Chapter 18:

Persephone flashed into her bedroom chambers, skin flushed with desire. She loved the way Ares kissed her, how his soft lips felt against her pouty ones. Anytime she was around him, she always felt the fluttering of butterflies in her stomach, and his kisses always left her weak in the knees and the sex... let’s just say he could have her hobbling around for a week.

She knew that having an affair as a Queen was undignified, but she loves Ares. She cared for Hades, but there was no spark of love in their relationship. Persephone only married Hades to get away from her overbearing mother’s clutches; he was single and had the powers she needed to achieve her goal. Though she had to agree to split the year in half to appease her mother, it worked well for her. She could not deny that Hades treated her well and that he was kind and pleasing, but she knew her heart did not belong to him, and deep down, she felt he knew that. A part of her believes the same about him that his heart also belongs to another being.

She did not mind; the only thing she wished is that she could be with Ares, but she knew her child would be devastated if she were to leave her father. Though young, Melinoe was very perceptive, and Persephone knew that her daughter was already beginning to see the cracks in their marriage, which is why she would pester them both to be with her on any “family” outing. They both loved their daughter and wanted her happiness, even if they knew theirs was at risk. When Persephone and Hades were first married, they had discussed children but agreed they would try when they felt the time was right or when Zeus demanded he needed an heir, so when she found out she was pregnant, she was in total disbelief. She would never call her daughter a mistake; she wasn’t but Persephone knew Melinoe was a product of one passionate night when she and Hades needed to release pent-up sexual frustrations.

Persephone, no longer wanting to think of the what ifs or how her life was going, finally pushed herself off the bedroom door and made her way over to her walk-in closet to change into the proper wear for ruling the Underworld. She chose a long black peplos and the shawl to match and headed towards the throne room, but she made a quick stop to check in on their daughter.

“Melinoe? Are you in here?”

“Yes, mama. I’m behind the bed.”

Walking over to where her daughter was, Persephone smiled at the sight; her daughter was lying prone, with her feet in the air working on her latest drawing.

“What are you drawing there, munchkin? Is that you and daddy?”

“Umm-hmm, I’m drawing out what we did today.”

“Ooooh, so tell me all about it,” Persephone interestingly asked.

“Well, first, we went out to walk Cerberus, and daddy got mad at him when he saw a black cat and dragged him a block.”

“I would have loved to have been there to see that,” Persephone interrupted.

“Yea, daddy, was really upset, so, after he finished yelling at Cerberus, we went to the park and ate ice cream, and then he pushed me on the swings, and we played tag and hide and seek.”

“Did you win?”

“Mm-hmm, so daddy said that because I won, I can pick what we are having for dinner!”

“Let me guess, meat lover’s pizza.”

“Yes!!! With extra, extra meat,” the child jumped up and down, excited about her choice of meal.

Persephone chuckled at her daughter, “Well, I look forward to it, honey. I will see you later for dinner, okay? It’s time for me to assume my role as Queen.”

“Okay, mommy, I love you.”

“I love you too, behave yourself,” she added before she walked out.

She paused outside the throne room before entering, putting on her queenly “mask” that Hera and Amphitrite had taught her, and once she felt she was ready, she walked in. Every shade, nymph, god, and goddess bowed to their Queen, showing her the utmost respect. Hades rose from his throne, meeting Persephone at the bottom of the stairs. He held out a hand, waiting for her to take it so that they could be seated in their thrones together.

“How did everything go on, Olympus?” Hades asked as they ascended the stairs.

“It was refreshing. I met the new godling. Hera has taken to her already, and I can see why; she is delightful. Their first playdate is this Saturday. Would that be alright?”

“Of course, my Queen, I will be sure to make myself scarce so that you ladies can enjoy your day; I will be in my office working on some things to discuss at the next council meeting,” he informed. They were just approaching their thrones when Hades spoke again.

“Well, it’s time that we start, ready?”

“Of course, my King,” and with that, they spun around and took their seats and began their job of ruling the Underworld.