Page 86 of Bride of Death

“Because I’ve never been tempted as much as you tempt me,” he says, his forehead touching mine again. “You’re not mine to want, sweet mystery. And I’ve been good. So fucking good. Even with Hades’s goading, I’ve kept my hands to myself. I haven’t touched you. Not until…”

I peek at him through my lashes, noting the pain in his features.

“Now that I’ve touched you, Sera, I don’t think I want to stop,” he tells me. “So hate me if you need to, but I need you to know that this is so much more than an assignment to me. You’re absolutely forbidden to me. The female I’m not allowed to crave.”

I shudder, his words undoing something inside me. “Maliki…”

His lashes flutter, his forehead still pressed against mine. “Fuck, Sera, you have me wondering if tasting you is worth the wrath of a possessive God.” His soft words are a breath against my lips. Then he pushes himself away from me and turns toward my bed, his breathing echoing through the small room.

Or maybe that’s my breathing.

I… I feel like I’ve run a marathon.

Pressing my palm to my chest, I try to still my beating heart. But it’s impossible, because I can see Maliki struggling to control himself.

Except his comment about wondering if it’s worth the wrath of Hades…

It’s not.I’mnot worth that. Not for Maliki.

My soul…

My head falls back, my mind vacillating between guilt and fury. I don’t deserve to be punished.Idid nothing wrong.

But how can that be true when my very essence is riddled with evil.

Hades might have said otherwise, but how can I believe him?

Persephone destroyed a realm.

My gaze falls to the floor.

It might not be my burden to carry, but fate paired us for a reason.

And I’m determined to find out why.

Which means I need to unlock my inner Omega.

“We should go,” I tell Maliki softly. “The only items I want to take with me are my flower and Pip.”

His shoulders visibly tighten. “I’m not sure Hades will let you have Pip in the palace.”

I narrow my gaze. “You know what? Given everything? I’m not sure I care.” Because I’m literally about to give up my life for this Alpha so he can trigger the memories buried deep within my soul.

If I want a ghost friend, I can have a ghost friend.

Besides, maybe Pip will follow me into the afterlife when all this is done.

There’s a morbid thought, I think, laughing to myself.Fae, maybe I have lost my mind.

Well, I blame Persephone.

And Hades.

And fate.

“Let’s go find Pip,” I say to Maliki. “He can decide if he wants to come with me or not.”

Chapter 22