Page 34 of Bride of Death (Netherworld Fae #1)

I nod. “I understand, little dreamer. Many Alphas did not agree with this mentality. But, unfortunately, there were enough who did. It caused a lot of strife between our kind, as well as a few battles. Omegas were taken from their mates, forced to breed, and…” I trail off, not wanting to go into too much more detail.

All she needs to understand is that it was a tumultuous time.

“Something to remember—and I apologize if this is repetitive information, but it’s important—Alphas can only procreate with Omegas and vice versa. Also, Alphas and Omegas only ever produce Alpha and Omega children.”

I study her features to make sure she’s following me before going on.

“So Betas are essentially a different species of Mythos Fae that are compatible sexually with other Omegas and Alphas, but they can’t accept a knot. So they can’t produce offspring,” I tell her.

This is important.

Because it leads into what I want to tell her about Demeter.

But I can tell by Sera’s expression that I’ve lost her somewhere, and I suspect I know exactly what’s confused her. “What’s a, um, knot?”

It takes everything inside me not to grin at that beautiful question. “It’s how an Alpha ties to an Omega… during sex.”

Her eyes widen.

“Don’t let it alarm you,” I murmur. “Omegas love being knotted. I’ve been told it’s immensely pleasurable, particularly as it extends climaxes for minutes. Or, if you have a really good Alpha, it can go on for hours.”

Pip floats by and does another cartwheel-like motion, but Serapina is too busy gaping at me to see him.

I have to cover my chuckle with a cough, as I don’t want to make her more uncomfortable. But her reaction is truly adorable.

Her cheeks are a bright red, her lips slightly parted.

My purr strengthens, mostly because I’m enjoying her reaction and I want to reward her. But it functions as a way to keep her calm, too.

“Right, well, as I was saying, it’s important to understand how Alphas and Omegas mate because then you’ll also infer that all Omegas have one Alpha parent and one Omega parent. Same with Alphas, actually. But the Omegas are the important part here.”

“Okay,” she whispers, her cheeks still red as she not so subtly glances down at my lap and then right back up at my face.

Wondering what a knot looks like, little dreamer? I long to ask her.

But I don’t want to tease her.

Not yet, anyway.

So instead, I go on to explain why I’m ensuring she knows this important distinction.

Because some Alphas were not happy about the fates of their Omega children.

And Demeter was one of the loudest voices of that dissent.

When I explain this to Sera, she loses some of the color in her face. “Did she think Persephone was taken against her will?” she asks me.

“Yes,” I reply. “She wasn’t, though. Persephone loved Hades. That much I witnessed myself. But Demeter didn’t trust the affection between them. She didn’t trust any Alpha around an Omega. I think it’s safe to say she went a little mad.”

It’s an understatement.

Demeter was absolutely insane.

Which was what made her so dangerous.

“I’m telling you all of this so you can understand that there are multiple facets to every story, and while Hades may believe that Persephone betrayed him, I don’t. I think Demeter forced her hand. I can’t prove it. But I would like to try.”

Serapina studies me. “By accessing her memories.”

I shrug. “Perhaps. Another option is to make Demeter talk. But regardless of the method, I need you to believe that your soul isn’t evil. Because even if Persephone helped her mother, I don’t think her intention was ever to harm the Omegas. I think she wanted to save them.”

“From the Alphas who were enslaving them,” she says.

I dip my chin. “Yes. And maybe something went wrong. Or perhaps Demeter tricked her into that fate. Irrespective of that, I know without a doubt that Persephone’s soul isn’t evil. And on top of that, I know that you are not evil. Nor do you deserve to pay for the sins of another person’s choices.”

She swallows, her gaze glittering with unshed tears. “Then why has fate forced us together?”

“Because fate knew you could handle whatever is coming,” I reply without missing a beat. “You’re strong, Serapina. You’re brave, too. And you have compassion.” These are all traits I’ve identified throughout the months of observing her but have positively confirmed just in the few times we’ve met.

Serapina is an amazing female.

And she’s going to be an incredible Omega.

Leaning in, I brush a kiss against her forehead. “I think that’s enough for today,” I whisper. “Besides, I hear you have a date with Hades later.”

She shudders as I pull back. “Yeah. He left me a dress.”

“Is it sexy?” I ask.

Her brow furrows. “Excuse me?”

“Is it a sexy dress?” I repeat.

“I… I guess.”

I smile. “Good.” I lean toward her again and tap her on the nose. “Make him beg, Omega. Because the God of Death deserves to fucking crawl.”

With that, I stand and leave her gawking up at me as I walk back to the bag I left on the patio floor.

“Pip?” I call again.

The little soul zips right over and stands at attention.

“Can you please put this next to her plant?”

He gives me a mock salute and takes the handles gingerly in his hand—which he covers with the cloth like I showed him—and disappears into Serapina’s new quarters.

Casting my intended one final look, I say, “If you ever want to talk to me, just dream of me. I’ll be there for you in a breath, sweetheart. Always.”