Page 114 of Bride of Death

He vanishes before either of us can comment, his crisp scent the only remaining indicator that he was just here.

Maliki takes his spot, his lips curling. “Feeling overwhelmed, trouble?”

I swallow and nod. “A little.”

He reaches for my hair and tucks it behind my ear, then traces my jaw with his fingertips. “Don’t worry. I’m still your protector. No one can touch you, not even Hades.”

“Isn’t he the one who hired you?” I ask, incredulous. “Can’t he just relieve you of the task if you try to stop him from hurting me?”

“Hades didn’t hire me,” he reminds me. “And he would never hurt you, Sera,” he says seriously. “I know you may feel otherwise, given the situation, but in time, you’ll understand my certainty.”

His expression is so earnest I can tell he really believes that.

I wish I could, too. I wish I could be like Pip and trust easily. Have faith. Enjoy hope.

Alas, pessimism is my friend.

So I simply reply, “We’ll see.”

Maliki palms my cheek, then glides his fingers back into my hair and pulls me into an unexpected hug.

“I told you I don’t want your pity,” I mutter into his suit jacket as his free arm wraps around my waist to hold me against him.

“I don’t pity you, Sera,” he murmurs against my ear. “I just don’t have the ability to comfort you with a purr, so I’m using my warmth instead.”

My lips curl at both his words and the way he holds me. “I like your hugs,” I admit.

“Good. Because I like hugging you,” he whispers.

My eyes close as I revel in his strength. It’s different from Morpheus’s purr and Hades’s touch. They all provide contentment in unique ways. But Maliki’s warmth is the one I trust most.

Rather than overthink the reasons for that trust or how his actions may have been inspired by me being an assignment, I simply let him soothe me.

Just like when I fell asleep in his arms.

Fae, was that only last night?

My sense of time is severely skewed. I feel like I’ve lived through a dozen lifetimes over the last few years.

Maliki buries his face in my hair. “This dress is fucking killing me, Sera.”

I frown. “It is? How?”

His palm goes to my nape, giving it a squeeze, as his opposite hand explores my bare back. “It makes me want to touch something that isn’t mine to touch, trouble.”

My lips part as understanding crosses my mind. “Oh.” I have no idea how to respond to that because I… I don’t want him to stop. Which is probably wrong. I’m engaged to his… his boss? His friend? I don’t really understand his relationship with Hades.

Fae, I don’t really understandmyrelationship with Hades.

“All I want to do is explore every inch of your exposed skin.” He traces my spine down to where the fabric hugs my waist. “Which I know will lead to me wanting to reveal more of you.”

I shiver at his admission, at the fantasy it creates in my mind.

Hades told Maliki to guide me to the table. To help me find a chair. And suddenly, all I want is to go to the bedroom instead.

I don’t need food. I ate a few hours ago when Maliki sent a snack to my room.

In fact, I don’t think I’m hungry at all.