Heart of the Serpent: Hades' Carnival, Book 5 by N.J. Walters Page B

His arms and legs grew, his body morphing until there was no sign of a human male. In his place was a huge dragon-like creature. Her serpent.
    He turned and slithered down the path. She had to hurry to keep up with him. He turned left and ducked through a giant archway. She stilled as torches sprang to life, illuminating the cavernous room.
    The entire space glittered and sparkled. She blinked, practically blinded by the rare gemstones that were piled and scattered on every available surface. “Wow. This is incredible.” Mordecai had stopped in the center of the room, surrounded by his treasure. She understood her dragon well. In human form, he’d started a company—Dragon’s Holdings—building massive wealth for himself and the other warriors. Oil, minerals, technologies, he had his fingers in a lot of pies. He not only needed the challenge, it was in his very nature to acquire.
    The light reflected off him when he moved and Jessica caught her breath. She walked forward, hand out in front of her. “You look different than you did before.” She touched the hard scales on his side. Where they’d been a muddy green and brown before, now they sparkled like emeralds and bronze.
    He tilted his head in question. “You shine. You shimmer just like the jewels around you.” She began to laugh.
    Mordecai shifted back to his human form, not bothering with clothing beyond a pair of pants. He didn’t feel the cold at all. But he worried about Jessica, who was bundled in an arctic parka he’d purchased for her. They both had a lot to learn about what being immortal meant for her.
    She jumped into his arms and he caught her easily. She twined her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. “You’re so pretty now. You were fierce in your serpent form before, but now you’re gorgeous too.”
    He frowned. “I’m not pretty. I’m ferocious.”
    She patted his cheek. “Of course you are, baby.”
    No one else in the entire world, or in any realm, would talk to him in such a way. Nor would he allow it. But when Jessica did it made his heart melt. He shook his head. “You know I’m feared the world over and in Hell itself.”
    She grinned. “I know. That’s pretty cool too.”
    He gave up and spun her in a circle. “The darkness from Hades’ realm dimmed the light inside me, and thus my serpent’s as well. Now that you’ve chased it away I am finally myself again.”
    He kissed her then, tasting the love on her lips. Her touch satisfied him in a way that all the diamonds, sapphires, opals, emeralds and rubies of the world could not.
    He eased his mouth from hers, loving the way her eyes clouded with passion and her lips were moist from his kiss. “It’s in my nature to collect,” he began. “I don’t know why, but it’s instinctual, much like a bear might hibernate in winter.”
    “You’ve got a pretty awesome collection.” She twisted in his arms, taking in the entire space. “This place is incredible.”
    “I’m glad you approve. But unlike the legends of dragons, this serpent doesn’t mind sharing.” He wanted her to understand that all he had was hers now as well.
    “Oh, Mordecai, I know that.” She stroked her fingers over the side of his face. “After all, you made certain all the other warriors got a piece of the company you built over the decades. None of them ever have to worry again because of your generosity.”
    She was everything to him. Sheer perfection. This tiny woman held his fate in her hands. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. “But there is one thing I will not share. In fact, I would kill anyone who dares to try to take it from me.”
    She frowned and leaned back in his arms. “What is it? I have to know so I don’t accidentally take it.”
    Just when he’d thought he couldn’t love her more. He sat in the center of his jewel cache high in the mountains, holding her tight in his arms. “You,” he told her. “You, Jessica Miller are my greatest treasure, and