The Three Kings Trilogy- Lord Of The Sea

Chapter Three- Missing And Found

Poseidon

Hades and I sat in our new sun room, watching the light trickle of rain against the massive windows as we played a round of chess. I hated America but we all agreed why it was best to move here- Neoma. Three years without feeling her touch has been hell for Zeus, Hades, and I. How did Hades and I pass the time until coming up with a plan to get her back? Chess. It solves everything. I watched as he took down my knight with a damn pawn. I needed to get my head in the game.

"You're playing worse than usual Sea-man." Hades teased, pronouncing it as semen. A quiet chuckle escaped, laughing at his own joke as I moved my queen to take his bishop.

"Sorry... just really thinking about her right now." I responded. Hades sighed, pressing one of his pale fingers against his lips to think and then run it through his black hair. I knew he thought about her too- probably more than I did. Leave it to the oldest though to act like he didn't care.

"Cronus will never stop hunting her now that he knows of her existence. It's safer for her if she never sees us again."

"Well that's going to be a problem." In the doorway was both Hestia and Demeter looking more anxious than ever. "Our friend we had watching her caught both Zeus and Cronus in the place Neoma worked tonight. They're bringing Neoma and her father here as we speak."

"Damn it Zeus! I'm going to fucking kill him!" Hades shouted- losing his cool and throwing all the pieces against the floor while standing up.

"Wait Hades... there's one more thing." Demeter informed, tucking her red hair behind her ear.

"What is it Demeter? What's going on?" I asked, now standing as well.

Demeter and Hestia exchanged looks with one another, as if asking themselves whether we had the right to know their secret. A soft sigh escaped Hestia, grabbing a thin cigarette from her red tin and lighting it before placing it between her lips. Were we about to finally learn who had been tasked with being able to see and talk to Neoma?

"Aphrodite didn't die with everyone else... she's been the one watching Neoma. She's coming here with them." Hestia announced after a deep inhale.

Aphrodite being alive? Sure it wasn't impossible but why would she have been hiding this entire time? I knew I should have been furious but I wasn't. If anything, calm and confusion were the two feelings I would say I was. I glanced over to Hades who was nothing like his usual calm and collected self. In fact- he looked mad. Not angry but crazy.

"You're telling me Neoma hasn't been-"

"Hades, it doesn't matter that Aphrodite is alive. Look on the bright side. We get to have Neoma back." Demeter interrupted, quickly earning an icy glare from Hades for interrupting him.

"You don't get to say that. Neither of you do. She wouldn't have even been in a situation where Cronus could touch her if you two hadn't sent her back to this hell hole." I guess I was the only rational one of the three kings. I thought Zeus had forgiven and understood Demeter and Hestia but tonight proved anything but rationality.

"When do they get here? An hour?" I finally asked, bringing the topic back on hand.

"More like ten minutes but Aphrodite stated Neoma needed to be chained again." Hestia informed.

A chuckle escaped my body, remembering the first time we tried to grab her. If Neoma was anything- she was a fighter. She didn't take crap from anyone and that's just what we need right now. I glanced over to Hades again and for the first time in the last three years a look of relief crossed his face.

"I'll get her bedroom ready since we don't exactly have a tower to keep her in anymore." Hades muttered before scurrying past Hestia and Demeter, leaving the sun room entirely.

Silence sat comfortably between Hestia, Demeter, and I. There was a subtle excitement entering the air as our favorite human was finally making her way back home to us. And Aphrodite being alive and coming back home after centuries of believing she was dead? Nothing could ruin this moment.

We heard the doors slam shut and immediately bolted to the entry room where Zeus and Aphrodite stood drenched in water. Our human was knocked out and being carried by Zeus bridal style while a middle aged man with a beer gut was slung over Aphrodite's shoulder.

Something took over me, running toward Zeus to get a look at Neoma up close. I could never forget her face but when I saw her, a wave of familiarity hit me. The freckles along her nose and cheek bones were more dark against her deathly ill looking skin. The black curls weren't as tight as they were three years ago. She was older- more mature.

"She's still so beautiful." I muttered, smiling softly while moving a curl out of her face.

"Hear that Aphrodite? You got some competition apparently." Hestia joked, finishing off her cigarette and smushing the bud against her tin. "Give me the old man."

Hestia grabbed the man away from Aphrodite before walking over to the treehouse with Demeter following after. I glanced at Aphrodite who was already trying to form words but I didn't want to hear any of it. I was the only one of the five of us who has seen that woman naked and I never wanted to see it again.

"You don't need to explain. But I don't want any jealousy between the two of you." I stated bluntly, nudging my head to Neoma.

"You don't have to worry about that. She's amazing... I understand why you're all so obsessed with her." Aphrodite stated with a small smile.

"Well then welcome back. I'll let Hestia show you where your room is. Come on Zeus- let's get to the treehouse."