Page 53 of Hell Fae Commander

“Fae, this is a comfortable mattress,” he groaned as he brought his other leg up and curled into the bed. “Fuck, it’s probably spelled for sex.”

A laugh escaped me as he crawled into the center to collapse again.

“The couch must be spelled for backaches. Maybe it’s some sort of warped punishment for being kicked out of this monstrosity of a bed,” he continued. “Anyone sleeping on the couch clearly did something wrong.”

“I didn’t force you to sleep there,” I pointed out.

“No, but it was what I deserved. Hence, the backache.” He stretched against the mattress and sighed. “I think I live here now. Enjoy midnight breakfast with Shade. His riddles are almost as annoying as Melek’s.” His words were a mumble as his eyes closed.

“Maybe the bed is spelled for sleep, not sex,” I mused.

“A bed this size is absolutely used for sex,” he murmured back. “Group sex.” One hand lifted to gesture at the chair in the corner. “With an audience.”

“Sounds like you’ve been thinking about it,” I hedged as I lay down beside him, still under the covers while he remained on top.

“Sex is a common thought while in your presence,” he admitted, his thick eyelashes parting as he gazed over at me. “Pretty sure I’m addicted to you, Cami.”

My lips twitched. “I’m not sure if that’s an insult or a compliment.”

“Definitely a compliment,” he replied. “You’re the first woman I’ve desired in over a decade. The first fae I’ve wanted to confide in, too. I think I’ve told you more than I’ve ever told Az, which I guess means he might not have fully realized how his actions would impact me. But…” He shrugged. “Doesn’t mean I can let that go.”

Sort of like how I might not be able to let Lucifer’s punishment—and Ajax’s involvement—go either. Just for different reasons.

“I’m going to do what I can to protect you, Cami,” he promised. “I just hope it’s enough.”

I reached over to palm his cheek. “I appreciate the sentiment, Warden.” And I did. Because I could tell he meant it.

Alas, we were both aware that Lucifer would win this battle in the end. Neither of us knew how to fight him, nor were we strong enough to even try.

Ajax angled his head to kiss my wrist, his eyes falling closed once more. “The instinct to bite you is killing me, Cami.”

I started to pull away, but he caught my hand and held my wrist to his mouth.

“I would never bite you without permission,” he vowed. “Even with my uniquely wired magic, it would initiate the Midnight Fae bonds. And I refuse to take a mate without consent.” His eyes opened, the blue rims around his irises flashing. “I’ll prove to you that you can trust me, Cami.”

He nibbled my pulse, not hard enough to break the skin, then placed a kiss on my open palm.

“It’ll take time, but I’ll earn it, if you let me.”

Did I want that? Do I want to let him earn my trust? My affection?My… heart?

My throat worked as I studied him, my mouth suddenly dry.Actions speak louder than words,I kept whispering to myself.And his actions… are very loud.

How was this the male who had interrogated me before? Tying me to a chair, threatening me with snakes…

Only to be contrite afterward when he realized I hadn’t deceived him. Hadn’t broken his faith in me. Hadn’t intentionally hurt him at all.

We’d grown so much since those moments, in so short a time.

How much more can we grow?I wondered.What could life together be like?

We would always have Lucifer hanging over our heads, likely numbering our days. Hell, we might die today. Tomorrow. Next week.

Did I really want to spend my last remaining hours being angry at the one fae who had actually tried to help me?

He hadn’t known what Lucifer would do with those chains. Sure, he’d probably had an idea of what it would entail, but not the full picture of what would actually occur. How he’d been frozen by his best friend, forced to watch it all happen as Lucifer presented me on the stage like some sort of prize to be taken.

We were both suffering for very different, yet related, reasons.