Chapter Forty-Five

No candles were lit on the mansion balcony. No torch or artificial light of any kind glowed in the shadow lands of the Underworld. The only light that radiated during the ceremony was that of my mate and the moon that now hung in the darkest corner of the Underworld.

The dimly lit moon of the Underworld cast a gentle glow, illuminating the thriving flora and fauna beneath the mountain. Its soft rays caressed the branches’ tresses, kissed the vibrant flowers of Juniper’s gifted flowered field, and provided solace to the blind creatures that freely roamed these lands, which my brother, myself and now my mate call our own.

Once Juniper became a goddess, the moon rose into the darkened sky, blessing not just the darkest part of the Underworld, but the entire realm with a natural moon that Hades did not have to conjure.

My mate was the brightest light this night. Nearly too bright for shadows below the balcony, but this was her night to glow for all the gods. This was her introduction to the fold of the gods, as well as our bonding ceremony.

Juniper clenched my hand throughout the meaningless officiation. We became bonded and sealed our commitment. This was all just for looks—a ceremony, a party, and a reason for the gods to get stupid drunk.

I turned out the crowd, their eyes fixed on her as she gracefully made her way down the aisle towards me. With Uriel on one side, my brother on the other, and Fluffy trailing behind, she looked like a vision. Her dress paled in comparison to her radiant skin, emitting a subtle glow. Her hair a vibrant red that nearly looked like fire that cast a warm glow around her.

Once she intertwined her hand with mine, I cursed the tight suit I was forced to wear. I longed for her touch, to feel her soft skin beneath my robes.

But I did it for her. All of this was for her.

The three-piece suit, the decorations… She said she didn”t want them at first, but of course, her sweet way of being unable to keep a secret without letting them slip told me otherwise, and that was enough for me to give her everything she wanted. It was easier now that we were bonded. I could gather her feelings on the surface of her soul just enough to know what she was thinking.

I enlisted the help of Persephone herself, and she effortlessly controlled the vegetation of the Underworld. With the presence of Juniper’s moon and Persephone’s temporary stay in the Underworld once before, she was able to manipulate the lush flora and gracefully entwined it around the ominous columns, casting a gothic ambiance over the entire ceremony. It was as if nature itself was celebrating, embracing my partner as the radiant centerpiece of the occasion.

“She fits right in, doesn’t she?” Athena said, swirling her martini in her hand before she took a sip.

I twist the wedding band on my finger. Another one of Juniper’s human desires from her past. The brand on our chest means much more to the gods, but it was a trinket that Juniper wanted for the both of us. I twisted the dark metal around once more before answered, “She does. Like she was meant to be here all along.”

Athena hums, licking her lips. “And I can’t wait to see how her powers grow. Right now she says if she concentrates hard enough, she can see a chest in someone’s soul with a lock. She says she has the master key.”

Juniper’s gift extends far beyond the light of the Underworld and revealing secrets. She will become a powerful goddess, uncovering dark truths even gods who can read minds such as Athena would have difficulty with. Most thoughts were readable by Athena, but some dark secrets bury themselves too deep within the soul.

“In time, she will learn,” I said, taking a sip of my whisky.

“And her heart is too pure to use it against anyone.”

“Absolutely. That is why I believe the Fates granted her such a gift.” The thought that Athena would bring up such a thought rubbed me the wrong way, but I brushed it off. She was just stating a fact. My mate was perfect in every way.

Juniper was so perfect she dared to try her newfound power she had on Fluffy. I never thought an animal would have secrets, but they do. It didn’t take her long to unlock the secrets of Fluffy’s heart and soul, and she burst into tears for what she uncovered. It seems Fluffy had unresolved issues. That was why he came to me. It wasn’t nearly to befriend me. He was hoping I would take him to see his former owners.

That part stung, but he grew to like me. But after such a revelation, Juniper demanded we take Fluffy to the Bergarian realm and see his previous owners. Fluffy didn’t know if his former owners had perished in a war many years ago or if they had thrived. He had wandered about the Underworld searching for them until he latched onto me—I had reminded him of his previous owner—Creed.

Thus, Juniper demanded that I take them both immediately to ease Fluffy’s inner turmoil and being the whipped god I was, I obliged.

We came to the cave in the land of Bergarian where we saw the mated pair that Fluffy instantly recognized. Their bodies entwined with each other, the male holding the female like she was as precious as gold. Fluffy sniffed around them, his whines of happiness palatable, and when he caught sight in the cave”s corner that held what could have been a pet’s bed, he ran to it and fell into the furs. Inside, it held a large stuffed toy made of furs and leathers, sewn with button eyes and fake teeth that looked just like him.

“Oh-my-Fates-that’s-so-sweet-I-can’t-stop-crying,” my mate wailed into the veil. All I could do was hold her as Fluffy went from the bed to the male called Creed and his mate, Odessa and snuggle against them.

It was heartbreaking when it was time for us to depart, but even Fluffy knew his time in this world was over. He belonged with us now.

Before we left, I let the veil thin, and let Fluffy’s heat radiate through. The couple would feel the remnants of his presence. A feeling of nostalgia, warmth, and memories from long ago would rush through their minds about their pet.

After such a sentimental display from Fluffy, when we returned home, Juniper has done everything to make Fluffy feel more like our family. She includes him in everything, including dressing him up for the ceremony. He now sits at my feet, pleading with me to take off his tux with a whine and gentle pulls of my pant leg with his teeth.

“She does it because she loves you,” I mutter under my breath. “You’re our baby, apparently.”

This makes Fluffy’s ears perk up and leans his head against me.

I hummed and scratched his ears.

“How are you doing, bone daddy?” she said with a playful sway in her step. Her hair flowed effortlessly and caught on her sparkling as she approaches, giving it a flame like appearance. The sound of Fluffy’s content purr is heard between us as she gently scratched behind his ears. With a graceful tiptoe, she reaches into my hood, her touch sending a tingle down my spine, and plants a sweet kiss on my cheek.

“Better, once I get out of this suit,” I grumble.

She smiled and her hand reached around my waist and grabs my ass. “Yes, but I love seeing your body in tight pants. Makes all the other gods jealous they can’t have this hunk of meat.”

I growled, pulling her in by the waist. “You know, I haven’t had my fill in a few hours.”

“And you will have to wait a few more,” she teased. “Besides, Hecate wants to speak with us.” My mate straightens the lapels of my suit. “It’s about the seer trapped in the stone.”

My mate led me through the throng of people, holding my finger. The once elegant party had now taken an aggressive feel and looked more like a nightclub than a beautiful affair. Not that it bothered Juniper at all. She’s bobbing her head to the music, laughing, waving at the new family she has acquired.

She constantly had her eyes on Uriel and Dionysus, who was, in fact, the life of the party. The truth shots he created are causing havoc. People who drank are too honest and receive slaps from an opposing party for rude comments here and there, but overall it’s a fun drink that would be talked about until the next soul bonding ceremony took place.

Uriel who was taking the shots only had nice things to say so everyone gathered around her for her interesting comments.

As we rounded the corner, Hecate stood, holding the seer stone in her palm. It’s the size of a US quarter in a princess cut shape. It could be easily mistaken for a sapphire. Maybe that is why Medusa had it hidden in her jewelry box underneath a floorboard of Fuzzy Bunnies.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I unfortunately, can’t do anything to release the seer.” She held it up by a silver chain that was not on the stone before. Hecate created the stone into a necklace. “And not only is this a seer inside the stone but also a wizard. A very rare specimen indeed. I don’t know how Medusa did it, but she caught a very powerful male.”

Juniper holds out her hand and Hecate delicately drops it into Juniper’s hand. “What do you mean? Why can’t you free him?”

Hecate shrugged her shoulders. “There is only one way to free him. It calls for a powerful magic that even I do not possess yet.” She winks at the both of us.

“A bond,” I drawled. “A mate bond. His mate must touch the stone to release him.”

Hecate nodded. “I’ve put him out of his misery, put him to sleep so he doesn’t go mad with boredom. He’s been trapped inside for a while. This will give him rest and give him new purpose when he awakes. When he is near his mate, he will wake, call to her. Who knows what will happen? You know the bond is a funny thing.”

“But who will look after him?” Juniper asks holding it to her chest. “What if it breaks? What if it gets lost?”

Hecate pulled the necklace away from my treasure and dangles it in front of both of us. “It won’t. Not unless The Fates deem it so. Which I doubt. This wizard has had a strange life thus far. I’m sure his future will be the same. Funny thing about seers, they can’t predict their own futures.” Hecate pocketed the stone. “I will work with Ember to get him to the right place, the right time.”

We all returned to the party, which by now has turned into a nightclub. The bar was overflowing with ambrosia, liquor of all kinds, food placed on the table with the most exotic dishes from all the realms. Juniper wanted to taste every kind, talk to every person. Meanwhile, my patience is running thin and having the ceremony here in my home means I couldn’t run away from my responsibilities.

“Hey!” Dionysus thundered. “There is the couple I was looking for!” He spreads his arms wide, his white robes crossing over his body, and brings me in for a hug. I awkwardly pat him on the back while Juniper lets me suffer, and she waved at him shyly as he continues to spout off how we have a never-ending supply of wine and psychedelic drugs outside.

“And you guys have to come out to my club in Vegas. It’s a BDSM club I run. It”s a lot of supernaturals, deities and gods, all undercover, no worries about that,” he smirked. “I didn’t think you guys would be into that sort of thing, but Hypnos said you ate some pussy in front of all of Juniper’s enemies. We have an auditorium for our voyeurism crowd and you guys would be perfect for it.”

I snarled and grip Dionysus around the neck, my skin receding from fingers and bone gripping into his neck.

Juniper squeaked and pulled on my arm. “As nice as that sounds, that was a one time thing. Thanatos doesn’t like to share my body with anyone.” Juniper patted my arm and I slowly loosen my grip.

I let go of Dionysus’ neck and he rubs it with his hand. “Shit, that was kinda nice. You can do more later,” he winks.

For fucks sake.

“Fine, your loss. Zeus is coming to visit, along with Athena. Never thought Athena would come, but the more the merrier, I suppose. If you change your mind, let me know.”

Dionysus slapped a satyr’s ass when he walks by. The satyr huffs and wiggles his tail and clomps off with his serving tray full of food. Dionysus follows, eats off the tray, and finally leaves us alone.

I grabbed Juniper and pull her to my side. “Let’s get out of here.”

Juniper laughed and followed me, but unfortunately, we hear a tap on the microphone where my chair sits on the platform and Ares clears his throat.

“Oh shit, what is he doing?” I grumble.

I feel Uriel and Lucifer appear beside us and Uriel pulls on Juniper’s arm. “Hey, guys, we might have a tiny problem!”