Page 27 of Hell Fae King

A fifth? Who’s the fourth?

Her cheeks pinkened in response, her eyes widening.I… I meant fourth. Or fifth. I don’t know. Lucifer is… well, he’s… he’s linked to Az and Melek and…

I just continued to stare at her, not giving anything away with my mind or my expression.

I don’t…She gritted her teeth.I don’t know, Ajax. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know how to feel. I don’t?—

I stepped forward and wrapped her up in my arms, the two of us ignoring the conversation flowing around us. All that mattered was demonstrating to Cami that I would be her ally no matter what she chose. No matter how she felt. No matter what she needed.You’re my mate,I whispered into her mind.I’ll accept anyone you need me to accept.

Although, the flex of power warming my back seemed to be testing my words before I could even finish them.

Except maybe Hades,I amended. But I was really only half joking. If Cami wanted him, I’d find a way to accept it.

I don’t want Hades, she told me.I was just… I mean, look at him, Ajax. He’sexactlyhow I would picture the God of the Underworld.

Netherworld,I corrected her.

Pretty sure my mythology professor would disagree with you,she muttered in response.

What?

Nothing. Never mind. I don’t want him. I… I want you. Az. Melek.

And maybe Lucifer?I hedged.

I don’t know,she admitted on a whisper into my mind.I… I dream of him.She uttered the words like she was confiding some big betrayal, one that appeared to be layered with guilt.

It’s okay to dream of him, little rebel,I told her.It’s even okay to want him. But I still don’t trust him.And I wouldn’t be able to trust him until I understood his intentions. Which, as Az had so eloquently stated, were in a constant state of flexibility.

Whatever the fuck that meant.

I don’t trust him either,Cami returned.Not yet.Those last two words were underlined with hope, an emotion that had long died within my soul.

At least until Cami had come along and rekindled the fire inside me.

But that flame only burned for her now. And a little bit for Az, too.

Thinking of my other mate had me glancing at where he now stood shoulder to shoulder with Typhos, the pair of them seeming to be in some sort of standoff with the God of the Netherworld.

What did we miss?I asked, frowning at Az’s back.

Lucifer asked Hades for his opinion on the Virtuous Fae magic used to manipulate the Death Fae and Corpse Fae,Azexplained.So now they’re negotiating terms for an exchange of information.

Because Hades won’t just answer the question?I guessed.

Nope.

I couldn’t help the smile taunting my lips.And Lucifer has to bargain for it?

Yep.

My amusement bloomed into a chuckle that had the Hell Fae King glancing back at me. “Is something humoring you, Warden?”

“Yes,” I answered honestly.

“Care to share?” he drawled.

“Sure. I’m amused that you’re being forced to play your favorite game—from the other side,” I replied, not caring at all if my words pissed him off. Because fuck holding back. I’d bowed at his feet for over a decade. And he’d paid me back by threatening me and my mate, issuing ultimatums, and forcing me to partake in his fucked-up version of punishment.