“Nothing relevant, I mean,” I mutter. “I still feel like me, too. But they said I set off a beacon that signifies I’m about to go into heat. Did you do that?”
“Not that I know of,” she says slowly. “But Orcus said it could be because I wasn’t in the right dimension at the time. Or maybe because he had already started the process of claiming me. We’re not really sure.”
I swallow and nod. “And did you feel any different?” I ask.
“Uh, well, not until my heat actually hit. Up until then, all I felt was, er,interested, I guess.”
“Interested?” I echo.
“You know… in Reaper, Orcus, and Flame.” She blushes. “Sorry, that’s… that’s not appropriate.”
I huff a breath. “In our former world, yeah. But you should hear some of the things the fae talk about at Death’s Den.” I learned a lot about what’sappropriatein the fae world during my short time as a bartender. It oftenmade me uncomfortable. But I’m thankful for the exposure. I think… I think in some way it helped prepare me for being on my own.
Except, I suppose, it was a waste of time.
Because I’ll never beon my ownas an Omega.
“But you really didn’t feel any different otherwise?” I press, hung up on that aspect. Because part of me is hoping thatnot feeling differentmay mean Morpheus and Hades are wrong about my impending heat.
However, a little shake of my sister’s head says it’s a lost hope.
“Okay, then can you tell me what I should expect?” I ask. “Without sharing too much, I mean. I just… I want to know how to prepare. Or, I guess… What does going into heat actually mean?”
I understand the concept, but not what it’ll do to me.
I’m about to clarify what I mean when Alina says, “It’s both terrifying and amazing. You’re going to basically lose your mind with… withlust. And your mates will see you through it.”
My lips curl down. “Except I don’t have any mates.”
“Maybe not yet,” she hedges. “But it seems like Maliki is interested.” She peeks over at Morpheus—who still has his eyes closed—and whispers, “And maybe him, too.”
I lean toward her. “So you approve of Morpheus more than Hades?” I ask, incredulous.
She frowns. “I never said I didn’t approve of Hades. I just… I don’t approve of him trying to force you into a marriage or mating.”
Well, she’s not wrong to feel that way. I didn’t exactly approve either.
Sighing, I collapse into my chair and pick up one of the drinks on the table between us. It’s pink and has astraw. I take a sip and find it’s actually pretty good. Like a frosty strawberry drink.
Alina chooses one that’s pale in color and has a pineapple wedged on top of it. The way her eyes round tells me she approves of the flavor, so we both swap without a word to try each other’s drinks.
“What are these?” Alina asks, taking the question right out of my head.
“A strawberry daiquiri and a piña colada,” Morpheus says, his voice holding a sleepy quality to it. “They’re virgins, though, as I wasn’t sure how Serapina would react to human alcohol.”
I shiver as he saysvirginsbecause I’m definitely that. But I soon realize he meant thedrinks. Which… okay. I don’t understand that term being applied to a fruit smoothie, but maybe it’s a faeism I haven’t heard yet. I’ve only ever worked at Death’s Den, and we certainly didn’t serve fruit there.
“They’re really good,” Alina tells him. “Thank you.”
His lips lift upward with a ghost of a smile. “Just let me know if you would like more.” His grin disappears, and he pretends to sleep once more.
I study his profile, noting the way the sun plays off his defined features, and trail the rays down his muscular form. He’s been very forthcoming with me, answering every question I ask, all while exuding a patience I respect and admire.
Very different from Hades. Even Maliki.
Yet all three of them make me feel safe in their own ways.
“Do you have any advice for my heat?” I ask Alina, my gaze still on Morpheus. “Anything I should prepare for?” I frown and look at her. “Is it going to hurt?”
