Chapter X: Hades

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Hades keeps the tip of Cronos's scythe, hating its heat and power. He believes Poseidon is responsible for the weapon being found inside a mortal man, far from the sea. The scythe, forged partly from adamant and given to Cronos by Gaia, can wound gods; Cronos once used it to castrate his father, and the blood that fell created the Furies. Hades recalls that after Zeus freed him and Poseidon from Cronos's belly, they threw the scythe into the ocean. Now its broken pieces are reappearing, and Hades fears what might happen if the attackers target a god. He feels a wave of hatred toward both Cronos and Poseidon, worrying about the escalating danger—first the ophiotaurus, now the scythe, and Demeter's snowstorm souring mortal opinion. His greatest fear is for Persephone.

Back in his chambers, Hades is surprised to find the bed empty. He feels her presence in the Underworld and locates her in the kitchen, baking brownies and drinking his whiskey. She hums and sips, seemingly unaware of him. He watches her finish mixing, then manifests behind her, pressing close. They share a taste of batter, and Hades whispers that he has tasted divinity and nothing is sweeter. He tries to continue what they started at Sybil's, but Persephone turns away, asking where he was. He says he had business, and she glares, annoyed. He notes she is avoiding his gaze.

Persephone admits she didn't try to sleep and that she finished his whiskey. Hades kisses her; she tastes of chocolate and whiskey. She pulls him close, and he whispers he aches for her. As he touches her, he wants to clarify things from the earlier game. He proposes a "Never Have I Ever" game, using the batter-covered spatula to mark her chest. He says he has never wanted anyone but her, even before he knew she existed. She is skeptical. He confesses that before her, he only knew loneliness—an ache he desperately tried to fill. She demands to know about now. He replies that now he aches to fill her, then licks the batter from her skin.

He lifts her onto the counter and asks her to tell him about the night. She says she feels stupid. He reassures her as he pleasures her with his fingers. She admits she was jealous that he shared so much with others before her. He says he would have had her from the beginning, but the Fates are cruel. She responds, "I was only given to punish," referring to Demeter's wish for a child that came with the consequence of Persephone being tied to Hades. He soothes her, saying she is pleasure, his pleasure. He brings her to the edge of release but stops, promising to make her forget the game. He declares, "It is you now, you forever."

He then enters her, moving with controlled thrusts. He tells her he will fuck her until she begs for release. They kiss and shift positions against the wall. She says she loves him, and he reciprocates, saying he has only ever loved her. As they near climax, Hades feels Hermes's magic enter the Underworld. He stops, frustrated, and adjusts their clothes. Hermes appears, looking desolate, and tells them that Aphrodite has asked for their presence immediately, that it is not good. Hades asks where, and Hermes says her home. Hades holds Persephone closer, concerned.

Key Events

Hades examines the tip of Cronos's scythe and suspects Poseidon's involvement in the weapon reaching a mortal.
Hades reflects on the scythe's history and the danger it poses to gods, especially if the rest of the blade is still in hostile hands.
Hades returns to the Underworld and finds Persephone baking brownies and drinking whiskey in the kitchen.
They share an intimate moment of tasting batter and kissing, but Persephone is distant after Hades's vague answer about his business.
Hades initiates a "Never Have I Ever" game to address Persephone's jealousy and reassure her of his eternal love.
Persephone admits she feels stupid and jealous about Hades's past relationships; Hades declares she is his pleasure and that he has only ever loved her.
Their lovemaking is intense and continues through multiple positions, but they are interrupted by Hermes's arrival.
Hermes delivers an urgent summons from Aphrodite, looking desolate and hinting at a serious crisis.
Hades and Persephone must leave immediately, leaving their passion unfinished.

Character Development

Hades: His protective instinct toward Persephone intensifies as he worries about the growing threats. He opens up about his past loneliness and his exclusive devotion to her, showing vulnerability beneath his godly authority. His willingness to interrupt his own pleasure to respond to a divine summons demonstrates his sense of duty.
Persephone: She struggles with insecurity about being "only given to punish" and jealousy over Hades's long history. Her baking and drinking indicate restlessness. She finally voices her desire for "everything" from Hades, showing her growing need for total commitment.
Hermes: Usually playful, he appears desolate and urgent, signaling that the situation with Aphrodite is dire. His demeanor shifts the chapter's tone from intimate to ominous.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Divine Weapons and Their Consequences: The scythe of Cronos symbolizes the fragility of divine power. Its broken pieces can still kill gods, and Hades's hatred toward Poseidon underscores the theme of brotherly rivalry and reckless ambition.
Jealousy and Insecurity: Persephone's jealousy over Hades's past lovers reveals the tension between mortal-like emotions and immortal relationships. Hades's reassurance tries to bridge that gap.
Intimacy as Connection and Conflict: The chapter uses physical intimacy to explore emotional truths. The interrupted encounter highlights how external threats constantly intrude on their private world.
Fate vs. Choice: Persephone's belief that she was "only given to punish" clashes with Hades's declaration that she is his pleasure and his choice. This echoes the larger conflict between predetermined destiny and personal agency.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the emotional bond between Hades and Persephone while advancing the overarching plot of rising divine threats. The reappearance of Cronos's scythe introduces a tangible weapon that could be used against the gods, and Hades's suspicion of Poseidon adds a layer of betrayal. The interrupted lovemaking signals that their personal happiness will be constantly challenged by external crises. Hermes's arrival at the end sets up a major plot point involving Aphrodite, hinting at a significant event that will likely drive the next chapter.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Hades keep the tip of Cronos's scythe, and what does he suspect about Poseidon?
Hades keeps the scythe tip because it is a dangerous weapon that can wound gods, and he knows it was originally thrown into the ocean after Cronos's defeat. He suspects Poseidon is responsible for the scythe's reappearance inside a mortal, and he fears his brother is playing a reckless game that could endanger other gods and mortals.
How does Persephone's insecurity about being "only given to punish" affect the couple's intimacy in this chapter?
Persephone's insecurity emerges when she admits she feels jealous of Hades's past lovers and believes she was given to Demeter only as a punishment tied to Hades. This confession disrupts their playful mood, but Hades uses it as an opportunity to reassure her of his devotion, declaring that she is his pleasure and that he has only ever loved her. The emotional vulnerability strengthens their connection.
What is the significance of Hermes's interruption at the end of the chapter?
Hermes's interruption is significant because it halts the couple's most intimate moment, highlighting how external divine conflicts constantly intrude on their private life. Hermes's desolate expression and the fact that Aphrodite has summoned them immediately suggest that something very serious has happened, likely related to the ongoing plot involving the gods. This creates suspense and propels the story forward.