Chapter 9
Morpheus
Netherworld Kingdom
“And that, my darling, is how you push an Alpha’s buttons,” Reaper announces as he rounds the corner with Thea in his arms. “It’s not always advised, but your Uncle Hades is an asshole who—”
“Reaper,” Alina chastises.
He frowns at her. “What?”
“Language?” she suggests.
He cocks his head. “Ah, right. Sorry.” He looks down at the little wide-eyed Omega in his arms. “It’s not always advised, but your Uncle Hades is an Alphahole who de—”
“Seriously?” This time the interruption is from Orcus.
“Do you have a better description?” Reaper asks him. “I assume bastard and fucking ignoramus are—”
“I’ll just take Thea back now,” Flame interjects, reaching for the tiny brunette.
Reaper’s brow furrows, but he doesn’t fight Flame as he plucks the sweet beauty from his arms. “You all do realize that she’s going to be exposed to various aspects of language, yes?” the Death Fae demands. “Better she learns it from me than from someone else.”
He disappears before anyone can reply, leaving Alina to sigh loudly in his wake.
“I’ll talk to him,” Orcus says.
“No need,” Reaper announces, returning with a cupcake that he hands to Alina.
Her cheeks turn a pretty pink that matches the frosting. “Thank you.”
He winks, then looks at me. “I assume you know where we’re going?”
“To the Underworld Labyrinth,” I reply, my lips twitching. “You’re going to love it there.”
Excitement dances across his features. “Am I?”
“Indeed,” I murmur.
He wraps his arm around Alina and pulls her forward, his gaze on me. “Excellent. Lead the way, God of Dreams.”
“We haven’t packed yet, Reaper,” Alina reminds him.
“Why would we pack?” he inquires. “We have an Alpha in our circle who can just manifest whatever shit we need.”
Alina scowls at him.
His white eyebrows wing upward, reaching his equally white hairline. “Is the cupcake not to your liking, pet? Shall I fetch another?”
“What?” she asks.
“Your face,” he goes on. “You’re… you’re glaring at me.”
“Because… because…” She tilts her head back and sighs. “Never mind.”
“You cursed again,” Flame says softly from behind him. “In front of Thea.”
“Oh.” Reaper’s nose crinkles. “Sorry, pet. I will try harder to… alter my vocabulary.”
“And use better terms than Alphahole,” Orcus mutters.
“That, I don’t promise to do,” Reaper returns. “I actually quite like the term. Perhaps I’ll make it your new nickname.”
“Try it,” Orcus dares him.
Flame releases a purr from his chest, the sound seeming to be for Thea. She nuzzles into him with a happy little coo, one that has Alina smiling in response.
“Show-off,” Reaper mutters.
And I… I just shake my head. “As entertaining as you all are, I would like to get back to Serapina sooner rather than later. Which means catching up to Hades in his little tunnel of wards.” I’m not sure what else to call it. But the terminology feels appropriate.
“You and Orcus go,” Alina murmurs. “I need to feed Thea first. Then we’ll join you in Hades’s version of the underworld.”
“We don’t have to go,” Flame tells her. “We can choose a more neutral location.”
Alina presses her palm to his chest, then lowers it to rest on Thea. “I appreciate the notion, Flame. But I need to see Sera. And while I don’t like Hades very much right now, I do trust him to keep us safe.” She glances at Orcus. “Right?”
“Right,” the Alpha agrees. “He may be an ignorant prick on occasion, but he’s a master at creating protective wards.”
“So ignorant prick is allowed?” Reaper asks. When all three of his mates look at him, he shrugs. “All right, fine. Noted. Ignorant and prick are now in my vocabulary.”
“Shall we go, Orcus?” I press, meaning what I said a bit ago about wanting to return to my mate.
She’s still secure with Maliki—a fact that thrums through my veins like wildfire as my Omega’s pleasure washes through me for the umpteenth time—which allows me to feel both at ease and agitated at the same time.
I want to join them.
Watch as he takes her to oblivion on repeat.
Bare witness to their mating.
Because I can feel his connection to her now, the live wire a current I long to stroke. He needs a token of kinship from me, similar to that gold coin Hades bestowed upon him.
I’m just not sure Maliki will accept it.
We’re still dancing around this whole situationship.
Learning to trust. Manifesting faith in each other’s intentions. Mastering the art of friendship and matehood.
Very unlike the connections Orcus has established with Reaper and Flame. They’re as bonded as blood brothers.
And Alina is the center of their world.
As is Thea.
I want that with Serapina more than anything. I think Maliki does, too.
Hades…
Well, Hades is the linchpin in our little circle of chaos. If he hurts our mate and shatters the tenuous links we’ve formed, then we’re all fucked.
“Let’s go,” Orcus says, walking toward me.
“I hope you’re in the mood for storytelling,” I say as I hold out my hand. “Because I want every detail of that fated day.”
He nods. “Then I’ll start from the beginning…”