Page 12 of Bride of Death

The three of them begin tussling amongst themselves, which creates a large spinning ball of fluff, one that whirls with violent energy across the stone ground.

Fire erupts in their wake, causing Hades to shake his head as he sends a blast of magic after them to minimize the fiery damage. “Useless,” he mutters.

“You adopted them,” I point out.

“I did,” he sighs. “They’re intimidating when they need to be.”

“If you say so,” I drawl, my focus shifting to the view. That’s why I chose his terrace for our meeting instead of his office or his personal quarters.

I love it up here. It’s quiet. The air is crisp. And the pale moons look close enough to touch, their dull yellow light casting an ominous glow over the valley below.

A valley that houses all of Corpse Fae and Death Fae kind.

This is one of the only places that ever gives me peace.

I admire the deep red falls in the distance, the thick substance roaring with powerful force from the top of the Netherworld Mountains and dropping into the Blood River below.

It’s deadly. Unpredictable. And riddled with violent intentions.

Just like me.

“Where’s my mate?” Hades asks.

“Safely tucked into her village bed,” I reply without looking at him.

After Sera locked up Death’s Den, I followed her back to the one-bedroom hut she calls home, just like I do every night. She never notices, something I can’t really fault her for, as no one notices me in the shadows. That’s where I lurk and kill. Hence my infamous nickname.

Fortunately for Sera, I have no desire to harm her. At least, not in the traditional sense.

Sexually is another matter entirely.

Alas, she’s not mine to touch. A shame, truly, as I would very much enjoy making her scream.

“What part ofbring her to medid you not understand?” Hades asks, a hint of irritation coloring his cultured tone.

“You told me toescorther to you,” I remind him, my gaze still on the village below. From here, I can barely pinpoint Sera’s location. It makes me uneasy, likely because I’ve been guarding her for nearly a year.

Ever since Hades helped free me from the Hell Fae King’s interrogation room.

Turning, I finally look at Hades and arch a brow. “Escortimplies consent. She didn’t consent. Ergo, I followed her home and came back here to provide my report.”

He stares down at me, clearly unamused. “And your report is centered around the semantics of specific words?”

I smile. “No. My report is, Serapina Everheart states she is uninterested in the upcoming mating games—not that she’ll be eligible to participate—and she doesn’t want an escort to her new accommodations. She also seems to be hard of hearing, as she favors the word ‘what.’?”

I pause, considering what else I need to tell him.

“Oh,” I go on, “and you owe me fifty ink coins.”

He simply holds my gaze, saying nothing.

I shrug. “She demanded I pay for my drinks even after I told her the owner says I can drink for free. Rather than argue, I left her a fifty. Hence…” I hold out my palm.

Hades remains silent, but I can see the storm brewing in his eyes.

He’s pissed.

Good.