Page 40 of Summer’s Seduction (Sinful Seasons #2)
MORPHEUS
D espite knowing Larkspur could care for herself, I hated leaving her side. The scent of her sweet arousal clung to my fingers, and I was already dying for another taste.
Fuck , did my little monster know how to drive me crazy.
I glanced over, finding Hebe leading her through another dance with a beaming smile on her face. The edge of my lips lifted at seeing her comfortable among the castle that I’d grown up in.
For a moment, I pictured what our life could look like together, here in The Underworld. I wouldn’t want to live in The Slumber Palace, but maybe somewhere up north, where snow would coat the trees, and mist would cling to the mountains. It would be quiet and peaceful, and I’d throw balls just to watch my little monster light up with joy.
I would hold her in my arms as we flew through crisp skies and delve between her legs on a bed of moss in the warm summer months. And maybe, if the fates saw fit to weave our life threads together, I’d watch as her belly grew round with our child, marveling at her strength and beauty all over again.
“She does seem to be something different,” Egerius said, drawing me back to the present. He reclined casually against the dark green lounge with two women on either side. They shared playful touches and light words, finishing the picture of ease Egerius was going for, but there was a stiffness to the edge of his smile. “I must admit, I wasn’t expecting you to bring a guest. You once swore to me and any who would listen that you’d never love.”
“Is that so,” the woman who’d foolishly thought to sit on the edge of my chair asked. Her voice was breathy and desperate despite me being uninterested.
I ignored her as I laughed, keeping my focus on Egerius. I understood monogamy wasn’t a common practice among Egerius’s court, but Larkspur and I hadn’t had a chance to discuss it. And while I wasn’t sure where she stood on the topic, I would kill any who tried to touch her.
“I’m sure I swore a great many things. Time makes fools of us all, does it not?”
I thought I saw a flash of sadness—or was that regret?—swell in the depths of his eyes. But then he blinked, and it was gone.
“That it does, my boy.” With a long sigh, he sat up, shooing the women away. “Tell Bianca we’re ready for dinner.”
The three nodded before weaving through the crowd toward the doors at the other end of the room.
“Bianca?” I asked, recalling the name of his wife’s lady-in-waiting. “Where’s Melpomene? I’d hoped to introduce Larkspur to her.”
Melpomene hadn’t exactly been a parent figure to me, not like Egerius, but she was one of the only beings who understood my sorrow and didn’t blame me for it. Everyone else believed the lies I wove of being my father’s enforcer or the indulgent prince. Even Egerius had sometimes fallen for the facade, but Melpomene had always seen the sad, broken boy I’d been.
Maybe only those who have been broken can recognize the cracks in the masks we wear, but I wanted her to see me— me — and know that I hadn’t just painted over the fissures but patched them. I wanted her to meet Larkspur and know I’d made it out of the swirling hopelessness I’d been drowning in.
“Melpomene will be along shortly,” Egerius answered, his smile faltering as he stared across the expanse of the ballroom. “Why do you wish for the key now, Morpheus? Would it not be better to leave your father to his war and remain out of the fighting?”
The fine hairs on the back of my neck rose. I hadn’t expected there to be any pushback from Egerius. As he’d said, I never came home with an entourage. He knew what I was after the moment I stepped foot within these walls, and he still deflected. As much as I’d insisted on our safety, perhaps I’d needed to proceed more cautiously.
“The key simply allows entrance to The Glass Palace,” I said, being careful to keep a neutral tone. With a mischievous smirk, I shrugged. “Why would you think it has anything to do with war?”
Because my father has decided that taking on not only Hades but also irritating The Olympians was a good idea? Because spirits in this realm and the Realm of The Living are being affected?
But I only grinned, keeping my thoughts to myself as I glanced toward the dance floor once more. Only Larkspur and the huntresses weren’t where they had been. Artemis, Hebe, and Cyrene were clustered around a servant, rejecting the offered wine and demanding an alternative… but where were the others? Where was my little monster?
Egerius stood, snagging two glasses of white wine as a servant passed and offered one to me. I took it as I joined him, but I didn’t drink. He lifted a brow, noticing the still-full glass.
“That’s different, too,” he remarked, taking a long drink as his dark eyes studied me. I didn’t like the calculation swirling in his gaze. I’d seen that look far too many times when he’d been studying a battlefield.
“I’m not thirsty,” I shrugged, finally spotting the edge of Larkspur’s dress peeking out beneath Lucius’s outstretched wings.
My nostrils flared as my wings snapped out, irritation radiating from every part of me. How dare he corner her, force her to endure even one moment of his obnoxious smile and unwanted attention. I knew he was flirting, testing her loyalty just as he had done to every woman I’d shown interest in over the years. Only those women had been a fleeting moment. A passing amusement that was sure to fizzle out. But Larkspur, my little monster— my fucking queen —was off limits.
Egerius’s deep laugh snapped my attention back to him, the sound far too cynical for my liking. “My, my, she does have you wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?”
My lips pressed thin. I had no desire to answer. Nothing about tonight had gone to plan. The key should have been safely draped around my neck by now, and Larkspur should be at my side enjoying the evening. This situation with Lucius was only possible because Egerius had been delaying things. But why?
“Ah, this should help,” Egerius said, clapping a hand on my shoulder as if he were a concerned father and I, nothing more than a toddler throwing a tantrum. “Even as a boy, you always felt much better after eating.”
The double doors to the ballroom were thrown open, the wood groaning as those nearest stepped back. Feeders in red cloaks stepped through, only this time, every one of them wore nothing beneath. Egerius had always preferred prominent drinking areas to be easily accessible, but this was taking it to an entirely new level—one which I knew was sure to make Artemis and the huntresses uncomfortable.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Egerius.” Forcing my wings to ease, I snapped them back in tight before continuing. “I hope it was not for my benefit, as I’ll only be drinking from one tonight.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Egerius blustered with a grin that didn’t meet his eyes.
I followed his gaze to where a pair of women were sauntering toward us—well, one of them did. The other was having trouble with even the smallest steps—Larisa. She was easy to recognize with her fair skin and red hair only a few shades lighter than the cloak. She’d been a favorite of mine months ago when I was last here, having joined the entourage of feeders only after losing the love of her life. I was one of the only people to realize this was her form of grieving, and though we shared some sweet moments, both of us knew it was nothing more than finding a temporary solace.
And yet, here she was. I could smell the body oil from here, sharp and overdone. Her red curls pinned back to reveal a long neck and protruding collar bones, among other things. Refusing to look lower, I focused only on her eyes as she neared, realizing how withdrawn she appeared. Larisa swayed and then stumbled, the foul scent on her breath drawing me up short as I made to catch her.
“Drink,’ Egerius said, lifting his head from the neck of the woman he was drinking from. She was grinding against him, her fingers gripping his black tunic to draw him back. Blood ran down her chest from the wounds, staining her blonde curls with the same hue dripping from Egerius’s mouth, which was now tilted into a frown.
“She can barely stand,” I growled. Lifting her in my arms, I set Larisa down on the green lounge, cinching the cloak around her to cover what I could.
“They had me drink so that you could drink…” A weak smile split her lips as her head lulled to the side. Her breathing was quick and far too shallow, and a sharp, fruity scent lingered.
“Drink what?” I asked, only for her eyes to close and her heartbeat to skip.
“You’re favorite wine, of course,” Egerius answered, pushing the now pouting woman aside as he peered over my shoulder at Larisa. “As a special welcome present for you.”
“She’s completely drunk,” I breathed, brows furrowing, but that wasn’t exactly right. It wasn’t the first time a feeder had consumed a particular drink or food to shift the taste of their blood, but the substance and quantity were agreed upon in advance to ensure it was safe for all parties involved. I’d seen Larisa drunk, having thrown a few glasses back myself with her, but she’d never been like this.
“Days,” she squeaked, rolling onto her side and gripping her stomach with her eyes still closed. “They’ve had me drinking some bitter, licorice stuff for days. I told them you preferred whiskey, but they insisted.”
Dread coiled in my stomach as my spine stiffened, my mind racing through possible toxins that could cause these symptoms. Larisa was a relatively new feeder who wouldn’t question what she drank or for how long.
I crouched lower, lifting her chin. “Larisa, can you open your mouth for me?”
Her eyes flickered open, fear piercing through the fog that was rapidly dragging her under. She did as I asked, revealing a reddened tongue and a sharp, acidic scent to her breath.
White snakeroot.
“He made me,” she whispered, her irregular heart beating frantically. She was already slipping away, her dilated pupils clouding over once more.
“Who?” I asked, already knowing the answer and refusing to believe it.
Her eyes glanced over my shoulder, fear momentarily spiking in the air around us before her eyes closed. I could still hear the faint flickers of her heart and couldn’t help but listen as the beating grew more drawn out and out of sync. There was no saving her, not when they’d already forced so much of the poison through her veins.
And then he’d had her sent to me.
“Silly girl,” Egerius laughed, but even he seemed to realize it sounded forced.
“Morpheus,” Larkspur called, her hurried footsteps halting a few feet away when I met her frantic gaze. Arete was close behind her, all but carrying a swaying Megara. A quick glance behind showed Artemis on her way with the others, furious and looking for a fight.
She was about to find one.
“How did you know I was coming?” I asked, leaving Larisa on her deathbed as I slowly stood and turned to face Egerius. “My visit wasn’t planned, and yet, she’d been consuming wine for days?”
Egerius held my gaze, looking as if he might protest. His smile was tight, but it remained in place, as if there was a perfectly good explanation that would resolve everything.
I was desperate for an excuse even as I heard the clamor of Artemis and her huntresses joining Larkspur. So, I waited, wishing for a reason that could prevent this night from unraveling completely.
But Egerius only gave a sad, tired smile. “How did you find her?”
Unable to stop them, my wings snapped out as my body tensed. I didn’t want to believe that the visions were true, but every fiber in my body already knew who he was talking about—and it wasn’t Larisa.
“She’s been missing all these years, proclaimed dead by Hypnos and your mother, and then you bring her right back here, asking for this?” With a bitter laugh, Egerius pulled the golden chain up from around his neck, exposing a heavy glass key dangling from the end.
“This has nothing to do with her,” I spoke through gritted teeth, feeling Larkspur’s spike of worry and confusion through the dimming connection our blood sharing had allowed. “Just hand me the key, and we’ll go. All of this can be a bad memory.”
Letting his eyes drop to the floor, Egerius shook his head and let the necklace return beneath the edge of his tunic. “You finally got there, didn’t you? Hypnos believed the incompetent persona you portrayed, but you were always clever. Top ranks in military strategy and war tactics. You only ever balked when ordered to kill.”
“Please,” I breathed, feeling my world collapsing. Because this meant everything had been a lie. The web of memories I’d built my life on—the intricate network of woven threads—had just been sliced through, leaving only tattered, frayed edges. They reached for each other, grasping for anything, but there was only the cold, answering darkness pressing in around me.
“Do you remember what I told you?” Egerius lifted his head, the look in his eyes resignation mixed with despair.
Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I held his gaze. “You said I needed to trust my orders and complete directives without hesitation.”
“Such a precocious child.” He nodded, proud tears gleaming in his eyes. “You always saw things others didn’t.”
“Please, don’t do this,” I breathed, voice breaking on the plea. I watched as the man who’d shown me more kindness and love than my own father reached for the hidden blade in his tunic.
“This is your final lesson, my son. Don’t trust anyone.”