“I can speak for myself, Morpheus,” a deep voice says, causing my gaze to shift to the doorway where Hades is standing.
His gaze runs over Maliki’s shirtless state before coming to rest on my breasts for just a beat before rising to my face.
“What my cousin says is true—I would never avoid you, Serapina,” he tells me. “You’re my mate. But I won’t pressure you into being around me, either.”
I sit up and look at him.Reallylook at him.
He’s wearing one of his dark suits, the fabric pristine.But there are shadows beneath his eyes that suggest he’s not rested in days. His hair is messy like he’s run his fingers through it several times, perhaps even tugged on it. And his jaw is dusted with overgrown stubble, not unlike Maliki’s chin at the moment.
However, where Maliki just looks relaxed, Hades appears to be disheveled in a way that tugs at my heart.
I’m not sure when I started caring about the God of Death’s comfort, but I’m not shying away from the instinct. Things between us are confusing. Strained, even. Yet I feel a pull to him that’s undeniable, especially now.
He’s done everything I’ve asked.
And he’s apologized in his own way.
While I may not agree with some of his choices, I understand them.
Though, I wonder how he’s feeling about me, knowing that I’m… I’m not his version of Persephone.
“Do you want me to stay?” Hades asks, his dark eyes holding mine. “Or would you like to be alone with Morpheus and Maliki?”
I stare at him, uncertain of how to answer that.
Do I want him to stay? Yes. Yes, I think I do. But not if it’s going to make him uncomfortable.
Which means I have to… tochoosebetween disappointing him by asking him to remain or disappointing Morpheus and Maliki by requesting time alone with Hades.
And I… I don’t want to make that choice.
It’s not fair to any of them. I?—
“Sera was just requesting a lesson,” Maliki says, interrupting my inner turmoil. “Seems she’s quite curious to learn more about knots. Do you want to provide the demonstration, or do you prefer to watch?”
I hold my breath, afraid that Hades is going to deny both options. Or worse, lookpainedby the decision.
Yet all I see in his gaze is heat as he says, “I’ll watch.”
My heart stops in my chest. Not because I’m scared or because I’m overwhelmed by the concept of Hades observing my “lesson,” but because I can’t believe he made the choice so quickly. Does that mean he actually wants to watch? Or?—
“But I also want toinstruct,” Hades adds, his focus shifting to Morpheus.
And I’m not breathing again, too.
I glance at Morpheus, noting the way his gaze narrows slightly, the two Alphas seeming to have a silent conversation with their eyes alone.
After a beat, Morpheus nods.
Then he looks at me. “Are you okay with this, Serapina? Hades telling you what to do to me?”
I swallow. “I, er, yes.” The stammering irritates me. I’ve never really been with a man before, let alone three, but I don’t want to be a meek participant, either.
I want to be strong.
Worthyof their attention.
“Teach me.” The two words leave me with more confidence, and I direct them at Hades. It’s my way of accepting him as theinstructorwhile also letting Maliki and Morpheus know that I’m serious about learning. “Tell me what to do.”
