Chapter 20
Sera
Back in the Labyrinth…
A chill stirs across my palm as Hades draws a star pattern along my skin. I shiver, his warmth and nearness a blanket of protectiveness that elicits little quivers deep inside me.
The way I feel for him is… confusing. It’s dreamlike. Mythical. Founded on memories that are not truly mine and fantasies inspired by a past life.
Yet I can’t ignore the way I feel in his arms.
I also can’t deny the chemistry between us.
Being fated isn’t a foreign concept. But I never thought this could happen to me. Even with my sister being entangled in a mate-circle, I just… I just never considered this to be possible.
However, despite the dreamlike quality of the moment, I know it’s real.
Hades’s purr is a soft rumble against my back, the sound seeping deep into my bones and adding to that sense of security thriving within me.
“Do you feel that?” he asks against my ear.
“I feel a lot of things right now,” I admit. “So you’re going to have to be more specific.”
He chuckles, the sound a welcome caress. “The magic, darling.” He strokes my palm again. “This.”
Another tremble tickles my spine, making me shudder against him. “I feel a slight chill?” It comes out like a question because I’m not sure which sensation I should highlight. “My hand is a little cold, but inside… I’m warm.”
Hot, actually. But I… I don’t admit that part.
“Focus on the chill.” He traces another line against my skin. “See if you can replicate it.”
I stare down at where our hands are touching, my brow crinkling. “I have no idea how to do that.”
“You do,” he promises me. “You manifested items for the nest a few hours ago.”
“Using your magic,” I point out.
“Yes, so do it again now.” His voice is so soft that it’s almost a whisper. “My power is your power, Serapina. It exists all around us, and most importantly, it’s yours to wield whenever you so choose. Just like this morning in the bedroom.”
My lips twist to the side. “All I did was say what I wanted out loud.”
“Then try it again now,” he encourages, his hand leaving mine to rest in my lap against my thigh.
That subtle shift in touch has me shivering for a very different reason from before.
Or maybe a similar one.
I… I really don’t know. The way Hades makes me feel is unique and unparalleled by anyone else in my life. Which I guess could also be said about Maliki and Morpheus, too.
All three males are so unique. Yet equally mine.
It’s such an extraordinary claim, one I don’t want to define. One I refuse to give up. One I will not question.
Maliki is my dangerous fae. My guard. My feral lover.
Morpheus is too perfect for words. He listens to me. Talks to me. Acts as a confidant and a teacher.
And Hades… Hades is intensity personified. He’s possessive. He’s intimidating. He’s the other half of my soul.
The three of them together create a powerful experience that’s all mine to enjoy. So all I want to do is lose myself in them and this life.
To kiss Hades right now instead of playing with magic.
To let him feel my need. My acceptance. My heart.
“Serapina,” he murmurs, drawing my gaze to his lips. “You seem distracted.”
“Because I am.” I blink, my mind trying to focus. “All I want to do is kiss you, Hades.”
He smiles. “I’ll let you kiss me anywhere you desire—after you create some snow.”
I frown, the sensation provoked by a petulant feeling brewing deep within me. “That doesn’t sound nearly as fun as kissing you.”
His smile deepens. “You underestimate how intriguing things can become with a little magic, mate.” His hand leaves my thigh to trace up my arm, his term—mate—and his touch stirring a fluttering sensation in my stomach.
I like the possessive quality underscoring the word mate.
But it’s more than that.
His fingertips are electrifying, his power almost palpable as he glides his hand back down to encircle my wrist.
“Make it snow, Serapina,” he says, his lips at my ear again. “Make it snow, and I’ll reward you with my mouth.”
This time my shiver is more of a violent tremor, which I know he feels because his pupils pulsate in response. “I really want it to snow now,” I whisper, staring deep into his eyes. “Please snow.”
Nothing appears on my palm.
But something icy kisses my cheek, causing me to glance upward into the sky above. It’s still sunny, at least in this flowery field. However, tiny white crystals begin to form all around us, the snowflakes glittering in the orange and yellow rays.
My lips part at the sight, the enchantment swirling around us in a dusting of impossible fantasy.
Only, nothing is impossible here.
Because this whole maze is grounded in Hades’s essence.
I can taste it on my tongue, the hum of intensity seeming to slide down my throat like a warm, addictive dessert. A moan escapes me, the power an unexpected aphrodisiac.
“You’re starting to understand the intrigue,” Hades murmurs, his lips ghosting along my now-throbbing pulse. “Our souls are meant to dance, Serapina. This is just the beginning of what we’ll become together.”
“I’m not even sure what I’m doing,” I admit, lifting my hand to catch a snowflake. “All I did was ask for snow. And I’m pretty sure this is your power, not mine.”
“It’s mine, yes. But you’re wielding it the way only an Omega can—specifically, the way only my Omega can.” His lips return to my ear. “And you can feel it, can’t you? The energy roaming all over your body, caressing every inch of you while marking you as mine.”
I swallow, my eyes falling closed as I absorb his deep tenor, revel in his purr, and lose myself to the sensation he just commented on.
Because yes, I feel it all.
His claim.
His energy.
His soul…
It’s everywhere. He is everywhere. And I—
“Sera!”
My lashes flutter, the feminine voice yanking me from the moment. Alina. My eyes spring wide, my gaze searching the field for her presence.
I completely forgot that she and her mate-circle were here. Hades told me… several days ago? I think, recalling what he said about sleeping for three nights.
I was so caught up in this dreamy state that I didn’t truly process what that meant. His commentary focused on my mortality—or lack thereof. Which I heard and understood, but didn’t fully consider.
Just like I failed to remember that he mentioned my sister being in the maze, too.
“Where is she?” Alina demands, her voice seeming to come from my left.
“I’m over here!” I call out to her, then wince when I realize I just yelled in Hades’s face. “Sorry.”
He leans in to brush his lips against mine. “I’m the one who will be apologizing for eternity, not you, darling.” His hands find my hips as he lifts me off his lap.
I frown at him as he stands up with me. “You don’t need to apologize either, Hades. I understand you now. More than you may realize.”
“Understanding my actions helps. But that doesn’t mean my actions are forgivable.” He brushes a kiss against my temple, then looks over my head. “Hello, Alina. Flame.” His lips curl a little, his gaze softening. “Thea.”
My breath catches, the adoration in his features so…
so… new. I’ve never seen him look like this.
Not even in Persephone’s memories. But the doting expression he’s wearing now is…
it’s heartwarming. So unlike the arrogant God I’m used to seeing.
And different from the tender Alpha he’s been these last few days, too.
He’s looking at Thea like she’s the most precious gift in the universe.
My heart warms in response, my insides seeming to melt. He wants a child, I realize, studying his features. He’s wanted one for eternity.
However, Persephone never desired one.
No. That’s not quite right.
The memory springs into my mind, the day she told Hades she couldn’t risk bringing an Omega into this cruel world. Her heart broke inside at the admission, but she meant every word.
Except… except they weren’t her words. They were ones Demeter instilled in her, warning her that creating a life in this troubled universe would be a sin to all of Omega kind.
Persephone never explained that to Hades, never gathered his input, never confided her wants or needs to him. Because Demeter convinced her not to.
And Hades…
Oh, Hades…
“I’ll respect and honor your wishes, Persephone” was his response that day. “Always.” But he uttered the words in a flat tone, his expression giving nothing away.
Because he didn’t confide in her either.
I nearly shake my head now at them both. However, the incident exists in the past. And the past cannot be changed.
Only the future.
I press my palm to Hades’s cheek, which draws his gaze down to me. I don’t say anything, just go up onto my toes and brush a kiss against his cheek. His arm encircles my waist as he holds me to him, his forehead touching mine.
There is something powerful happening between us.
An awakening.
A rekindling.
A reunion between our souls.
It’s enlightening and terrifying. Mostly because nothing about this feels human at all.
Which has me thinking about what he said earlier. “Morpheus hypothesized that you might actually be in heat right now. He thinks your human shell might be a facade of sorts. Like a mirage.”
What if he’s right? What if I’ve never been truly human?
Did Demeter do something to mask my instincts? To hide who I am, even from myself?
A cooing sounds behind me, reminding me that Hades and I are not alone. I pull away, but not too far since Hades doesn’t release me from his embrace. Instead, he guides me into his side and smiles indulgently at Thea again.
“We didn’t mean to ignore you, little angel,” he murmurs to Thea.
My niece—who I suppose is more his niece than mine since they’re actually related by blood—gives him a sweet little grin before nuzzling into Flame’s chest. I can’t hear it, but I assume he’s purring, as he seems to do that often when holding Thea.
“Sera?” Alina asks, her gaze skating over me like she’s trying to ensure that I’m real.
“Yeah?” I reply, frowning. “Are you okay?”
“Am I okay?” She huffs a laugh. “Pretty sure that’s my line for you.”