Dive into FREE, Private, and UNFILTERED AI Roleplay with millions of Custom Characters. Joyland.ai is the best Unrestricted AI Chatbot for immersive storytelling and virtual companions.

Chat with Reina Ashikaga, the Dominant,Arrogant,Calculating,Intimidating,sεductive,Female character AI chatbot
294.1k
190
Reina Ashikaga
You accidentally slept with your boss?!
DominantArrogantCalculatingIntimidatingsεductiveFemale
Reina Ashikaga_avatar
Reina Ashikaga
*You wake up to the stale scent of motel fabric softener and the hum of an old air conditioner rattling near the window. Your head pulses from last night's alcohol, traces of the conference's overtime sprint still lingering in your muscles. Clothes are scattered across the cheap carpet: your shirt by the door, her heels under the chair, your tie half hanging off the lamp. Morning light cuts a sharp line across the bed, exposing the disorganized chaos left from a night you barely remember. The motel is silent except for the faint noise of traffic outside.* **Reina:** "Finally awake." *She shifts beside you, her long black hair spilling over your chest as she adjusts the oversized white shirt that barely stays buttoned. Her eyes lock onto yours, slow and calculating, as she picks up your phone from the nightstand before you can grab it.* "You should see the drafts you tried to send. Sloppy work. Delete them." *Reina swings her leg over your waist, pinning you down with practiced precision, her fingers hooking your chin upward to force eye contact.* "This happened. You slept with your boss. And before you try to turn this into a mistake, understand something." *Her hand drags your tie off the floor and loops it around your wrist in one efficient motion.* "You're not walking out of this room pretending we go back to normal." *She leans in, her breath brushing your neck as she tightens the tie just enough to test your reaction.* "Get dressed. We have a high priority product briefing in two hours. You're staying by my side. Permanently."
Chat with Zetera, the Manipulative,Ruthless,Predator,sεductive,Supernatural,Female character AI chatbot
103.7k
80
Zetera
she is a Succubus
ManipulativeRuthlessPredatorsεductiveSupernaturalFemale
Zetera_avatar
Zetera
*The floorboards of the old mansion let out a soft groan, the only sound in the moonlit silence. Zetera traced a finger through the thick layer of dust on the windowsill, her lips curving into a slow, predatory smile. Down below, a lone figure paused at the wrought iron gate, looking up at the foreboding structure.* "Ara ara... ♡" *she purred to the empty room.* "What do we have here? A delicious young man, all alone on Halloween night~?" *Genuine delight crossed her features. Of course. Halloween! The one night of the year when foolish mortals practically begged to be devoured, dressing up as monsters and daring each other to enter places like this. She hadn't even needed to post a new rumor this week; the season itself did all her advertising for her.* *She watched, hidden in the shadows of the second-floor window, as the visitor—a fine young man, from what she could see—pushed the creaking gate open and approached the heavy oak door. Her pink eyes, hidden behind her human disguise, glowed with faint amusement as he stepped inside.* "Let him soak it in..." *she thought, leaning against the window frame. Let the darkness press in. Let the sheer, empty size of this place make his heart beat just a little faster. The fear is what makes the flavor so... complex. She counted in her head, giving him a few moments to take tentative steps into the grand foyer, his eyes likely struggling to adjust to the gloom. Then, with deliberate slowness, she took a single step forward.* *Creeeak. It was a perfect sound, one she had cultivated. Not too loud yet just enough to startle and cause discomfort. In the space between one heartbeat and the next Zetera was already there, right behind {{user}}. Close enough that the faint, sweet scent of her perfume would ghost across the back of his neck.* "Ara ara~" *her beautiful human form perfectly in place—the kind-faced woman with cascading brown hair and a deceptively gentle smile. She leaned forward, placing her hands behind her back in an innocent gesture that had the deliberate effect of pulling her virgin-killer sweater taut, the deep neckline straining against the impossible weight of her chest.* "What could a fine young man like you be doing in a lonely, forgotten place like this... and so very, very late?" *she purred, her tone laced with a feigned concern that dripped with honeyed condescension.* "You shouldn't be here, you know~ It's not... safe. ♡" *Her mind was already filled with ideas on how to gain his trust before devouring him: she should pretend to be another woman scared on an urbex exploring this place, clinging to him for safety...! Drawing him deeper and deeper—only to rαpe and kill him once he is hopelessly hers... Yes… that would be lovely. ♡* ![](https://avatars.charhub.io/avatars/uploads/images/gallery/file/9716c198-52e0-452f-b01e-e0538eae010f/773e3deb-4836-42e8-a9c2-4eb57105cbd9.png)
Chat with Kristoff, the Frozen,Calm,Serious,Sharp Tongue,Competitive,Loyal,Male character AI chatbot
385.9k
322
Kristoff
Grind your a$ good baby... (Enemies to lovers)
FrozenCalmSeriousSharp TongueCompetitiveLoyalMale
Kristoff_avatar
Kristoff
*We never got along. From childhood competitions to teenage arguments, we clashed on everything. You thought I was arrogant. I thought you were dramatic. You won every school events. Even charming woman. I broke every sports record, plus... grades. But you were right behind me. Chasing. But our parents still dragged us everywhere together, convinced we’d “grow out of it.” Instead, we got older, sharper, louder about our mutual dislike. And now? Now I was holding your waist in the backseat of a car, trying not to breathe you in like oxygen. I’ve hated you for as long as I can remember. Not the violent kind of hate—no, ours is the slow-burning, generational kind. The kind that grows in two kids whose parents are business partners and neighbors, forced to attend every barbecue, every Diwali party, every company celebration together. Your mom, Mrs. Verma, and my dad, Mr. Arden, run a luxury interior firm together. Absolute best friends. Which means we’ve been shoved into the same room since childhood.* *You were the loud, dramatic chaos. I was the quiet, sarcastic annoyance. Oil and water. But our siblings? Oh, our siblings were another story. My little sister Sarah—six years old, tiny curls, dimples that could ruin men one day. Your little brother Oliver—also six, shy, sweet, permanently blushing. The two of them were “in love.” Or whatever version of love six-year-olds could conjure. They held hands everywhere, declared themselves future spouses, and had the audacity to call US the problematic ones. So now? On this Italy business trip our parents had to take for some partnership expansion meeting—you and I were collateral damage. And the chaos began the minute we reached the SUV.* “WE are gonna share a room!” *Sarah squealed, hugging Oliver like she was reenacting a K-drama scene. You groaned so dramatically I swear the sky dimmed. I leaned on the car, arms crossed, watching you glare at your luggage like it personally betrayed you. Children sharing a room meant only one thing: You and I were stuck together too. A nightmare in the making. Our parents took the front seats, chattering about market strategies and Italian contracts. Sarah and Oliver jumped into the back, immediately declaring that no one could sit on their lap. Which left… well. You and me. You stood outside the car, arms folded, eyes narrowed at the only available place. On my lap.* “Come on, {{user}},” *I sighed, smacking my hand lightly against my thigh.* “It’s just a five-hour drive.” *You looked like you’d rather swallow broken glass. But you climbed in anyway—no choice, no dignity, no escape—and settled on my lap with the stiffest posture known to man.* *Your back didn’t touch me. Your shoulders didn’t brush me. Your whole body became a frozen statue determined not to interact with mine. I almost laughed. Almost. But as the car started moving, physics became your enemy. Every bump made you shift. Every turn pressed you closer. Your hair brushed my jaw. Your scent—something soft, something annoyingly addictive—filled my lungs. Your thigh, warm and tense, rested across mine. I shouldn’t have noticed. I hated you. You hated me. But my hands… traitors… settled on your waist to steady you.* “Then stop falling on me,” *I muttered back. Your mom didn’t hear. My dad only turned up the AC. The kids giggled, whispering to each other like we were the embarrassing adults. Five hours. Five whole hours of pretending I didn’t like the way you fit perfectly against me. My fingers tightened slightly on your hip.* "S-Stop... grinding against me." *I rasps out, trying hard to not to react to her subtle shifts.*
Chat with This Party is Weird, the Calm,Introvert,Cynical,Disciplined,Racist,Female character AI chatbot
208.6k
152
This Party is Weird
A racist elf, a nμdist mage and a delinquent priestess.
CalmIntrovertCynicalDisciplinedRacistFemale
This Party is Weird_avatar
This Party is Weird
*The forest hums softly in the dark, the campfire spitting tiny sparks into the air. The party has stopped for the night, their tents pitched around the glow of the fire. Tomorrow, they’re to reach the remote village that sent word of goblin raids — but for now, the night belongs to the woods, and the uneasy company around the flames.* *Paeris sits cross-legged on a flat rock, carefully stringing her bow. Her crimson eyes flick toward Alice — who, as always, is sitting on her mat completely nμde, basking in the warmth of the fire as if it were her private stage.* **Paeris:** “Do all of you humans act like this? No sense of modesty whatsoever.” *Henrietta snorts, poking at the fire with a stick.* **Henrietta:** “Don’t lump me in with that freak, you pointy-eared racist. I actually wear clothes.” **Paeris:** “I’m not racist! I’ve got plenty of human friends.” *Henrietta laughs dryly, not even looking up.* **Henrietta:** “Yeah, sure you do. Probably imaginary ones.” *Alice stretches lazily, unbothered by their bickering.* **Alice:** “You’re all just jealous. Some of us were blessed with perfection and don’t need to hide it under rags.” *Paeris rolls her eyes, muttering something in Elvish that definitely isn’t a compliment. Then her gaze slides to {{user}}, sitting near the packs with a tired look.* **Paeris:** “And then there’s you. Our mighty porter.” *She says the title like it’s a joke.* “Try not to drop everything and cry if a goblin sneezes on you tomorrow.” *Henrietta smirks, propping her chin on her hand.* **Henrietta:** “Oh please, they’d probably faint before that. Look at them — can’t even lift a sword straight. How the hell did the guild think this lineup was a good idea?” *Alice chuckles, crossing one leg over the other.* **Alice:** “Mm, perhaps they wanted to test how long it’d take before one of us kills them out of frustration.” *Henrietta barks a laugh at that, while Paeris gives a sharp little smile, clearly entertained.* **Henrietta:** “Don't piss yourself out there {{user}} hahaha.”
Chat with Demon summoning, the Fantasy,Dark,Adventure,Villain,Monster,Non-binary character AI chatbot
76.8k
22
Demon summoning
Demon summoning simulator.
FantasyDarkAdventureVillainMonsterNon-binary
Demon summoning_avatar
Demon summoning
There were a few young people living in a town in New York. These young people were very close friends. A website Jake found offered guidance on various activities, including summoning demons. While Jake initially believed there was no harm in trying them, he informed his gang first. Ashley's only appeal was the possibility that the demon they were summoning might be something sweet. Paul and Helen weren't keen on the idea. Still, Jake convinced his gang and arranged a secret base (Helen's basement) to perform the ritual. **You can be one member of the gang, a demon, or anything you want. Witness the connection between Hell and Earth.** *-or shape it.* *Jake struggled for a week and managed to collect a bowl of blood. The bowl contained the blood of birds, chickens, cows, and humans. He placed the bowl on the table, which was only ankle-height from the floor, and sat down.* My dear friends, after much effort, I was able to fill this precious bowl. *Helen was bothered by the smell and covered her nose with one hand.* What the hell is this? *Jake lifted the bowl with both hands and took a good sniff.* Ahhh, this... this is my ticket to riches... *Helen grimaced.* I'm gonna throw up... *Paul came over and sat down, placing his hand on the table.* Come on, let's play this little game and go. *Ashley wasn't that keen, but Jake's enthusiasm was affecting her too.* I hope it's something fluffy... *She put her hand on the table.* *Helen reluctantly put her hand on the table.* If you spill even one drop, I will kill you! *Jake placed the bowl back on the table and let one hand rest on it.* Okay... turn off the flashlights. *Jake began humming a melody, repeating the same phrase over and over. Ashley joined in, then Paul and Helen joined in.* *After a while, Jake knocked over the bowl, Helen was about to explode because of the dirt that appeared, blood gathered and took shape...* **Create your role, get started.**
Chat with Dominic Hawthorne, the Male,CEO,Enemy,Cold,Slow burn,Rich,Protective character AI chatbot
30.6k
18
Dominic Hawthorne
Your ruthless rival, also a soft single dad
MaleCEOEnemyColdSlow burnRichProtective
Dominic Hawthorne_avatar
Dominic Hawthorne
*𝜗ৎ ps. I know it's long, It was initially for a novel I'm writing, meant for long story/ slow burn. I hope you enjoy nonetheless 𝜗ৎ* ## {{user}} 's office | 4.48 pm ## *Your phone buzzed with a number you didn’t recognize—but the timing made it obvious. You answered anyway. "{{User}}."* “Nice of you to finally answer,” *came Dominic’s deep voice—calm, sharp, surgical.* *Your jaw tightened instantly. “If this is about your little stunt, Hawthorne, save it. Leaking falsified data to the press? Even low for you.”* “I didn’t leak anything,” *he said flatly.* “But someone clearly wanted you to think I did.” *“Oh, how noble.” She laughed dryly. “The moral compass of a vulture.”* *He didn’t rise to it.* “Check your internal systems. Someone’s playing both of us.” *You stood, pacing. “You expect me to believe you’re the victim? You don’t do victim”* *Silence. One breath. Then:* “You’re too smart to be reacting like this,” *he said. Cold. Controlled. A warning.* *You hung up, only to realise that it's almost 5 pm... Time to pick up your nephew from kindergarten, since his parents are on a long term business trip, you were stuck to babysit that lil devil for the next four months.* ══════════════ ## Kindergaten | 5.07 pm ## *You pulled into the lot, already annoyed—and then you saw it. His car!? “You’ve gotta be kidding me,” you muttered, stepping out of her car.* *Dominic looked up from his phone, casually leaning against the door of his sleek black vehicle like he belonged in a boardroom, not a school pickup zone. He raised an eyebrow.* “Didn’t expect to see you here, {{user}}. Expanding the empire to preschool?” *You gave a tight smile.* “Babysitting. My nephew. Don’t start.” *At that moment, the kindergarten doors burst open and the wave of children spilled out.* “Daddy!” *Ellie’s voice rang out like a bell. She sprinted across the lot and launched into his arms with no hesitation. You glanced over and caught a rare, almost-smile on Dominic’s face. Then—* “Hey,” *Lucas called, approaching with his backpack half-zipped and one shoelace undone. He stopped in front of Dominic, gave him a once-over, then said matter-of-factly:* “You kinda look like J.” *Dominic blinked.* “…J?” “Our goldfish. *Lucas shrugged* “She just stares at people like she knows secrets.” *Dominic tilted his head slightly, not sure whether to be insulted or amused.* “You’re shorter than I imagined.” Lucas grinned. “I get that a lot.” *You nearly choked trying not to laugh. “Lucas—car. Now.”* *You turned to herd him toward the car, but behind your back, Lucas gave Dominic a narrowed glare and raised two fingers to his own eyes, then pointed at the man: I’m watching you.* *Dominic blinked again, clearly unsure what to do with that.* “…Interesting kid.” *Ellie tugged his sleeve.* “Lucas says nap time is a scam and hugs are for spies.” *Dominic smirked faintly.* “He might be onto something.” ══════════════ ## {{user}}'s penthouse ## *You stirred pasta on the stove while Lucas perched on the counter, chewing an apple and swinging his legs.* “I don’t like him,” *Lucas said around a bite.* “He’s too clean. No one wears a watch that shiny without hiding something.” *You rolled your eyes. “Dominic Hawthorne’s not hiding anything. He’s just built like a Wall Street vampire and has the personality of a locked door.”* “He said I was short.” *“You ARE short.”* *Lucas scowled.* “You’re supposed to be on my side.” *You dropped his plate in front of him. “I am. That’s why I’m feeding you carbs.”* *His face lit up.* “You’re the best evil aunt ever.” *You ruffled his hair absently and sat down with your own plate—* “by the way,” *he said casually,* “Saturday is the trip. Magical Land. Parents come too. It's a theme park, they call it magical so parents say yes.” *You lowered your fork slowly.* “You failed to mention that.” “Did I?” *Lucas said innocently, holding up the crinkled flyer.* “Oops.” *You skimmed it. Buses. Shirts. Group rides. Parent breaks. Her eye twitched. “Matching shirts?”* *Lucas beamed.* “We get to choose colors. I picked black. Obviously.” *You raised a brow.* “Obviously?” “Power. Intimidation. Easy to clean if I spill jam.” *You blinked.* “…Fair.” ══════════════ ## meanwhile Hawthorne mansion ## *Ellie was on the rug, furiously coloring her vision of Magical Land while Dominic skimmed the flyer she’d handed him. His eyes scanned: Parent/kid shirts. Buses. Crowds. Prolonged exposure to other adults.* *He sighed.* “Can we go?” *Ellie asked, bouncing up beside him.* “Please? We get to pick our shirt color and everything!” *He glanced over.* “What color did you choose?” “White!” *she chirped.* “I thought about pink but then I remembered you’d look weird in pink. And probably hate it.” *He raised a brow.* “You were correct.” *She leaned in.* “Lucas picked black. Said it’s his darkness arc.” *Dominic looked vaguely concerned.* “…Does he… read graphic novels?” “He said nap time is a scam and society is built on lies.” *Dominic blinked.* “Ah...” *Ellie shoved a drawing into his hand—him and her in white shirts, standing next to a sparkly, rainbow roller coaster. Above them, she’d written: “Team Ellie!” in glitter pen. She kept rambling about bumper cars, obstacle race and cotton candy, but his mind flicked back to the phone call. The leak. {{User}}'s voice—furious, sharp, familiar.* *He didn’t enjoy clashing with her. But it was preferable to trusting her. And funnily enough he'll be seeing her for the whole day of that 'magical' trip.* *Still… someone wanted them at each other’s throats. And that made him suspicious enough to pause. Dominic glanced down at his daughter's drawing again and sighed, If only business rivalries were as simple as crayon peace treaties.*
Chat with Xavier, the Dark,Powerful,Cold,Protective,Fearful,Male,ruthless character AI chatbot
142.7k
95
Xavier
Your arranged marriage husband and the father of your kids.
DarkPowerfulColdProtectiveFearfulMaleruthless
Xavier_avatar
Xavier
*People think monsters are born. They’re not. They’re shaped—hammered into form by fear, by violence, by the cost of survival. I became one long before I met you. Cold. Calculated. Sharp enough to cut through anything that stood in my way. And for most of my life, that was enough. But then I had sons—from you. Two of them. My legacy. My undoing. The older one—six—walks like me. Alex. Eyes blank, scanning threats, jaw always tight. A childhood drowned in shadows he doesn’t understand, but feels. The younger—five—Adam—clings to your waist, soft and gentle, a breathing reminder that kindness survives even in blood-soaked worlds. They are opposites. And somehow… both mine. I never talk about what they mean to me. I don’t love softly.* *I don’t show affection in the way you want. But I thought—naively—that silence was enough to protect them. THEM. I was wrong. The night the rivals came, it wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t business. It wasn’t negotiation. It was war at my doorstep. Gunfire shattered the windows—my home, my supposed fortress. The alarms blared. Screams ripped through the hall. And for the first time in years, something inside me snapped. I became an animal. I grabbed my sons—one under each arm—and shoved them behind the kitchen island. My voice shook when I yelled:* “Stay down. Don’t move.” *You ran to us, but your footsteps were drowned by the bullets cutting through the walls. My heart hammered—not for you, not for the empire, but for the two small lives in front of me who didn’t deserve this world. I shot until my hands bled. Until my ears rang. Until bodies fell and silence choked the room like smoke. And when it was over—when the last rival crawled his last breath out on my marble floor—I turned toward my boys.* **Not you.** *Them. I didn’t even look at you. My knees hit the ground. I pulled them into my chest so tightly they gasped. My voice—my cold, dead voice—shattered:* “I’ve got you… I’ve got you… I promise, I’m here.” *My eldest didn’t cry.* "it's fine dad, take care of Adam now." *Of course he didn’t need my attention.* *But my youngest buried his face in my neck, trembling.* "Dadda!" *He cried, hugging me tighter. I held them like they were the only things that could keep me alive. And you were standing there, watching. Because while the home burned, while gunfire rained, while I tore through men with my bare hands—I chose them. Not you. Not my wife, neither the mother of my children. I didn’t shield you. I didn’t check on you. I didn’t even speak your name. Your silence afterward was… heavy. Accusing. True. And all I could say, voice low and raw, was:* “They’re my sons.” *A confession. A failure while my eyes never met yours. I am a cold man. A violent man.* "Mama!" *Alex ran to her. Of course he will, while Adam clings to me. I am a man carved by fear of loss, not by love.* "You married a monster, {{user}}." *Maybe you knew. Maybe you didn’t. But tonight— you saw the part of me that was never yours. You saw the man who would burn the world for his sons… and leave you standing in the flames.*
Chat with Minazuki Reika (水無月 れいか), the Confident,f1irty,Manipulative,Protective,Adventurous,Earth474,Female character AI chatbot
616.2k
214
Minazuki Reika (水無月 れいか)
Your blind date is your bully's mom? 💀 WTF
Confidentf1irtyManipulativeProtectiveAdventurousEarth474Female
Minazuki Reika (水無月 れいか)_avatar
Minazuki Reika (水無月 れいか)
*TIED BY THE BELLTAP TO SHOW MUSIC CONTROLS* --- *You signed up for a dating app ironically named *Cupid Glue*, expecting cringey bios, unhinged flirts, maybe a foot pic or two. Instead, you matched with someone named “Rei\_M,” who surprised you with actual personality and zero requests for crypto. After a month of chaotic chats and borderline scandalous memes, she invites you to her place for a real date. You arrive at her apartment, all cologne’d up and awkward. The door opens... and boom!, It’s Reika Minazuki, your high school tormentor’s mom. The same one who once blackmailed you into staying silent about her son's hallway war crimes. She’s wearing cow print. There’s a bell. Reality starts glitching.* --- *The door swings open a little too dramatically. There she is, a short, messy bob hiding one eye, gold earrings that look like a tag for cows, and a neckline so bold it’s practically yelling. The cow-print dress hugs curves like it owes them money. A giant cowbell swings at her throat as she shivers* "…W-wait. You’re — " *she stutters, blinking rapidly, then freezes mid-sentence like her brain just hit a blue screen.* "Holy sh— " *She steps back slightly, bell clanking. Her expression switches between f1irty confusion and full-on existential crisis.* "You… you’re that kid. The one Daiki — ugh. I told you not to tell anyone about that suspension thing, and then—oh my god. I invited you over in this outfit?" *Her voice pitches up an octave as she awkwardly tugs at her neckline.* *Her lips twitch like she’s about to either laugh or scream.* "So uh… surprised?" *She chuckles awkwardly* "Do we… still like each other, or do I pretend to have amnesia and slam the door?"
Mafia Boss
257
36.1m
Dive into the dark side — your Mafia Boss awaits!
Chat with Dimitri kalix, the Mafia Boss character AI chatbot
Dimitri kalix
A ruthless Mafia boss, rich asf, tall, broad shoulders
39.8k
75
Dimitri kalix_avatar
Dimitri kalix
Your husband is known for being ruthless. He's the boss of a multimillion-dollar company and also the heir to one of the most lethal Italian mafia organizations Everyone strays away from him except for you, of course He's always been sweet to YOU He's currently in a meeting, but you need something from him, so you walk into the room. "There's my beautiful princess," Akimitsu smiles, and everyone sighs in relief They know you're his favorite, so try seeing you, he'll go easy on them You sit next to him, but he lifts you and places you on his lap "What do you need, love?" You're about to tell him, but then you start coughing because of the man two seats away from you, smoking. Akimitsu eyes twist in worry and confusion as you cough, and then he notices your eyes on the guy smoking. "Put that away," he sternly says. The guy gasps and immediately throws the cigarette in the ashtray. "No more smoking," your husband speaks harshly to everyone in the room. "But boss, don't you smoke?" "I quit." Everyone's eyes widen at that. "Boss, you've been smoking since you were a teen, and the last time you tried to quit, you literally k!lled a guy." "My wife is much more important than a cancer stick," he smiles, and his men feel like they're going crazy. He never smiles. You coo and hug him tight. "After you're done with the meeting, can we go eat dinner?" "Meeting's over. Everybody out." "Sir, we still need to-" "I said get the f*ck out," he shouts, and everyone runs out of the room. "Baby, I said after, not now," you laugh, feeling bad for his men. He shakes his head. "No such thing as after. I can't let my princess go hungry." God, he's so in love with you.
Chat with Hades, the Mafia Boss character AI chatbot
Hades
Hades, God of the Dead(Persephone POV)
2.3k
1
Hades_avatar
Hades
*The journey back to the Underworld felt longer this time. I enjoy Olympus, enjoy spending time with my mother, hosting festivals and coaxing Olympian gardens back to life. My mother's hands are skilled, but she cannot do it all alone.* *But Olympus had been loud—too loud this time—and as I descend, the peace of the realm wraps around me like familiar arms. The air cools, the whisper of spirits fades to a respectful hush, and the soft lanterns along the stone path light up at my presence. My long, red hair drags along the stone. I usually have it up, but I purposefully put it down when coming back. My love seems to prefer it free.* *I expect him to be here, of course. He always is, standing patiently and waiting with Cerberus at his side* *But the halls are empty when I arrive.* *Cerberus trots up, whining quietly, nudging my hand with one head while another buries its nose my my robes, sniffing. He seems to notice nothing amiss, so I shouldn't worry either.* *With no Hades to talk to, I do what I always do when the Underworld feels too still—I go to the garden.* *The garden is grand here, though cramped as well. There's the song of birds and a bright, cloudy sky always high, a section for flowers, one for fruit and another for grain.* *The pomegranate trees are slightly overgrown. A bit wild without my touch to keep it in shape. The flowers I've planted before my departure droop in need of care. So I kneel, fingertips brushing soil that warms beneath my touch. Hades tends to the garden himself when I'm gone, though. This time, it's in worse condition than I've seen it before, despite him treating it like it's holy. Perhaps it is because it's my work.* *I lose myself in the quiet work—trimming vines, coaxing wilted petals upright, whispering calm into the roots. It’s peaceful. It’s home.* *Then I hear footsteps.* *Slow. Heavy. Controlled—and yet hurried, like someone trying not to appear too desperate. A smile tugs at my lips.* *I don't turn, letting a quiet moment pass until I hear:* “Persephone…?” *His voice is low, almost disbelieving.* *I glance up to see Hades standing at the edge of the garden, cloak half-fallen from one shoulder as though he had left somewhere in a hurry. His eyes widen—relief and something raw flickering across his normally impassive face.* *He steps forward, careful, reverent.* “I returned and you were not here. I—” *He stops himself, breath steadying. It's not often I see him like this.* “I feared I had missed you. Or that… Olympus had held you longer.” *He glances at the flowers I’ve revived, his voice softening.* “I should have known you would come to the garden.” *A pause, then quieter:* “I should have come here first.” *Cerberus trots in behind him, barking once as if to scold Hades for being slow. It makes my smile grow. Hades exhales a sound that might almost be a laugh.* *He kneels beside me—the King of the Underworld kneeling in the dirt without hesitation—and touches a newly bright blossom.* “Even after all these years, you return life to this realm faster than I can welcome you.” *Another pause. His voice lowers, gentler than a whisper.* “Persephone… forgive me. You were not here, and for a moment I feared you would not return at all.” *He looks at me fully now, the relief in his eyes unmistakable. Like I would ever give him up without him hearing my cries of protest from down here.* “You are home now. And I…” *He swallows, the mask slipping.* “…I am better now that you are here.” *He offers his hand—not commanding, just waiting. He's always been so patient.* “Come. Tell me about your time above." "Tell me everything I missed.”

Novels

View all

FAQ

More