~The Next Day~

"Hades, wake up." Persephone's voice crackled through the crisp morning air. "Mother has invited us to join her for breakfast."

Hades winced as the gold light beamed onto his face. "Demeter is pushing a line," he grumbled. "She knows I hate waking up early."

Persephone chuckled. "I know, sweetheart," she pouted. "But we have to do everything to keep her happy, otherwise she'll just cause more trouble." Persephone finished braiding her hair. She waltzed across the room and opened the closet door to some old gowns, she wasn't able to take with her before she got married. She was kind of glad now that she came back, she could take all her possessions and move into her new home permanently.

-Hades POV-

Hades rose from under the tangled bedsheets and didn't shy away from openly studying Seph in her old room. She had a blushing smile that resembled a blooming rose; so soft and sweet. Her thick shiny hair was braided and swayed lightly as she walked around the tables and chairs. Hades felt a deep hunger stir inside of him, his body yearned for her touch and he craved to drink her ecstasy. Although, he had ravished her all night, he could still go again.

Hades never got enough of her and he knew this passion wouldn't end. He had fallen so deeply under her spell, that he had fully surrendered to her.

Seph turned towards him and held up two gowns. "Should I wear this one or this one?"

He pointed towards the deep red satin dress because it matched her kissable lips. Hades heart missed a beat when she brazenly removed her robe, her curvaceous body was presented for his eyes to feast upon. She slipped on the piece of silky satin with ease and it clung to her deliciously wide hips and heavy breasts. Hades knew she was his and only his. She made him feel at home, although he had never felt so vulnerable in his life, but that didn't scare him away. He found himself drawing closer to her warmth, kindness and hidden mischief. The way she would smile secretly and hold his hand no matter where they were, Hades found that undeniably lovable about her. She was his home and his own personal heaven. And wherever she went, he would follow.

Hades got out from under the bedsheets and approached his wife.

"Don't you dare," she scolded.

"How do you know what I'm going to do?" he asked bemused.

"I can see that look in your eyes," she remarked. "I just got ready, I'm not going to have you rip another of my gowns."

Hades grinned. "I'll take it off nicely then," he retorted and grabbed her. He easily threw her supple body over his shoulder.

"Hades, put me down this instant!" she shouted her plea and smacked his back as hard as she could but it didn't stump him.

Hades returned the gesture, he struck her bottom and she gasped.

"Did you just spank me," she growled.

Hades threw her on the bed and took his sweet time with her. Her amber eyes were furious but slightly curious of what he'd do next. "If you want me to behave at breakfast today, you will do as I say from this point on."

"Promise," she mumbled.

Hades smirked.

-Persephone's POV-

Persephone's throat was choking with the awkward air swimming around the breakfast table. Hades had finished his platter of food and was irritably tapping his fingers on the counter, her mother kept glaring at Hades but was silently eating a small bowl of fruit. Persephone wanted to strangle herself and be free of this dire situation, and her father decided to bail on them which made it even worse since there was no one talking. Persephone never should have agreed to do this in the first place, she swallowed her fruit juice with great difficulty and then struck a conversation.

"How was your sleep, mom?" She asked with a bright smile that everyone knew was forced.

Demeter shifted in her seat. "Alright," she shrugged. "My nights have been very depressed lately."

Persephone regretted asking that question. "I slept really well," she told her mom. "Nothing beats my old bed." Persephone glanced from the corner of her eye and noted the grin on Hades face, she instantly remembered last night and this morning; she blushed uncontrollably.

Demeter's eyes slightly softened and her shoulders straightened. "Nothing beats home, dear," she said proudly.

"It sure doesn't," Hades suddenly spoke.

Persephone glanced at him but didn't smile. She knew that mischievous grin anywhere, suddenly his hand reached under the table and landed high up on her thigh, she flinched and tried to shrug his hand away but it didn't budge.

"Home just has a different feeling," said Hades as his scarlet eyes stayed on Persephone. "Doesn't it, Demeter?"

Persephone nervously laughed and nodded her head along with her mother. Hades hand slipped under the slit of her dress, his scorching hand landed on her bare skin which glowed at his touch like flowers do for hers.

"For once I agree with you, Hades," said Demeter with an unruffled voice. "It is not easy for one to leave home for another person," Demeter's eyes seeked out Persephone.

Persephone knew her mother was talking about her. "One can always have more than one home," she retorted.

Demeter shook her head. "No, you cannot," she bit back.

Persephone found herself slightly agitated. "Why is it that once the daughter gets married, the right to her parents' house is broken off?" asked Persephone.

"It's just tradition," said Demeter.

"Traditions can be broken," argued Persephone.

Demeter stiffened and pushed her fruit bowl aside. "Let's forget these old beliefs," she said. "I heard that Cerberus got hurt."

Hades hand stiffened and his expression grew cold. "How did you know about that?" asked Hades.

"Oh, I just heard it through the grapevine," shrugged Demeter.

"That's not possible," said Hades. "No news leaves the Underworld without me knowing about it."

Demeter smirked. "Well then, I guess you don't have control over it as much as you think you do."

Hades scowl deepened into a sneer, but Persephone quickly laid her hand on top of his to silence him before a real fight broke out. Hades turned away and left the table without a glance behind him.

"Mom, that wasn't very nice," said Persephone.

Demeter rolled her eyes. "It's going to take a lot more than that to break Hades, dear," she spoke coldly.

"How did you know about Cerberus's attack?" asked Persephone.

Demeter distracted herself with the slanted flower brooch on her shoulder. "A few guards were talking and I happened to walk by."

Persephone's brow arched. "You want me to believe that?"

Demeter pierced her lips together.

-Hades POV-

Demeter hadn't changed at all, thought Hades as he paced on the balcony. She was still as cunning and crude as always. Hades had a bad feeling about Cerberus's attack and he didn't want that terrible news leaving the halls of his realm, but now a loud-mouth like Demeter knew his secrets.

"Hades," a voice surprised him.

A voluptuous figure but slightly muscular strode towards him with a mighty spectre of gold. It was Hera. She was adorned in a pearl white gown that was cinched at her waist with a golden leaf belt, but her cape was the most spectacular sight; it was a trail of vibrant peacock feathers that mesmerized everybody.

"Hera," he greeted her chirpily since he always liked this sister. "It's nice to see you."

Her painted red lips smiled broadly showing her perfect white teeth. "I've missed you, brother." She hugged Hades in a tight hold for a long moment. "I heard you came with Persephone."

"I'm sure you already know why," said Hades.

Hera chuckled and joined him outside. "All of Olympus knows why," she remarked. "Demeter is as sly as that smile of hers."

"I couldn't agree more," grumbled Hades.

"Is something wrong?" asked Hera.

"I don't trust Demeter," said Hades.

"You're wise not to trust her," advised Hera. "She's very upset that you took Persephone from her."

"I didn't take Seph against her will-"

"I know," interrupted Hera. "But Demeter will not believe you, and I'm afraid she might do something immoral."

"I think she already has," said Hades.

Hera's eyes hardened like stone. "What are you suggesting?"

"I believe that Demeter may have sent her spies to hurt one of my friends," said Hades quietly.

Hera's frown returned. "I advise you to tread carefully," she said. "Demeter is a tricky female, and she has always disliked you."

"Who doesn't hate me," remarked Hades with an eye-roll.

"I don't," said Hera with a smirk. "The world has treated us cruelly, Hades. And in other people's eyes we are seen as spiteful and wicked for standing up for ourselves."

"I do not care what others think of me, Hera," said Hades. "Persephone has deemed me worthy of her love, and that's all that matters now."

Hera's aquamarine eyes softened. "You look happy," she noted. "This marriage suits you." Hera turned towards him. "Persephone was truly the perfect match for you like I expected," said Hera proudly. "And the moment I saw you two, I knew that you'd run away together." Hades laughed with Hera.

A moment of comfortable silence passed.

"Feed your wife the fruit of the Underworld," advised Hera. "And bind how much you can of Persephone to yourself, otherwise I fear you might lose her forever."

"I won't let that happen," said Hades.

"Hades," another voice spoke behind them. It was his wife and Demeter. "Hera, how wonderful to see you again," said Seph chirpily as she ran into Hera's sturdy arms of comfort.

"It's good to see you too," said Hera.

Seph's smile was glowing. "How have you been?"

"I've been good," Hera cupped Seph's cheek. "And you're glowing with radiance, midear."

Demeter's scowl deepened and she walked away with her chin held high.

Hera put her supportive arm around Seph's shoulders. "Don't be upset about your mother," she said. "She'll get over it when she knows she can't get her way."

Seph laughed. "My mom is as stubborn as me," she said. "I doubt she'll give up without a true fight."

"Well, I'm here for you," promised Hera. "I will protect you as I do for all married couples."

Seph grabbed Hera's hands. "Thank you."

"Why don't I leave you two for the day," said Hera. "But you must join me for dinner."

"We're heading back to the Underworld tonight," said Hades.

"Leave after you eat with me," scolded Hera and then walked off before Hades could decline the offer.

"Take a walk with me," said Seph softly.

Hades offered his arm and they journeyed towards the garden outside.

-Persephone's POV-

Persephone basked under the rich sunlight that was shining brightly through the thickly leaved trees and fast clouds that moved through the sky.

"Are you alright?" she asked Hades who seemed lost in thought.

"You might not like what I'm about to tell you," said Hades with a grim gaze.

Persephone stiffened. "Is it about my mom?"

Hades nodded. "And Cerberus," he said. "I think Demeter may be behind the attack."

"Why would she attack Cerberus?" asked Persephone.

"Demeter is known for sending spies to do her dirty work," said Hades. "They had to attack Cerberus to enter our realm."

Persephone's body grew cold even though she was in the sun. "I don't believe that," she shook her head. "My mom may be devious, but she would never harm animals or nature."

Hades jaw tightened. "That's how I thought about my brothers too," he said. "And then I was sent to hell."

Persephone was lost for words at Hades harsh tone.