward to seeing her creations - and her. I've missed her lately." Lina thought she saw a tel tale flush darken the daimon's cheeks before he nodded, and, stil smiling, bowed his way from the room.

"He's certainly in a good mood," Lina said, drumming her fingers against the table.

"He likes seeing me happy," Hades said, kissing her hand.

Lina felt herself grinning as foolishly as the daimon had been. Then she mental y shook herself.

"I don't think that's al there is to his jol y expression. I've been meaning to talk to you about that daimon of yours."

Hades raised an eyebrow at her.

"I think he's interested in Eurydice," Lina said.

Hades' grin reminded her of a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I think you are correct."

"Then I need to know his intentions," she said firmly.

Hades nodded, his expression instantly sobering. "I see. Of course you would be concerned. I believe I can speak for Iapis. His intentions are honorable. He truly cares for the little spirit."

"You wil see that he is careful with her? She has been through a difficult time. It's hard for a woman to love again after she has been hurt."

Hades touched her cheek gently, wondering suddenly if the goddess was speaking only about her loyal spirit.

"You may trust me. Always. I wil watch out for Eurydice as if she were the Goddess of Spring herself."

"Thank you. It's not that I don't like Iapis - I do. I just worry about Eurydice."

"You are a kind goddess who cares for those who love you," Hades said. Then he looked down at the square box sitting beside his hand. He slid it across the table to Persephone.

"This is something I made the first night you were here. I could not sleep. Al I could do was to think about you, about your smile and your eyes." He gestured for her to open the box. The little clasp unlatched easily and Lina lifted the lid. Nestled in a bed of black velvet inside the box was a chain made of delicate silver links from the middle of which hung a single amethyst stone that had been carved and polished into the shape of an exquisite narcissus blossom. Lina felt tears fil her eyes. "Oh, Hades! It's the most beautiful thing I've ever been given." Hades stood and moved behind her, taking the necklace from its case so that he could place it around her neck. It hung perfectly, just above the swel of her breasts.

"Thank you. I wil always cherish it."

The God pulled her into his arms. "The night I made it I was fil ed with emptiness and longing, but now you are here with me and the black hole within me exists no more. The mortals were wise; you are Queen of the Underworld. I cannot imagine my life without you. You have brought eternal Spring to the Underworld, and to the heart of its God. I am in love with you, Persephone." The tears that had been pooling in Lina's eyes spil ed over and she couldn't speak. He wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. "Why do you weep, beloved?"

"Things are just so complicated."

Hades' brow furrowed. "Because you are Goddess of Spring?"

"That's part of it."

"Tel me truly, Persephone. Do you weep because you cannot imagine remaining in the Underworld?"

The God tried to keep his voice neutral, but Lina could see the pain reflected in his eyes.

"I want to be with you," she said, trying not to sound too evasive.

"Then I cannot conceive of any difficulty that we cannot overcome together." He hugged her fiercely.

Resting within the strength of his arms, Lina squeezed her eyes closed, wil ing her tears to stop. Crying wouldn't help.

She did love him, but that was only a smal piece of the truth he needed to know. She wanted to tel him everything. She had to.

But she had given her word, and first she must talk to Demeter.

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