Chapter 12 #2
“What would Persephone want?” Maliki asks, his question causing me to frown a little. “Would she want you to love this reincarnated version? Or to forever reside in the past?”
I nearly flinch, the answer hitting me almost instantly. “She would want me to choose happiness.” Because that’s who Persephone was—a beacon of sunshine. “She was the light in my darkness, burning so brightly that I often felt blind.”
“And Sera?” he asks. “Does she resemble light, too?”
“No,” I reply, my lips curling a little. “Serapina is like a flame, her fire blazing so hot that she would probably melt this entire maze, if I let her.” I can feel her energy all around me, even now.
Which is insanity, given that she’s still very human.
Maybe it’s wishful thinking.
Or perhaps it’s all just a too-vivid metaphor.
Regardless, I see Maliki’s point. “Persephone would be heartbroken if I rejected her reincarnation. She believed love to be pure and ever evolving. She once compared it to a flower, saying no two blooms were the same, which was why she found life to be so fascinating.”
Uttering the comment aloud brings back a memory of lounging in a field, talking about life cycles.
“She always loved the rebirth aspect of her gardens, preferring to nurture her perennials more than any other type of plant.” I shake my head. “I don’t even know why I’m still talking.”
“Because you’re processing,” Maliki murmurs. “But your comment on rebirth is interesting. It sounds as though your gift for resurrection might have had more overlap with Persephone’s gift for life than you originally considered.”
My brow creases as I consider his words. “Perhaps you’re right.” I never really thought about it, but there are some similarities.
Similarities that allowed her mother to borrow my ability and use it as her own.
To create a new plane of existence.
Where she nurtures and grows new Omegas.
Like flowers.
“I’m going to need to see how much Serapina can pull from Persephone’s memories,” I tell Maliki. “See if there’s an obvious link that I’ve missed.” Maybe I won’t need Demeter’s answers after all.
My hand falls from my neck, and I roll my shoulders.
“Not yet,” Maliki says before I can mist back to the cabin. “She’s… learning about knots.”
I frown.
Then remember that we left her with Morpheus.
“Weren’t you supposed to feed her?” I say, unable to mask my annoyance. “She’s still human.”
Maliki chuckles. “I’m aware. And yeah, I gave her a special smoothie. So she’ll be good for a bit. But I do need to finish what I imagine will be a late version of dinner at this point.”
My eyebrows come together. “A special smoothie?”
His gold eyes glitter with intensity. “It has protein in it. And some vitamins.”
I stare at him. “What am I missing, Maliki?” Because I can sense from his tone that he’s not telling me something.
“Remember that time you told me about Omegas losing their appetite during their heats? How Alphas have to get creative to ensure they eat?” His lips curl. “Let’s just say I was paying attention during that chat.”
My eyebrows lift. “You seasoned this smoothie with cum?”
“Not directly. I simply told your magic kitchen that I wanted a protein shake with vitamins that tasted even better than sex, with a fruity twist.” He shrugs. “She swallowed it pretty eagerly. So I can only imagine what your manifestation magic did, but it worked.”
Words escape me.
And all I can do is join in his amusement.
“I imagine the enchantment spelled the drink with all of our essences.” Shaking my head again, I add, “Please ensure you explain this to Serapina while I’m present.
I’ll have popcorn.” That last comment comes out as a gibe, one that has Maliki laughing in response.
“It’s a date, my lord.”
I roll my eyes. “I hate it when you call me that.”
“I know.” He grins again. “Better get used to it, though. I hear mate-circles are for eternity. Oh!” He pushes off the wall. “That reminds me. I need your hand.”
“My hand?” I echo, glancing down at the two I own in confusion. “Why?”
“I need to return a favor,” he says.
“What favor?” I ask, not following him at all.
“Just give me your hand, Hades,” he demands as he stops right in front of me. “Unless you’re not intrigued, in which case…”
His words nag at a memory, one I don’t waste time chasing.
Because this feels like a dare of sorts.
And I’m not afraid of Maliki or his antics.
“If you stab me, I will be most displeased,” I say as I lift my right hand toward him.
“Don’t worry. I left the knife in the kitchen,” he replies, grabbing my wrist. “Besides, I don’t need a blade to make you bleed.”
My eyes widen. “Wh—”
He leans down and sinks his teeth into my palm, right by my thumb.
“Fuck,” I snarl, not enjoying that sensation at all.
When I yank my abused hand away, he allows it but makes a show of licking his lips and swallowing. “You marked me with that damn coin. So now I’ve returned the favor, just like I said, mate.”
I gape at him. “I should kill you.”
He shrugs. “Maybe. But then you’ll have to resurrect me.”
“Or leave you to rot,” I mutter.
“Sera wouldn’t be pleased,” he drawls. “And speaking of our mate, we should get back. I have a dinner to finish, and I need you to set the table.”
My eyes somehow widen even more. “You need me to set the table?” I repeat, incredulous.
“Yeah, I do. Besides, it’s time you start taking on certain mate-circle tasks, and this one feels appropriate. So let’s go.”
I’m too busy trying to process his words to realize he’s reached for me.
When the world shifts, I don’t fight it, instead growling as the cabin interior comes into view.
A curse coupled with Maliki’s name sits on my tongue as the scent of Serapina’s arousal strangles me, making it impossible to speak.
Her scream follows.
As does a groan from Morpheus.
“Don’t,” Maliki says when I take a step toward the hallway. “We’re going to sit down, have a mate-circle dinner, and discuss Demeter. If Serapina wants dessert, we’ll give it to her. But until then, all she’s enjoying now is an appetizer. Understood?”
I find myself once again gaping at my best friend. “When did you become an Alpha?”
“When an Omega bit my cock,” he returns. “Now set the table, Hades. When you’re done, you can help me with the garlic bread.”