She stares up at me with big blue eyes, so different from the dark ones I used to look into, and blinks long blonde lashes when I cup her cheek.
“We’re going to protect you,” I promise her. “Maliki and I, I mean. Maybe my cousin, too. Regardless, I need you to know you’re safe. Those Alphas can’t touch you here.”
Her nose scrunches. “You mean your brother, right? Orcus?”
“Well, him, too. But no. I was referring to Morpheus. He’s my cousin.”
The way her eyes widen tells me she didn’t know that detail.
Which only makes me feel worse.
Because there is so much she doesn’t know. I made far too many assumptions where Serapina is concerned.
“We’re going to need to start over,” I tell her, sighing. “If that’s even possible.” I run my thumb along her cheekbone, my gaze holding hers. “Hi. My name is Hades. And I’m your intended mate.”
Chapter 6
Sera
I gaze up at Hades,utterly at a loss for how to respond.
Starting over doesn’t feel possible, just like he said.
“If I’m your mate, then why did my ‘inner Omega’ send out a signal saying otherwise?” I ask him, focusing on that part of our conversation instead of his reintroduction.
Though, truly, it was the first time he’s ever actually introduced himself to me.
Other than the first night we met when he gave me his name—after I asked for it. And I thought that was a dream, not reality, for thirteen months.
His jaw clenches a little, the only indication that he’s not thrilled by my question. “Your soul is mated to mine,” he says. “But you,Serapina, the physical entity, are unmarked.”
I frown at that. “Okay, then mark me. I’m supposed to be yours, right?” Wouldn’t that solve everything? No more hunt?
His dark eyes narrow. “When I mark you, Omega, it won’t be under some misguided obligation on your part,” he replies, his accent thickening as his voice deepens. “I’ll claim you because you want me to, not because you need me to.”
My brow furrows. “So this requires my consent? But declaring our intended marriage didn’t?” I can’t help the sarcastic lilt underscoring my words. Because this doesn’t really make any sense. “What’s the difference?”
“I thought my Omega was playing a game with me, so I arranged a reenactment of our first mating ceremony. And in my mind, I wasn’t actually forcing you to do anything at all. I was playing with my mate. As I’ve said, I now realize my mistake.”
Patience radiates from his tone, despite him basically repeating what he’s already said. Even his touch is gentle.
Like the Hades in my dreams.
I blink and shake my head, needing to clear it again. It’s not just his purr that makes me dizzy; it’shim. His presence. His scent.His abs.
It’s then that I realize my palms are on his torso.
No idea when I placed them there. Maybe when he cupped my cheek? Perhaps a second ago?
I… I don’t know.
But this too perfect of a male specimen is making me feel insane.
Is this part of my heat? This irresistible urge to caress him and be near him?
He said touching me would help me.
Not sure this ishelpful.
