Fleur chooses that moment to fly in, my familiar clearly having followed me back from the Human Realm. She takes one look at me and then Morpheus before choosing the God’s lap to land in.
“Your loyalty is noted,” I mutter as she curls up.
She responds by closing her eyes.
And begins to purr.
Brat, I think at her.
Morpheus combs his fingers through her black fur. “You’re a pretty little one,” he coos at my sphinx. “A fine familiar, too.”
“Stop complimenting my cat and focus on the maze.”
“Maybe if you spent more time complimenting your precious beast, she would choose you over a stranger,” he muses, his purr igniting to life and startling Fleur.
But rather than run away, the little traitor curls up even more, her contentment clear.
I roll my eyes. “She just likes Alphas.”
“Most females do,” he murmurs with a smile. “Wait until you see Serapina react to our knots. It’ll be a beautiful display indeed.”
“If we can even get to her,” I say through my teeth. “Why are you not more concerned right now?”
“Because I know Hades won’t hurt her, and he was right when he said his maze was a safe space.”
“Except you also said it was built to punish Persephone.”
“It was,” he replies, frowning a little. “But Serapina isn’t Persephone.”
“Clearly,” I state dryly. “So she doesn’t deserve any of this.”
“No, what I mean is that Serapina might not see any of it as a punishment.”
“Something I would believe if she weren’t trapped there with Hades right now,” I ground out.
Morpheus shrugs. “Maybe it’s what they both need—some solitude so they can finally talk.”
I stare at him. “You think this is good for them?”
“I think it’s good forHades,” he corrects. “And I’m trusting Serapina to be able to handle herself.”
“So you’re not worried at all,” I press, my ire mounting. “You think she’s just fine in that labyrinth of horrors.”
“Depends on her point of view.” He scratches Fleur behind the ears. “But let’s talk about his claim on you and how that may be of use to us.”
Oh, now he wants to get to the point.
Rather than comment, I just continue to stare at him.
“In theory, you’re already a member of the mate-circle. Which means his wards should grant you entry. But that requires us to find a proper door. I assume it’s somewhere in this palace. And it won’t be in an obvious place.”
“That’s helpful,” I mutter.
He shrugs. “This is Hades we’re discussing, is it not? Nothing is ever what it seems where the God of Death is concerned.” He cants his head. “So where do you propose we begin?”
I blink at him. “You’re asking me where to start?”
“Well, yes. You know him best.”
