Page 48 of Bride of Death
Hades falls silent.
Then he begins moving around my space.
I finally glance his way when I hear the fridge open.
“There’s a pack of blood ale on the bottom shelf,” I tell him, aware that’s his favorite beverage. I bought it when I first moved in, guessing that he might visit.
He grabs one, as well as a spider ale for me, then takes over the tiny recliner to my right.
Neither of us speaks; we just watch the film.
Our friendship, or whatever this is called, is abnormal. But he’s one of the few fae I allow into my personal space. He’s typically respectful of my need for quiet.
It isn’t until the end of the movie that he finally says, “That was dreadful.”
I huff out a laugh. “You wanted more of them to die, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” A flat answer.
I shake my head, still laughing. “The sequel is better.”
“I doubt it.”
My shoulder lifts into a partial shrug. “To each his own, my lord.”
“Stop calling me that.”
I take a page out of his book and simply reply, “No.”
His jaw clenches, his indignation painting a humorous picture, especially as he’s still all buttoned up in that suit while looking ridiculously large in that tiny recliner. “I’ll talk to her,” he says.
“Her who?” I ask, playing dumb.
The look he casts my way would cause most men to shrivel in place.
I merely smile. “About fucking time,my lord. Please tell me it’ll be soon.”
He casts me a withering look and stands. “Good night, Maliki.”
He disappears before I can reply.
“So it won’t be tonight,” I mutter. “Great.”
I pull up the sequel I mentioned and hit Play.
Nothing like a bloodbath to calm my soul…
Chapter 12
Sera
Pip appearsto my right as I enter my hut, his cloak swishing as he twirls in a circle of excitement.
I haven’t seen him since I snuck out last night. I asked him to stay here, mostly because I didn’t want to risk him touching my seeds—something that apparently wouldn’t have mattered.
Because the roses can’t grow here like the shopkeeper said they could.
I narrow my gaze in annoyance. I’ve been trying to create a rose for weeks. They were my favorite back home, and I miss the sweet fragrance that accompanies them, particularly when paired with the cold of a winter’s night.
