Chapter Thirty-Four

My friends guided me out of the opulent palace and emerged into a vast pool area. The scene overwhelmed my senses with the grandeur of statues resembling gargoyles clutching barrels that dumped water into the pool. At the far end, I noticed an array of slides, diving boards, and even a small splash pad where children could play.

It wasn’t what I quite imagined, but I guess Hades and Ember were family gods and everyone else in this whole god-realm.

There were trays of food laid out for us to eat. There was always food, and they ate an enormous amount, mostly Ember and Mariah, which came from their wolf shifter sides as Uriel has told me once before.

The towels, soft and fluffy, were neatly arranged on nearby tables, inviting us to reach out and use them. The diligent servants stood poised, ready to assist us with any request, their presence felt but not intrusive. Instead of making eye contact, they directed their gaze towards their cloven hooves, a curious behavior that left me puzzled.

”They have no permission to look at us,” Uriel mentioned as she walked by. “Not when we are in our bathing suits.”

“Yeah, I don’t know about this.” I stared down at the skimpy swimsuit I was wearing. It was very pink.

It clashed with my hair, but I guess if the little mermaid could pull it off, I could too.

Earlier, Uriel, Mariah and Ember all laughed hysterically down the hallway, leading me into Uriel and Lucifer’s room. She had an eclectic assortment of bathing suits ranging from completely modest, up to your neck, down to your ankles, to some that would even make a stripper blush. Then they all picked one out for me.

Mariah let out a playful snort, her mischievous eyes gleaming as she swiftly tugged the sarong from my hips. The fabric slid against my skin, cool and smooth to the touch. With a confident wave of her hand, she flung the thin material onto the nearby chair. “Nah, Thanatos is going to love it later!”

The sun stood high in the sky, casting a red hue instead of the familiar yellow I was accustomed to. It reminded me of a constant sunset back on earth, but it was certainly strong.

“I don’t understand why I have to show the most skin,” I argue and step into the cool water. I moan happily, feeling the cool waters engulf me.

The air was definitely hotter near the palace than in the shadows where Thanatos lived.

“Don’t act like you weren’t jealous earlier.” Ember replied, grabbing a floatation tube. “We saw how you kept looking at your man and Hecate. You didn’t like how your Thanatos and Hecate were going to be alone together.”

Red flushed my cheeks. I turned away so they wouldn’t notice.

“Ah ha, now I see it!” Uriel bounced up and down in her gold bikini. “She was jealous. I don’t see why. Thanatos only has the hots for you.”

Ember laughed and shook her head. “That’s because you are thinking logically about it, Uriel. Juniper doesn’t quite understand the bond and how bad it can make you jealous, even if you aren’t the usual type to be jealous. Now, Thanatos, since he is male, will get insanely jealous just because he is male and thinks irrationally. You know, like most men do.” Ember looks at the rest of the girls.

Mariah and Uriel nodded together in unison.

“With men, it is ten times worse with a bond, or so they say,” Mariah said. “Jealous, angry red flag type vibes all from the bond.” She sighed.

I made a face of confusion and lowered myself into the water. “Thanatos was touchy feely now, but I didn’t see him actually wanting to hurt someone. He certainly didn’t seem antsy about leaving me.” I refused to say I was jealous. I shouldn’t be jealous. Why should I be? He’s been with me for twenty-four-seven for the past few weeks. I have no reason to believe he wanted to be with Hecate.

Except he had a garden and gave her herbs.

He grew her flowers and shit.

He hasn’t given me a flower.

Ember snickered, floating by on her giant inter-tube. “Are you talking about that garden he has?”

“What, er uh, no!” I crossed my arms. “I’m just saying, he uh, hasn’t given me flowers yet. That’s all.”

Ember leaned back and puts her head in the water. “Uh uh, well, if you want to sit there and be in denial about your jealousy, fine. I won’t tell you about my outstanding plan to make him super jealous. Which is why we are making you wear a super skimpy swimsuit. It’s going to make your panties wet in an instant when you see how jealous he gets, and you can have some exceptional sex later.”

“Jealousy sex is so much fun.” Mariah sighed deeply.

Uriel looked around for Ares and Hypnos that have yet to appear. “Yeah,” she whispered. “I might wear super short dresses and bend over more often than I really should.”

Ember put her hands over her ears. “I do not need to know that about my son and his mate. I really don’t.”

Uriel giggled and jumped into the pool with a splash.

“He’s coming!” Uriel squealed and ran back to the edge of the pool.

Uriel didn’t need to tell me Thanatos was coming. I felt him. I could sense the darkness of his shadows coming out of the patio door, and I knew this was going to be a terrible idea.

Ember created this plan, one that was going to get a demon roughed up.

She said demons were tough, and she’d make it up to him.

Like with what? A fruit basket?

Ember and Mariah conjured up a devious plan to make Thanatos insanely jealous. Several demons were hiking in the forests outside of their villages. When they heard Uriel singing - and let”s be honest, Uriel had an amazing voice that could captivate anyone - they felt enticed to come onto the palace grounds to take a closer look.

Ember waved the guards away, letting the demons come onto the grounds. Ember said demons were harmless enough, and with guards stationed everywhere, we would be fine. Once the demons came into the pool area, they forgot about Uriel and Ember and were solely looking at me.

Ew.

Ember and Mariah devilishly rubbed their hands together and let them take their pick of the food on the table.

Before the demons arrived, Ember quickly explained that the demons would know know that all the gods were mated besides Hypnos, who was watching a video with Ares on the other side of the pool–oblivious of what we were doing.

Hypnos looked positively green, though. What were they watching?

These demons were definably heterosexual and didn’t pay attention to Hypnos because of the way they kept staring at my breasts.

Ember talked the two demons up. She nodded her head toward me. I stood awkwardly and leaned against the wall. At a strip club, at least I had a pole to wrap my hand around. This was—different. What the hell do I do with my hands? With my arms?!

“Psst! Pay attention!” Mariah hissed at me, then nudged one demon toward me.

He stumbled slightly, his eyes locked onto me as he smirked and confidently sauntered in my direction. I nonchalantly leaned against the cool, rough stone fence, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. My bikini bottoms hugged my curved hips, accentuating my figure, with my derriere playfully peeked out of the thong-style suit. There was very little left to the imagination. Though I was comfortable with my nudity, the intensity of his gaze coupled with knowing that Thanatos would soon discover us in this compromising position caused my stomach to churn with unease.

Hecate didn’t wear a thong underneath her clothes when meeting with Thanatos did she? Gods, did she? Would he like it?

Frick, what if Thanatos didn’t get jealous at all with this demon putting the moves on me? What if he didn’t understand that emotion?

Well shit.

“Hi there.” The demon jerked up his head in an acknowledging motion.

His horns, resembling short, twisted arcs, protruded from his head, casting eerie shadows. Jet black strands of hair cascaded down to his chiseled jawline, glistening in the sunlight. A row of menacing, razor-sharp teeth glinted as he bared them in a smile. The loose, dark jeans he wore, stained with dirt from his hike, rustled softly as they gradually tightened against his growing frame, as he tried to puff up his chest.

Upon entering the pool area minutes ago, he immediately discarded his shirt in an attempt to show off his muscular body. It did nothing for me. I’ve been too busy thinking about Thanatos and Hecate alone in the same room.

“I’m Erzek. Her majesty Ember said your name is Juniper. Just like the evergreen that grows on earth, yes?” He held an accent I wasn’t familiar with, but it was thick and heavy, reminded me of a Russian native.

Erzek stood in front of me, leaning in close enough to smell me. I backed away, giving him a forced smile.

“Yes, exactly that,” I chuckled nervously. “Do you travel to earth often?” I twirled my hair.

It was fucking cliche I knew it. I knew how to seduce men, but why was it so damn hard right now? Because I wasn’t getting paid for it? Trying to keep my life? Because I was doing this to tick off Thanatos? Or was it because this dude was a demon? How does one seduce a demon? Is it the same as human?

I toss a nervous look at the girls, they had their mouths covered, trying to hold in their laughter. And that is when I see Thanatos emerge from the patio doors. His shadows danced violently and his hood is pointed on the both of us.

This was a bad idea. Abort, abort.

The demon laughed when I step back, but he stepped forward and grabbed my hand.

“Don’t be afraid, little human. I don’t bite hard. You are unmated, yes?”

I tried to pull my hand away, but Erzek doesn’t let go.

Shit, shit.

“Ah, I am unmated, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t found my mate.” I pulled back more, but the demon pulled on me harder. “In fact, my mate is over there, and I was trying to get him a little jealous. Sorry, I used you to get back at him, but it’s done now.” My voice rose in panic.

Erzek snorted. “Why would any male leave his sweet female alone when they have not solidified their bond? That has to be the most idiotic thing. Don’t toy with me. I am quite nice.” His tail wrapped around my ankle.

Ewww, a tail!

“Don’t knock it until you try it, Juniper,” he said coyly.

Thanatos stepped in front of us, completely blocking out the sun, his dark presence looming over Erzek and me. His bright blue eyes narrowed and his voice was low and dangerous.

“What are you doing with my mate?” Thanatos growled, his shadows swirling around him like a storm.

Erzek released my hand immediately, stumbling backwards in fear. “I-I didn’t know she was your mate, Lord Thanatos,” he stammered, his tail retreating quickly.

I stepped closer to Thanatos, feeling a strange mix of relief and anticipation. The air crackled with tension as the surrounding demons scattered, sensing the impending danger. Ember, Mariah, and Uriel watched the scene unfold with wide eyes, the laughter that once filled the pool area completely gone.

Thanatos grabbed Erzek by his neck, pulling him up effortlessly until Erzek’s face was close to his hood. “You dare to touch what is mine?” he growled menacingly. Shadows snaked out from beneath Thanatos and coiled around Erzek’s body, squeezing him tightly. The demon let out a strained gasp, his eyes wide with panic.

As the shadows tightened their grip, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and excitement coursing through my veins. Thanatos was showing a side of himself that I’d never witnessed before, and it both terrified and enthralled me. I’ve always known that he possessed a darkness within him, but this display of power was on a whole new level.

“Please, Lord Thanatos… I did not know,” Erzek choked out, his voice barely audible amidst the suffocating hold of the shadows. “I didn’t mean any harm.”

A wicked smile played upon Thanatos’ lips as he leans in closer, his voice dripping with icy menace. “Ah, but you see, Erzek,” he purred, relishing every moment of his intimidation. “Ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to my mate.”

“Thanatos,” I interjected quickly, placing a hand on his arm. “Let him go. It was my mistake, not his.”

Thanatos looked down at me, his eyes still burning with anger. But slowly, the shadows relinquish their hold on Erzek and retreat to their master.

Erzek stumbled away from Thanatos, coughing and gasping for breath. He shoots me a grateful look before he and his friends jump over the stoned wall and scurry off into the grounds, the guards laughing.

“Juniper,” Thanatos said, his voice a low growl. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to play with fire?”

I lowered my gaze, feeling the weight of his words sinking in. “I-I didn’t mean for things to escalate like this,” I murmured. “I just wanted to make you jealous.”

Thanatos lets out a heavy sigh, his anger slowly dissipating. He reaches out to cup my face gently, his touch sending fire through my body. “Jealousy is unnecessary, my treasure,” he breathed. “You need only to ask for my attention, and it is yours.”

I met his intense gaze, my heart fluttering with a mix of relief and adoration. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I should have trusted that you would always choose me. But you went with Hecate,” I crossed my arms, “and I didn’t like it.”

I saw a small smile tug at the corners of Thanatos’ lips as the sun seeped in through his hood. Thanatos leaned in to press a tender kiss against my forehead. “You are my mate,” he murmured, his voice a soothing melody. “There is no one else who holds my heart as you do.”

As our surroundings fade into the background, the chaos of the demon encounter becomes nothing but a distant memory.

The girls in the background groaned in disappointment, Mariah even chucking a sandwich into the pool.

“Why are they upset?” Thanatos asked me.

“They thought you would throw more of a jealous tantrum. You know, come in and kill the demon, throw me over your shoulder and fuck me or something. They said jealousy sex is the best sex, besides make-up sex and angry sex.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“Ah, they are mistaken. I do not resemble their mates. I’m not a complete brute.” Thanatos snickered and put his hand on my lower back and led me forward back to the pool area.

I walked in front of him and then I heard a loud growl come from behind me.

“My treasure.” Thanatos’ warm body pulled my hips to his, digging my backside into his erection.

“Oh, hello!” I giggled.

“What the fuck are you wearing?”

I blinked several times and try to turn around to face him, but he doesn’t let me.

“It’s a swimsuit?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Your ass is hanging out of it,” he grumbled. “No one should see so much of your backside except for me.” He bit my ear until it hurt. “Did that fucking demon see this?”

“Nope, he only saw my boobs.” I grab them and give them a little shake.

Thanatos’ hold became tighter on me.

“Did you not pay attention to what I was wearing when he was talking to me?”

“Obviously he didn’t!” Uriel sang happily.

“Hypnos!” Thanatos thundered. “Find that fucking demon!”

Hypnos jumped out of the lounge chair, away from Ares. “Thank Rhea! I’ll kill the bastard for you, brother!”

Thanatos snarled. “Send him to my dungeon. I’ll deal with him later!”

I wrestled in Thanatos” arms to let go. “Thanatos, what are you doing?”

“I think the jealousy emotion just registered.” Ember laughed. “He was just mad some demon was talking to you. Now Thanatos realized a demon just saw you pretty much naked in front of him and will most likely wank off to you later.”

Thanatos’ dark shadows engulfed us and my eyes widened.

”We will be unavailable until tomorrow,” Thanatos informed Ember. “And I will be sure to tell all of your mates your transgressions.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as Thanatos’ reaction to the situation was something I’ve never seen before. His possessiveness and jealousy were hilarious. I let out a snort, still feeling the warmth of his body pressed against mine.

“Thanatos,” I began. “Where are we going?”

His grip on me tightened, and I felt his breath on my neck, sending warmth to my core. “Just wait and see,” he growled, his voice low and seductive. “To make you pay for putting me through this hell.”