Chapter 1
"Are you sure we can make it?"
"Yes I'm sure. Come on now"
"Promise, for real?"
"Yes I promise."
Luke woke up again, the sheets had been twisted around his body and he tried to breathe normal again, but the dream had startled him and now he just couldn't calm down. He must look like a total mess, like this. Stupid.
"Nice one, Luke." He told himself, since there was no one else there to talk to him. The sea was roaring outside the window. It reminded him of Percy. And Camp Half-blood. And of course the sound of Annabeths laughter when he chased here across the fields, trying to get the flag before her team got hold of it. But all of this, it was far away now. And he, himself, was stuck in an old ship with some worthless monsters and a couple of deadly weapons. Then of course, the stupid coffin with Kronos' remains. He wanted to trade it all for them. He just wanted to be back in Cabin Eleven with all the other sons and daughters of Hermes. He just wanted to be back with Percy and Annabeth.
"Sir Luke"
The sweet voice sounded like flowers and birds. He looked up just to see her standing in the doorway, smiling at him.
"Persephone" he said with a quiet voice. "Does Hades know you're here?"
"Of course not." She smiled and slowly came closer to him, without taking her eyes off him. "What's the matter darling? Did you have another nightmare?"
Luke sighed. He was starting to get tired of these late nights visits from Persephone. But then again, Luke was just a 19 year old guy who didn't really could tell a beautiful woman to leave his bed when she gladly shared it as often as she could. It didn't really matter at all that she was married, not even that she was married to the god of Death. Okay, maybe it mattered a little. Especially right now.
"What did you want?" he asked coldly and ignored the fact that her hand had started stroking his leg. She stopped, almost looking offended.
"Do I have to want something?" she answered, her lower lip pouting. And Luke wanted to kiss her badly. But then he remembered his feelings and no, tonight he wouldn't give in to temptation.
"You always want something." He pushed her down on to the bed, but just to get her out of the way so he could get out of it, and stand up looking through the windows. Looking at freedom. She sighed and stood up beside him.
"Do you miss it?"
"What?!" Luke asked, sounding angrier than he was.
"The camp." Persephone looked at him and for a moment he got lost in her eyes. "Do you miss being such a waste for the world?"
"I'm not… It's just… Forget it. You wouldn't understand."
"I were kidnapped to the underworld and forced to marry and love a man for centuries. I think I can understand pretty much everything" she got hold of his hand, and he made no effort of letting go. "Besides, you know what will happen to them if you don't do what I tell you."
"I know." He sounded weak now. "You have to keep them safe."
"And I will. So… want to be with me now?"
He didn't complain when her lips found his.
"Are you sure we can make it?"
"Yes I'm sure, Annabeth, I'm sure."
"Promise, for real?"
"Yes, I promise."