32. Reaper

Orcus'smassive black wings are the first thing I see when I reappear near the lake.

The freshly renovated cabin is the second item.

And Alina's naked body cradled against Orcus's chest is the third and final sight—something I would have noticed first had Orcus been facing me when I landed. However, he turned as he sensed me, thus allowing me to spy the sleeping beauty in his arms.

One inhale is all I need to know that she's come into her Omega heat.

I didn't expect to sense it like this; Death Fae don't have estrus cycles. But I can smell Alina's sweet strawberry fragrance from all the way over here. It's enough for me to shadow toward them rather than walk, my gaze on her blissed-out face.

"Rest," Orcus says to her in a whisper. "We'll be here when you wake. And then the fever will begin."

Fuck fest,I want to correct him. And then the fuck fest will begin.

But I refrain.

Instead, I simply smile at Alina's responding sigh, her limbs going limp in his arms.

"So you knotted her," I say, not guessing, just knowing. "And how was it?"

He looks at me. "A private affair."

I arch a brow. "Don't tell me you're thinking of keeping her to yourself now, Alpha. You might be my brother, but I will fucking fight you on this."

He snorts. "I wouldn't dream of keeping her away from you and Flame. She's chosen you, too. But what Alina and I share… will remain ours. Just as I'm sure you'll have things you share with only her, too."

Like cupcakes, I think, the thought one that comes automatically. "True." I reach forward to tuck one of her sweaty strands of hair behind her ear. "You worked her hard."

"Yes," he admits, giving me nothing more. "When she wakes up, she'll be lost to her estrus."

I smile. "About fucking time."

He snorts again and turns toward the door where Flame is waiting, his expression dark. Based on the way his eyes are narrowed at Orcus, I'm guessing he wasn't invited to the knotting show.

I understand his disappointment.

But I'm certain we'll be given another opportunity to watch.

Leaning forward, I press a kiss to our girl's forehead. "Mmm, you smell like strawberries and sex, pet. A delicious dessert." One I fully intend to enjoy after the dinner of dark souls I just consumed.

"She should wake up comfortably," Flame says, walking toward us. "I'll take her."

"You just want to groom her again," I drawl. It's such a catlike thing to do.

He doesn't deny it, just pulls her from Orcus's arms and carries her inside. Flame's shoulders instantly relax along the way, suggesting the nearness has helped calm his inner beast. But I suspect he's going to unleash his feral side during the heat.

Our beautiful pet is in for one hell of a ride.

"When will she wake up?" I ask, eager to begin.

"Soon." Orcus folds his arms over his bare chest and spreads his wings when I take a step forward, my intention having been to follow Flame.

I arch a brow at the naked Alpha. "Yes?"

"Tell me what you learned."

My teeth grind together. Of course the big guy wants a report of what I've seen. "If she wakes up while I'm talking, I'm ghosting in there," I tell him. Because what I have to share isn't nearly as important as our pet's needy pussy.

"I suggest you speak quickly, then," he says, arms still folded.

I blow out a breath and palm my nape, my body pent up and ready to play with Alina, not engage in a serious discussion with Orcus about Strigoi royals. "They're fine," I inform him. "Cain didn't kidnap them. They went willingly."

Orcus arches a brow. "You spoke to them?"

"Yeah. Well, I spoke to Cage. Sabre was, uh, busy." An image of blood and chaos rings through my head, causing my lips to curl. "They were having one hell of a party. It's not often I enjoy reconnaissance, but in this case, it was delicious." I glance at the cabin door. "Not as delicious as strawberries and cream, though."

"A party?" he repeats.

"A massacre, a party." I shrug. "Same thing. Lots of bad souls to eat." I tilt my head. "It's strange, though. The darkness doesn't feel all that… dark? Like the voices are quiet. I can feel them, seek out their memories, but they're not raging in my head."

Normally, when I feast on dark souls, they leave a headache behind.

But these spirits are quiet, almost subdued.

"They're still wicked spirits. The things they did…" I whistle. "Anyway, maybe it's this realm. Maybe it's Alina. Regardless, I'm thankful for the reprieve. I can actually hear my own thoughts for once."

And those thoughts are all focused on one very important person right now—our pet.

"What the fuck are you talking about? What exactly did you see?" Orcus demands.

I sigh.

Then I tell him about the event I attended.

How I found Cage and Sabre covered in blood.

Why I stayed to enjoy some delicious souls.

How I played with my scythe.

And provide a brief synopsis of my conversation with Cage.

By the time I'm done, Orcus is gaping at me.

"I guess this realm really is full of unique human mates," I conclude with another shrug.

Because it seemed Cage and Sabre had found one to share. With Cain.

"Long story short, the Strigoi Princes won't be returning to our realm." Morpheus is either going to be amused by the chaos or furious about it.

Regardless, I'll let Orcus handle all that.

I start toward the cabin again, only to be halted by Orcus's wing like before.

"Helia told me about your visits with Timothy."

I blink. That wasn't at all what I anticipated him saying. It's also completely off topic. "I didn't kill him."

"I know."

"So what's there to discuss?"

"Nothing." He smiles. "I just wanted to express approval."

I nod. "Did she give us permission to end him?"

"She gave permission for us to pass judgment upon him."

Oh really? I think, excited. "Does that mean I can bring his head to Alina? Or are we still giving her the first right to kill?"

"I don't know." He looks over his shoulder at the cabin. "We'll discuss it more later. I can feel her waking up."

A spear of jealousy kicks me in the heart. He can feel our pet. Because they're bonded.

I want that.

I want to feel Alina inside and out. Make her mine. Make me hers. Join her in the death plane and marry our souls for eternity.

We're almost there already, our spirits having been compatible from the beginning. I just have to finish the process with a blood vow.

A promise to worship her in life and in death.

Orcus turns, his wings vanishing into thin air.

I rip my shirt over my head as I follow him. The fabric flutters to the ground in my wake.

My hands are on my jeans when we enter, only for me to pause on the threshold. "Holy hell, Orcus. You turned this pile of rubbish into a godsdamn palace."

That might be a slight overexaggeration. But the interior is all refined wood, carved poles, and finished floors.

There's a kitchen.

A dining area.

A living room.

And a massive fucking mattress resting on a wooden frame.

Our pet is in the middle of that bed, her body wrapped in a fluffy towel. Her hair is damp, as is Flame's, telling me he just rinsed her off in the shower.

"Did you set this place up with magical generators?" I ask Orcus.

"Something like that." He doesn't elaborate. As a God, I guess he doesn't have to.

Flame purrs, his fingers combing through Alina's wet hair as she stretches along beside him. All three of us watch her, waiting. Adoring. Plotting.

Or maybe that's just me.

I've heard about this illustrious heat experience, of both the Shifter Fae and Mythos Fae varieties, and I'm very much looking forward to what's coming next.

Yet when Alina's eyes open, she simply blinks.

Then she smiles. "Hi." The greeting is for Flame.

"Hi," he replies, his gaze searching hers. "How do you feel, little panther?"

"Good," she replies. "Refreshed." She stretches again. "Glorious."

Orcus smirks beside me, no doubt pleased by that adjective.

However, I'm… confused. "I thought she was going to wake up ready for fucking." I don't mind her being coherent and content. In fact, I love her being coherent and content. But I was under the impression that an Omega lost her senses entirely during a heat, turning her into a sex-obsessed Goddess.

Alina's gaze flies to mine, her pupils dilating. "Reaper." She launches herself at me, her arms flying around my neck as she hugs me tightly.

"Hmm," I hum, returning her embrace. This isn't exactly what I expected, but it definitely works for me. So I kiss her neck, ready to play.

However, she pulls back and clasps my face between her hands, searching my face. "You're okay." She hugs me again, my lips curling down as I glance at Flame and then Orcus.

They look as perplexed by this as I'm sure I do. "Yeah, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"You were gone," she whispers. "I… I was worried about you."

I blink. "Worried? Why?"

"Because you went into the Elite City by yourself," she replies, a note of incredulity in her tone as she shifts to look at me again. "I… Maybe it's silly, but I was worried."

My eyelashes flutter once more. "You were worried." That's… that's an interesting concept. "I don't think anyone has ever worried about me before."

It's… it's kind of nice.

Flame and Orcus may be curious about my whereabouts sometimes, or even voice words of caution, but I doubt they've ever actually been concerned for me. Or maybe they have and just haven't told me.

However, Alina… I can feel her relief. It's written in the way her body clings to mine, like she thought she might not see me again.

I draw my hand down her back, my opposite palm going to her nape. "I'm okay, pet," I tell her again. "Thank you for worrying about me."

Her pupils flare as she stares up at me. "Is it silly to worry?"

I smile. "No. It's… refreshing." I draw my thumb up and down her neck. "It makes me feel… cared about." Which is a very nice sensation, one that has me wanting to kiss her for entirely different reasons than before.

So I do.

I lean down and… kiss her.

Not passionately. Not hungrily. Just tenderly. Pleasantly. Lovingly.

It's a vastly unique concept, one I've never quite considered before. Kissing usually leads to fucking. But this kiss… this kiss is underlined in emotion.

Emotion I don't quite comprehend.

But I feel strongly for this female.

Because I care about her, too, I realize. Of course, I already knew that. However, I've been so caught up in the lust side that I haven't truly evaluated the compassion side.

Together… together it's… flooring.

Combustible.

Downright overwhelming.

The voices in my head are silent now, leaving me alone with my thoughts—all of which are consumed with Alina.

My intended.

My future mate.

My pet.

Her lips part as I slide my tongue inside, exploring her mouth and thanking her in my own way. Thanking her for this gift. For opening up my heart in a way I didn't know was possible. For providing temporary relief inside my mind. For worrying.

She's everything.

This is everything.

Weare everything.

Her arms tighten around my neck, causing my grasp along her nape to flex as well. I want her. Oh, how I fucking want her.

It's so godsdamn intense. And it's so much more than mere excitement to play during her heat.

I want to claim her. To voice the vows that will make her mine.

She lets me splay her across the bed, my jean-clad hips resting against her exposed center. I have no idea what happened to her towel. It probably fell when I tumbled her backward onto the mattress. It doesn't matter. I want her naked beneath me anyway.

"Alina," I breathe against her mouth.

"Reaper," she returns before nibbling my lower lip. "Kiss me more."

It's a request I can't deny. A request I happily fulfill.

She tastes so good, that sweet freshness that's all her consuming my senses.

I know the others are watching. Lusting. Wishing they were me. Waiting for their turn. But I don't care. I prolong every second of my time with our pet, laying claim to her mouth with my tongue while running my hands up and down her luscious form.

"I want to mate you," I tell her. "I want to claim you."

"Then claim me," she says, arching up into me.

My lips curl. "Oh, I want to do that, too. But a Death Fae's bond is created with a blood vow."

Her big midnight eyes lock on mine. "Okay. Mate me."

No hesitation.

No questions.

Just… acceptance.

I understand that immediate response because it's how I feel, too. I've known from the moment I saw her that there was something unique about her.

That feeling grew the second my spirit brushed hers in that hallway.

And my decision solidified by the time I finished devouring those bad souls.

It was instantaneous. A knowledge that just sort of clicked. My Death Fae soul had found his anchor in the world, allowing me to feel more alive. More… sane.

The darkness swirling around the edges of my mind have lessened, Alina's presence providing me with a renewed sense of purpose.

Because she represents creation and life, while my soul thrives in death and destruction.

She's an angel of vitality, pulling me from the depths of darkness and reviving my spirit.

Establishing balance.

Producing our very own version of utopia.

A blade forms in my shadows, the sharp instrument similar to what I used while playing with her and Flame.

Only this time, the dagger is for us.

For this moment.

For our vow.

Her pupils dilate when she sees the shiny tip, a kiss of lust pinkening her cheeks.

We'll come back to that,I tell her with a look. But first…

I twirl the blade between my fingertips, my gaze searching for an appropriate place to mark her. Lifting up, I can see where Orcus bit her breast.

Which gives me an idea.

My lips brush hers. "Stay calm for me, pet," I say before crawling down her body to the sweetest part of her.

Her breathing quickens with each passing second, her eyes widening. But she doesn't say anything.

"Tell him your new safeword, Alina," Orcus interjects softly. "Say it so Reaper and Flame are aware of the change."

I almost glance at him. Almost. But our pet has my sole attention, my eyebrow quirking in curiosity. "You changed your safeword?"

She swallows and nods. "Chicago no longer works."

"All right." I rest the blade against her hip. "What's the new safeword?"

Alina clears her throat, a sense of boldness overcoming her features. "Monster."

My eyes widen.

"Tell them why," Orcus encourages her.

"Because you're fae, not monsters. And I know you won't do anything to make me feel otherwise." She shrugs. "I don't need a safeword. You won't hurt me. But if I have to pick one, I choose that word because I know I'll never say it when thinking of you."

Fuck. Hearing her faith in us, her trust, it makes me want to ravage her. To own her. To… to… devour her.

"You're so godsdamn perfect, pet," I tell her, emotion thick in my voice. "I'm going to give you so many fucking rewards. But I have to claim you first. I have to pledge myself to you. Give you my soul. My very being."

And to do that, I have to mark her.

I draw the tip of my knife along her hip bone toward her mound. Then find the space I desire—an intimate spot situated right on her bikini line under her belly—and say, "Take a deep breath for me."

Alina does, her gaze on me the whole time as I press the sharp edge into her skin.

She releases a hiss, the bite of pain an aphrodisiac only because I know I'm the one causing it. And because I know what it means.

Soon, she will, too.

She fists the blankets on either side of her, then releases one side to grab Flame's hand as he offers it.

Fuck, that makes me harder. It's such a turn-on to see that her instinct is to lean on him while I carve into her flesh. That reaction is part of what makes her ours. She simply knows what to do, just as Flame knows how to see her through it.

By the time I'm finished, her skin sheens with a thin layer of sweat.

But never once did she ask me to stop.

Because our mate is a warrior in disguise. Our lethal pet.

I kiss the mark I've created, her blood sweet on my lips.

Then I turn the blade on myself, drawing a different symbol on my palm. It'll forever remain there, just like the tattoo on my cock.

Forever Alina's.

Which is why the marking I create on my hand is an A.

And the one I left near her mound is an R.

When I finish, I lick the metal clean, then let it vanish into my shadowy strands. "Ready, pet?"

She's panting as she nods. "Yes."

"Good." Because there's no going back now.

This female is mine.

I just need to say the words…