Thanatos silenced my lips with his. “Never say that. I will never get bored or annoyed. Like I have said before. Soulmates are different, we are made for each other.”
I gazed down at my hands and giggled.
“And--I love you too,” Thanatos said, cupping my jaw.
My heart dropped to my stomach. Could he really know what the wordlovemeant? Did either of us?
He was still learning emotions while I dealt with a long life of bad luck.
“And I know I love you, because this emotion that I feel here,” he pulled my hands from around his neck and onto his chest for me to feel his heart, “is stronger than anything I have ever felt. It is both calming, yet frightening, fierce yet soft, powerful yet delicate. You, Juniper, hold my heart in your hands. You have the power to either help me grow or destroy me.”
My lips parted.Yup, that is exactly how I would describe it.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Thanatos
That night, my mate and I slept underneath the stars, created by her soul. It was peaceful laying beneath them, along with the crimson leaves that swayed with the mountain’s fresh breeze.
The following day, we found solace in each other’s company beneath the comforting shade of that familiar tree. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds filled the air, creating a serene atmosphere. Occasionally, Juniper would inquire about the women who used to frequent the club, but I assured her that everything was under control. Gone were the days of encountering humans, demons, angels, or any other supernatural beings seeking entertainment from these women. The club had transformed into a realm solely occupied by those who were now in my employ.
My reapers and demons didn’t make the women uncomfortable. Even some demons managed to manipulate the weak minds of the human guards, leaving the women with nothing to do but wait. They knew help was coming. They just had to play the part a little longer if the owner came back. So far, she has stayed far away.
By mid-afternoon, I felt the nagging pull in my chest, meaning my brother was looking for me. We’d always had that connection since we were infants, and I wasn’t about to ignore it. With great reluctance, we gathered ourselves and away from our oasis and traveled back to the chaos.
Once we arrived back at Hades’ palace, I walked through the doors with my head held high and my chest puffed out. I confidently walked through the doors. My mate, who was wrapped around my arm, also appeared rather pleased with herself.
Things were going smoothly, and soon I would have her soul connected to mine.
As we stepped into the conference room, a sudden hush enveloped the air, broken only by a deep, exasperated sigh emanating from across the room. Instantly, I recognized the familiar sound. Her luscious blonde curls cascaded gracefully over her shoulders, accentuating her radiant, sun-kissed complexion. The room seemed to shimmer in her presence. She stood there, delicately pinching the bridge of her nose, a subtle gesture that conveyed a hint of frustration.
“Nice of you to join us,” Hera rolled her eyes. “Now please sit so we can get this over with.” She waved her hands dismissively, and I gripped hold of my scythe.
Hades leaned over the heavy mahogany table, fire at his fingertips. "Hera, we have been fucking waiting for you to end your vacation while women on earth feared they could be killed,raped, or subjected to even worse atrocities at any moment; don't give us that attitude."
“Bad word.” Uriel mouthed to Juniper from across the table.
Juniper failed miserably as she tried to hide her smile back at her new friend.
Hera sighed and dropped her hand into her lap. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have snapped. But by the Fates, we have said we are not to interfere in the lives of humans. It’s been a law for centuries and here you are eradicating sex trafficking rings. You are breaking codes, Ember. You know this, right?”
Ember straightened her shoulders and leaned forward in her seat. “Technically, yes, but we have special circumstances. Demons, Angels, and deities seem to run the rings that we have broken up lately, so I hardly think that breaks the laws the gods have set in place.”
Hera’s eyes widened. “Angels do this too? I could see Demons doing this, but angels?”
Hades huffed in annoyance and let his eyes roll to the back of his head.
"Why didn't anyone inform me about this?" Hera squealed. “Uriel? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Uriel shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t know there were angels a part of the trafficking ring. Ember and Thanatos usually work on it. I’m just here to help because I made a new friend–Juniper!”
Hera was still the queen of the Celestial kingdom, with Zeus as its king until he can find his mate. Hera’s duties have become less and less with Zeus taking on more of a permanent and stable role since the gods are now being blessed with mates. He’s been trying to prove to all the gods he takes his job seriously now, thank the Fates.
“Zeus is knowledgeable of this,” Hades said, sitting down and motioned for Ember to sit on his lap. “You don’t have to be notified of every movement that we do.”
Hera huffed and crossed her arms. “My mate is in charge of the angels. I think he has a right to know he has some rogue angels out there.”
“Gabriel and Michael both know.” Hades swirled his glass of whisky.
