Page 112 of Hell Fae Captive

“You’re seriously asking me that?” I meant for my voice to hold a touch of anger, but it just came out as a hoarse sound. How dare he insult me by asking as if he didn’t already know why I’d refused his gifts.

Anger thundered through my veins, forcing me out of my ball and into a crawling position that soon led to me rising to my feet. It was a process—one I hated was so slow—but fuck if I was going to lie next to his tempting tray of food and let him feed me like some sort of pet.

Except I swayed and nearly fell, which completely defeated the purpose of standing, as it led me to leaning into Melek—who caught me deftly with his hands.

He guided me over to the couch, and I found myself praying that spell had returned.

Only nothing happened as he sat me down on it.

Nothing other than him joining me.

“I believe the humans have a term for this,” he said conversationally, sweeping his hand through the air to magically call the tray to his lap. “It’s calledhangry.”

“I’m not hangry,” I growled as my stomach rumbled in clear disagreement.

Melek sighed, his expression losing its humor. “Please eat, Camillia.”

I glared at him, but I took note of his polite request.

I doubted many heard Melek sayplease.

“You need your strength,” he continued. “Especially since you don’t have a proper source to pull energy from.” His gaze flickered with curiosity then. “Is that why you denied my gifts? Because of the toll they take on your spirit?”

I blinked at him. I was starting to wonder if he was really this dense or still fucking with me.

But the genuine interest in his features had me leaning toward the former.

“The last time I used something from you,” I started slowly, “I ended up here.” I pointed at the cell around me. “Which you claimed wasmyfault for using the talisman. So why the hell would I use one of your spells?”

Now it was his turn to blink. “Oh.” He relaxed against the couch. “I see.”

I stared at him.

Then looked down at the food on his lap.

It really did appear quite appetizing.

But I was hesitant to accept anything from him.

“Lucifer already hates me.” As evidenced by the way his midnight gaze had run over me earlier. “This is hard enough without that added difficulty.” Because there was no way I could negotiate my freedom if the Hell Fae King despised me.

“He doesn’t hate you, Cami,” Melek murmured, his expression shifting into something akin to understanding. “You intrigue him. There’s a difference.”

“I don’t want tointriguehim.”

Melek considered me for a long moment, then slid the tray from his lap to mine. “All Hell Fae are allowed to give their preferred candidate three gifts. I am not allowed to give you anything tangible—a punishment I’m serving for the talisman—except for food. Which means you are very much allowed to eat this meal.”

My brow furrowed. “A punishment for the talisman?”

His lips curled to reveal those beautiful dimples. “You are not the only one who was punished for that gift, Cami.” He canted his head. “Though, I do think you have received the harsher sentence. I’ll see what I can do to fix it.”

Gratitude almost left my mouth, except I knew better than to accept words so easily.

Hell Fae Rule #8: If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is.

“In exchange for what?” I asked him, my voice still a rasp. My aching throat was practically begging me to shut up and just accept the water. But I couldn’t. Not until I understood his terms.

His gaze practically sparkled, proving I was right to ask. “Accept my gift of food and water, and I will do something to fix your accommodations. Specifically, I will ensure air-conditioning and a proper bed. But only if you eat all the food on that tray and drink all the water in that jug.”