Page 29 of Tempted By Hades

The soft glow of the whiskey in his hand flickered like a lone flame in the vast darkness, a metaphorical spark that ignited the labyrinthine corridors of his plans.

His mind crafted a mosaic of machinations to entice Persephone into the subterranean realm he ruled. He drummed his fingers on the sleek surface of his desk, contemplating the myriad schemes that could lure Persephone into the folds of the Underworld. One strategy played out in his mind like a carefully orchestrated symphony. Perhaps a grand celebration, a feast of opulence rivaling the divine banquets of Olympus, could tempt her. The allure of such extravagance might prove irresistible, drawing Persephone into the depths of the Underworld.

Another scheme took a subtler approach, focusing on the natural beauty of the Underworld. Hades envisioned creating a captivating garden, a realm of eternal spring where Persephone could wield her powers over flora and fauna. The allure of this divine sanctuary might kindle a desire in her to stay, surrounded by the perpetual bloom of nature.

Yet, lurking in the recesses of his mind, a more daring plan emerged. Hades toyed with orchestrating a dire situation in the Upperworld, a crisis that only the Underworld could resolve. By displaying his dominion’s indispensable role in maintaining cosmic balance, he hoped to reveal the necessity of Persephone’s presence.

He recognized the delicate dance between manipulation and genuine connection. In the labyrinth of his thoughts, Hades continued to weave the threads of possibility, plotting a path that could bridge the chasm between their realms.

A pang of guilt seized him as he immersed himself in the elaborate schemes. Even in pursuit of a cause he deemed just, the weight of trickery gnawed at his conscience. A flicker of introspection crept in, whispering the possibility of an alternative path.

He glanced at the glass in his hand. The amber liquid seemed to hold the essence of his dilemma—swirling with complexity, tasting both bitter and sweet. As he gazed into the depths of the glass, a fleeting hope emerged, a yearning for a solution that didn’t hinge on deception.

A single thought sprang from his mind: Could honesty be the key?

Could he lay bare the intricacies of his dilemma and the significance of Persephone’s presence without resorting to manipulation? He contemplated the notion of genuine connection, a bond that transcended the need for deception.

Perhaps he could find a way to show Persephone the true beauty of the Underworld, allowing her to make an informed choice rather than trapping her in a web of schemes. The guilt that clung to his thoughts now transformed into a spark of optimism—a belief that authenticity might pave the way to a shared destiny.

Well, there was one way to find out, he supposed.

With a mere thought, he traversed the ethereal boundary that separated the realms, materializing in the familiar surroundings of Persephone’s apartment. Voices reached him from the living room, and he inched closer to listen.

“What the hell is that?” he heard. He recognized the voice as Geri’s, the shifter who worked at the plant shop below.

As he stepped forward, the scene unfolded before him, and his eyes fell upon Orthrus, who was seated in front of Persephone in his divine form. Persephone was scratching one of his heads and looking at him fondly. Before them stood Geri, gawking at the two-headed being.

“I am Orthrus, here to protect Lady Persephone,” he declared, his voice resonating with a sense of duty and loyalty.

“And he fucking talks too?”

“Isn’t he wonderful,” gushed Persephone. “He’s a gift from Hades. I always wanted a dog.”

“That is not a dog.”

“Thank you, Lady Geri. I am not a dog,” he huffed.

“Oh, but he turns into a super cute pom,” said Persephone and snapped her fingers.

“No! No, my lady,” Orthrus whined, growling and jumping around.

“He’s the cutest,” Persephone squealed.

“You said Hades gave you this dog?” Geri looked at Persephone, who blushed. “Are you dating?”

“Um…I don’t know.”

“Have you two had sex yet?”

“I’m afraid not,” Hades said, walking into the room where they could see him.

They all looked at him, and Geri immediately announced, “Um, I have some stuff to do downstairs,” and walked around Hades.

“Er, sorry about that,” Persephone said, as soon as they were alone.

“Perhaps I should apologize for just showing up. I swear I did not mean to eavesdrop, which is why I stepped in to stop the conversation when I did.”

She shrugged. “No worries. Geri’s just…like that. And I did say you could come back anytime.” A delicate blush adorned her cheeks as she looked up shyly at him. “Hi.”

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