And Hades mists inside.
Athena releases a loud squawk, clearly disapproving of his antics. “She’sours,” he tells me flatly.
I huff a laugh. “How many times have I said that?”
“Too many,” he returns. “And I’m still struggling to accept it. But I’m here, Morpheus. I’m trying to make this right.”
“For you or for Serapina?” I wonder aloud.
“Do you think I want to share her with you?”
“I know you don’t,” I reply.
“Then clearly this is for her,” he says, his hands slipping into the pockets of his slacks. “She… she worried that it was wrong to play with Maliki after dreaming of you. And that sadness, that misunderstanding of her needs…” He looks away. “I’m aware that I’ve failed as her Alpha, Morpheus. I’m here to correct a wrong.”
My eyebrow arches upward. But I don’t speak. I’ve said more than enough over the millennia. It’s his turn now.
Hades’s jaw clenches. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you?”
“Likely about as easy as you’ve made this for me,” I admit.
He studies me for a long moment. “What about Serapina?”
It’s a quiet question, one I understand instantly. He’s asking if I’ll forgive him for our Omega.
Or perhapsforgiveis too strong a word.
He’s asking if I’ll reconsider my stance… for Serapina.
“I would suffer another eternity of loneliness if it pleased her,” I say, miffed that he even had to ask. “Forgiving you—or whatever you want to call this—would be a simple concession. If that’sherdesire.”
“I think her desire is for me to let you into the labyrinth.” His response is soft, like he’s having a hard time accepting her wishes but is willing to set aside his discomfort if it means pleasing her.
Which is how an Alpha should respond.
And exactly how I’ll react, if that’s what my mate needs. “Did she ask for me?”
“She asked if I could manifest you and Maliki in the maze,” Hades tells me with a wince. “Then she asked if I would hold that request against her.”
“Are you truly surprised?” I wonder aloud. “You’ve made your possessive claim crystal clear, Hades.”
His jaw ticks. “I would never begrudge her for anything.”
“But she doesn’t know that.”
“Clearly,” he deadpans. “She’s completely misunderstood me.”
“Can—”
He holds up his hand, cutting me off. “Her misunderstanding me is my fault. As I said, I’ve failed her as an Alpha. But you haven’t. She seems to trust you. Andwhile it pains me to say this, she’s going to need you during her heat.”
I stare at him. “If she asks me to knot her, I will.”
He stares right back at me. “I know.”
“I’ll claim her, too.”
“I know,” he repeats.
