Page 38 of Hell Fae King

“Previously, yes,” he admitted. “Lately, though, I’ve focused on you. And before you ask, yes, he’s heard every word.”

“I wasn’t going to ask.”

“Perhaps not out loud,” he returned, grinning again as he tipped his head back once more into the suns’ rays from above. “You can lie about your intrigue all you want, little angel. I know the truth. And it’s a truth your mind has allowed me to learn.”

I bit my lip, not wanting to touch that comment.

Was I interested in Lucifer? Yes. I’d have to be a fool to ignore his charm. Exquisite looks. Athletic physique.Addictive kisses.

I shook my head, forcibly clearing my thoughts.Typhos Lucifer is not mine.

Yet,Melek hummed into my mind, adding his own ending to my sentence.But he could be.

He hates me.

Does he, though?he asked softly.Or were things just easier when you believed that?

My jaw clenched. “Tell me about today’s training,” I demanded out loud, refusing to indulge him in the topic of our mental conversation.

Because I didn’t want to think about what I believed or what could be.

I wanted to focus on the now.

This courtyard.

The one littered with fluttering fireflies and blooming flowers that looked more venomous than harmless.

And the Hell Fae males dressed in black fatigues.

“Does he expect me to spar with a Hellhound?” I wondered, searching for the two that had been playing fetch with that flaming ball.

Melek huffed a laugh. “No, little angel. I think our king is well aware of your fighting abilities. Otherwise, he’d send you back to the camp to play with the other brides.”

My brow furrowed, my gaze sliding to him. “What?”

He sat up, his eyes holding mine. “I suppose you wouldn’t be aware of what they’re currently doing, would you?”

Panic sent a bolt through my heart.The Hell Fae Brides. The trials. I’d been so removed from everything that I… I hadn’t even thought of the others. “Are they okay?” I asked, a feeling of dread tightening my stomach. “What are they training for?”Oh, fae.“Is there another trial soon?”

Of course there was another fucking trial soon. Why did I even bother to ask?

And how could I have forgotten about the other Hell Fae Brides?

Fuck. I’d been blinded by Lucifer’s beauty. His kisses. His… hiseverything. So much so that I’d forgotten the monster beneath his suits. The king who had taken me against my will.

Was it just the other day that I’d joked about Payan? How I’d stabbed him in the balls when he’d tried to retrieve me?

I’d… I’d made light of my situation.

While forgetting that others are still suffering.

Hell Fae Rule #6: Only Look Out for Yourself—No One Else.

I’d really taken that one to heart, apparently.I’m a selfish?—

“Cami,” Melek said, the sharpness of his tone yanking my attention back to him. “The Hell Fae Brides are fine. The trials have been on hold since the last portal incident. Ty doesn’t want to risk anyone’s life—bride or otherwise—until we’ve handled the Virtuous issue.”

I frowned at him. “Yet he has no problem sacrificing brides in the actual trials.”