Apep stared at his new confidant.
“Are you sure I can trust you? You haven’t proven yourself to be as loyal as you should have.”
“I really have nothing to lose. I don’t have anything else.”
He nodded, “That’s true. I will say that in these last few years you have kept a low profile, been punctual, and done everything I asked.”
Cybrus smiled, “You’ve been very gracious to me. Provided me housing, and friendship during my time of exile.”
Cybrus had run into Apep just before he left his original dwelling and, on his knees begged for mercy. Though Apep didn’t like him, he did enjoy seeing the once king on his knees groveling. He still didn’t completely trust him, but with Derrick gone, he needed someone to run the errands he couldn’t.
“I need a new favor. Are you still technically able to officiate weddings?”
Cybrus furrowed his brow, “Yes… Why?’
“I want you to marry Evie and me. She finally accepted.”
The shock on Cybrus face was evident. “Are you sure? I saw firsthand how much she loved my son.”
Apep fury showed itself immediately. “AND I WITNESSED FIRSTHAND YOUR SON REJECT HER! Deal's done. She belongs to me. I don’t care what Soul Tie she had. She made a deal and she lost. So, either marry us or find new ways to get food and shelter.”
Shrinking Cybrus spoke low, “I never said I disagreed with you, I was just pointing it out. My son is a monster, and she deserves someone as distinguished as you.”
That’s what Apep wanted to hear, “That’s more like it. Now fetch me a wedding tux, I’ll consort with my bride on what type of dress she would like.”
Nodding, Cybrus quickly exited their meeting place. Apep would have to eventually trust him enough to allow him to find out where he was keeping Evie, but until then he would see how he faired.
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Returning to his lair, Apep immediately demanded a kiss of Evie. She’d been doing everything he asked, including sleeping next to him in bed. Of course, he kept the orb restraint around the little mutt's neck to ensure it, but there was clearly a shift in his home, and he liked the way it felt. He nuzzled into her neck.
“You look delicious.” She stilled feeling repulsed. “I was thinking we should be married in a month. You know to commemorate the time it took you to get rejected by your Soul Tie.” He didn’t need to see her face to feel her anger. He loved riling her up, he found it sexy, and had grown to desire it more than her affection. “So, what do you think?”
“Fine.”
He released her. Allowing her to excuse herself to tend to Kore, he watched her from behind. In a month he would consummate their marriage and if he had it his way, finally produce an heir. Evie brushed Kore’s hair, trying her hardest to ignore the orb surrounding her neck. The sight of it angered and saddened her to her very core.
“Mommy…I take off?” Kore pulled at the orb. Relaxing her daughter’s fingers, she shook her head no.
“One day, but not today, okay?” Kore’s big green eyes saddened, but she shook her head okay. Turning back around, she let Evie continue her hair. “Kore, where is your other bow?” It was missing and she was unable to finish. Shrugging her little shoulders, she sat and played with her doll. “That’s strange…” Evie always kept up with the little that Kore had. Opting to just find something else, she finally finished her hair. “How about we spend some time outside?”
Her daughter jumped up in excitement. Wrapping her arms around Evie’s neck, she whispered.
“Aww…I love you mommy.”
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“Is everything alright Angelica? You said that it was urgent?”
The older woman shook her head at Thanatos before receding to her chair. She pointed to a box. “Open that for me.” Curiously, he did. Inside sat a black diamond ring and he pulled it out eyeing it carefully. “My husband gave that to me. It not much, but it’s wrapped in love.”
He read the inscription, “Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours.” A lump formed in his throat, “I don’t know what this means Angelica.”
“Yes, you do.”
He did but saying it out loud would hurt.
“When you find my daughter and grandchild-and I know you will. You get on your knee and you propose, and you marry her.” Thanatos quickly wiped his eyes. “You’re going to find them; don’t you dare give up hope.”
Nodding his head, he hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you,” he said before letting her go. Promptly leaving, he found himself on the trail to travel home. The walk was long, but Thanatos wanted to take the scenic route. So much was on his mind, he needed to process. He stared at the ring.
*I should have married you when I had the chance Poppet. Should have loved you as you deserved. *
He looked around at the souls. The way they worked and got on. They were more at ease, more productive, some even now waved when they saw him. A small crunch under his feet took his attention away. Leaning down, he saw a piece of red cloth with something wrapped inside. He picked it up, and immediately the scent of vanilla permeated his nose. Realizing it was a piece of a dress, he hesitantly unfolded it.
A small green bow now broken sat inside, he stared at both the items. The small flint of grass attached to them both didn’t belong to Magical Fall. “Why does this look so familiar?” He almost dropped it. It was a part of the dress Evie wore the night she’d went away. Stuffing it in his pocket, he quickly made his way to Romulus's house. He might not know much about plants and leaves, but he definitely knew someone who did.
“I know what you’re doing.” Poseidon whispered to Hades as they watched Thanatos disappear.
Shrugging his brother off, he spoke, “Don’t know what you mean.”
“You planted that there.”
“You gonna tell?”
Poseidon shook his head, “Not my circus not my monkey, I’ll leave you and Zeus to figure that out."
His brother vanished into the air, and Hades took a sharp breath.
*I may be forbidden to kill Apep myself, but no one said I couldn’t help him do it. *