“Being a mate-circle means collaborating,” I tell him. “And collaboration requires forgiveness. If you want to please our mate, you’ll need to learn how to work as a team.”
He narrows his gaze, and I have no doubt he’s about to tell me that he doesn’t need a lecture on how to please “his” mate.
But he surprises me by shaking off my hold and grabbing my wrist. “Fine” is all he says, his misting ability wrapping around me as he takes me with him to the Netherworld Kingdom.
I glance around the Soul Yards, my eyebrow inching upward. Hades escorted us to the dead center, right next to one of the geyser-like holes.
He releases me to glance over the edge, then jerks back just as a swarm of deadly energy blasts into the sky. “I hate entering this way,” he mutters, shuddering as a chill swirls through the air in the wake of the explosion.
Then his black wings burst from his back and flare wide, his beast instantly present as he transitions into Alpha mode. He looks at me with equally dark eyes.
“You wanted tocollaborate.” With those ominous words,he shrugs and jumps into the hole that the souls just shot up out of.
“Fuck.” I call upon my inner Alpha, my wings appearing in an instant with a flourish of wind. “This had better not be a trick, Hades.”
He doesn’t reply.
So I sigh.
And follow my cousin into the hole.
Chapter 28
Maliki
Sera sitsacross from me at the table, her expression thoughtful as she tries the cinnamon roll I just conjured up in Hades’s enchanted kitchen.
Or I guess it’sourenchanted kitchen now.
I’m not quite sure how all this mate-circle Styx is supposed to work, but we’ll figure it out.
“Thank you,” Sera says after taking a sip of the hot chocolate I magicked up for her. It has a hint of cinnamon in it because that’s the way I prefer to make it at home. As I created a sample for myself, I know the enchantment crafted the drink correctly, and I’m pleased Sera likes it.
“You’re welcome, trouble,” I tell her.
She’s wearing a tank top and black pants, the clothes ones she found when we went to explore the closet. Theoutfit simply appeared for her, just like everything else in this place.
Meanwhile, I stole a pair of Hades’s pants.
Or perhaps those, too, weremanifested.
“This place is like living in a dream,” I muse aloud. “Even the decorations are appropriate.” I glance at the skulls and bones etched into the walls. “At least, it suits my tastes.” Not so sure about Sera’s, though.
Her lips curl a little. “I know Hades built this maze to punish Persephone, but I actually find it kind of beautiful.”
My eyebrow lifts. “Did you tell him that?”
“Yes.”
I grin. “And how did he take it?”
“He seemed surprised.” Her nose crinkles. “Maybe a little confused, too.”
“Good. He deserves a little confusion after existing in a constant state of arrogance for eons. Maybe he’ll learn something useful.” In truth, I believe he already has, but I don’t add that out loud. Time will show us what Hades has truly learned.
Regardless, I hope he returns soon, as I want to discuss Sera’s vision because I don’t believe for a second that what happened to her was a dream. Morpheus would never allow his intended Omega to experience a nightmare, especially not one where she felt like she didn’t exist.
My teeth grind together at the notion of Sera being lost in a spiritual state. I know she’s wondering if that’s what has happened to Persephone, but I refuse to believe that. They’re the same person, or being, or whatever. Sera is a reincarnation of Persephone’s spirit.
