Chapter 2 #2
“Think of it like a mating call,” Morpheus goes on before I can comment, his gaze locking on me. “Serapina’s inner Omega basically told my kind that not only is she about to go into heat, but she’s also unclaimed. Hence the Alpha suitors descending upon the Netherworld Kingdom right now.”
My nostrils flare at the implications of what he’s saying. Hades cautioned me about Alpha powers and potential complications. But he made it sound like a one-off scenario and primarily focused on Morpheus.
Why didn’t he mention this as a possible outcome?
“Once they realize she’s gone, they’ll begin the real hunt.” Morpheus’s gaze goes to Sera. “Which, sadly, means no more orgasms for you, little dreamer. Your pleasure will call them right to you. And we can’t risk that. Not while you’re unmated.”
Her lips part again, but no words come out. However, her eyes tell me she more than understood what Morpheus just said.
“I can fix this problem, if you like,” he offers in a purr-like murmur, his blue-green eyes practically glittering as he stares at her. “But we can discuss that more after you take a shower.” He regards me with a quick look. “Do you want to help her with that, or shall I?”
Sera gapes between us, her mouth finally closing into a firm line. “I know how to take a shower.”
Morpheus arches a brow at her. “Oh?”
Her eyes narrow. “I may be a little… overwhelmed at the moment, but I’m more than capable of washing myself.”
He cocks his head. “You’re sure?” He glances at my arms and then back up at her. “Because you don’t seem all that adept at standing right now. And you could barely walk on the beach.”
She scowls, which has my lips twitching at the sides.
Because I suddenly realize what Morpheus is doing—he’s goading her. Mere minutes ago, outside, he told Hades to give Sera grace for not knowing how to traverse the sand.
Now he’s using the whole incident as a way to tease her, perhaps to distract her from the situation he just revealed.
She’s being hunted because her orgasm served as a beacon to the Mythos Fae Realm.
I’m not clear on whether or not they can track her here, but I’ll wait to ask Morpheus that question.
Sera’s comfort comes first. And part of that comfort is buoyed in strength. Which means she needs to feel more confident in her surroundings and in her ability to take care of herself.
From what I’ve observed of Sera, being able to handle situations on her own is important to her.
Fortunately, I can help with that.
However, before I can even try, Morpheus asks, “Do you even know how the shower works?”
His words confirm what I already determined—he’s toying with her. Morpheus claimed outside that he’s been here before, and even if he hasn’t been in this specific room, he can no doubt sense the manifestation magic littering these walls.
Because he, too, possesses a talent similar to Hades’s. All Alphas do. What varies between them are the worlds they command.
However, Morpheus absolutely knows that the shower operates in the same fashion as the kitchen appliances—they are all magically enchanted to provide whatever the user wants. So for the shower, all Sera needs to do is stand under the showerhead, and it’ll heat or cool to her unvoiced preferences.
“I know how to turn on water,” Sera snaps. “I’m not helpless, Morpheus.”
“Says the woman still clinging to Maliki like a security blanket,” the God of Dreams drawls.
Her nails dig into my shoulders like claws.
“All right, trouble,” I interject before she can bite Morpheus’s head off. While I would enjoy watching that unfold, I don’t think now is the right time. “How about you go take a shower while Morpheus and I conjure up some food, yeah?”
She has to be hungry, as she never ate dinner with Hades. Instead, we skipped straight to dessert, whereby I ate her.
And I want a chance to ask Morpheus some questions.
Questions I would ask Hades if I knew where he went.
Though, right now, I’m not sure he would give me the answers I need. Such as why everyone else seemed to know to meet here… except me.
Clearing my throat, I shove my annoyance aside and focus on setting Sera down.
“Seems to be standing just fine to me,” I tell Morpheus, my hands on Sera’s hips as I wait for her to find her balance. It takes her a moment—something I know the God of Dreams notices since his eyes are roaming over her torso—but he thankfully doesn’t comment on it.
Instead, he says, “Let us know if you can’t figure out the shower.”
“I’ll figure it out,” she returns, determination emboldening her tone.
Amused, I dip my head down and press a kiss to her neck, then draw my lips up to her ear. “Then let me know if you want company instead,” I whisper. “I’ll happily join you in the shower anytime, trouble.”
She gasps, and I give her hips a squeeze, then release her and turn toward Morpheus.
“Let’s go make a mess in the kitchen,” I tell him.
It’ll piss off Hades.
Just like my insinuative comments to Sera will as well.
Because I meant every word.
She’s mine to play with now. His fault, not mine. And I might just decide to keep her.
For good.