Page 130 of Queen of the Underworld

That she had chosen him.

Finally.

She glanced back at him, not wanting him to have any doubts about her desire to be his wife.

His queen.

She held his gaze as she spoke to Zeus. “Mother manipulated you into asking Hades to return me, falsifying her grief and harming the mortals to force you to act. The moment I returned as promised, she used wards and guards to trap me in the temple and announced I would wed Aristaeus the next day—today. When she knew you were away from Olympus. She wanted to take me from the one I love.”

Hades’s gaze softened and searched hers.

“He does not love you, foolish child!” Demeter spat. “He only uses you to get what he wants, and he will—”

“She is my heart,” Hades interjected, cutting her mother off, and lifted his free hand to cup Persephone’s cheek as he gazed down at her and the crimson in his irises gave way to blue. “My light. My everything. I love her with all that I am, and I will not allow anyone to take her from me. She is mine.”

His eyes lifted and narrowed, and his fangs emerged to flash between his lips.

“She is mine, Zeus,” Hades snarled, his expression growing fierce, and he shifted his bident, raising it and setting it down on the pointed tip of the staff. He looked bewitching like that, dark and commanding, and stole her heart all over again. “Not because you gave her to me, but because the Fates made her for me. No man or god will stand between me and my queen… my Persephone.”

Demeter spluttered.

“I love you, too, Hades,” Persephone whispered before her mother could rail about this or make out it was all lies, and he searched her eyes again, as if he needed to hear her say it more than twice for him to believe it.

She smiled softly.

She would show him the depth of her love later.

When they were alone.

Back in the Underworld.

“I withdraw my banishment.” Zeus moved a step towards them, his power buffeting her but held away from her too by Hades’s own darker power, and Hades lifted his head again to look at his brother. Zeus’s look turned sombre and serious. “I apologise for what has happened here this day. I will see to it Demeter is punished and will not stop you from taking your queen with you to live at your side in the Underworld.”

Persephone twisted to look at her mother, half of her wanting to ask Zeus not to harm her and the rest of her glad that she would never interfere in her life again. The side of her that still cared deeply about her mother despite the things she had done and how she had treated her throughout her life began to win the war within her and sorrow teased at the edges of her heart.

Hades stepped up beside her, his hand falling to her shoulder, and his words sent warmth and surprise sweeping through her.

“I will put aside my anger towards Demeter, so there is no need to punish her now that she has accepted her daughter will be happy as my queen, and will abide by our agreement, brother.” Hades didn’t look at Persephone as her gaze leaped to his profile. His tone was sombre, almost grave as he added, “Persephone will spend spring and summer here in Olympus, and the rest in the Underworld with me.”

Tears threatened to line Persephone’s eyes as she gazed at her love, soul-deep aware how hard this would be on him. How hard it would be on them both. She didn’t want to leave his side and be parted from him, but he was trying to be diplomatic and show Zeus and Olympus that he wasn’t the monster many made him out to be.

A coldness grew within her, spreading inwards towards her heart as she realised something.

It wasn’t autumn yet.

Hades was going to be forced to leave without her and she wouldn’t see him for over a month, when she longed to go back with him and continue where they had left off, getting to know each other and strengthening their bond.

“Zeus—” Demeter started but he held up his hand, silencing her this time.

“And so it shall be,” Zeus’s tone softened and he half-smiled as he shifted his golden gaze to Persephone, “until such a time comes when you no longer wish to divide your time between this city and your home.”

Her home.

She smiled at that.

“Perhaps the advent of your first child might be reason enough for you to remain in the Underworld throughout the year. I am sure your mother would not complain about losing your company once you have a family who needs your time and devotion.” Zeus smiled slyly.

Children?

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