Page 56 of Bride of Death
Until recently.
When Alina learned that everything she knew was a lie.
The Elite City controls reproduction of humans and disperses them to the villages.
My mate and her “sister” were among that operation.
“You already know this,” I go on. “Aside from that, it should be obvious with your pale features and her darker ones.”
Persephone’s eyes narrow. “All the more reason for you to know that this is just a giant misunderstanding. Alina’s a real Omega. I’m not.”
I arch a brow. “That’s an interesting evaluation. Explain.”
“Explain?” she parrots back at me. “Explain what? That I’m just a human? That you’ve mistaken me for someone else?”
“I don’t make mistakes. You know this.”
“No, I don’t,” she tells me, her impatience another new trait. My Persephone is patience personified. As evidenced by her miraculous deception. “I. Don’t. Know. You.” She utters the repeated words with a slow precision, like she’s talking to a muttonhead.
Maliki is no longer grinning or eating his popcorn. He actually looks a bit concerned. Maybe because he noticed my hand clenching into a fist.
It’s not out of anger, but another emotion. One that tightens my chest. A sensation I refuse to identify.
“Look, I’m not even an Omega. And as you pointed out, Alina isn’t my blood sister. So this is all just some sort of misunderstanding.” She unfolds her arms, her expression suddenly exuding an unnatural amount of exhaustion. Or is it sadness I’m witnessing? Maybe a hint of jealousy?
I don’t understand it.
Nor do I understand her proclamation. “You possess an Omega’s soul. Specifically, Persephone’s soul.”
“Then why haven’t I gone into heat?” she asks me, her eyebrows rising. “I may not know a lot about Mythos Fae, but Alina has taught me some of the basics. And I’ve not experienced anything like her. So maybe you’re wrong.”
“I’m not.”
She just stares at me, then shakes her head. “You’re like a brick wall.”
I frown, not following the strange comment. “Meaning?”
She snorts and turns away from me to resume fussing with her plant. “Never mind. It’s not worth trying. Just know that I am not marrying you.”
My frown deepens. “You’re already married to me, so I hardly see how a simple ceremony will be an issue for you.”
She doesn’t deign to respond, instead she picks up her pot and carries it into the living room to set it by the solitary window. I watch as she arranges the curtains, then frowns when she looks outside. “There’s no sun here.”
“That’s by design,” I tell her, pleased with myself. “This kingdom embraces death.” I should know, as I influenced various features after its creation.
All with Persephone in mind.
Because I wanted her to be miserable here.
It seemed appropriate for her impending imprisonment.
Many Alphas believe that Omegas are lost forever. I’ve never agreed with that theory because I could sense not only Persephone’s soul but my mother’s as well.
So rather than wallow like many of my brethren, I chose to search. And while I searched, I found a new home for my darling wife.
One that would make her feel bereft.
Alone.
