Vowed to Hades (Romancing the Seas #4)

25. Hades

HADES

H ades yearned for Persephone as she kissed him. He longed to connect to her so deeply it caused him physical pain to be separated.

His erection strained in his trousers, pulsing, as her tongue slid along his bottom lip.

He kissed her back, though he couldn’t figure out what had prompted the kiss.

Her mouth moved in sync with his, and an agonized moan left him as he lost himself in the heat of the moment.

As Persephone’s fingers ran through his hair, shivers skittered down his spine.

In that moment, nothing and everything mattered all at once.

He gingerly rested his hands on her hips, worried that if he moved too fast, she’d come to her senses and rip away .

Yet, he let her explore his mouth, and the zing of her familiar taste filled him with pleasure.

He yearned to tear her clothes, to reconnect. To reclaim his Dark Queen.

But he held restraint, knowing it was far too soon. Instead, he settled for the wet, frantic kiss that seemed to last for hours.

Time stretched long and slow as Persephone dragged her hands down the back of his head and gripped his shoulders.

Her breath steamed his face, and her nose nuzzled against his.

She had kissed him like this once before.

Once.

It struck a memory, from almost one thousand years ago.

Had she remembered? That night in the dungeon?

He was just warming up to the kiss, clutching her hips a little harder, when she slowed her pace.

She planted a few more gentle kisses on his upper lip, then finally, she moved back.

“What was that for?” Hades asked, breathless.

Persephone wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and held eye contact.

Her expression was dark, but there was a glint in her eye. Something he hadn’t seen in a very long time.

Hades rolled his lips inwards, catching another taste of her on him .

“What was the test? And did I pass?” he urged when Persephone was silent.

Finally, she sighed. “I am thinking about it,” she confessed. But then she flashed him a nervous grin, but she averted her gaze. “I may need to try that again some time… to be sure.”

Hades's heart leaped. He spread his arms. “I will be here. Always ready to assist you in whatever… testing you require to carry out.”

Persephone bit her lip and shot him a bashful look. Then she looked at the book again. “Wait… I can understand this.” She raised the book to eye level, and the flickering candlelight illuminated her excited expression. “Apodos to apolōlós… return that which is lost.”

She hummed low and deep, then let the incantation roll of her tongue like a chant.

Hades's heart stopped, and he waited, clinging to hope that this was it. His Persephone was coming back to him.

As the chant ended, a heavy silence fell between them.

Persephone closed her eyes, as if waiting for something to happen.

Hades held his breath, the tension unbearable. He stared at her, willing the magic to work, for the incantation to unlock whatever was holding her memories and powers at bay.

But when she opened her eyes again, the hopeful light in them had dimmed .

Her brows knitted together as she looked down at herself, then shrugged. “I feel no different,” she said softly, a note of disappointment lacing her voice. “And I’m just as confused as before.”

Hades's heart sank. He took the book from her, flipping through the pages with growing frustration.

The ancient text, once filled with promise, now seemed empty, its secrets just out of reach. He searched for more, anything that might offer a clue, but the pages were barren of further information.

With a defeated sigh, he slumped back into the chair, leaning forward to rest his head in his hands.

This was taking too long. They had been through so much, and yet they were no closer to finding the answers they needed. Loki was out there, collecting the bones of Osiris, building an army that could threaten them all. And here he was, powerless to restore the one person who could stand by his side against the coming storm.

Just what had Adonis done to Persephone? Had he tampered with something so deep, so intrinsic, that it couldn’t be undone?

“Hades… I’m sorry.” Persephone’s voice broke through his spiraling thoughts.

He felt her hand on his shoulder, the touch gentle and sincere. He looked up at her, startled by the tenderness in her gaze.

“I think I’m starting to believe you,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I don’t know why I still can’t… remember. ”

Hades's chest tightened at her words.

She was trying, he could see that, but the frustration and confusion in her eyes were a painful reminder of how far they still had to go.

After a few hopeless moments, Persephone broke the silence again. “I’ve been thinking…”

Hades looked at her. “And?”

Persephone wrung her hands.

“There’s only one person who can answer our questions and…” she trailed off, and gave Hades a pointed look.

His mouth dropped open. “You cannot be thinking what I think you’re thinking.”

Persephone shrugged. “Fine. If you have a better idea, I’m more than happy to hear it.”

Hades chewed the inside of his cheek.

Then he swore under his breath.

“Very well. Let’s go now and get this over with.” He stood up and marched across the throne room, his footsteps echoing, when he paused at the sound of Persephone squeak.

“Now? I’ve got minotaur blood all over my boots, and my hair is all matted…”

Hades prickled. The thought that she cared so much about her appearance irritated him to no end. “Never mind that. Death waits for no one.”

T he River of the Dead was a place of haunting beauty and profound sorrow. The dark waters flowed slowly, like a thick, viscous liquid that seemed to carry the weight of countless souls. The air was heavy with the scent of decay, mingling with the faint, ethereal whispers of the dead. Mist hovered over the surface, curling and twisting as if alive, obscuring the full depths of the river. The sky above was a dull, perpetual twilight, casting a pale, eerie glow over the landscape.

Hades stood at the riverbank; his eyes narrowed in concentration as he extended his hand toward the water. The mist swirled around his fingers, responding to his silent command.

Slowly, a wisp of pale light began to rise from the water, coalescing into a shape—a man, tall and striking, with a handsome, regal face. His hair was dark, falling in loose waves around his shoulders, and his eyes were a piercing, unnatural blue. He was dressed in a tunic of deep red, the color of freshly spilled blood, which only made the paleness of his skin more pronounced.

Adonis.

The moment his form solidified, Adonis's gaze fell on Persephone, and his expression softened with something that Hades recognized all too well. It was adoration, the same look that had once been reserved for him alone. Persephone’s face lit up, a flicker of joy in her eyes, and Hades felt a stab of jealousy twist in his gut.

“Persephone,” Adonis breathed, stepping closer, his hand reaching out as if to touch her.

Hades's anger flared, but he held it in check. For now. “Adonis,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “What did you do to Persephone?”

Adonis's gaze flicked to Hades, his expression turning innocent, almost childlike. “Nothing,” he replied, his voice smooth and calm. “I did nothing.”

Persephone stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she searched Adonis's face. “Adonis. What medicine did you give me? Why did you keep me like a prisoner in that room?”

A frown creased Adonis's brow, genuine confusion darkening his features. “What medicine? I never held you prisoner. You are my wife, Persephone.”

The words, spoken so simply, ignited the fury that Hades had been struggling to contain. He could feel it building, threatening to consume him.

“Do not lie to her, you filthy rat,” he roared, his voice echoing through the dark, empty space around them.

He surged forward, his fists clenched at his sides, and Adonis's form flickered, scattering for a moment before reassembling just above the river.

Adonis blinked, his expression blank and unfeeling. “What are you going to do, Hades? Kill me twice?”

Hades's muscles tensed, ready to strike, but Persephone’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“Stop arguing!” she snapped, her tone commanding. She turned back to Adonis, her eyes hard with determination. “The book with the spells. The one with the omega sign on the cover. ”

“You were never supposed to find that,” Adonis muttered, his voice barely a whisper. The surprise in his eyes was unmistakable.

“So, you know how it works?” Persephone pressed, stepping closer. “Why aren’t my memories coming back?”

Adonis shrugged, a careless gesture that only fueled Hades's rage. “I don’t know,” he said with a sigh. “I miss you, Persephone. I wish I could hold you… one last time…”

But before Persephone could respond, Adonis's form began to dissolve, turning back into a wisp of light that sank into the dark waters of the River of the Dead.

Persephone stared at the spot where he had vanished, tears welling in her eyes. “Why did you do that?” she whispered, her voice trembling. She turned to Hades, desperation in her gaze. “Bring him back… he didn’t even…”

“He’s not going to tell us anything,” Hades snapped, his voice harsher than he intended. “And he’s obviously delighted to see the incantation didn’t restore you. This has all been a complete waste of time.”

Persephone’s eyes widened in shock, and without another word, she turned and stormed away, her footsteps echoing in the silence.

Hades watched her go, the weight of his words settling heavily in the pit of his stomach. He had let his anger get the best of him, and now he was left alone to chew on his regret .

A soft, rippling sound broke the silence, and Hades turned to see another figure emerging from the river. This one was tall and imposing, with a presence that commanded respect. His long, seaweed-like hair flowed around his shoulders, and his eyes were as deep and dark as the ocean itself.

Poseidon.

“It has not all been a waste of time,” Poseidon said, his voice calm and reassuring. He stepped closer, his hand resting on Hades's shoulder. “I know why the spell hasn’t worked.”

Hades stared at his brother, waiting for the reveal, but when Poseidon remained silent, his patience wore thin. “Look, Isis agreed to revive you after I deliver her the bones of Osiris. I cannot do that without my queen. Loki has formed an army of gods, for goodness’ sake. Tell me what I need to know.”

Poseidon’s gaze softened, and he gave Hades's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Fear not, my brother. I have good news for you. The spell did work—her memories are now unlocked… she just needs help retrieving them.”

Hades frowned; the words not quite registering. “How am I supposed to…” He paused as a thought struck him; his eyes widened in realization. He met Poseidon’s gaze, his voice incredulous. “Seriously?”

Poseidon’s smile widened, a knowing look in his eyes. “Go. Take your wife and do what you do best. When you’re done with her, she’ll be your Dark Queen once more. ”

Hades stared at his brother for a long moment, the implications of his words sinking in. Then, with a determined set to his jaw, he nodded. It was time to remind Persephone of who she truly was, and who they were together. And this time, nothing would stand in his way.