Page 78 of Tempted By Hades

Despite the challenges of the mortal realm, Persephone’s newfound powers allowed her to perceive the hidden beauty beneath the surface—a resilience that echoed the spirit of life thriving even in the midst of chaos.

They entered the park, and a burst of spring greeted them. Flowers of every hue adorned the landscape, their vibrant colors dancing in the gentle breeze. The sweet fragrance of blossoms filled the air, creating a sensory oasis within the urban jungle.

Persephone couldn’t help but yearn for the familiar sights of her Underworld garden. The contrast between the lush, mortal blooms and the otherworldly flora she cultivated highlighted the duality of her existence.

Orthrus, sensing her contemplation, nudged her hand with his snout. They strolled through the park, and Persephone marveled at the mortal world’s resilience, finding solace in the harmony of nature amid the bustling cityscape.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but she knew they couldn’t stay out there forever. “Orthrus, come,” she commanded. She had allowed him to roam in the open field where he enjoyed running around and chasing squirrels and birds. He scrambled toward her, then allowed her to clip on the leash before they walked back to the plant shop.

As soon as they entered the shop, cacophonous metal rock music assaulted her ears. The screech of the wailing guitars made her wince. “Geri!” she called, trying to defeat the din with her own voice as she walked through the shop. The wolf shifter was by the row of seedlings, neatly lining them up. Her back was turned to Persephone’s, and she had to grab her by the shoulders and spin her around to get her attention.

“What’s with the music?” she shouted. “Can’t you turn it down?”

Geri cast her an annoyed look, walked behind the counter, and tapped on the keyboard of the laptop connected to their speakers so it turned off. Silence filled the space, but not for long.

“Oh! Oh! Oh! Yes, my darling!” came the disconcertingly familiar cry.

“My Demeter…you feel so good…I can’t hold on…”

Persephone’s eyes widened as the amorous acoustics continued, punctuated by the rhythmic pounding of what was likely a headboard against the wall. There was a shout of “Yes, oh yes!” followed by a grunt before the silence settled once again.

“I think I’m gonna lose my lunch,” Persephone said.

Geri smirked. “So, I guess all your mom needed was a good dicking down to loosen her up, right?”

“Oh, gods.” She covered her face with her hands. “Don’t even say it.”

But Geri was not wrong. Demeter had been in a good mood lately. In fact, Persephone had never seen her mother act so laid back since…well, ever. And it was all thanks to her father.

To escape Zeus’s lightning bolt, Demeter had transported herself and her father back to the Upperworld, and that’s where they had been this entire time. Clearly, they had been making up for lost time, but not just with each other but with Persephone, too.

When Persephone returned to New York, her mother, of course, was concerned because of what had happened, but Persephone refused to speak about her relationship with Hades. Instead, she wanted to get to know her father more, and so, for the past few weeks, they’d been living together like a family as they should have been all these years. For the most part, Persephone had been content, ecstatic, really, because her father truly was a good man. She was beginning to understand why he had done what he did because it was obvious he had loved her very much.

“Oh, gods!” Geri covered her ears. “I think they’re starting again.” She cringed. “Be thankful you don’t have supernatural hearing.”

She chuckled. “I’ll go talk to them.” She told Orthrus to stay in the shop then rushed upstairs. “Hey!” she shouted, knocking at her parents’ bedroom door. “Knock it off, you two.”

She could hear muffled giggles, shuffling, and rustling of clothes filtering through the door. “H-hey, darling,” Demeter greeted as she peeked from behind the door. “Y-you’re back.” She had, as Adonis would say, that just-fucked glow.

Persephone stifled the urge to roll her eyes. “Yes, I am. And so are you. I thought you were at—busy today?”

The reason she didn’t expect her mother to be home was that she had been spending a lot of time in Olympus lately, dealing with the aftermath of the Sealing Ceremony and Zeus’s trial. Persephone didn’t want to know—nor care—about the details, but only wished for it to be over. After all, it only reminded her of the worst betrayal she had ever felt in her entire life. Perhaps then, when Hades finally got what he truly wanted, she could also move on with her life and find peace.

“Yes, but uh…” She twirled a loose strand of her hair with her finger. “We finished early today. Your father and I were going to stop by for lunch in Athens, but I wanted to check up on you, so we came home, but then you weren’t around so?—”

“Hello, cardia mou.” Georgius grinned at her as he came up behind Demeter, buttoning up his shirt. “You’re home.”

“Hey, Father.”

Now that he’d returned to his earthly form, it was obvious to anyone why the goddess of the harvest had been smitten by this man. Tall, swarthy, and devilishly handsome with curly straw-colored hair and warm brown eyes, Georgius was a stunner. But more than that, he was kind and gentle, plus it was obvious he truly loved Demeter.

“And how was your day?”

“Oh, you know, the same.” She looked at them both with a knowing grin. “I’d ask what you guys were up to, but everyone on the Upper East Side already heard.”

Demeter winced, but Georgius only grinned, then slapped his wife on the ass.

“Ugh, I think I need to move out to my own place,” she said.

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