Page 111 of Bride of Death

“Serapina,” he murmurs as he crouches in front of me.

I startle, his use of my real name causing me to glance up at him.

“I would never harm a creature that’s bonded to my soulmate,” he tells me. “The moment I felt him cross the wards, I accepted him. But even if the wards had rejected him, I still would have re-spelled the barrier to grant him entry because Maliki said you personally requested his presence here.”

Each word is delivered with quiet precision, his patient tone unlike anything I’ve heard from him until now.

It renders me speechless.

Because I don’t know how to interpret this side of Hades.Why is he being so nice to me?

“And as much as I love when an Omega kneels for me, this is neither the time nor the place.” He holds out his hand. “Please stand.”

Every part of me shivers at his request, his silky tone caressing me in a way I don’t quite understand. I lift my palm to his before I even realize what I’m doing, like my body is designed to obey his.

He pulls me up, his strength seeming to bleed into my skin through that simple touch alone. I shudder, my eyes nearly falling closed as a hum of electricity thrums through my veins.

Fae, I’ve never felt anything like this.

I almost weep when the sensation disappears, his hand dropping to his side.

“How would you feel about having dinner here instead?” He gestures toward the dining table—which is a lot bigger than the one from my place in the village. “We can also invite Maliki.”

“I…” I nearly close my eyes in frustration at my hoarse voice.

Morpheus says Omegas are Goddesses. I’ve heard Orcus say that about Alina, too.

So how do I become one?

By not being meek in front of the God of Death might be a good start, I tell myself.

But I’m definitely not off to a great start tonight.

I give myself a mental shake and force myself to meet Hades’s dark gaze. “Eating here is fine. And if Maliki is hungry, then invite him.”

Hades nods.

And disappears.

I blow out a breath and grab the sides of my head. “You’re doing really great, Sera,” I chastise myself. “Super great.”

Spinning back around, I return to my closet to find something more comfortable to wear.

But then I recall Hades’s outfit.A suit.

All black.

Sexy.

Gritting my teeth, I search for my discarded shoes instead and pluck them up off the floor.

Pip watches as I return to the living area, his movements curious as I sit down and start trying to figure out the straps.

Naturally, Hades returns while I’m in the process of trying to put on the ridiculous heels. His gaze runs over me in interest. “The food will be here soon. As will Maliki.”

I nod, pretending to care, and try to tighten the strap on my right foot.

When it looks secure enough, I switch to the left, only to have the shoe taken from my hands as Hades goes down on one knee before me. He sets the heel on the floor and picks up the one I already fastened, then places it on his thigh to inspect it.