Page 85 of Thanatos' Craving

Uriel stood up and knocked off the invisible dirt from her dress. “I think it sounds great, Luci will very much appreciate it! He likes it when I do naughty stuff he isn’t expecting. Can I dress up as a naughty bunny?” Her eyes sparkled.

I snorted and buried my face into Macaroni’s fur.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Thanatos

“Are you alright?” Hypnos followed in step with me as we approached Hades’ palace.

Hades had already emerged from his dark opulent carriage. The sound of the horses’ hooves faded into the distance. He extended his hand towards Ember, who accepted with a delicate yet confident grace. The air carried a hint of smoke and coal from the underbelly of the fiery village of demons they had come from.

Hades’ jet-black hair remained impeccably styled, framing his face. A deep scowl etched lines across his features, but as his piercing eyes locked onto hers, the scowl dissipated, revealing that softened heart of the King of the Underworld.

I was ready to see Juniper, hoping that my anger and frustration would soon melt away as well.

“I’m fine,” I snapped. “I’m ready to be done with this.”

Hypnos eyed me warily. It wasn’t often I got so angered. I was the emotionless one. I could keep my anger away, even if it was a stressful workday dealing with the reapers and working for Ember. I could handle anything.

And now, all I wanted to do was rip Fuzzy Bunnies apart. I wanted to go there myself and find that damn owner and rip their soul from their body. But if I did, it could ruin everything. I would end up not finding other deities that frequent there. If this owner has a glamour, what other magical spells have they cast upon them to keep their secrets?

Piece by piece, this story must unravel.

For now, the women that work there are safe, or so say, my reapers and demons.

Hypnos put his hand on my shoulder and I do my best not to shove him away. He doesn’t take rejection well and I would be damned if I hurt him.

“It appears that there is still hope, brother,” Hypnos whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos. His eyes shifted towards Hades, who signals his guards to come retrieve a battered demon. As the guards try to grab the demon, Cerberus, with his colossal heads, vigorously shakes the body, muttering words under his breath.

“He tasted terrible,” Cerberus mumbled again and drops the demon to the ground. The guards haul the demon up by his arms and haul him away. “Could he at least taste like barbeque or something?” Cerberus nudged Hades, who rubbed the middle head.

“It’s because you are closer to being human.” Hades chuckled. “Not long ago, you wouldn’t have thought for him to taste like barbeque.”

Cerberus huffed and changes into a smaller form so he can enter the palace. The guards carry the whimpering demon to a hidden entrance of the palace. Most likely the prison.

“We found Andriel. Any luck, with Samael, Thanatos?” Hades brings his arm out for Ember to walk by his side and I shake my head wearily.

“Unfortunately no, Your Majesty. This being, this owner has a powerful spell that hides their face even in memories.”

Hades tsked and shook his head. “And don’t call me Your Majesty. We are friends, Thanatos. I believe Ember has told you that.”

I grumbled under my breath; the sound barely audible amidst the bustling of the crowded room. I tighten my fist, feeling the tension radiating through my fingers. It wasn’t always like this, and they expected me to change in an instant. Doesn’t he remember the old ways at all? Once everyone started getting mates, it felt like a switch had been flipped, and I struggled to comprehend the sudden shift in dynamics.

Then again—my emotions have changed as well. No longer stoic, but a damn mine field of emotion. I pray to the Fates it settles soon.

“Sure, Hades.” I nodded at him. It still felt bitter under my tongue, but I’d allow it for now.

We walked up the steps, and when we entered the palace, it was quiet. Ember was solemn. Her usual perky self wasn’t all that clear.

When I gazed down at her short stature, I found she was staring back up at me. “Is Juniper doing okay?” she whispered.

I gripped my scythe and rubbed my thumb along with the wooden handle. “Yes, I believe better than I ever thought she would be. Both mentally and physically.”

She had healed from her injuries beautifully, thanks to Athena. Mentally I knew she was hiding things from me, but itdid not scare her from her physical lust for me. I would always respect her wishes if she didn’t want to touch me, but she never gives me the chance. She jumps my bones each time.

I smirked under my hood.

“Do you think she will want to complete the bond with you, with her history?” Ember tilted her head in curiosity. "She went beyond what I was forced to do. She had to get up there, dance and all. I just had to wait tables.”

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