CHAPTER 234: A WARM DAY

It had been a week since they’d slipped back into their usual rhythm—long mornings of training, shared meals that reset their breath, and then more training until dusk swallowed the sky.

Luna recovered far quicker than anyone expected. Within days, she was back on her feet, easing herself into combat drills under Ava’s guidance.

Avalin, on the other hand, had been swallowed by responsibility. The border tensions and the Cravanvor unrest demanded her constant presence, pulling her away from the castle. Still, according to Peri, she’d handed the task to the second best—someone Avalin trusted..

Marilyn, too, was sharpening again. She’d been making frequent trips to the Death Well, claiming that the weeks of rest had dulled her edge. Whatever she was doing in that forest... It was working. Her movements were tighter. Her aura carried a bite again.

Hades could see it. His wives were getting stronger, day by day—and perhaps more surprising than that, they were getting along.

At the moment, Luna and Marilyn were sparring in the central compound, blades ringing and feet carving circles into the stone. Hades sat on the stairway, watching them with calm, almost proud eyes.

Peri sat two steps above him, her knees lightly touching his back as her hands worked along his shoulders.

"It feels so good..." Hades exhaled, head tilting forward as her thin fingers curled along his neck and collarbone, pressing just enough—never too harsh, never too gentle. Just right.

"Your muscles are far too stiff," Peri murmured, feeling the cords of tension bunched beneath his skin like coiled springs. "You should’ve taken Ava’s suggestion for the needle theraphy."

And she wasn’t wrong. He’d been burning through his stamina these days, pushing himself long past exhaustion, yet still finding the time and softness to spend his evenings with his family after that dinner.

Hades only shook his head. "Nah, I’m good. Sir Vulcan always said the body adapts the more you strain it. I’m just trying to reach my limits. But..." his voice dipped, warm with amusement, "you definitely tempted me for this rest."

Peri smiled, a small victorious curl of her lips.

"Glad to hear I changed your mind."

After a moment of quiet, Peri spoke again. "I heard Mother is returning today?"

Hades nodded, his gaze still on the sparring match unfolding before him. "Yes. She’s been touring several regions in Aethernox these past few weeks, but she finally managed to secure a few days of rest. Though..." he exhaled slowly, "when she leaves again, I’ll likely have to go with her."

Peri’s hands stilled for a heartbeat, her shoulders dipping. "Right... the tri-nation summit."

She’d heard it from Hades—the meeting called by the Emberclad clan with urgency bordering on desperation.

The summit had only one reason: Cravanvor.

He had broken the sacred contract first, launching an ambush on the very nation he’d sworn to leave unharmed. Believing Xelrath’s agressive backing would shield him, he aimed to crush Aethernox completely... and eliminate the Chaos Heir in the process.

Had he succeeded, he would have secured the favor of the one even Argon himself treaded carefully around.

But he didn’t.

He failed spectacularly.

And now Cravanvor stood alone—abandoned, disgraced, and utterly at the mercy of Argon.

Hades would soon sit at the same table where the fate of the white-haired Cloud King would be decided.

Naturally, the thought of him standing anywhere near that man twisted a knot in Peri’s stomach. She trusted her husband’s strength—of course she did—but trust didn’t silence fear.

"Ah—"

Her breath escaped in a soft yelp as Hades suddenly tugged her forward, drawing her arms around him. Her chest pressed against his back, his warmth grounding her as his voice brushed her ear in a low whisper.

"That face of yours... is this another attempt to stop me from doing something?"

Peri closed her eyes, letting her forehead rest gently against the crook of his neck. His scent—warm and steady—seeped into her nerves, calming everything he had just stirred.

"Some things," she murmured, "are beyond the control of my charm. And this one... is necessary. So I’ll be a good wife and not try to stop you."

Hades lifted a hand, guiding her chin up just enough to place a soft kiss beneath it.

"Thank you for understanding, love. This summit decides not just Aethernox’s future, but our stance in the Dragon’s realm. The outcome will offend more than a few clans... so we have to be prepared for anything."

Peri let out a long, weighted breath. "You could’ve lied," she muttered. "Or at least hidden how risky this is."

Hades only chuckled, deep and warm.

"I know my Peri is strong enough to take the truth."

She narrowed her eyes—and leaned in to bite his ear, quick and soft.

Hades flinched, startled. "What was that for?"

"Dunno," she replied with a mischievous grin. "Felt like it."

"Will the two of you stop?" came a sullen voice from ahead.

Peri looked down with a sigh. "Weren’t you sparring just now, Luna?"

The silver-haired girl wiped her forehead with the back of her wrist. "I couldn’t focus," she complained. "Not when you’re pulling so many adorable reactions out of our husband."

Hades chuckled and rose to his feet, grabbing a dry towel and handing it to both Luna and Marilyn.

Marilyn accepted it with a simple nod before wiping her face.

Luna, however, paused for a beat—her eyes shimmering with something far less subtle.

"Help me wipe my neck, Hades. I’m all sweaty."

His brows lifted, amusement flickering across his expression before he nodded. "Sure."

He stepped behind her, towel in hand.

She swept her hair over one shoulder, exposing the pale curve of her neck—a smooth, pearly surface that caught the sunlight like polished moonstone.

Hades’s breath hitched. For a moment he simply looked, drinking in the sight before his hand lifted. The towel glided along her skin in slow, deliberate strokes, catching droplets that clung to her like dew.

Luna exhaled softly, her shoulders relaxing under his touch.

"If you want," she murmured, her voice low, "you can unbutton a few... to reach better."

Hades’s gaze drifted to the row of tiny buttons lining the back of her dress. His fingers hovered, hesitant—but only for a breath. One by one, the buttons came undone beneath his steady hand, revealing more of her smooth back, the gentle lines and warmth of her skin.

He continued wiping, slower now. Closer.

Every time his fingers brushed her bare skin, Luna’s breathing hitched—sharp, involuntary sounds she couldn’t quite swallow. Her lashes fluttered. Color rose along her cheeks.

Across the compound, Marilyn’s face instantly flushed, her composure cracking.

Peri, however, looked like she was three seconds away from committing a crime with her bare hands.

Luna spotted their reactions in her periphery and couldn’t help the smirk curling her lips.

Hades leaned in just a little, his voice low—rough around the edges.

"Is this fine now?"

Luna knew that tone. She could feel the tension in the way he held the towel, in the careful control of his breathing. He was affected—and she loved every second of it.

She tilted her head back over her shoulder, eyes gleaming.

"Actually..." she lifted a finger and traced it along the V of her neckline, pulling it just slightly. "The front is sweaty too."

She stepped back, letting her shoulder brush his chest—light, teasing, deliberate.

"If you want," she whispered, barely audible, "we can... continue properly in our room."

That was the final spark.

Peri stood up with a snap of fury.

"Enough with your provocative suggestions, you damn lustful woman!"

Luna only arched an eyebrow, smirk widening.

"I’d rather not hear that from you, Miss Kettle."

Peri marched down the steps, finger raised like she was about to issue a royal decree.

"You’ve been getting bolder lately, Luna," she snapped. "Is your brain overheating from all that imagining you do about Hades?"

Luna placed a hand over her chest with exaggerated offense.

"Imagining? Sweetheart, if I wanted him, I wouldn’t need imagination. I could just ask."

She gave Hades a pointed glance, knowing exactly what that would do to Peri.

Peri’s jaw tightened. "You— You shameless silver-haired fox!"

"Aww," Luna cooed, "someone woke up with jealousy instead of breakfast."

"I am not jealous!" Peri barked, cheeks flaming. "I’m trying to maintain basic dignity in this household!"

Luna leaned in, eyes sparkling like a cat tormenting its favorite mouse.

"Oh, you mean the same dignity that disappeared when you were massaging him?"

Peri sputtered. "T-That’s completely different!"

"No," Luna said sweetly, "that’s completely adorable."

Peri balled her fists, ready to swing. "Say that again. I dare you."

Luna grinned. "Adorable."

Hades stepped between them before Peri could lunge.

With a helpless smile he said, "Alright, let’s stop this right here. How about I make lunch for everyone while you freshen up?"

Marilyn suggested, "I didn’t sweat much so can I help?"

Hades nodded, "Yes, of course."

After that, they spent their day like a happy little family. Of course, with some bickering and a lot of flirting

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A/N:- Thanks for reading..