CHAPTER 126: DESIRE

"Yes, don’t worry. Have dinner and rest early, okay?" Hades smiled before adding softly, "Mm, I won’t forget. Love you."

Peri tilted her head, watching him curiously as he finished speaking to Luna.

They sat deep within the forest, at the mouth of the Death Well—a place where most beasts dared not linger, afraid of being hunted. Unless a powerful beast wanted to test its fate against the land’s owner, Kaelith, nothing dangerous ever wandered here.

"I don’t get it," Peri asked, her brows knitting in confusion. "Why can Luna hear you, but I can’t?"

A branch cracked under fire, scattering embers into the air. The glow of the flames flickered across Hades’ face, revealing his hesitation as he admitted, "It’s... because our bond isn’t complete yet. For it to grow stronger, physical closeness matters a lot."

Though the fire’s warmth hadn’t changed, Peri felt her cheeks heat up.

Hades shifted, settling beside her, just a few inches away. "So," he asked with a faint smile, "how does it taste?"

Peri lowered her gaze to the bowl in her hands. He had gathered vegetables, hunted a deer, and cooked it all with rice.

"It’s delicious," she said honestly. "Hard to believe you made this with just herbs and salt." She scooped the last bite and added with a gentle smile, "You really have a gift for cooking."

Hades chuckled. "I’ve been on missions since I was young. When you’re out in the wild so often, you pick up these little skills."

She could see it—the way he had set traps around their camp, the precision in his woodcutting, his hunting technique. Everything about him spoke of a seasoned adventurer.

Resting her chin on her palm, she asked softly, "Luna told me you had to earn your living from a very young age?"

Hades gave a casual shrug. "Thanks to that, I was able to rise in the ranks once I joined the academy."

Peri’s lips curved, but her smile carried a quiet sadness.

"That’s the answer you give everyone... to hide what you really feel." She reached out and gently held his trembling hand. Her voice was tender, almost fragile. "Am I... just like everyone else to you?"

Hades turned toward her, and for the first time, he saw such warmth shining from her eyes. His chest ached, his heart softened, and he let out a slow breath.

"I... was a cursed child," he confessed. "Even as a baby, I had already tasted blood. My father saw nothing but a demon in me. He never treated me as family. And... I can’t say I blame him."

Peri brought her other hand over his, cradling it between both of hers as if to shield him.

"You don’t always have to be strong, you know," she whispered. "I grew up surrounded by warmth... my guardian, my mother, raised me like something fragile, something to be cherished."

Her voice trembled as she continued, "I can’t even imagine what it would feel like... if the very person meant to protect me and love me simply cast me aside for something I never even understood, something I couldn’t control."

Hades smiled faintly, though his gaze drifted somewhere far away. "It didn’t hurt that much... when he made me feel like I didn’t belong. It didn’t hurt that much when he refused every little request I made, only to grant those same wishes to my siblings."

His breath trembled as he went on, voice lower now. "What truly cut me was that he never once acknowledged my efforts. Not a single word of praise. And he never told me what I did wrong... never told me what I could change to make him hate me... even a little less."

Peri gently lifted her hand, cupping his cheek, turning his face toward her. Her voice was soft but unwavering. "You have someone now who sees your growth. Someone who will cheer for you when you rise... and sit beside you when you fall."

Her eyes glimmered, and she shook her head. "And no, Hades... I’m not just talking about Luna."

Hades blinked, stunned. His eyes stayed on hers, searching.

What he found there was nothing but sincerity.

His heartbeat quickened, thundering inside his chest. The silence between them deepened, heavy yet tender, a silence that spoke more than words.

Then, without thinking, Hades leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. It was fleeting—just a whisper of a kiss—but it was enough to make his breath catch.

Pulling back slightly, he searched her face, half-expecting hesitation.

But instead, Peri leaned in and closed the space herself. Their lips met again, this time slower, softer... her hand clutching his shoulder as though anchoring herself in that moment.

Hades’ fingers twitched, then slowly reached for her hand. Their fingertips grazed, brushing gently, testing—until her fingers intertwined with his. The delicate contact sparked something deeper.

The kiss grew warmer, lingering longer. Breath mingled between them. Peri tilted her head, pressing closer, her other hand sliding up from his cheek to rest lightly against his neck.

Hades’ restraint frayed; the moment deepened. His hand moved to her waist, pulling her nearer. Their lips moved together now—not hesitant, not fleeting, but hungry with the weight of yearning.

Hades felt her hand pressing against his chest, so he, reluctantly, released her

"Haah...haa..." Eyes moist, face flushed, she made him growl, and his self-restraint broke.

"Ah-mm...wait...ah...so has-mmm..." He didn’t let her talk, pressing her against the tree behind her, as Hades devoured her lips.

His hand slipped inside her shirt, his fingertips grazing her bare skin, setting her on fire.

She felt hot all over, as if his fingers were burning her skin.

Her mind was turning numb. The sensation of being kissed and dominated was intoxicating. She felt she would melt at this rate and won’t be able to stop him in time.

That’s why, she called out, "Hades, wait!" She gently pushed him.

As if cold water had poured on him, sanity returned to the redhead as he hurriedly said, "I-I am sorry-"

"No, that’s not it." Peri shook her head, before clearing the misunderstanding, "I-I just don’t want my first time to happen here in the open."

Hades heaved a sigh of relief before telling her, "Okay then, shall we head back?"

Peri nodded and soon, the duo left for the castle.

The night was young and the couple has a lot brewing inside them.

Curiousity, hunger, need.

And tonight, they were going to sate all those emotions.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you are enjoying the story...you know what you have to do.