Vowed to Hades (Romancing the Seas #4)

21. Captain Stone

CAPTAIN STONE

T he night had settled around them, a quiet stillness in the air, when Captain Stone caught sight of two figures emerging from the shadows.

The group, weary and worn from their recent trials, tensed at the sight of strangers approaching. But as the two figures came closer, their features became clear, illuminated by a soft, ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from within.

Ava stood tall and elegant, her Grecian dress flowing around her like a river of silk. The fabric was a deep, midnight blue, adorned with intricate golden embroidery that shimmered in the moonlight. Her hair, long and blonde as the rising sun, cascaded over her shoulders in loose waves.

Beside her, Hercules cut a formidable figure in gladiator-style clothing, his bronzed skin contrasting sharply against the dark leather straps that crisscrossed his chest. His muscles, honed from countless battles, rippled with every movement, and his eyes, like Ava’s, glowed with a light that was both otherworldly and commanding.

They stood hand in hand, their fingers entwined, and their presence alone was enough to command the attention of everyone in the group. It was as if the very air around them had shifted, charged with a new energy that made Captain Stone’s pulse quicken.

“By the gods,” Georgette breathed, breaking the silence as she rushed forward, her face alight with disbelief and joy. She threw her arms around Ava. “You’re both alive!”

Ava returned the hug with a warm smile, her eyes softening as she looked down at Georgette.

“Alive and well,” she replied, her voice soothing, but there was a hint of something deeper beneath her words—something that spoke of hardships overcome.

Captain Stone stepped forward, extending a hand to Hercules.

The demigod clasped it firmly.

Stone clapped him on the back, a grin spreading across his face. “You’re both glowing. I see married life is treating you well.”

Hercules chuckled, sharing a knowing smile with Captain Stone and Prince Edward, who had stepped up beside them.

But the light-hearted moment was fleeting, as Hercules's expression grew serious. He cleared his throat, the weight of whatever he was about to say settling heavily on the group.

“Actually…” Hercules began, his voice low and grave. “We’ve been to hell and back. Loki… He killed Ava.”

A collective gasp went through the group, eyes wide with shock as they turned to Ava, who gave a small, bashful smile, as though the ordeal was nothing more than a passing inconvenience.

Shock rippled through them like a cold wave.

Captain Stone looked at Hercules, searching for answers in the demigod’s eyes. Hercules nodded, confirming the impossible.

“He swam in the River of the Dead to get me back,” Ava added softly.

Everyone turned to Hercules, their gazes filled with incredulity.

The River of the Dead was a place few dared to speak of, a place that no one returned from. And yet, here they were, standing before them, glowing with life. It was a feat that defied all logic, all reason.

Serena, who was always the most outspoken of the group, broke the silence. “How are you both here?”

Captain Stone hummed, his mind racing as he studied the couple before him.

The glow that surrounded them, the sheer power that seemed to radiate from them—it was something beyond what he had seen before.

“The glow… you’re not just a demigod anymore, are you? ”

Hercules shrugged, a modest smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I suppose not.”

Prince Edward, who had been silent, stepped forward, his face a mask of concern. “Well, that’s good, because we’re facing enemies of unparalleled strength. We could really use your help.”

Ava, sensing the urgency in his tone, stepped between them. Her expression was one of determination, her eyes narrowing as she looked around at the group. “Listen, there is much to say. But we do not have the luxury of time on our hands.”

The air grew tense, the weight of her words sinking in as everyone exchanged wary looks. There was something in her tone, a sense of impending danger that made Captain Stone’s stomach twist in knots.

Without another word, Ava lifted her hand, a soft blue light forming at her fingertips. The light grew brighter, expanding until it shaped itself into a swirling portal, the edges flickering like flames.

“Ava’s right,” Hercules said. “We need to go now. He’s waiting for us.”

“Who?” everyone asked in unison, their voices laced with both curiosity and fear.

Hercules didn’t answer immediately, his expression unreadable as he looked at each of them in turn. Then, with a nod, he gestured toward the portal. “There’s no time to explain. Trust me.”

One by one, the group stepped into the portal, each of them vanishing into the swirling light.

Captain Stone hesitated for the briefest of moments, his gaze lingering on Hercules and Ava, before he followed them through.

Captain Stone was not keen on traveling by portal. The sensation was disorienting, like being pulled through a tunnel of wind and light. Luckily, as soon as it began, it was over, and Captain Stone landed on solid ground, the earth beneath him soft with moss. He looked around, his breath catching in his throat at the sight before him.

They were in a forest, rich and vibrant, the trees towering high above, their leaves a deep, verdant green that shimmered in the weakened sunlight. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of pine and earth, and all around them, the sounds of life thrummed—a refreshing change from the desolate island they had just left behind.

Hercules took the lead, guiding them down a narrow trail that wound through the trees.

The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, the atmosphere almost peaceful. But there was an underlying tension, a sense of urgency that kept Captain Stone on edge.

He stayed close to Georgette, resting his hand on the hilt of his ax and braced to challenge any potential threat.

As they rounded a bend, the trees began to thin until the trail opened into a wide clearing.

Two personages stood, as though they had been expecting company.

Captain Stone’s heart jolted at the sight.

There, in the center of the clearing, stood Hades, his dark figure unmistakable against the lush green backdrop. His presence was commanding, the air around him thick with the power that radiated from him.

But then Captain Stone’s sights landed on someone else. And it was the last person he expected to see with him.

Persephone.

She looked like a hunter. Wearing tan pants and a brown leather jacket. Her strawberry blonde hair fell over one shoulder in a tight braid. Her eyes, a striking shade of green, were fixed on Captain Stone as if she could see right through him.

There was something in her gaze, something that sent a shiver down his spine.

She was different from the woman he had met in the Underworld, and the steely look in her eye told him that she had been through just as much trauma as they had.

The clearing was silent, the tension so thick it was almost suffocating.

Captain Stone’s mind raced, trying to process what he was seeing, what it meant.

Hades broke the silence first, his voice deep and resonant. "Loki is the enemy. He killed Poseidon, and he killed Ava... before Hercules brought her back."

The words were like a hammer blow, each revelation sinking in with brutal clarity. Serena, who had been standing quietly at the back, finally spoke up, her tone sharp. "How do you know that? "

Hades dismissed the question with a wave of his hand. "It doesn't matter how I know. What matters is that we are up against a force unlike anything we've faced before."

Captain Stone felt a surge of frustration at the vague response but pushed it aside.

"And he's forming an army," he added, his voice steady.

Hades nodded. "Correct. It's called the Scorpion Army, an ancient alliance that broke apart after the last war. Now, Loki, Zeus, and Aphrodite are bringing it back. Their goal is to reclaim the power that was lost... but I do not yet know the full extent of their plan."

Captain Stone’s mind raced. He glanced at the others before speaking again. “I might be able to shed some light on that. Before we got to England, we were visited by Hermes.”

Hades's expression darkened instantly, fury flashing in his eyes. “That spineless fool is still working for them? I should have killed him when I had the chance.”

Captain Stone exchanged a glance with Prince Edward before continuing. “He delivered a warning from Zeus. He said that if we raise Osiris, it will mean the end of the world.”

Hades blinked, as though trying to process this new information. But the flicker of surprise in his eyes suggested that this wasn’t the most shocking thing he’d heard that day. “Zeus always did have a flair for the dramatic. ”

“But Isis has vowed to burn the world if we fail to bring her the bones,” Prince Edward added, his voice heavy with the weight of the impossible choice they faced.

Hades began to pace, his expression one of deep concentration. “Tricky, tricky, tricky… How does one choose a side in a conflict where both paths lead to destruction? Or perhaps…” He paused, looking around at the group. “We form our own alliance and fight all sides?”

Everyone exchanged wary looks, the weight of the decision pressing down on them.

It was Captain Stone who broke the silence, turning to Persephone. “What do you say, Persephone?”

She jumped slightly, clearly not expecting to be addressed. But then she straightened her spine, determination hardening her features. “I care little for any of these gods. Isis is the only one who can bring Adonis back to me, so I shall do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

Captain Stone raised his brows, sharing a look of surprise with Hercules.

It was clear that Persephone was more than willing to defy the gods if it meant getting what she wanted.

“And what are you going to do?” he asked, turning his gaze to Hades.

Hades stepped forward; his expression grim. “Persephone and I... We’re going to kill Loki.”

A shocked silence fell over the group. But before anyone could respond, Hades continued. “But first, we need to restore her memories and powers.”

Persephone looked down, her previous confidence wavering slightly. “We need to hunt Loki down and take back what he stole from us. But Hades is convinced that we cannot face him until I’m… restored.”

Hades met her gaze, his expression softening slightly as he nodded.

It was clear that this was as much about protecting her as it was about reclaiming what had been lost.

Prince Edward clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. “Very well. What do you need us to do?”

“There is a palace a mile from here,” Hades began. “It has a curse that prevents any man from crossing its boundaries… but inside it is a book that I need.”

Captain Stone frowned. “How are we to get in if no man can?—”

Ava interrupted him with a delicate cough, flicking her hair back and stepping forward with a sense of purpose. “I will go,” she said firmly. “I’ve been there before, and I have a strong idea where this book might be.”

“How… Ah. Women can cross the boundary,” Prince Edward said, the realization dawning on him as he connected the dots.

Hades inclined his head, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Very good, Edward,” he said, his tone almost patronizing, like a parent praising a child for solving a simple puzzle.

“This book… I’m assuming it’s regarding Persephone’s condition?” Serena asked, her voice careful, as if she already knew the answer.

Hades affirmed with a curt nod. “Yes.”

Serena hummed thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing as she considered the situation. “Is this book made of leather with gold stitching... with the omega symbol on the front?”

Hades's eyes snapped to her, surprise flickering across his features. “How do you know that?”

Serena’s mouth tipped into a smirk. “I’ve read it.”

Captain Stone clapped. “Wonderful. So, there’s no need to go to the cursed palace and get it.”

He did not like the idea of splitting up the group again. Especially when it involved Hades, who he trusted as far as he could throw him.

A derisive laugh bubbled out of Serena in response. “I said I read it, not memorized it.”

She began to pace, her brows pinching as she studied the ground. “A year ago, it went missing. My father was furious, I remember because he had me and my brothers searching every tome in the library for it.”

Hades stepped forward; his gaze penetrative at Serena. “Do you know what curse has been placed on Persephone?”

Serena looked up at him and pressed her lips together. Then her sights moved to Persephone .

All eyes were on her as everyone waited with bated breath.

Finally, Serena’s eyes dulled, and she simply nodded. Then she looked at Ava again.

“Shall we go? The sooner we find that book, the sooner we can begin.” She gave a nervous look to Hades for a second before she mumbled, “… And just so you are aware, you are not going to like what’s going to happen.”

Persephone marched forward. “I’m coming too.”

“So am I,” Georgette announced.

Panic rippled through Captain Stone, and his instincts had him reaching for her as she moved away from him, but then he thought better.

The woman knew what she wanted, and he would be foolish to stand in her way. But the thought of being apart made him sick.

“Is there nothing we can do to help?” he asked, trying to sound less desperate and more frustrated by the situation. “I do not like the idea of a cursed place, there’s no telling what other traps are inside.”

Ava gently touched his shoulder and offered a reassuring smile. “I’ve been there. I have no doubt that my sisters and I will be quite proficient at dealing with whatever we find.”

“Persephone,” Hades said, his voice low.

He reached for her, and to Captain Stone’s surprise, she did not lurch back or resist his touch. Instead, she let him take her hand.

“You do not need to go back there. Let the sirens handle it. Besides…” He looked up with a jovial smile. “This is a quick task, you’ll be in and out in less than an hour, I’m sure.”

When Serena nodded back, Hades's smile widened. “See, there’s no need for you?—”

But Persephone swiped her hand away from his clutches, and his smile fell. “No, Hades, I do need to go. I need to go more than anyone standing here.”

The weight of her words seemed to weigh Hades down as his shoulders sagged. Finally, he gave a nod of resignation. Then his eyes flashed dark and menacing in Ava’s direction.

“Protect her with your life. I swear, if anything happens…”

“We know. You’ll burn the world and turn us all to dust. Just like all the other gods these days,” Georgette said with an eye roll. “Isis is losing patience, and the Scorpion Army is on the warpath. We don’t have time for any of this, so let’s get moving.”

Captain Stone made to follow Georgette, hoping to at least protect her on the way, when Hades's cough made him pause.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Captain Stone frowned. “Are we not going to wait outside the palace?”

Hades's expression was so cold it sent an unnerving shiver down Captain Stone’s body. “No. While the ladies go in the palace and retrieve the book, us gents have a job to do.”