Page 10

TYPHOS

A jax eyed my hand with obvious distrust, the look one that wounded me more than I cared to admit.

Did I deserve this reaction? Probably yes. But that didn’t mean I liked it.

Hades’s words circulated through my thoughts regarding weakened minds and how easily they could be manipulated. He didn’t mean by any ordinary fae, but by Virtuous Fae. The creators of fae kind. Fae like Vivaxia.

Was Ajax’s mind susceptible to her influence as well? Was his loyalty to me so far gone that she could squeeze through the cracks in his psyche and manipulate him into working against me?

Because that was what had happened in the Netherworld Kingdom tonight. Vivaxia had been able to control several dozen Death Fae and Corpse Fae, acting as a puppet master as she drove them to attack Az.

And she’d accomplished that because there were already seeds of distrust blooming in their minds.

Seeds that had been planted by me.

My punishments , I realized.

Hades hadn’t mentioned that part, but he hadn’t needed to. I’d understood what he was telling me—some of my fae were displeased with my leadership.

I’d known this for a while, hence the development of the bride trials. But it seemed that hadn’t been enough.

Disquiet in the Netherworld made sense. I’d punished the fae here—as well as those in Morpheus Kingdom—for partaking in Monsters Night. But perhaps I’d been too harsh.

Or maybe my men didn’t feel I’d done enough to sate their needs to take a mate.

Had I? I wondered. Were the trials too much?

I’d meant to test the brides, not my fae males. However, I supposed everyone had been tested along the way.

Including myself.

The Hell Fae Source had never approved of unmated female fae entering my realm because the Source was part of my heart. Part of me. And I harbored insecurities where females were concerned unless a powerful Hell Fae had vetted them. A leftover consequence of Vivaxia’s betrayal.

I recognized that. Owned that. And had developed the trials as a way to force myself to see beyond my ingrained bias. To learn to trust. To embrace all fae, not just male fae.

Logically, I understood that males could be just as untrustworthy as females. Thus, the trials had been designed in a way that would force me to acknowledge that logic, to see that women could be just as trustworthy as men.

The heart of fae kind existed in the soul, hence the importance of distinguishing light and dark souls in the Hell Fae Realm.

Intentions were important. Nightmare Fae were often misunderstood, and I’d wanted to ensure their intended mates could see through their monstrous masks and into the heart beneath.

Alas, looking at Ajax now and the distrust painting his features, I again realized how much I’d failed.

Here stood my Hell Fae Warden, the man I’d assigned to guard the infamous Nightmare Fae prisons, and not even he could see through the charades.

Because I’d never taught him how.

I’d never guided him.

I’d never mentored him.

That was about to change.

“Please,” I pressed, still staring at Ajax. “We’ll head back to the palace, have a meal, discuss a few things, and relax. Then you and Camillia will join me tomorrow for training.”

“What kind of training?” Ajax asked, still refusing to accept my hand. Not that he actually needed it. He could easily shadow himself back to the palace. This was just meant as a gesture.

Or a deal, I supposed.

Only, I wasn’t expecting anything other than his willingness in return for my tutelage.

Not that he seemed to believe me, if his suspicious expression was anything to go by.

I nearly sighed. It seemed our conversation in the courtyard yesterday did little in the way of mending the bridge I’d burned between us. That was fine. I could be patient.

Because in the end, I would prove myself to him and to Camillia.

And that process would begin by helping them understand me better.

“I’ve realized I never properly introduced you to my realm and the creatures inside it.

I made some assumptions when I named you as my Warden, assumptions that have led to a severe fracture in our relationship.

The training—or perhaps a better term would be information sharing —will hopefully help mend some of your misconceptions about me and my realm. ”

Of course, I would need to do more than lecture them on all the details. I would need to show them, too.

Or maybe it would be more worthwhile to skip to the showing part. That was always the best way to learn—by doing.

A plan began to form in my mind, an idea of sorts, one that should provide an exquisite introduction into light and dark souls.

It would also allow me to help Camillia hone her talents. She possessed the potential to become a queen, a true goddess, really. Technically, Melek already set her on that path as his mate. But her fate ran so much deeper than their bond.

She was powerful, as evidenced by her ability to wield the death stone and everything else she’d done while in my realm.

However, her display in the Netherworld Kingdom also indicated her lack of restraint. And she didn’t appear to be able to see through the Nightmare Fae masks, her power having attacked almost everyone nearby as though each soul was an enemy when most were not.

That all was fine.

I would teach her.

An activity I very much looked forward to. Perhaps a bit too much.

There are so many things I could show her, I thought, glancing at her and finding her stormy irises locked on me in open evaluation. Almost as though she’d heard my musing aloud.

Or perhaps the hunger showed in my features.

Because I wanted to instruct her on a lot more than how to read and understand fae souls. I wanted to introduce her to various levels of control, and I wanted to demonstrate my power and train her to accept it. In all ways…

Fuck , I muttered to myself, forcing my gaze away from her. She’s far too tempting.

Yes, Melek agreed with a whisper into my mind. However, his mental voice wasn’t as playful as usual, reminding me of how much he was suffering in this kingdom.

I’d felt it the moment we first arrived, and that pain had only worsened the longer he’d remained here. Melek had expelled every ounce of his power to help Camillia, leaving him depleted and basically defenseless.

Ajax’s barrier spell was all that kept my little prince standing, something the Warden didn’t seem to fully comprehend. Fortunately, he hadn’t taken the shield away after learning that Melek needed it. Instead, I swore I’d felt him strengthen it.

Or perhaps that was merely my hope coming through.

The five of us would be so much stronger if we worked together, not against each other. A fact I should have realized weeks ago. Hell, months ago.

I really have been blind, I marveled.

I prefer to think of it as otherwise consumed, my king, Melek murmured. You care about your realm, Ty. Everyone knows that. Even Cami. You thought she was a threat and reacted accordingly. What matters is how you grovel now.

Grovel? I echoed, shifting my gaze from Ajax to Melek and pinning him with a look. I do not grovel.

With her, you might, he replied, a twinkle in his alluring eyes.

Eyes that told me he was far worse off than he allowed anyone else to believe.

“Ajax, if you want to stay here, that’s fine. But if you want answers, please join us in the palace,” I said, my focus still on my prince. “Melek can’t remain here any longer.”

I stepped forward, wrapped my palm around my prince’s nape, and pulled him to me. But before I could take us home, he reached out an arm for Camillia.

And she shocked me by stepping forward to join us.

My gaze slid to hers, a dozen questions peppering my thoughts, none of which I could voice.

“I’m hungry,” she said by way of explanation. “We never ate breakfast.”

Amusement touched my lips. “Indeed we didn’t.” You know where we’ll be, Azazel , I told my other mate.

We’ll be along shortly was his reply.

Wrapping my power around Melek and Camillia, I escorted them back to my quarters in the palace. The scent of food littered the air despite the tray having long since disappeared. “I need to ask Garmr about Payan.” This had all started when he delivered the letter with our meal.

But before I could focus on that, I needed to ensure Melek healed properly.

Mere seconds in the palace and his color was already returning, his eyes flickering with life.

“Payan was one of the Hellhounds you sent after me in the beginning,” Camillia muttered, causing my brow to furrow.

“In the beginning?” When did I send a Hellhound after her? Or did she mean Ajax? He’d been in charge of Hell Fae Bride recruitment.

“You know, when I became a Hell Fae Bride,” she said, confirming my thoughts on what she’d meant. “I stabbed him in the balls.”

Melek chuckled. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“That’s why Ajax had to come kidnap me,” she went on, shrugging. “Seems like a lifetime ago, but I recognized the Hellhound when he entered. I guess it’s a good thing he didn’t notice me. I doubt he likes me all that much.”

Amusement rippled through my bond with Melek, causing my lips to twitch. After everything that had happened today—hell, over the last few months—Camillia still maintained an air of nonchalance. Like nothing had truly fazed her.

Because her commentary on Payan had been more of the musing variety, not a concerned statement. I suspect she would have happily stabbed Payan again had he reacted to her presence.

And something about that just intrigued me more.

She’s fearless , I realized.

Except… she feared me. I’d seen that in her gaze earlier, felt the prickle of her terror against my subconscious.

Something I’d done, perhaps everything I’d done, had wounded her warrior heart and caused her to look upon me with dread.

That knowledge—that realization— wiped the smile from my lips.

“I’m going to prepare breakfast,” I decided aloud, needing something to do. A way to show her favor. To start bridging this void between us.

Training required trust, something she clearly didn’t feel for me. And it seemed Ajax didn’t either.

Maybe I need to give them a few days to acclimate before we begin, I thought as I left the room. Prove my intentions through actions. Leave them to get comfortable in the palace. Allow them to see the real me… in my palace .

I also needed to figure out a way to fix the fractures in my Hell Fae, determine how to regain their faith and make them less vulnerable to Virtuous Fae influence.

The Hell Fae Bride Trials had been put on hold as a result of the portals. Maybe I should take a few days to determine next steps, have some meetings with my lieutenants to discuss ideas and needs, and move from there.

That would allow me to be productive while Camillia and Ajax grew more comfortable.

Nodding to myself, I approved of my internal plan and set about making breakfast, a task I hadn’t done in decades. Melek usually cooked, this part of our suite having been his realm more than mine. But I didn’t trust anyone to handle our food right now, not after the letter incident.

Garmr would be first on my list for a meeting today.

After I finished taking care of my mates.

Or mate , I supposed.

My mate and Camillia.

Odd how mates felt more natural , I thought.

Then I squashed the idle musing and focused on the task.

It’s just pancakes. Nothing more. Nothing less.