Chapter 10 #2
“Basically, she wants to experience mating—and knotting, for that matter—for herself before she disappears,” I tell him. I don’t add the part about how she assumes she’ll disappear when Persephone takes over again. That part is implied.
His gaze searches mine. “Then that’s what we should give her. Together.”
I huff a laugh, one that doesn’t sound all that amused.
Because I’m not fucking amused.
“Wrong answer, God of Dreams,” I inform him.
I expected such a reply from Hades.
But Morpheus? I guess, deep down, I thought he would understand. That he would feel similarly to me.
“How is that the wrong answer?” he demands, facing me full on. “If our Omega wants certain experiences, then we should give her those experiences.”
“So she can take those memories with her to the place of nonexistence?” I press. “That’s good enough for you, yeah? To know that you gave her a few nights of pleasure in exchange for an eternity of fucking loneliness?”
He frowns at me. “What the fuck are you talking about, Maliki?”
“The fact that you just said we should give her what she wants—which are memories to keep her warm when she’s otherwise cold,” I fire back at him.
“Bringing Persephone back means that much to you that you’re willing to subject an innocent woman to a hellish existence so you can have your precious Omega back? ”
Morpheus gapes at me. “That is not what I said at all.”
“You just said—”
“No, Enforcer.” He crowds me against the counter, making me consider grabbing the knife again.
“I suggested we fulfill our Omega’s wishes.
That’s it. I did not, in any way, suggest that we fulfill those wishes as a result of her wanting to experience certain things before her potential disappearance.
Further, I have no interest in losing Serapina. I simply wish to please her.”
I study his face, searching for any hints of a lie or mistrust. But all I find is a sturdy jawline that’s clenched in annoyance.
And a pair of eyes that are radiating fury.
“Persephone was my soul’s mate,” he goes on.
“But I was never given the opportunity to properly know her. And while I did care for her deeply, the feelings I’ve developed for Serapina are far superior to anything I’ve ever felt before.
She’s…” He pauses, swallowing. “She’s everything I’ve ever desired and so much more. ”
His voice is soft at the end, his irritation less evident in his expression and tone.
But he’s not done speaking. “I have no wish for her to be erased by Persephone’s soul, Maliki. I want Serapina to be who she is, and more importantly, I want her to be ours.”
I stare at him, our similar heights allowing us to stand gaze to gaze. Everything he’s saying rivals how I feel. “So how do we ensure we don’t lose her?” I ask him seriously. “How do we protect her from Persephone’s soul?”
“You don’t,” a deep voice says as Hades enters the kitchen, his expression thunderous. “Persephone’s soul and Serapina are one and the same. There’s no protection needed. In fact, the opposite is what needs to happen—the two halves have to fully join.”
“You would say that,” Morpheus mutters, facing the other Alpha. “It would give you what you desire—your Persephone.”
Hades glares at him. “I already have what I desire, Cousin. She resides with Serapina now. And I can’t think of a better way to honor her life.”
“Right.” I don’t grab the knife off the counter. I tell the kitchen to manifest a new one. “You grab him and I’ll stab him.” The words are for Morpheus, something he clearly understands because he mists to Hades’s back, his hands already reaching for the other Alpha.
Hades doesn’t fight him.
Instead, he flashes a look of surprise my way, the emotion quickly morphing into an expression of betrayal and hurt. It’s unlike anything he’s ever displayed in front of me.
Which gives me momentary pause.
“I may not understand how Demeter borrowed my gifts, or what exactly she’s done with them, but I am the God of Death. Resurrection is my power.” His words are quiet yet dominant. Filled with emotion. And underlined with frustration.
Morpheus doesn’t touch him, just stands behind him, his gaze guarded as he watches Hades.
I don’t pick up the knife I created, but I do keep my hand on top of it.
And wait for Hades to continue.
“When a soul is reborn, it doesn’t take over the host. It simply grows and flourishes inside the being and lives a new life.
Manifests new characteristics. New personality traits.
New likes and dislikes. And while fate may ensure that soul finds its way back to a certain mate or lures it down a specific path, that soul does not erase the entity. It’s impossible.”
“Yet Sera has Persephone’s memories,” I say. “So what does that mean?”
“It means what I already said, Maliki. Persephone resides within Serapina now. Her memories. Her heart. Her feelings. Every part of her is memorialized inside our mate in a unique bond that essentially allows Serapina to see her soul’s past life.
But she’s still her own person, which is exactly what resurrection is about—a second chance at life. ”
Silence falls between the three of us, Hades’s words oddly heavy.
“Why didn’t you explain that before?” Morpheus finally asks.
“Because you didn’t ask,” Hades replies. “Instead, you made assumptions, ones I know I deserved. But the only reason I wanted to talk to Demeter was to find out how she’s blocking Serapina from fully embracing her Omega soul.” He turns toward his cousin, saying, “I fear…”
He freezes.
And I suddenly realize why.
I was so caught up in the conversation that I didn’t feel Sera wake up.
Nor did I sense her leave the bedroom.
Or notice her enter the living area.
Where she’s apparently been standing for several minutes.
With a nervous Pip right by her side.