“For your heat,” she murmurs, then looks at Orcus. “Nest, please.”
He gives her an indulgent smile and gathers her into his arms without question, the pair of them cradling their child between their chests. “Anything for you, little one.”
They disappear without another word, and I’m suddenly reminded of why I chose to move out all those weeks ago. I wanted to give Alina privacy with her mates and their child. And I hated feeling like I was a distraction from what should matter most.
When Orcus starts to materialize again on the beach, I say, “I know. And tell her it’s fine.” This isn’t the first time my sister has vanished without saying goodbye. So I’m used to him returning to voice my sister’s apology. She doesn’t mean to leave abruptly. She’s just… otherwise engaged. “I understand, Orcus.”
He finishes appearing and gives me a nod. But doesn’t leave like he usually does. Instead, he looks at Morpheus.
“Hades won’t like this.”
“There are a lot of things Hades isn’t going to like,” Morpheus replies. “And those things are not your concern.”
Orcus considers him for a moment. “Well. If he asks, I tried.”
“I’ll be sure he knows,” Morpheus drawls.
Orcus starts to mist again but then returns to his corporeal state. “Are you okay being alone with Morpheus?” he asks me, like he just realized my opinion matters.
“If I weren’t, I would have already said something,” I tell him.
He winces. “Sorry, Sera. This…” He trails off and clears his throat. “This is new territory for all of us. Your sister loves you deeply, and I love her. Which means I love you, too, like you were my own sister. But Hades is also my brother.”
“You don’t need to explain yourself, Orcus. Just like Alina doesn’t need to apologize every time she prioritizes Thea and all of you. I understand. And as I said, it’s okay. So go back to my sister. You know how hungry she gets while feeding Thea.”
His eyes round a little like I’ve just reminded him of a very important task.
Which I guess I have because Alina loves food.
“Thank you,” he says, vanishing again.
I shake my head and chuckle a little. However, it’s a humorless sound.
My sister has found happiness, and I’m pleased for her. Truly. Though, I can’t help but feel a little jealous, too.
“She makes it look so easy,” I whisper.
“Being a mom?” Morpheus asks, reminding me that he’s still here.
“No. Just… everything. Finding her mates. Life.Joy.” I sigh. “Also being a mom, yes. But I more so mean being an Omega. She’s fully embraced it. And I’m still not convinced I even am one.”
He pushes off his lounger to join me beneath the umbrella and steals Alina’s chair. Though, I suppose it’s technicallyhischair since he created it.
Rather than lean back, he leaves his feet in the sand and balances his forearms on his thighs. “Are you unconvinced because you still feel human?”
“Iamhuman,” I reply.
He smiles. “Yes, for now. But you’ll become a Goddess soon.”
“When I go into heat.”
“Exactly.”
“And what will that mean for me, again?” I ask, aware that I’ve yet to receive much of a response to this. “I’ll lose my mind with lust and… what? Beg for more kisses from Maliki?”
Morpheus’s lips curl into a grin that makes me regret what I just said.
“Never mind,” I insert quickly.
