Seeds: Volume Two (21 page)

     As much as she throbbed with arousal, he took his sweet time, exploring her body, his hands sliding along the areas he knew to be most sensitive, listening to her responses as he would press or rub certain areas. Occasionally, he would touch her aching womanhood, but these touches only left her more aroused. However much she wiggled around, her binds remained firm, giving her only just enough leeway to be comfortable.

     Finally, he drew away, leaving her as aroused as ever, and she gazed at him pleadingly. Her intimate region was hot and throbbing, causing a warm tingling that emanated from it through her stomach and thighs.

     “You liked that,” he said softly as he looked at her.

     “Yes. Please, come here. Do not leave me like this.”

     Of course, he could see her arousal, the way it glistened, the frustration she felt as she squirmed against the grip of the shadows, the pleading gaze of her lovely eyes, and the flush of passion on her cheeks. To feel so needed by Persephone infused him with a warm feeling, and he gazed at her with tenderness.

     “I would never leave you, love.” He caressed her thigh with a hand.

     “That is good to know,” she whispered in a soft sigh. Hades smiled before flicking his wrist, causing her bonds to shift, her upper half pulled backwards while her legs were tugged forward, leaving her at an approximately forty-five degree angle. She gasped softly in surprise, but showed no alarm, and peered at him with curiosity as the shadows lifted her up nearly a couple of feet into the air, bringing her quivering slit level with his face.

     Without hesitation, he stood between her legs, lightly running his tongue from her perineum to the tip of her slit, flicking his tongue over her clit, causing her to arch against her binds.

     It wasn't the first time she had been restrained by his shadows, but it was the first time she had been suspended in the air, and it was a strange but thrilling experience for her. She couldn't object because she was comfortable, and as the shadows melded seamlessly into the semidarkness of the garden, it almost gave her the sensation that she was floating in midair. She looked down at him as he tasted of her with teasing caresses of his tongue, his fingers sliding along her thighs before he slipped one inside of her and wiggled it around. She bit her lower lip, not wanting to make too much noise as he pleasured her, lavishing her womanhood with enthusiastic hunger. As she found herself approaching the brink of orgasm, she whined softly, her limbs trembling against the shadows as she braced herself for white-hot pleasure.

     Just before she could reach the apex of pleasure, Hades drew his head back. Instinctively, she thrust her hips forward, but her restraints proved all too effective, and she groaned in frustration as she saw the knowing leer on the Dark God's face.

     She was given a welcome distraction to her disappointment when he unclasped the heavy brooch that held his cloak, casually discarding the material to the grass before he tugged off his tunic, revealing a view of sculpted chest and stomach that was met with approval. Under her appreciative gaze, he slowly turned around once, flexing his biceps as he did so.

     She hoped that he would strip off the rest of his clothing, but he went back to teasing her, using his mouth and hands to push her to the brink of orgasm again, ignoring her pleas when he drew back again.

     “Damn you!” she moaned, straining against her bonds, blushing furiously as she glared at him.

     “Tsk, you should not talk to me that way,” he admonished playfully, wagging his finger. She hmphed and glared at him, silently vowing payback as he regarded her. He reached down to caress her foot, feeling it jerk as she tried to tug it away.

     “Please, do not tease me so,” Persephone begged. She had never been held off from orgasm like this, and she ached for the intense and eventually soothing release of climax.

     “It is fun,” he replied lightly, biting back a chuckle at her indignant shout. He could feel the curves of her warm flesh under the binds and focused for a moment, commanding them to massage her. This brought a surprised gasp from her before she relaxed, obviously enjoying the distraction. A soft sigh of contentment escaped her lips as the massage continued, the bands of shadow widening until much of her body was covered, kneading and rolling against her. Noting the fact that this was obvious soothing and enjoyable to her, Hades directed the shadows to close their gaps, wrapping his lover in a snug cocoon that encased her up to her chin. Even her uplifted arms were ensconced, and despite her arousal, Persephone welcomed the languid pressure that this sheath squeezed her with.

     Persephone could not help but recall the images of the mummies she had seen in Hades's library, the corpses of the kings of Aiegyptos wrapped neatly in bandages of linen, their bodies preserved for the afterlife, waiting while they were housed in their great tombs in the desert. Her arms and legs were not bound together like the entombed pharaohs, but she still felt very snug, and wiggled her fingers and toes. Initially, she thought that this wrapping was innocuous, a brief respite from the merciless sexual teasing he had given her before, but after several moments, she felt a certain pressure around her nipples, and hissed softly as she became aware of an sucking sensation around them, though they lacked the warm wetness of Hades' mouth.

     The Lord of the Underworld found himself almost overwhelmed by the feel of the warm and luscious body, aware of every delectable inch of her but for her head, and watched with a small grin as she whimpered, squirming around as her breasts were teased.

     “Hades, please...” She was panting as her arousal surged anew, and her soft plea was answered when within the cocoon, a shadowy finger started to rub against her slit. “Yes!” she gasped out softly, rolling her hips forward, and he smiled and nodded.

     More 'fingers' joined the first – though at the same time, they also felt like velvety tongues - and she squirmed around more frantically as they teased her to the brink again. She tried to count how many of these shadowy tendrils she felt, but they were in constant motion, massaging, stroking, pressing, and she found it impossible to figure out just how many of them they were. Her clit as well as her inner and outer lips and perineum were all teased and rubbed, and she whined softly in delight when one of them finally slithered inside of her. Again, her maidenhead was left intact as the tendril filled her canal, and she gave out a short shriek of delight when it started to vibrate. She closed her eyes and let her head loll back, ignoring the man in front of her as she lost herself in pleasure, buckling against her binds as he watched, delighted in her reaction to his game.

     Just before she could orgasm, the shadowy fingers withdrew, leaving her bereft, and her eyes snapped open as she glared at him. She was about to issue an angry protest when a band of shadow made its way across her mouth, effectively cutting her off. This did not stop her, and Hades smirked as he heard her muffled protests. Against the shadows that covered her nether-regions, he could feel how heated she was.

     He willed the shadows to pull her up to an upright position again, and nuzzled her face affectionately, hearing her muffled whimper.

     “Relax. You will not be denied, but it will be worth the wait,” he assured her before taking a step back. He had her rapt attention as he removed the rest of his clothing, enjoying the hungry gleam in her eyes as he divested himself of his undergarments. His straining arousal sprang free, coming to full hardness within a moment, thick and proud as it pointed upwards at her.

     “See what you do to me, love.” He reached down, giving it several strokes, knowing that it thrilled her to see him touching himself. She nodded eagerly. “Good.” Under her intense stare, he ran his fingers along the swollen glans, pulling down the foreskin gently. Through the shadows that kept his lovely bride captive, he could feel her arousal spike again, and winked at her as he continued, giving himself languid caresses as his cock quivered slightly. Even though he enjoyed the feel of her pretty little mouth or hands on his manhood, simply having her watch also thrilled him.

     She tried to speak, her words lost behind her gag, and he winked at her.

     “Fear not, love. I have not forgotten about you.” He let go of himself and approached her. Her bindings opened down the front, revealing her chest, stomach, and womanhood, though the rest of her remained wrapped. She wiggled around, her hair cascading from her head down her shoulders and back like a thick waterfall of ruby waves, and he smiled as he twirled a lock of her hair between his fingers.

     She wiggled furiously, her arousal evident by the sweet musk that emanated from her private area. Her nipples were so hard they almost hurt. She gazed at him imploringly, her eyes flush with heat and desire, reflecting itself in the warm amber-green hue that stood out in her smoldering gaze. He loved the color of her eyes, the way they reflected her mood or surroundings.

     She made a lovely captive, bound the way she was, displayed for his eyes alone. Oh gods, he wanted her so badly. He wanted to ravish every inch of her and have her scream his name. He wanted her to take him, to be on top of him, to make him hers as much as she was his.
Patience. She needs to beg for it. She needs to understand how much she needs you.
A strong hand lifted, trailing its fingers along her exposed inner thigh. She rolled her hips forward.

     “You enjoy this,” he observed as he stroked her outer lips, causing her to tremble. “Despite your protests... you like the struggle. You like being helpless to the pleasures I give you.” Hades was no sadist, but he did enjoy seeing his consort defenseless, open to the pleasures he enjoyed giving her. She groaned against her binds, arching when she felt a finger wiggle inside. She was so aroused that her juices had seeped down her inner thighs, signifying that she was ready for the next step in their game.

     The binds holding her spread-eagle relaxed, letting her legs drop so that they simply hung from her hips. Only when her legs came to full rest did they firm up again, providing her lower half support and comfort.

    
What is he doing
, she thought to herself. If her legs were closed, he could not eat her out, and could only do so much with his fingers. This question was answered as he pressed his body against hers, and she felt his erection slide between her legs, her slick inner thighs giving him easy access. She stiffened for a moment, thinking that he would put himself inside of her.
Not yet! Not like this!

     He caressed her cheek, shaking his head reassuringly.

     “You will see. Have no worry.” With this, he gently thrust his hips forward, snugly nestling himself between her thighs, and she could feel the heat of his throbbing organ against her slit and perineum. The tip of his cock peered out from the back between her legs, and he thrust several times with a slow, relaxed pace. Her eyes widened in understanding, and she nodded slowly. He had done the same thing with her breasts, and she smiled to herself as she remembered how she had squeezed her breasts together as he thrust between them. So she squeezed her thighs together, and received kisses along her face in eager response as he started thrusting more firmly, his length rubbing against her slit. She twisted her hips, angling her pelvis downward so that her clitoris would also receive this same stimulation, and let out a low moan of pleasure as she achieved the desired result.

     His hands roved along her face and exposed chest before caressing her sides, and she pressed her thighs together more tightly as he increased his pace. She was able to reciprocate by swaying her body in tune with his firm movements, gasping as she felt herself approach orgasm again. If he denied her again, though...

     Even as her impeding climax was vividly apparent to Hades, he simply continued, pushing deep through the hot slickness that her thighs offered, gazing at her intently as she finally achieved her release. He felt the small explosion of hot essence atop the length of his manhood and increased his pace, feeling her squirm against him happily. After Persephone had collected herself after her much-anticipated pleasure, she nuzzled him fiercely, touching her nose against his cheek, puckering her lips despite the dark strip that covered the lower half of her face, noting the blissful expression on his handsome features as he approached his own orgasm.

     His embrace suddenly tightened as he groaned out her name, and she felt the sudden outburst of his passion, coating her inner thighs with his essence as he thrust several more times, the shuddering of his body against her chest showing her just how much he reveled in this.

     After several long moments of simply staying between her thighs as she squeezed them, Hades pulled back with a satisfied expression on his face as he eyed Persephone. Her head lolled to one side as she stared back. She looked so sexy hanging there, and he knew that this was one 'game' that they would be playing again in the future.

     “How about I let you down, hmm?” he asked gently. She nodded, and he drew forward, reaching out with his arms to wrap them around her middle, one hand on her rear end. Once he had her secure in his grip, the shadows slid away, letting her slump against him as she wrapped her arms around his neck loosely. Even though she was no longer gagged, she remained mute, resting her head on his shoulder as he rubbed her back.

Chapter XXXI

o0o

     The time of harvest drew near. Demeter had always delighted in the fall, since it meant that her largest bounty was gathered by mortals, the amber waves of grain a sign of her blessing. She also enjoyed the way the leaves changed color, filling Hellas with a lush palette of everything from rich green to tawny gold and scarlet rust to the deep ocher and browns of the earth itself. Oftentimes she would take her daughter for walks around the island so they could enjoy the beauty of autumn.

     This time around, she took no joy in the changing season as she searched for her lost child. However carefully everyone searched, the girl remained missing. Though the nymphs had reported long ago that Kora was to be found nowhere within the confines of Nature, she would not give up. And Hermes – the god that nobody was supposed to be able to keep a secret from – was just as baffled as anybody else.

     The Harvest Goddess would not admit it, but she privately enjoyed the mystified expression on his face when he reported to her even as she felt sad and frustrated at his lack of results. It was such a welcome change from his usual mischievous or knowing expressions, and she saw his aid as penance for the chain of events she was certain he was responsible for.

     Demeter was becoming frantic. So far, only Zeus and Hermes knew that Kora was missing, and she was loath to involve the other gods in her affairs. She dreaded the prospect of petitioning the other gods for help. Doubtless the more capricious ones like Aphrodite would laugh at her for being unable to keep track of one child, but certainly there would be others who would hasten to her aid. Artemis was the protector of virgin girls. Athene was brilliant and probably could come up with a plan or deduction that would help her find her daughter. Hephaistos had a good heart. Poseidon might have a bit of a temper – well, that was an understatement – but he was capable of great kindness. Hera could use her limited clairvoyance to deduce Kora's location. When the gods pulled together – a rare occurrence through the long centuries – they
could
accomplish a great deal.

     It was a bitter pill to swallow, but if thorough searching by a pair of gods and all the nymphs of Hellas – and the magic she had cast to try to cipher her daughter's whereabouts – turned up nothing, she was resolved to take her search a step further.

     As the days shortened, the nights grew cooler, and Demeter pulled the cowl of her heavy cloak over her head, the thick black wool insulating her against a brisk wind. She chewed on her lip, pondering what she would say to Zeus. How best to word her request? Zeus would know the search was unfruitful, since Hermes also had to report to him.

     She was so lost in her thoughts that she did not notice the way the night thickened, seeming to overtake everything as she walked along the path that bordered a grassy meadow. But she became instantly alert as she felt the presence of another person – no, a god – further down the path. She looked up to see a shadowy, cloaked figure, barely visible against the backdrop of night.

     Hekate rarely showed herself on the surface world, so she was a goddess that Demeter was not able to instantly recognize.

     “Greetings, Bountiful One,” the shadowed figure called out in a surprisingly friendly tone. The gods who had encountered her said that she spoke in a low and mysterious voice, often portending doom or misfortune leading from the errors that men made.

     “Good evening to you, Hekate,” Demeter replied after a moment of collecting herself from the surprise that Hekate's presence and voice gave her.

     “I know you are wondering why I am here, so I will not bore you with small talk. You and your daughter have been wronged, and I am here to help you set things right.” Her tone sounded helpful, even caring.

     Demeter stared at Hekate for several moments, her pulse quickening.
Could it be?
Was her search finally at an end?

     “That is the best news I have heard since my daughter disappeared!”

     “I thought you might feel that way. I can only imagine the fear you must feel over her safety. You have spared none of your magic or effort in your search. Your nights have been sleepless.”

     Demeter felt her hands tremble slightly as she balled them into fists. If Kora was hurt in
any
way...

     “She is safe and unharmed. You can put these fears to rest.”

     “Truly? Where is she?”

     “I never say anything that is not true,” Hekate replied in a gentle reprimand. Had anyone else spoken to her in such a way after she had an inquiry like this, she would have been greatly offended.

     “I have just been so worried...”

     “Oh, that is understandable. I would be the same if I had a child of my own. She is not hurt, but she and you have been wronged. I now know the one responsible for this grave injustice. But I do ask one thing of you.”

     “Yes?”

     “Do not tell him who told you. I would rather not have my name mixed up in all of this, and he does not deserve to know where you got your information.”

     “That I can do. Who is it? Tell me!” Though the goddess tried to remain collected, she could not hide the earnestness in her tone.

     “Zeus.”

     The Earth-Goddess staggered back.
Zeus?
Zeus knew? But... what? How?

     “But... when I asked him... and he knows that Hermes and I are searching... he sent Hermes to help me!”

     “Pft, he sent his son as a distraction. He is too afraid to tell you the truth. Ask him.”

     “How could he...” Demeter felt a painful knot twist through her stomach as she thought of the long days and nights searching, racked with worry, imagining her precious little daughter in the clutches of someone who would abuse and violate her...

     “This is Zeus we are talking about.” Hekate replied matter-of-factly. Demeter blinked and collected herself, ready to pepper the mysterious goddess with a barrage of new questions. How did Hekate know? Could she relay a message to Kora? Would she...?

     When Demeter was about to ask her next questions, the Goddess of the Crossroads was nowhere to be seen. She was almost certain she had imagined it, but was brought back to reality by her heart pounding against her chest, her hands shaking from shock.

o0o

     Hekate's path took her across the Styx. She did not need Kharon's aid to traverse the realms any more than Hades did, but as always, she asked the Styx permission, to show respect. All she felt was a brief flash of cold before she was home.

     She had spent the last few days thinking about what she could do regarding the situation with Demeter and Persephone. She actually thought about taking Persephone to the surface world herself, but the wrath of Hades was to be reckoned with, and a battle between Demeter and her elder brother could only end badly.

     She could tell Hera, and let the Queen of the Gods go into a rage against her husband. How often had Hera been wronged by her husband? But in this case... no, it wasn't quite the right time for Hera to become involved, especially when it really was her sister's problem.

     However tempted Hekate was to confront Zeus himself and lay a few curses on him, this was not her fight. She would not rob Demeter of the pleasure of confronting the scurrilous deity. Let Zeus be confronted with the consequences of his own stupidity by someone who was a direct victim of said thoughtlessness.

o0o

     Mount Olympus was quiet, illuminated by the moon and the ornate lamps that Hephaistos and the Cyclopes had wrought. The bubbling and splashing sounds that came from the fountains scattered around the mountain were almost inaudible, providing a soothing backdrop to the pleasant climate of this haven of the gods.

     Demeter strode forward, taking long steps along the marble walkways that led to the private palaces of various gods. She did not waver or slow down any time she had to take a turn or climb up a set of steps. The gates to Zeus's domicile opened before she had to lift a hand, such was the power of the wrath that radiated from her. The doors to his palace slammed open to admit her, and she lashed out at various decorations in the grand hall, marble statues of the mighty King of the Gods shattering as they fell prey to the concussive force of her power, and the ornate urns following a similar fate. The mosaic of frolicking nymphs that adorned one wall started to lose its tiles, various stones exploding and snapping out from their fixtures, and the wall hangings started to smoke and catch fire as Demeter stalked towards the carved doors of Zeus's bedchamber.

     The heavy oak door tore itself from its hinges, landing on the marble floor with a deafening thud. Having heard the destruction in the hall, Zeus was already sitting up, prepared to fight. He hadn't been expecting a real problem – perhaps Ares drunk again – but as soon as he eyed his sister's livid countenance, he paled.

     The nymph that had been in his bed found herself shoved out of it by an unseen force, scrambling across the floor as she tried to orient herself. She did not need to be told to leave and rushed out of the room without a thought to her discarded clothing, for a furious Demeter was the most terrifying thing she had ever beheld.

     “You!” Demeter roared. Zeus could actually feel the heat rolling off her body, and scrambled to remedy the situation.

     “Sister dearest...”

     “Don't pull that shit on me!” In the blink of an eye, she was at the foot of his bed, and she tore the blankets from the bed, leaving him naked. Unlike his lovers, Demeter stared at his nude form with open disdain.

     “Pull what? I was sleeping and then you barge in-”

     “Tell me where Kora is!”

     “I... what?” he asked, feigning confusion. He had just been woken up, so it was easy enough to pull off.

     “Asshole! I should have known it was you from the beginning!” She drove her fist down, splintering the thick footboard before she rammed her fist into the post at the left corner of the bed, sending chunks of wood spraying along the bed and floor before the post fell over like a tree that had just been chopped down.

     “Sister! Collect yourself! You cannot barge into my home and destroy my possessions!”

     This only provoked her further, and she hefted the post over her shoulder, swinging it down on the bed before he realized what she was doing. He gave out a roar of pain when the wood made contact with his stomach, knocking the breath out of his lungs and ramming him into the feather mattress, sending down flying everywhere.

     He lay there, unable to breathe as he stared ahead dazedly, seeing feathers float down slowly. He flopped his arms for a moment before starting to lift the post off his body, thankful for the fact that he was not mortal, otherwise his chest would have been literally flattened. A determined woman kept it down, climbing on top of him and straddling the oaken pillar, staring down at him.

     “Get off me!” he managed to gasp out, feeling his Gift respond to the danger he was in as he felt the static in the air around him crackle.

     “Don't you dare.” She reached down, grabbing a good chunk of hair on top of his head and curling her fingers, causing him to wince in pain under her grip. Trying to sit on top of him when he also had the bedpost across his stomach was not easy, but she dug in her heels. “Now... tell me where the hell Kora is. Or I will castrate you right here and now.”

     There was no doubt in Zeus's mind that she would make good on her threat if provoked. After all, look at what she had done to Ares!

     “Please... She's safe! I swear!”

     “That is not what I was asking.” Her voice was level, but her cheeks were still flushed with indignation, and he did not like the dangerous glint in her eyes.

     “It is hard... to breathe. And talk. I will tell you, I swear! Just... ah! Let me breathe, for Gaea's sake?”

     “You will remain right where you are,” she growled. He nodded.

     Demeter stared down at him for a moment before climbing off him, but she remained ever alert, ready to pounce should he try to flee. Wisely, he remained where he was amidst the splinters and feathers that littered the bed.

     “How could you do this to me? You know how much I love my daughter! She is all I have, and you took her away from me!” She reached out to grab his hair again, relishing the small outlet this gave her for her anger.

     “Now, there is no need for that, please...” Zeus batted at her hand, but she only strengthened her grip.

     “
Talk,
” she warned.

     “She is in the Underworld,” he admitted. He winced, expecting her to abuse him again in some way. To his relief, she simply stared at him, her jaw slack.

     Underworld?
No wonder nobody could find her! Even her most powerful magic had no effect in the Underworld! But... what was Kora doing there? What was her beloved child doing in the land of the dead? What possible reason could there be to keep Kora in such a dismal place? And Zeus had known! What part did he have in this?