Page 94 of Bride of Death

Pip hovers by her side looking anxious but alert, his protective glances reminding me a bit of a guard dog.

How did this thing escape my notice?I wonder.

He must have hidden in the in-between whenever I was near.

But he’s corporeal now and obviously watching out for Sera.

An ally,I decide.

Then I remember how he almost burned down her kitchen, all the comments about Pip suddenly making sense.

Okay, so he’s an ally with a penchant for chaos.

Yeah, I can work with that.

I just have to convince Hades to let Sera keep him.

That’ll be a fun task. He’ll probably make me promise him something in return.

Fine.

Pip clearly makes Sera happy. That’s worth more than whatever favor Hades will extract from me.

Once we reach the top landing, she tries to turn left, no doubt heading toward her old room. “Other way,” I say, causing her to pause.

She gives me a puzzled look.

“Your new accommodations are in Hades’s quarters,” I explain.

She swallows. “Oh.”

“If it’s any consolation, my rooms are also in his part of the palace,” I tell her.

Sera’s expression brightens a little, the reaction one that has my chest warming. She likes that I’ll be close by. I can’t admit it aloud, but I like it, too.

Except that also means I’ll be near her when she’s with Hades.

And that… that sends a cold bolt of reality through my veins.

Fuck.

She’s not mine. I know that. I’veknownthat. I don’t even want a mate, either. It’s not all that conducive to my lifestyle or my choice of occupation.

Yet there’s something about Sera that makes me desire something new.

That desire is one I can’t explore. I don’t even want to define it. So I kill the instinct to investigate thesomethingthat my desire leads to and instead focus on giving Sera a proper tour.

“There’s an enchantment down this hall that reroutes uninvited guests to a different part of the palace.” I look at her. “Hades is very particular about who he allows into his private rooms.”

She nods. “I’m familiar with some of the magic in the palace, but only what Alina and her mates have shared with me.”

“The enchantments they probably told you about are likely exclusive to Orcus’s wing. Hades’s quarters are a completely different beast when it comes to protection charms. There are magical adornments everywhere and deadly consequences when it comes to any potential tampering.”

I don’t add that all of this is a result of trust issues. I think she already understands that part, along with the cause for said trust issues.

“Which means Pip may or may not be allowed through,” I add, glancing at the little ghost. “If we get separated, I’ll talk to Hades and fix it, okay?”

The soul looks at me with widened flames in his hollowed eyes.