Page 7 of Hell Fae Captive

“I’d offer to help, but I don’t want to.”

“Of course you don’t.” Az didn’t particularly enjoy socialization, preferring to communicate with his fists more than his mouth.

He pressed a kiss to my neck, then left me to handle the furious Halfling beauty outside the gates. I debated leaving her there to play with this paradigm’s version of the LethaForest. Her punishment hadn’t been all that fulfilling. Although, she had been crafty, and that sort of behavior should be rewarded. At least a little.

I wavered, weighing the options.

A gargoyle grating out a command for her to step back made the decision for me.

It would truly upset Lucifer if a woman with her potential was killed by one of Zen’s creations or the gargoyles she’d allowed to reside within this paradigm. He wouldn’t be able to do anything to Zen, their agreement protecting her from his wrath. Not to mention her former Midnight Fae Queen title and her ties to the current royalty sitting on the Midnight Fae thrones.

But he could punish me.

And I very much preferred to avoid that.

“You think I’m afraid of a petite little stone creature with a sword the size of my hand?” She sounded both amused and annoyed, her voice carrying on the wind. “You’re like a pissed-off little garden gnome.”

The gargoyle growled in response, his little body sprinting forward with his sword raised. “That’s enough, Sir Garmond,” I said, using a whispered spell to force the gargoyle to remain still. “And it’s really not wise to challenge them, Ms. De la Croix,” I added as I moved into view. “Gargoyles are quite powerful for their size.”

“So am I,” she replied.

“Yes, it seems that you are,” I agreed, snapping my fingers to call the gates to open. “But are you powerful enough to survive?”

She glared at me, her feisty energy causing my lips to curl. I hadn’t met a woman like her in what felt like a very long time.

Most females submitted so easily.

However, not this one.

Hmm, she was definitely worth betting on with Az because she just might make it to the end.

She stepped through the entry, her expression darkening as she took in the castle-like buildings at my back.

I smiled. “Welcome to the Hell Fae Bride Trials, darling. I’m the Warden. Allow me to show you to your new cell.”

CHAPTERTHREE

CAMI

Havinga Hell Fae for a father had prepared me for all sorts of bizarre situations.

This was not one of them.

“Hell Fae Bride Trials?” I snorted. “No, thanks.”

TheWardenignored me, instead choosing to turn around with a “Follow me” command.

As I wasn’t a dog, or at all interested in adhering to his order, I remained by the gates. He lifted his hand, presenting a wand to the air.

My brow furrowed in confusion, only to gasp as a bolt of purple fire left his magical conduit and lassoed me around the neck to tug me forward.Like a leash.

“Let go of me,” I demanded, my fingers protesting the fiery strand as I tried to yank it away from my neck.

“I offered to let you walk on your own. You declined. This is the alternative choice.” He turned to admire the magic sizzling against my throat. “And I daresay that collar looks very good on you, Camillia.”

I growled in response.

He grinned. “Now, these are the entry grounds,” he said, gesturing to the dark landscape of leafless trees, black grass, and wandering wildlife. While it was a step up from the tunnels, chasms, and melted rock, I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like this place all that much more than the previous location. “Just about everything in this courtyard will try to kill you, so I don’t suggest visiting often.”