Chapter 22 #2
I swallow. “Like a state of nothingness?” I ask, thinking of the dreaded place Demeter seems to have crafted for Omega kind.
He cants his head. “Yes, I suppose. But usually our worlds are tangible, not vacant.”
“So maybe that plane of nonexistence isn’t a true Alpha creation,” I say slowly. “Which I suppose we already know since Persephone’s soul is linked to it somehow. Like an… an anchor, I guess.”
Hades’s dark eyes hold mine. “A mixture of life and resurrection, underscored by the gift of controlling life cycles and fertility.”
I frown at him. “That sounds complicated.”
“Yes,” he agrees, stepping closer to me. “But we’re going to figure it out, Serapina.” He lifts his hands to my face and pulls me in for a soft kiss. “The key, I think, is to let your instincts lead you—like you did with your nest.”
“But I don’t seem to have any instincts for creating life,” I tell him.
“Perhaps none that you’re aware of,” he murmurs, his forehead falling to mine. “But I think those inclinations are being dimmed by whatever Demeter has done to your soul.”
“The mirage,” I whisper.
“Hmm,” he hums, the sound one of agreement. However, he pulls away a little and looks at Alina. “Do you sense anything around your sister? A facade of any kind? Like the one you thwarted whilst Orcus and I were in Pandora’s Box the other day?”
“You thwarted a facade?” I interrupt, alarmed. “What does that even mean?”
Alina glances between us, then chooses to answer me instead of Hades. “I sensed something weird happening to my vision, almost like a veil was being pulled over my eyes. It freaked me out, so I… I more or less pushed it away? But with my mind. And it, uh, cut me off from Orcus…”
I gape at her. “This happened the other day?” I look at Hades. “Why did no one tell me?”
“I intended to when I mentioned that Alina was here with her mates. But our conversation shifted course.”
To his fears about my soul, I think, recalling the discussion and the dinner that followed. We never returned to the topic of my sister because I… I kind of forgot about her being in the maze.
“Everything feels so fuzzy,” I confide in a low voice, irritated by the heavy sensation weighing in my mind. “It’s like I’m struggling to focus.”
“That’s a side effect of being in an Omega heat,” he says, his voice equally soft. “Yet another indication that Morpheus’s mirage theory holds merit.”
“So I might still be in heat… right now?” I wonder aloud.
“Possibly. Or you’re in the after stages, which are still typically fuzzy, as you said.”
“Oh.” It’s such an underwhelming word for how I’m feeling. But I don’t really know what else to say. All of this is just… a lot.
“Did you tell her that Demeter escaped?” my sister asks, causing my eyes to widen once more, the fog sensation lifting instantly.
“What?”
“I’ll translate that as a no,” Alina says, drawing out the “o” of “no.”
“Demeter escaped?” I gawk at her and then at Hades.
But it’s Flame who says, “Or was never actually imprisoned to begin with.” He joins our circle with a sleeping Thea tucked up against his rumbling chest.
Normally, I would admire the adorable view.
However, I’m a bit distracted by his words.
“That’s why Orcus wanted to go back to your home dimension—to check the site where we ensnared her. Morpheus suggested it could have been a mirage,” he goes on. “Orcus doesn’t agree, but he wanted to be certain. So… they, uh, went on a field trip.”
“Field trip,” Hades repeats under his breath.
Flame shrugs. “That’s what Reaper called it.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Hades drawls.
“Can we go back to Demeter, please?” I snap. “She’s not in Pandora’s Box. And I’m just finding this out…?”
Hades only sounds mildly contrite as he replies, “Because you’ve been asleep for the better part of the last four days, Serapina.”
“So you should have told me the moment I woke up!” I sputter. “Or you should have woken me up to tell me.” That last part is said through my clenched teeth.
“Disturbing an Omega’s rest during her heat is unhealthy and can introduce unnecessary risks,” he tells me patiently. “We already don’t know what Demeter has done to you. Interrupting your cycle… I’m sorry, Serapina, but it wasn’t an option. Your safety comes first. Always.”
He presses his finger to my lips before I can even begin to formulate a retort. Not that I actually have one; his words are underlined in an authority that has me instinctively quieting.
Which is probably insane.
And just my “inner Omega” bowing to her Alpha.
But I can’t deny the way his tone and presence make me feel.
“Aside from that,” he continues, “if Demeter has, in fact, never truly been captured, then her escape is a moot point. She has been and continues to be a threat. Thus, our objective remains the same—we need to free your inner Omega. And then, we need to work together to undo whatever Demeter has done.”
Okay, he’s not wrong, but… “One of you should have told me about Demeter,” I mutter against his finger.
“Yes,” he says. “And we fully intended to discuss it during dinner the other night, but…”
“But I fell asleep.” It comes out as a grumble because I’m annoyed by the situation and he’s still touching my mouth. “I don’t even know why I did that.”
“It’s common for an Omega to sleep soundly before and after a heat cycle.” He removes his finger and cups my cheek. “Serapina, we did not intentionally keep this information from you. There just hasn’t been a good moment to discuss it.”
“You could have mentioned it when showing me the flowers,” I tell him. “Or before making snow with me.”
He nods. “Yes, that’s true. I’m sorry I didn’t think to bring it up earlier; I was focused on teaching you how to use my energy. But you’re safe here, Serapina. Demeter can’t pass through my wards.”
“Except she already has,” I argue. “Twice. Or she’s done something in this labyrinth, anyway.
” This time I cover his mouth before he can reply so I can add, “Regardless, you can’t keep me in the dark.
I understand things have been weird these last few days, but I can’t defend myself if I’m unaware of potential dangers. ”
His midnight irises swirl with understanding as he gazes down at me.
“I know you want to guard me, Hades, and I appreciate you for doing so. However, the best way to protect me is to ensure I’m informed and prepared for whatever may or may not be coming.” I slowly remove my hand and press it to his chest. “I want to be strong. And to do that, I need your support.”
He draws his thumb along my cheek and leans in to press his lips to mine. It’s a tender kiss, one that sends tingles down my spine. But I don’t let it distract me from our conversation.
And thankfully, he doesn’t either.
“You’re right,” he murmurs. “I will not keep anything from you, Serapina. You have my word.”
I study his expression, staring deep into his eyes. “I believe you.”
He smiles. “And I believe in you, mate.” He kisses me again, his praise playing through my mind and drugging my senses. However, before I can lose myself in his touch, he pulls back and looks to the left.
Which draws my attention to my blushing sister.
Oh.
I… I forgot she was here. Er, well, I didn’t forget—more… I was caught up in my conversation with Hades.
“Alina,” he says.
“No.” Her response is immediate, the emphatic nature of it startling me.
“What do you mean, no?” I ask, confused by her refusal. I’m not even sure what she’s refusing.
“Sorry, I…” She clears her throat and seems to visibly shake herself. “I’m responding to his question—the one about mirages. And the answer is no, I don’t sense anything around you at all. However, I really wish I did.”
“It’s not your fault, little panther,” Flame says, wrapping an arm around her while holding Thea with the other.
“Maybe not. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating,” she grumbles back to him. “That is what you were going to ask me, right?” The question seems to be for Hades.
“Yes,” he confirms, his palm drifting down my neck to my back as he steps to my side. “So you don’t sense any sort of veil around Serapina, but what about… life? Does she feel human to you?”
Alina’s brow furrows. “I’m not sure how to answer that.”
“Can you sense her soul?” he tries again.
“I…” She looks from him to me, her frown seeming to deepen.
But she doesn’t speak again.
Instead, she moves away from Flame and into my space. Her hand lifts, then she pauses. “Can I…?”
“Are you going to ask if you can touch me?” I inquire, somewhat humored.
I wrap my arms around her in a hug before she can respond, and bury my face in her brown hair.
She instantly returns the embrace, her grip strong around me, like she’s afraid she might lose me.
“We might not be blood, but we’re still sisters,” she says against my ear. “Always.”
“Always,” I agree, relieved that she’s here. Relieved that we’re creating a new balance together. And relieved that… that this is my existence.
It’s a strange realization, one I don’t think I’ve ever experienced.
For far too long, I’ve questioned my fate. Fought to be someone else. Desired to be stronger, more independent, to be Sera.
And I… I think I’m finally her—that woman I’ve aspired to become.
It makes me feel light. Proud. Fulfilled. Like I’ve—
Alina gasps, interrupting my moment, and pulls away to place her hand on my belly. “Oh my monsters…”
My brow crinkles. “What?” I ask, confused by her reaction and the way she’s touching me now.
“Sera…” She looks down and then back up. “You’re… you’re…”
“I’m what?” I demand, not liking this at all. “I’m what, Lina?”
Her eyes are wide, her mouth working without making a sound. Until finally she forces out, “Life.”
“Life?” I look down, see where her hand is resting against my abdomen, then look back up at her. “N-no… No, that… That’s not…”
“Life,” she repeats in a breath. “A baby, Sera. You’re… you’re with child.”