Page 64 of Bride of Death

I smile. “Yes. Does that impress you?”

“Not really,” she says, causing my smile to grow wider.

“Maliki has been teaching you how to lie. That’s cute,” I murmur, looking back at the assassin. He’s standing now, still shirtless, with his arms folded over his chest. His tattoos begin to writhe, exciting my inner Alpha. He’s just spoiling for a fight. I may provide him with one before our tour is through. “Catch,” I tell him, tossing him the sweater.

He obeys.

“Good boy,” I add.

He rolls his eyes. “I hope Hades kills you for this.”

“He’ll likely try,” I admit with a shrug. “Should be fun.” I look at Serapina and watch as she zips up her footwear. “You’re stunning, little dreamer,” I murmur when she straightens, thus revealing her long legs in those tight black pants and calf-hugging boots. “Thank you for putting on your shoes.”

Her cheeks pinken a little, confirming my suspicions that she enjoys praise. She probably doesn’t understand why, but it’s only natural for an Omega to react favorably to compliments from an Alpha.

Just as it’s my innate need to ensure she feels adored.

“So I suppose we can start with a tour of my palace, as it represents some of what the Mythos Fae used to be,” I say, then pause to look at Maliki. “Sorry, I should have asked—have you ever visited this realm?”

“Only Pandora’s Box,” he replies, referring to our infamous prison.

“Well, that sounds like a story I would like to hear later,” I admit.

“It’s not mine to share,” he answers cryptically.

“Ah, then I’ll need to ask Hades.” Which I won’t, as it’ll just be a waste of my time. “I assume he’s provided ample history to you on Mythos Fae, so I’ll be directing most of this lesson toward Serapina.”

Maliki simply waves a hand in response as if to say,Well, go on, then.

Returning my attention to her, I add, “I’m not sure how much your sister has taught you, so I apologize if I repeat some information.”

She just dips her chin once in acceptance, her eyes betraying her interest. She may not have appreciated our field trip, but she’s intrigued.

And that pleases me.

I want to fascinate her. Tell her everything. Make her comfortable. Please her.Claimher.

Which I’m sure will feel very intense to her if I share that up front, but her soul sings to mine. Her scent is a beacon for my knot, making it pulse even from several feet away.

I just want to chase her, prove that I’m worthy, and bury myself inside her.

But that’s… too fast.

She needs to know me. To see me as a worthy mate.

Thus, I’ll do whatever she desires to become hers.

And I don’t just mean Persephone; I mean Serapina.

That’s what Hades fails to understand—Serapina is the entity in charge now. Persephone’s essence may be a part of her, but she’s still her own person. Which means she needs to be wooed and worshipped, too.

“To understand Mythos Fae,” I begin, “you need to know the history of our creation.”

It’s a long story, one I relay as I lead Maliki and Serapina out of my suite and down a long corridor.

I start by explaining where all fae come from—the collapse of the Virtuous Fae Source. “Basically, a significant betrayal led to the explosion of power, and pieces from that detonation created all the various faedoms we know of today. Except for Mythos Fae.”

Serapina’s brow furrowed. “So you’re saying all fae species are related?”