“So if this is about Sera,” he goes on, ignoring me, “then we need to talk about Morpheus, too. Because you’ve alienated an ally, which is unacceptable, especially when Sera needs more protection, not less protection.”
“We can protect Serapina just fine,” I mutter.
“Just fine isn’t enough,” he counters. “Serawants Morpheus. Therefore, weneedMorpheus.”
This, right here, is why Maliki is part of my mate-circle. He’s the only one brave enough to say blasphemous things to my face.
Blasphemous things like suggesting I include Morpheus in our circle.
“I know you feel possessive over her, Hades, but I don’t think you have a choice here,” he adds, a little more solemnly now.
“Did Morpheus put you up to this?” I wonder aloud.
“No. The asshole disappeared after spouting some cryptic Styx about Sera being the key to undoing millennia of wrongness and saving the Mythos Fae Realm.” He shrugs. “I’ve been waiting for him to return.”
“While destroying my property?” I ask.
He smiles. “I was pissed and bored. What can I say?”
“Hmm,” I hum. I would suggest an apology, but I know he won’t give me one. Just like I haven’t really provided one either.
We’re beyond that.
We’re united for Serapina.
And now… now I need to think about what he said.As well as what Serapina wants.
“So you agree… to be in the mate-circle?”
“I think you’re asking if I agree toremainin the mate-circle,” Maliki rephrases. “Since I’ve already been claimed by Your Royal Highness.”
My eyes roll upward. “As I said, I can undo it.”
“You won’t, though,” Maliki replies. “Because you want me to fuck Sera.”
“I want you to care for her,” I say through my teeth.
“By fucking her,” he presses.
“Are you trying to make me punch you in the face?”
“No, just trying to make you acknowledge what’s going to happen if I accept our mate-circle. She’s going to be mine, too. To touch. Kiss.Claim.” He stares me down. “And I may not let you watch. Some things will be private between us.”
“I suspect some things already are,” I tell him.
“You suspect right.”
Part of me wants to ask what he means by that. But the more intelligent part of me doesn’t press.
Because he’s right.
Sharingdoesn’t mean being part of every moment together. It means trusting one another to love and cherish our mate. And I need to let Maliki do it his way, not my way.
So I nod. “I understand, Maliki. And I respect… your choices.”
He continues to look at me. “If I end up in your death world after I fuck her, I am not going to be pleased.”
“Meaning you’ll just destroy my rooms again?” I ask.
