Page 100 of Captive Heart

My chest tightens recognizing this kindred spirit finding solace in nature’s speechless dialogue too. How vastly different our sanctuaries are. The hushed halls of museum where hues whisper secrets against open sprawl moors where wind carries echoes ancient stories. Yet both are refuges from worlds we seek escape if only in fragments time.

As car drives the serpentine roads, the tang of saltwater seeps through the window seams.

"Lass," Hades murmurs nodding toward break foliage. “Look.”

I lean forward breath catching Mediterranean unveils itself vast expanse blue kissed golden hues setting sun beauty its most unadulterated form. The sea here is untouched and powerful and free, not unlike man beside me.

"Beautiful," I say word feeling small against view.

"Indeed," he agrees. “Ye lifted the word from my tongue.”

The water glistens, mirroring a glint in his eyes that hints at untold tales. Approaching the coastal town, an invisible force tugs at me, tempting me towards uncharted territories.

The car's purr fades to a whisper as Hades silences the engine under an aging streetlamp's amber halo. The charm of the seaside village enfolds us instantly. Its quaint beauty is displayed in the colorful array of houses hugging the rugged coast like barnacles. Stepping onto the cobblestones, our footsteps fade into the quiet evening.

"It seems like time stopped about fifty years ago," I observe softly, taking in the pastel buildings and lively streets bustling with local activity. “It’s unusual.”

"Maybe the townspeople here have it right," Hades muses while discreetly locking the car with a beep that disrupts the tranquil air. “It could be that they are happier than your average city dweller.”

Our stomachs growl insistently as we follow the aroma of sizzling pans and jovial chatter to a cozy eatery nestled between a weathered bookstore and an art gallery adorned with sea-themed treasures. The scent of freshly baked bread and savory seafood hangs heavy in the air, beckoning us with promises of culinary delight.

"Shall we?" Hades gestures towards the restaurant, his voice a deep rumble cutting through the evening calm.

Seated at a worn wooden table in a corner bathed in candlelight, shadows dance across Hades' enigmatic features. He is a portrait of light and darkness begging to be understood.

"Oh, they have bouillabaisse!" I say delightedly. Memories of bayou flavors linger on my tongue. "Have you had it? It's like an oceanic celebration."

"Sounds as good an anything else," he responds indulgently. His eyes sparkle with amusement that quickens my pulse beneath my skin.

Our conversation flows like gentle waves—casual yet profound—as we delve into topics too trivial to name.

"Yer art," Hades says. He drawing my focus from my plate with his melodious voice, "Do ye find that you lack the stimulation of being with Constantine? The thrill of danger ye once embraced, maybe?"

I shiver and shake my head vehemently.

"Absolutely not. Chaos is demanding. Exhausting," I say, my voice firm. It’s as if I can feel Constantine's ghost hovering at the edges of my thoughts. His presence is unwelcome yet undeniable. "It ignites passion, but ultimately I find that serenity nurtures my muse more."

"I see," he acknowledges with a grimace. He flaps his hand. "You seek equilibrium amidst turmoil."

"Maybe," I concede. Comfortable silence descends once more, much like nightfall draping the world outside in shades of indigo and pearl.

In this moment, the simplicity of our meal orchestrates the beat of our hearts, etching family and loyalty onto the canvas of my thoughts. It's not about the blood ties that have failed me or the alliances born out of need.

No. It's about something deeper. A bond formed by choice and solidified in shared solitude. Bathed in the flickering candlelight, with Hades' stoic presence smoothing the rough edges of my past, I begin to ponder. What does true loyalty mean when freely given? Devoid of chains of fear and duty, that is.

The food leaves a comforting warmth in my stomach, a sensation that beckons for the cool caress of the evening breeze. Hades and I drift towards the beach where the sand sprawls like an empty painting waiting for its first stroke.

"Care for a stroll?" he asks, his eyes mirroring the untamed spirit of the sea.

“You’re awfully courteous tonight.”

Hades arches a craggy brow. “Is that a no?”

I shake my head, slipping off my sandals to feel the cool sand beneath my feet. The sands soothes me as we walk alongside the shore. Above us, the moon stands guard, casting its silvery light over the water, turning waves into liquid mercury crashing rhythmically against the shore.

As we walk, the sound of the tide resonates deep within me, stirring memories best left undisturbed. My mind wanders through dangerous alleys of my past. Memories of a chaotic dance with peril in New Orleans' humid embrace. My pulse picks up as I recall the constant need for on-the-run survival.

"The sea is so quiet right now. I’ve never seen the wind so calm on the beach before. It’s beautiful.” Hades interrupts my thoughts with his voice cutting through like an anchor in a sea shanty.

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