His blue-green irises swirl with knowledge and understanding. “Apology accepted,” he says softly. Then disappears before I can comment.
My jaw clenches. “I didn’t apologize.”
But there isn’t time to argue the semantics. That’s something Maliki enjoys more than I do. I prefer straightforward commentary and action.
Though, I won’t shy away from the occasional riddle.
Shaking my head, I mist after Morpheus and find him standing in the middle of the maze, staring at the cabin I created for Persephone.
I anticipate his criticism, ready to accept his ridicule regarding the punishing labyrinth I designed. But rather than speak, he stares. And in a beat, I realize why.
He’s not looking at the cabin at all, but at Serapina as she wanders the garden beside the home. Pip is floating along with her, and Maliki is leaning up against one of the pillars. His golden eyes meet mine in a flash, his expression informing me that he has something to tell me.
“What is it?” I ask him, not bothering to waste time on formalities. “Demeter?”
Serapina’s head comes up, her blue eyes widening. Then her lips part upon seeing Morpheus standing beside me, and she drops whatever she was just holding—a stone flower, maybe?—and runs toward the God of Dreams.
My stomach twists when he holds out his arms andcatches her in a hug, the pair of them suddenly whirling just a few feet from where I stand.
It’s alarming.
Frustrating.
Overwhelming.
Because I want to be the Alpha she runs to. The male she seeks shelter and peace from. The mate shetrusts.
However, she looked at me with concern, then looked upon Morpheus with relief.
“How did you know?” Maliki asks, drawing my attention back to him as he walks toward us. He’s wearing a pair of my pants—something I know because they’re dressier than his usual preferences—and nothing else.
“We could sense her in the death pits,” Morpheus says, answering for me.
“She touched my magic,” I add, a subtle growl underlining my words. “We have no idea how. She’s in Pandora’s Box. Did you see her?”
Maliki shakes his head. “No. Sera, for lack of a better term,dreamtof her.”
Morpheus freezes. “Not possible. I would never allow Demeter into my realm, nor would I permit her to reach out to Serapina.”
Our mate is already shaking her head. “It felt like a dream at first, but then it turned… into a void.”
I frown at her. “A void?” I share a glance with Morpheus, and he takes a step backward as I approach her. “Can you describe it?”
She reaches for Morpheus, like she wants him to save her from me.
It’s a reaction that fucking burns.
But I don’t have time to correct it now.
“This is really important,” I tell Serapina, doing my best to gentle my tone. “Tell me what you mean by ‘void’… please.” The final word reluctantly leaves my mouth, the term not one I typically voice. However, it felt necessary.
And the subtle loosening of Serapina’s shoulders confirms that my instinct was correct. “My dream started with Pip,” she whispers.
Then proceeds to tell me how she chased him through the maze, only to realize it wasn’t him.
“You touched the wall?” I ask, seeking clarification before she continues.
“Y-yes. Pip—or the thing pretending to be him—grabbed my wrist and forced me to.”
