Luna had been glued to him ever since last night.
Her eyes were closed, head resting on his shoulder as they sat in the small eatery.
Hades didn't mind her closeness. If anything, his love for her seemed to grow with every passing moment.
"I don't know if it's just my heart talking," she murmured, looking up at him, "but since last night… my love for you has shot through the roof. Is it because of the mark?"
Hades shrugged lightly. "Could be. There's no burning now, right?" He leaned closer, checking her neck.
A faint pattern of glowing embers marked her skin—subtle, yet unmistakable. It was the sign of a dragon's claim.
His inner voice whispered that any dragon with half a brain who saw Luna would recognize the mark… and know it led back to him.
In that moment, Hades had essentially announced to the world that he was a dragon—through her.
He didn't regret it. But it made one thing certain—he would grow stronger, strong enough to protect his mate no matter the cost.
