Warmth on Iskanbel Island

Today, Hades had one more important thing to look forward to.

Ananke had arrived.

Her golden hair was as beautiful as ever. They had not seen each other in over two years, and she had grown remarkably in that time.

He stroked her long hair, wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and drew her naturally into his embrace.

"Where's Mother?"

Hades breathed in the delicate fragrance that clung to Ananke.

His breath tickled her neck. Unable to help herself, she wrapped both arms around him and pressed against his body, feeling his heat.

"Don't, Hades. Forget about Mother for now. We made a promise." Ananke could barely contain her desire. She loved the man before her so deeply that she would gladly give him everything.

More than two years apart, spent working in intelligence alongside Nyx, had left her with feelings she kept buried. Though she quickly settled back into his arms, she could no longer hold them down.

She had been by Hades's side since she was six. Never before had they been separated by so much distance for so long.

All her longing for him burst forth at once, impossible to restrain.

"Oh? Are you ready?"

Hades stroked her long legs and gave her a teasing smile.

Even at two meters tall, she looked somewhat petite beside him.

Ananke grew shy, but she answered him boldly all the same.

No more words were needed.

Hades stopped holding back and carried her into the villa.

"Mother is still running Dark Night. With the Kingdom's support, it's grown quite a bit over the past two years."

"Its main reach is in the northern New World, around the waters of the Kronos Kingdom, and in the waters of the early New World near the Red Line. It also has