Chapter 11
Morpheus
I stand with Maliki on the beach, watching as Serapina wanders off toward the water with Alina.
Flame is with them, his stance and expression guarded as he stares down the waves.
“Do you think he intends to pounce on the water if it touches his mate?” I ask conversationally, aware that Flame can shift into a black jaguar form.
Maliki grunts beside me. “Likely.”
“Hmm,” I hum, imagining the scene in my head. “It would be rather amusing.”
Maliki doesn’t reply, but I’m sure he’s picturing the same scenario as me because his lips curl up on one side into a smirk.
“This is why we’ll make a good mate-circle,” I muse out loud. “We’re similar, you and I.”
The enforcer grunts again. “Similar implies we have a lot in common, such as our likes and dislikes.” He looks at me. “Aside from a mutual interest in Sera, I don’t think we share a lot of hobbies or desires.”
I consider that for a moment. “All right, then I would rephrase my assessment to state that we complement one another nicely. We both provide Sera with different qualities that allow for a more well-rounded experience.”
He faces me. “Are you trying to convince me of our compatibility so I’ll stand with you against Hades?”
“No. I don’t need your help with my cousin. I’m merely pointing out that we have a strong foundation for our mate-circle.” Which is important to me because our strength as a unit will ensure Serapina’s protection.
But I don’t add that last part out loud.
Instead, I meet his gaze and say, “I want what’s best for Serapina. And I think that’s you.”
His gold irises flare, reminding me of the sun glittering off the ocean. It’s only midmorning here, but it’s summer, making the warmth intense despite the earlier hour.
Maliki seems to be radiating a similar heat.
“I won’t betray Hades,” he informs me.
“I’m not asking you to,” I return. “I’m saying that Serapina’s pleasure and happiness matter. Which makes you important to me. Because you please her.”
He’s about to respond when Reaper appears in a pair of track pants and nothing else. His silver-blue eyes instantly focus on Maliki as he coyly asks, “Want to play?”
The enforcer evaluates Reaper’s attire and lack of shoes. “Last time we sparred, you tried to take out my heart.”
Reaper gives him a dreamy smile. “That was a good idea, wasn’t it?”
Maliki snorts. “You also drove a blade into my fucking thigh.”
“Only because you sliced up my cheek.” He points to his face. “Facial hits are a limit. I don’t wish to upset my pet by ruining my finer features, even if it’s temporary.”
“You can’t just decide on a limit in the middle of a sparring match,” Maliki tells him. “You stated that there were no rules, so I responded in kind.”
Reaper twists his lips, considering this. “All right. If we define the limits before we play, will you come dance with me?”
“You’re not trying to fight Maliki again, are you, Reaper?” Alina calls from the water’s edge.
Her question seems to startle Serapina, as she instantly turns around to stare at our little trio by the cliff. “They fight?” she asks. Though, I don’t actually hear her voice, just see the movement of her lips. It’s more of a whisper, I suppose.
“Yeah,” Alina replies, her tone just as soft. “And it’s usually bloody.”
“I didn’t ask him to fight. I asked him to play,” Reaper says as he turns to saunter toward his mate. “Fighting implies violent intent. I merely want to make him bleed, pet. There’s a difference.”
Maliki grunts, clearly disagreeing. But I can tell by the intrigued glint in his golden orbs that he’s going to accept the offer.
“Have some tension to work off, do you?” I drawl.
He glances at me. “Sera is a very active sleeper. Her favorite thing to do is slide her thigh between mine.” He gives me a meaningful look as he adds, “So yes. I have a bit of tension to work off.”
I smile. “I would offer to help you with that, but I suspect that’s not your thing.”
His eyes roam over me. “I’m currently craving something a little more feminine in nature. But I wouldn’t mind stabbing you, if you’re offering.”
I arch a brow. “Depends what you want to stab me with.”
“Something sharp and laced with slug venom?” he suggests.
“That’ll never happen,” I return flatly. He fooled me once with that little trick. I won’t be catching any of his daggers going forward. I’ll simply mist.
He shrugs. “Then sparring with Reaper will have to do.”
“If they’re going to try to kill each other, then you’re on guard duty,” Flame says. “Because I’m going to go watch.”
I look at him, curious as to whom he’s talking to.
And realize he’s staring right at me.
“You trust me to protect your mate?” I ask, surprised.
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t trust you?” he counters, his dark brow arching and disappearing beneath his messily styled hair.
I consider his question seriously. “Serapina is the reason my heart beats,” I inform him. “She’s my primary priority, the one I’m willing to do anything for. That said, Alina is important to her, which makes her an equal priority in my eyes. So I believe that suggests you can trust me implicitly.”
He nods. “Then you’re on guard duty,” he reiterates. “Once Thea wakes up, I imagine Orcus will join you.”
I slide my hands into the pockets of my slacks and wander forward. I changed from my comfortable interior clothes into a white button-down shirt with khaki-colored dress pants for our beach walk.
A human might think I’m overdressed or perhaps warm with the heat of the sun, but I barely feel the sun. Likely because I’ve created a light breeze around myself, one that teases the longer strands of my hair.
Serapina eyes me as I move, her focus going to my exposed forearms and then up to my neck where I’ve left two buttons undone.
The way she swallows tells me she appreciates the view.
I feel similarly about her tight black pants and blue tank top. Her blonde hair is pulled up in a messy bun, one I want to undo just so I can comb my fingers through her silky strands.
But it’s her bare feet that I adore the most.
She refused to put on shoes, saying it would be easier to walk in the sand without footwear. I agreed with her assessment and left my feet bare, too.
It was my way of showing solidarity and proving that I accept her choices.
Maybe she doesn’t see it that way. And that’s fine. I’ll continue to prove myself in every way I can, even with small gestures.
Like not wearing shoes, even though I almost always do when outside, including on a beach.
“I haven’t actually agreed to spar yet,” Maliki points out as I join the group by the waterfront. “Reaper needs to outline the rules first.”
“No trying to kill each other,” Alina inserts.
Reaper gives her an affronted look. “What? Why? Killing is part of the fun.” He cocks his head. “You know how I feel about fun, pet. Would you really force me to make that a rule?”
She gapes at him. “Maliki is an ally.”
“And what better way to test an ally’s strength than to put him through his paces?” Reaper returns.
Alina just continues to stare at him.
“Don’t worry,” Maliki murmurs. “He can’t kill me.”
“I can,” Reaper replies. “And I will.”
Maliki chuckles. “Careful, Reaper, or I’ll start to think you’re trying to flirt with me. And I found out earlier today that Sera has a jealous side, so…”
Serapina’s gaze narrows. “I do not.”
“Okay, trouble,” he agrees, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze.
She tries to squirm away from him, but he kisses the top of her head, and she almost instantly melts into his side.
Then seems to recall what he said and gives him a shove. “You can flirt with whoever you want,” she tells him. “I’m not jealous.”
His lips twitch. “The only one I want to flirt with is you, sweet mystery.”
Her cheeks take on an adorable pink shade. “Go fight Reaper.”
“Trying to get me killed?” he asks, arching a brow. “Or is this your way of punishing me for my comments about Fleur earlier?”
Serapina releases a little growl that has me instantly hard for her.
Dreams, I want more of that, please and thank you, I think.
Maliki pulls her in for a kiss, one that tells me he’s feeling a similar way about that rumbling sound. When he slides his tongue into her mouth, I feel a pang in my heart. One that I suppose rivals Serapina’s earlier feelings about Fleur.
Only mine is underscored in longing.
Because I want to be able to do that—to grab her and kiss her and make her mine with my mouth.
But I need her consent first.
I need to be her choice.
By the time Maliki releases her, she’s drowsy with lust and seemingly unaware of her audience until she meets my gaze. Her blue eyes widen, causing my lips to curl.
Maliki wraps his palm around her throat and whispers something in her ear that has her cheeks pinkening even more. I could have tried to listen, but I opted to give them their moment.
When his hand slides down her arm, she reaches out to him for support, and he brushes his lips against her cheek. “Will you mourn me if I die?” he asks softly, giving her a playful look.
She tries to respond but has to clear her throat to find her voice. “Don’t kill each other,” she finally manages to get out.
Alina nods.
And Reaper sighs dramatically. “It’s like they don’t want us to have any fun.”
“I’m not worried,” Maliki tells him. “I’m sure we’ll get creative.”
Reaper considers that for a moment. “So you’re saying a boundary could serve as a challenge. Perhaps as a way to redefine said boundary?”
“You are a Death Fae,” Maliki points out, his words seeming to hold a meaning that only Reaper is following. Because to everyone else, it feels like a deviation from the topic at hand. “And I’m a mutt.”
“An abomination,” Reaper corrects.
“Sure.” Maliki shrugs. “But I have a sword.”
“A very useful sword.”
“Yes, except it doesn’t cheat death.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Reaper taps his chin. “Right, well, creativity can be intriguing. So I’m game.”
Maliki nods. “Then we have our limits set.”
Reaper holds out his hand. “Indeed we do.”
The two shake on it, though I’m not quite sure what limits they’ve actually defined other than to speak some gibberish about creativity, a sword, and defining their heritage.
“Seriously, no killing,” Alina says.
“Oh, pet,” Reaper drawls, then kisses her. “Maliki and I promise to behave.”
Flame snorts.
And Reaper elbows him.
Then he waggles his brows at Maliki. “Ready?”
The enforcer lifts a shoulder and vanishes, leaving Reaper grinning like a lunatic in his wake before he follows suit.
Alina grabs Flame before he can shadow off as well. “If they hurt each other, I’m holding you accountable.”
Flame gapes at her. “That is not fair at all, little panther. No one can control Reaper.”
“Then you’re going to try,” she says as she goes up on her toes to reach his mouth with hers. “And when you succeed…” The words are a whisper against his mouth before she drags her lips to his ear, presumably to finish the statement.
Flame’s violet eyes gleam with whatever she promises him. “Well, that seems fair,” he murmurs before wrapping her up in a hug and giving her a kiss that has Alina squealing to be put down. He nips at her bottom lip. “Don’t go in the water.”
She rolls her eyes. “I already promised not to do that.”
“Promise again.”
“I promise not to go swimming alone,” she says, causing him to nod, then frown.
“Wait, no. Say you promise you won’t go swimming without one of your mates.”
She growls.
He growls back.
And she clasps his face between her palms. “You’d better go check on Reaper before he tries to kill my sister’s…” She trails off, like she just remembered said sister is standing right beside her. “Oh! Just go, Flame. I promise not to swim without you.”
He grins. “Good girl,” he praises her, then vanishes.
Her cheeks remind me a bit of Serapina’s from moments ago. These two might not be related by blood, but they certainly blush similarly.
“Sorry,” Alina whispers. “I don’t know what you want me to call Maliki. But he certainly kissed you like… like a mate.” She turns toward her sister and grabs her shoulders. “You didn’t tell me you two were… I mean, I don’t want to assume, I just…”
Serapina’s cheeks are a bright red again, making my lips twitch right as she glances sideways at me.
Lifting my hands, I say, “I’ll be just over there if either of you needs me.” I point to a space in the sand—one I quickly manipulate into forming a lounge chair, a table, and a fruity drink. “Let me know if you need anything.”
I take two steps before Serapina says, “Can I have one of those?”
I don’t need to look at her to know she’s talking about the little cocktail I whipped up. Hiding my grin, I form another set of lounge chairs about twenty feet away, plus a table with an array of drink options, and create twin umbrellas to help the Omegas hide from the sun.
“Wow,” Alina breathes.
Looking back at her, I arch a brow. “Doesn’t Orcus do this for you?” He’s a fellow God, so I know he’s more than capable of manifesting similar items.
“Yes, but I still haven’t gotten used to it.”
“Fair,” I murmur before collapsing into my lounge chair and stretching out to bathe in the sun. “Let me know if you need anything else. Otherwise, I’ll be napping over here.”
It’s a lie.
I’ll be very much awake and listening for any signs of danger. But I’ll do my best to give Serapina some alone time with Alina.
I’m sure she has questions.
And as much as I would love to respond to each and every one of those inquiries, there are just some things only another Omega can answer…