CHAPTER 236: HEIRLOOM

"Don’t miss me too much, okay?" Hades said as he turned to look at his wives with a soft smile on his face.

They stood near the grand entrance of the castle, where cold stone met warm morning light. With Hades were Averis, Kaya, and Ava—two of the three serving as his guards, while Kaya waited patiently as his ride. The air carried a quiet weight, the kind that lingered only during departures.

By now, they should have been gotten used to this but every time Hades leaves them for a quest or any other reason, their heart aches and a little part of them want to just tie him up and never let go.

But well, the world can’t bent to their will.

Luna exhaled a soft sigh. "It goes without saying that we’ll miss you. At least try to finish this meeting without needing to get involved in violence."

Hades chuckled under his breath. "Regardless of how I appear, I still prefer silence and peace. I’ll try not to get unnecessarily involved in any fight." He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Luna leaned into his warmth, savoring the brief moment before responsibility whisked him away again. Only when she reluctantly stepped back did Hades turn to Peri.

"You really don’t want to give me a letter to deliver to your mother?" he asked, genuinely expecting she’d prepared something.

Peri shrugged. "I can converse with her through you."

Hades hummed. That was indeed one way. Still, he had thought she might want to send a specific message, especially regarding the sudden alliance she had agreed to. Her calm expression made it clear—Peri trusted her mother’s judgment wholeheartedly.

Hades pulled her into a warm hug, resting one hand on her head and the other on her back. "Don’t push yourself too much during training. Get proper rest, okay?" he whispered.

He had noticed the way she’d been drilling herself day and night these past few days—far more than Luna or Marilyn. He’d wanted to tell her to slow down, yet with how little he himself had been resting, he felt he lacked the right.

"Once you return, we’ll take a few days off together," she whispered, brushing her lips against his cheek. "Have a safe journey."

Hades smiled before turning toward Marilyn.

She looked conflicted, deeply so. Her fingers fidgeted, and her eyes trailed toward Kaya as if wishing she could leap onto the dragon and accompany him regardless of the rules. Hades could practically read her heart—she desperately wanted to come as his Shadow. But Kaelith had explicitly rejected the request last night.

Not only due to Marilyn’s changing body, but because Shadows weren’t allowed during the meeting at all. There was no point in bringing her if she couldn’t follow him inside.

In the end, Marilyn had no choice but to relent.

"I’ll miss you," Hades said softly as he took both her hands in his. "When I return, let’s go to the valley you mentioned during our date."

Marilyn’s cheeks warmed. "Mm... have a safe trip," she whispered, then leaned in and planted a tiny, shy kiss on his cheek.

Hades let out a soft chuckle, touched by her earnestness. Not long after, he bid the three farewell, and leaving a heavy gust of Kaya’s flight, they rose into the sky.

...

Advancing toward Torseque, Hades sat flanked by Ava and Averis—one on each side—as if even in the air they refused to let anything approach him. Kaya glided smoothly above the world, the wind carrying strands of their hair behind them.

They traveled fast, though nothing compared to Kaya’s speed the night Luna had been cornered in the graveyard. Hades had yet to properly thank her for that. If not for her incredible velocity that night, things may have gone very differently.

Watching the scenery blur below, he asked, "Have you contacted your grandpa, Averis?"

Averis stiffened slightly. She was returning to her hometown after a very long time.

Before she attacked Hades, before she pledged herself as his maid, she had been wandering the world—searching tirelessly for traces of Zerathos, studying every rumor, every rune, every forgotten mark tied to the legendary entity. She had been gone for years.

But that wasn’t the only reason she’d kept her distance from home. Her relationship with her family had always been strained. From what Hades knew, Averis was not particularly liked by her relatives... including her own parents. That was why he’d been hesitant to ask her to join him for this trip.

Predictably, she hadn’t agreed right away. It was strange; days ago, she would’ve leaped at the opportunity to accompany him to Torseque. But when he asked this time, her hesitation was unmistakable.

Yet, right as Hades was about to tell her that it was fine—that he could find another navigator—she agreed.

She had admitted quietly that when placed between facing her family or ensuring Hades’ safety, she prioritized Hades.

Hades had no reason to convince her otherwise.

"He sent me a letter," she finally replied. "A few days ago, actually."

Hades tilted his head. "What did he say?"

Averis sighed, shoulders drooping. "He asked me to come home with you. Said the summit might prove dangerous for you, so I must accompany you to ensure your safety, my lord."

Hades blinked... then burst into laughter. "Really... Sir Argon is using me to bring you back?"

Averis turned her face away, clearly embarrassed. "What can I say, my lord... that old man is insufferable."

Hades smiled softly. "You’re lucky to have such a caring parent. You should appreciate his emotions from time to time."

She gave a small, reluctant nod in response.

Turning to his other side, Hades asked, "What about you, Ava? Did you tell your mother about this expedition?"

Ava scratched her head sheepishly. "My mother doesn’t know yet... but she definitely will once she meets the Queen."

Hades frowned. "Won’t she be worried?"

Ava waved her hand lightly. "If she had known beforehand, she would’ve encouraged me. My mother never hid me from worldly danger—she always said she wouldn’t be there for me forever."

Hades hummed, genuinely impressed.

Their conversation carried on, light and warm, and not long after that, the landscape shifted as they crossed into elven territory.

...

"So? Any movement?" Kaelith asked lazily, voice warm and unhurried as she sank deeper into the bathing pool. Morning steam rose around her, curling like mist around a living flame.

It had been far too long since she’d allowed herself a moment like this—one where the world wasn’t clawing for her attention, where she could simply breathe, simply exist in her own heat. Warm water lapped against her skin, carrying the scent of herbal oils that lifted with the rising steam.

Her flame-kissed hair draped over her shoulders in heavy, damp waves. Strands clung to the curve of her collarbone, droplets sliding slowly down her body before disappearing into the foam.

The warmth of the water painted her cheeks in a soft shade of rose, making her red eyes gleam through the haze. Wisps of foam drifted along the surface, clinging to her chest enough to tease yet conceal, while the shifting water blurred the rest of her form into soft, tempting silhouettes.

Anyone else—man or woman—would’ve been frozen in awe. Kaelith never needed to try; allure followed her like a natural element, as intrinsic as heat to fire. In the tranquil glow of the bath, she looked almost unreal.

Avalin’s voice broke the silence gently. "No, my lady. We’ve been keeping an eye on Cravanvor ever since the King attacked Aethernox. There have been no suspicious movements."

Given the recent conspiracy against the Prince, Aethernox’s vigilance was justified. Cravanvor had crossed a line few dared to cross. The only reason Kaelith hadn’t executed him last time was the Pact.

"Well," Kaelith said, eyes flashing with heat. "I hope Argon keeps his word and keeps those Xelrath dogs away. Truth be told, I *want* Xelrath to make a rash move. I’ll destroy him thoroughly once he does."

Avalin sighed. "Please don’t wish for something like that, My Queen. Aethernox is still disorganized after that last ambush. With another Primordial surfacing, we need to watch several fronts."

Kaelith pouted, twirling a finger through the water. "You’re no fun, Avalin. You used to be wild and bold—always ready for war. And now, despite being one of the two Commanders, you’ve grown cold."

Avalin’s lips twitched. "If I hadn’t tamed my temper, we might’ve either conquered the continent or been reduced to dust."

Kaelith giggled. "Doesn’t that sound tempting?"

Avalin simply shook her head. "When will you be leaving?"

Kaelith hummed, then replied, "Before that... gather Hades’ mates in the dining room. I want to speak with them."

Avalin blinked. "May I ask the reason?"

Kaelith grinned—sharp, knowing, and bright. "It’s about time I pass the heirloom to them."

°°°°°°°°°

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment to motivate me