Page 46 of Bride of Death

“Nothing but loyalty,” he says. “Which I don’t foresee as being a problem.” He pushes up off the couch.

I don’t move out of his way, so we end up chest to chest. Bowing to him is a natural response for most fae. But not for me. “Do you want me to thank you?”

“No.”

“Good. Because I wouldn’t have needed whatever antidote you just gave me if you would handle your own mate.”

He nods. “A fair assessment.”

I arch a brow. “Oh? Does that mean you’re finally going to talk to her?”

“That does seem to be the advice of everyone in my life. You, Orcus, Morpheus.” He grimaces. “Do you have any idea what he did to her?”

I assume he’s referring to Morpheus and Sera, as Orcus hasn’t been anywhere near here since helping Sera move into her hut. “I’m not sure what they discussed, but from what I could tell, all they did was meet in the courtyard.”

Hades hums. “You know, he didn’t say much to me during his visit tonight. A strange thing for Morpheus, as he loves to chat. But he told me three things.”

I stare at him, waiting for him to elaborate.

“First, he informed me that he introduced himself to my bride. Then he stated that he’s done waiting for me to grow a knot. And before I could even begin to react to that insult, he told me not to kill you because you’re perfect for our mate-circle.”

His dark eyes burn into mine, his dominance an aura that threatens to force me into submission.

I didn’t miss the hint of fury that entered his tone and expression as he uttered the third item. I’m familiar with mate-circles. Many fae have them, including Hades’s brother Orcus.

It’s not uncommon for a male mate-circle to form around a single female. There are just more men than women in our world.

But Hades is too possessive to form a mate-circle. He’s been devoted to Persephone and only Persephone for over two thousand years.

Oh, he’ll watch me play, his voyeuristic tendencies enough to satisfy his needs. But he never touches. Nor does he ever engage. Which is fine with me. I tend to prefer women. And I happen to enjoy putting on performances for others, too. It works for us.

However, I sense the possessiveness pouring off him in waves. He doesn’t like the suggestion of me being in his mate-circle.

Or perhaps it’s the use of the wordourfrom Morpheus, indicating that not only does one already exist, but that Morpheus is involved as well.

“Is there something you want to ask me, Hades?”

“No. My coin told me all I need to know,” he answers cryptically.

My eyes narrow a bit. “So that was a loyalty test?”

“More like a reward for loyalty,” he murmurs while fixing his suit jacket. We’re standing so close that his knuckles brush my chest.

Normally, I would step backward. But I’m not yielding to him.

Not today, anyway.

“It’s an ancient relic, one that I should have given you a long time ago,” he adds, still as cryptic as ever. Then he promptly changes the topic by saying, “When you see Morpheus again, remind him that Persephone is mine.”

“I don’t think he cares about your claim.”

“Tell him anyway.”

I shrug. “Fine.”

He stares down at me, gaze intense. “Is there anything you want to say to me, Maliki?” he asks after a long beat of silence.

“Would it matter if I did?” I counter. “I’ve mentioned my thoughts on Serapina several times, yet you’ve made it clear that my opinion doesn’t matter. She’s your mate. You’ll handle the situation however you see fit.”