Page 35 of Hell Fae Commander

After I figured out how to fix this?

“I am not Constantine,” Typhos reiterated, obviously fixated on that part of the conversation. “He murdered hundreds, if notthousands, of fae. He nearly annihilated an entire sect of Midnight Fae. All because he was power hungry and wanted to maintain his precious throne. I amnothim.”

“The Quandary Bloods possessed the ability to rewrite magic, which threatened his ties to the Midnight Fae Source,” Melek replied, his multicolored irises flickering as he boldly held the Hell Fae King’s gaze. “Constantine reacted to thatpotential threat. Similar to how you’re reacting to Cami.”

Typhos gaped at his prince. “I’m not reacting by trying to exterminate an entire breed of fae.”

“No, you’re not,” Melek agreed. “But Constantine didn’t begin that way either.” He held up his hand to stop Typhos from speaking as he added, “I’m not saying you’re him, Ty. I’m saying that Ajax is sensitive to that sort of behavior from a fae in power. Especially when directed at someone he has started to care about.”

“I didn’t even hurt her,” Typhos argued.

“No, you dressed her in chains and put her on display—on a stage—while your Commander mentally held Ajax in place.”

Typhos’s blue eyes narrowed. “You weren’t complaining about it when it happened, little prince.”

“Of course not. I adore sensual punishments,” Melek returned without missing a beat. “But there was something missing from this display, something I failed to understand at the time but realize now.”

“And what wasmissing?” Typhos pressed, his muscular arms folding across his broad chest.

“Consent.” The word fell like a bomb in the air, causing Typhos’s jaw to clench.

“She’s a prisoner. Prisoners have no rights. And further?—”

“I’ve marked her as an intended mate,” Melek interjected, cutting off the Hell Fae King. “That grants her more rights than most in this situation.” Melek’s serious tone was very unlike the typically playful fae.

It was enough to give Typhos pause.

Or perhaps it was Melek’s words that finally broke through the Hell Fae King’s thick wall of stubbornness.

“I know you’re intimidated by her abilities,” Melek continued in a softer voice. “And you’re rightfully protective of your source. But Vita chose Cami for a reason. Your source is letting her in for a reason, too. Let’s determine that reason before we enact judgment.”

Typhos growled, his anger seeping out despite the tight leash he usually kept on his emotions.

However, he was among his trusted circle now. Which afforded him an opportunity to react as he saw fit.

There were no masks between us. Just truths.

And right now, these truths were ones Typhos didn’t want to hear. But they were needed.

“Ajax and Cami will be fine for a night or two. Give them that time to heal. And give our Commander some grace, too.” Melek glanced at me, his expression uncharacteristically concerned. “Your Phoenix needs to fly.”

My beast needs a lot more than that,I nearly replied. But a hum of electricity cut me off, the sound coming from Typhos’s mind. I was more in tune with him now than usual, thus allowing me to hear his reaction to an incoming call.

He was irritated.

Relieved.

Exhausted.

All those emotions rolled over me in magnetic pulses, his inner turmoil rivaling my own. Just for very different reasons.

He waved his hand through the air to call up a smoky screen. “It’s Erebus,” he growled. “I need to take this.” His sapphire eyes met mine. “Two days, Az. I’m giving you two days. Then I want an update.”

The Hell Fae King didn’t give me a chance to reply, instead vanishing into one of his fiery clouds and leaving me alone with his prince.

Melek sighed, his long fingers combing his unruly blondish-brown strands away from his face. “He’s stubborn.”

“Yes.”