Page 43 of Hell Fae King

“Yes,” I confirmed. Then I pushed forward and elaborated on the deal he’d made with Vivaxia—the one that had freed Azazel and essentially protected me—and explained how Ty thought he’d won. “She wanted him to be her mate, but he knew deep down that they weren’t compatible. That his soul would reject her upon the final level.”

Cami frowned. “He knew?”

I nodded. “Just like I knew my soul would eagerly mate yours. On some level, we all know. But knowing requires caring.”

At her puzzled expression, I went on to tell her how Vivaxia had been too caught up in her own ego to even consider that her soul might be incompatible with Ty’s soul.

Or maybe she knew all along, I thought to myself, thinking about her note from the other day.Maybe she’s been playing the long game.

Ty had wondered something similar, his mind having puzzled out that perhaps she’d anticipated his rejection and had waited until he had something of true value to take from him.

“Their deal was crafted around his power, hislight. That’s why she wanted to mate him—to steal his gifts. And she layeredthat agreement to ensure she could. Only, his energy isn’t something that can just be taken. Hence the cause of his fall.”

I elaborated a bit more on those events, how the Virtuous Fae Source shattered as a result of Vivaxia’s deal, and how the end result was him creating the Hell Fae Realm in what used to be considered Virtuous Fae wastelands.

Some of the details were ones she’d already heard, and some were new. But repeating this information mattered because I needed her to fully grasp the history to understand the present.

“His power has been growing ever since,” I stressed. “And that growth has consequences, Cami.”

She leaned forward, her food still forgotten on her plate.

I considered reminding her to eat. However, time was not on our side. And I wanted to finish this conversation before Ty arrived with Ajax.

So I continued by telling her my concerns out loud.

My concerns about the Source and how large it had become.

My concerns about the impact on Ty’s soul.

My concerns about potential vulnerabilities throughout the realm.

And ended with my biggest concern of all. “Ty is at risk of losing control.” The words were so soft, spoken as a whisper between us. Because I’d never once admitted them out loud.

Oh, Ty had overheard the worries in my thoughts. But I’d never been so blunt before.

“He won’t admit it. Or perhaps he simply can’t. However, the truth is he’s exerting too much energy, has taken on too much of a burden, and it’s only a matter of time now before everything implodes.” I paused to let all the information settle between us, my heart racing in my chest.

This was a lot to confide in her, and it was also a lot to lay on her shoulders. But she needed to know what she meant to me, tous.

“These Hell Fae Bride Trials were about finding mates for the Hell Fae, but they were also about finding a Hell Fae Queen,” I added, voice still low. “Ty just hasn’t realized that yet. However, he’s beginning to. Because he’s finally starting to seeyou. Now you just need to see it in yourself. And that, my sweet angel, is what today’s training is about.”

CHAPTER 12

TYPHOS

Ty just hasn’t realized that yet…

Those words reverberated through my mind, my connection to Melek allowing me to hear most of his current conversation with Camillia.

None of the reveals were new to me. I was very familiar with Melek’s concerns, despite his attempt at hiding them from me. However, he was right about Camillia changing my outlook on everything.

That alluring little enchantress had achieved the impossible and had broken through each of my walls.

I’d fought her, thought I hated her, even. But now… now I saw her potential as an ally.

And so much more, a dark voice whispered in my head.

Ajax cleared his throat beside me, snaring my attention once more. Distrust swirled in his blue-black eyes, his expression exuding a lack of patience. Probably because I’d been in the middle of lecturing him about dark souls, only to freeze when Melek had started thinking about the true purpose of the Hell Fae Bride Trials.