Hades' hound was curled up asleep at the foot of his master's bed. So comfortable and content with the light from the fireplace heating up his charcoal back and his paws pressed deep into a thick fur rug. It made the canine stir to hear a door swing open; he raised his heads hazily and whimpered. You've been gone so long. You smell of flowers and grain. What's going on? It was even stranger as this was a door that lead from the master chambers to an adjoining en suite and bedroom that was hardly used by anyone; Hades of course usually came in via his main entrance. Dressed in grand robes and boots, the Lord of the Underworld did not look ready for bed.

"Cerberus… we have company. You've got to vacate." Six eyes shine bright silver at his master. He watched as the god went around the room rearranging it at random. Tossing pillows aside, laying a blanket out across the loveseat by the fire and lighting fragrant incense. This was untoward. Hade's dog rose and padded to and fro across the carpet. His gait was as heavy as his huffs. This was very untoward.

"Prowl all you like!" Hades laughs. He knows he must oblige and obey, "You'd give her a fright otherwise old boy. Be gone. There is a bone waiting for you in the Crescent parlour. Servants have been instructed. No disturbances."

On time, his manservant knocked.

"Ah good. Come in then." Quickly, a platter of fruit and a décor box was placed on the table and the demon dog, now leashed in gold chain, was lead away whining. The God nodded his thanks to his Help then pressed the door closed with a firm click. He then looked to the fireplace, glowing low on embers. Only a moment was spared to gather his thoughts. Excitement aside, Hades had to be composed. Tonight was his first opportunity to impress this woman. She must be kept comfortable. She must be kept bright. Moving to the opposing room now, he went to collect the precious lady in question.

A young woman dressed in soft shades stood just where he had left her. Kora had been occupying herself by studying a fresco of wine making on the wall. Now she leaned next to a pretty follower of Bacchus who had her white legs ankle deep in a tub of purple grapes. Arms folded she grinned at the tall gods silhouette in the doorway.

"Its some way to treat your guest leaving them in a cold unlit room. No wonder everyone talks about how unaccommodating the Realm of Hades is."

"Forgive me. It took a moment to arrange things."

"What secrets must you arrange my Lord?" Her beautiful lips smiled in jest, "how many lovers did you have to shuffle out?"

"Hush you." He kissed her hair lightly. Hand in hers he lead her to his bedchambers. "I must ensure my humble abode is fit enough for the harvest maiden." He said this slightly ironically. It would be foreign to her to see so much wealth in each of his living rooms, this he knew. Gold and bronze glittered on all his furnishings. Not even on Olympus were common rooms decorated in such an expensive way. The palace of Hade's was a treasury.

"There's a seat here for us by the fire."

He entreated her to take off her warm layers now she was in a heated room. She giggled, struggling to unknot the strings of her robe from around her neck. Watching her hands shake the God of the Underworld had to wonder- was she really that excited to be with him? If so he must make this evening splendid for her. Boldly, she had asked him to whisk her away from her mother's own house tonight. Her valour must be admired and rewarded.

"I had a set made for you."

Now the simple string was undone, Hades yearned to place something much more opulent there in its place. From the box on the table he took out a layered necklace of rubies and other orange-red gems set in gold and set it upon her décolleté. "To remember tonight."

"You do like to spoil your lovers. There is no need."

"It is but a small thing to spoil you my love." Hades said earnestly.

He fastened it. Blushing, she could barely look him in the eyes now he was so close. Feeling the cold metal beneath her fingers she breathed out an exclamation about how heavy it felt, "I've never worn anything so fine," she looked up at him now with pure gratefulness, "I will treasure it always."

The nature of this woman made his heart quake. For gods-long-decades Hades had loved her. She was still that athletic girl who tanned in the bright sun both during her leisure (planting flowers) and labour (harvesting crops) times of year. But now, a full-grown goddess, she was also an elegant woman with dark glossy hair falling across her shoulders and intelligent hazel eyes that looked upon marble tomes to improve her understanding of the world. Both these aspects of her nature, the simple and the elegant, Hades admired. But he had kept all that to himself. Seeking comfort in the readily available maidens who pined for him he tried to imagine her face and her limbs within theirs. But with no amount of imagination could he access the true natureof Kora. For so long his level-headedness had urged him not to pursue her, except for occasional flirting when meeting at Olympus ceremonies – as all gods flirt. How he regretted not coming to her sooner with his true feelings. Had he only known there was reciprocal love; that Kora had sought-after him. The hunger had at last subsided with the Daughter of the Harvest in his company. This beauty. All his. He told himself he would not let her go...

Kora did not seem to want to let go either. The goddess now pressed a palm to his chest, steadying herself even closer to his body. Hades slipped an arm around her waist. Her body felt so warm next to his. He hoped the maiden's concerns about the 'unaccommodating' nature of his Realm were soothed now she was within his arms. He pressed another kiss on the top of her hair. Looking over her head at the wall Hades could see the projection of their shadows, seated together, their profiles so close. It occurred to Hades that so far he had so far only kissed her briefly, on her head. Looking down to study her face, he saw the light reflecting off the necklace in patterns across her skin. Rosy coloured flecks covered chin and cheeks. Slowly, Hades cupped the nape of her neck.

"Kora you are my most beautiful jewel –."

The King's lips stopped short of her mouth. A couple of claps to the chest had signalled him to pull back. Kora had gone stiff in his arms. She looked at him with a stunned expression and coughed.

"I'm so sorry."

"No don't be my Lord! It's me. I don't know... I'm just so nervous."

"That's understandable."

Poor thing, she was jittery, breathing fast and looking wildly around the room. He made a guess at what might be causing this nervous behaviour when he noticed her staring fixedly at the fruits on the table. The pomegranates – the small ritual that would ensure she would belong to him forever and always.

The God of the Underworld cleared his throat. "Would you like me to get you one of those?"

"Yes," her whisper was hoarse.

Hades eyes widened. So soon! He had originally expected they'd end a night of sweet lovemaking by exchanging vows and he'd give her the fruit then. But if this is what she wanted very well… He stood up and walked to the platter of fruits. He took a pomegranate half. Then he held it before her gravely. "When you are ready my love. My darling Kora I –"

She had already reached for it. A big bite made juice drop down her chin, "Delicious!" she exclaimed with a sigh. While she ate, Lord Hades was transfixed by a bead of ruby red juice that ran down her neck, past the glittering necklace it journeyed down her chest and disappeared beneath the linen of her dress. He longed to follow it further.

"By the way my Lord," she finished chewing and swallowed, "close friends call me Persephone. I think it would suit tonight much better if you called me that as well," once again she grew relaxed in his arms as he drew nearer.

"Persephone, Persephone" he chanted the name like a prayer, "Yes, I am honoured to call you my Persephone..." Hades embraced his love fully.