Page 61 of Summer's Seduction

Music still played, and people still danced, but the metallic scent of blood doused the room. Red was everywhere. Servants in scarlet cloaks woven among guests, the women and men beneath them being claimed randomly. Apart from the heavy cloaks, they were entirely naked, their exposed bodies laid out on lounges and chairs throughout the ballroom for all to see.

Dark ones fed, fangs ripping into flesh. Cries of pain shifted into ones of pleasure as guests shed their garments.

“Oh my gods,” Megara breathed, clinging to a horror-stricken Arete.

“We need to get out of here,” I breathed, searching the space for Morpheus, only to find him standing with a red-cloaked woman in his arms.

MORPHEUS

Despite 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 thedark 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 inhis 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, shedoeshave you wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?”

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