Page 102 of Hell Fae Commander

Yeah,Ajax agreed, his hand lifting to bat at his ear.If Shade tickles me one more time, I’m going to kill him.

Probably not the wisest move in his palace,I pointed out.Especially when he has a powerful mate-circle.

Pretty sure Zakkai would reward me if I killed Shade,Ajax muttered, standing. “Fine.I get it,” he said, swatting at his ear again and drawing out his wand to mutter some sort of spell.

I half expected to see a snake appear again, but nothing happened.

What did you do?I asked, frowning.

Sent Shade a little gift.

The Midnight Fae in question appeared in the suite a moment later, a bat on one shoulder and an owl on the other. “If you’re going to send your familiar after me, perhaps check in with the animal first to see if he still even likes you.”

Az turned around slowly in the kitchen, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air. His gaze immediately landed on the two winged creatures, a low growl vibrating from his chest.

Or perhaps he was growling at Shade.

It was hard to tell.

I almost asked Ajax, but he was too busy staring at the owl on Shade’s shoulder.

Are you okay?I asked him, concerned by the pale quality of his features. For lack of a better phrase, he looked like he’d just seen a ghost.

Ajax didn’t reply to me. Instead, he swallowed and took a step forward.

The owl’s features ruffled in response, his little beak turning away in a clear snub.

My eyebrows lifted.Well, that little thing has a personality on it, doesn’t it?

“You’ve been looking after him,” Ajax said aloud, his words seeming to be for Shade.

“Of course I have. He’s Draco’s best friend. Just like you’re my best friend.” Shade cocked his head to the side. “Want to take a walk with us?”

Ajax swallowed again, then cleared his throat. “I, uh…” He shook his head, then looked my way.Are you okay to stay here with Az for a bit?

I glanced at the still-growling male in the kitchen. He was hyper-fixated on the owl now.What’s wrong with your Phoenix?I asked Az.

He doesn’t like the competition for your attention,Az gritted out.He wants to rip the owl apart.

Oh.I frowned. “Az’s Phoenix doesn’t appear to like the owl. So maybe a walk is a good idea?” I said aloud to Ajax.

“You two will have to learn how to get along,” Shade drawled, glancing between the owl and Az in the kitchen. “Kuro might be giving Ajax the cold shoulder now, but once they repair the divide, I suspect he’ll be following Ajax everywhere again.”

My brow furrowed, my mind finally piecing together all of Shade’s statements.Wait… Is the owl your familiar?I asked Ajax.

Yeah.His mental voice sounded gruff.Kuro is mine.

Why’s he so angry with you?

He thinks I abandoned him here,Ajax muttered.

Did you?

Sort of. It’s complicated.He cleared his throat.He… he reminds me of my past. And I left all of that behind. Including him.

A hint of remorse filtered through our link, making my heart ache a little for him.You were healing.

No. I was running,he replied.Hiding from my pain. And now I’m paying the price for it.