Page 11

TYPHOS

F eeling Azazel’s return with Ajax, I paused my work at the stove and went back to increase the amount of pancake batter I’d whipped up.

Need any help, my king? Melek asked.

No. You’re supposed to be relaxing.

I’m already healed, Ty.

I knew that, but it didn’t change my answer. I want to do this . More so, I needed to do this. To properly take care of my circle. To prove that I was more than a tyrant king.

Melek seemed entertained by my adamance but didn’t press further. Instead, he simply replied, Camillia likes chocolate.

Hearing that, I divided some of the batter into a separate dish and found some chocolate chips in our magically stocked pantry. The little cubby held everything we desired. Literally. All I had to do was think of an ingredient and it appeared. Very useful. Especially right now.

Humming, I got to work, the task of flipping pancakes on a griddle coming to me with ease despite being out of practice.

Azazel entered as I started the chocolate chip batch, his irises swirling with a mixture of violet and black flames. “Melek said you were cooking. I had to see it for myself.”

Ajax stood just behind him, his brow furrowing as he glanced around my Commander to take in the kitchen.

“You know I can cook,” I told Azazel. “I’ve made you breakfast hundreds of times.”

“Yes, but I haven’t seen you flip a pancake in probably a century or more.”

I shrugged. “The Hellhounds usually cook.”

“But you don’t trust them now because of Payan,” he replied, likely having gathered that information from Melek. Or perhaps from my thoughts.

“I still have faith in them. But, as Hades pointed out, we have some weaknesses to see to. So until I’ve been able to properly evaluate everyone, I won’t be trusting anyone outside of this suite.”

Ajax grunted, drawing my focus to him.

“You have something to add, Warden?” I asked, my eyebrow inching upward.

He met and held my gaze without flinching. “You didn’t trust me a week ago.”

I cocked my head and set down my spatula to give him my full attention. “What makes you think that? I left you alone in the Midnight Fae Realm with a female I considered to be the ultimate threat to my realm. Was that not a show of trust?”

“That was about fae politics,” he returned as Azazel stepped up to my side to take over my pancake project on the stove.

I moved out of his way but carefully ensured I slid sideways and not in Ajax’s direction. His current mood reminded me of a temperamental Manticore; it was like he would charge me the moment he felt threatened by my presence.

And I really didn’t want to have to retaliate.

So I simply folded my arms, leaned back against the counter, and held his gaze. “You’ve known me for over a decade, Ajax. When have I ever given a fuck about fae politics?”

His jaw clenched. “You’ve attended Interrealm Fae events.”

“Begrudgingly, yes. And only because I intend to be there for those harmed when the efforts eventually fail,” I informed him flatly.

His eyebrows came down. “Why would they fail? Do you have something planned?”

This time it was my turn to grunt.

Because fuck .

I’d worried before that Ajax’s distrust might be a weakness Vivaxia could exploit. Now I knew for certain that it was.

I needed to fix this— quickly —or my entire circle could be at risk.

“History proves that these efforts often fail,” Azazel interjected before I could comment.

“Maybe this one will succeed. But we’ve seen so many failures over the millennia that we’ve perfected our abilities to help those harmed in the end.

That’s why Typhos has attended—to ensure he knows who may need him in the future. ”

“It also affords me an opportunity to be part of the movement should it actually succeed,” I added. “This is definitely the best orchestrated effort I’ve witnessed, but fae like Constantine still exist in other realms. And you saw firsthand what he was capable of.”

A cruel reminder, perhaps. But I needed Ajax to put this into perspective, to realize that his ire toward me was somewhat misdirected.

Because I had no doubt his current sentiments were grounded in his previous experiences, his shields having been perfected over a lifetime of pain.

“There’s a lot that I’ve done wrong here,” I went on before he could reply. “A lot I have to atone for where you and Camillia are concerned. But if we’re going to survive Vivaxia, we need to be a team. Which is why I want the opportunity to train you both, to prepare ourselves for the fight ahead.”

It was the most straightforward and honest I had ever been with him. The most I’d ever given away.

Survive was a purposeful term.

Because that was exactly what we had to do, not just for us but for all of Hell Fae and Nightmare Fae kind.

If Vivaxia stole my light, this realm would burn.

And all the beings inside it would perish. Including us.

“But I can’t teach you if you won’t listen to me,” I added, needing him to hear me. Needing him to understand . “You have your reasons for distrusting me, and I respect those reasons. However, if you continue to let them cloud your judgment, we’ll never move forward.”

A consideration that terrified me. I needed him to work with me, not against me. And not just because of his links to Azazel and Camillia, but because of his potential as a powerful ally. I’d made him my Warden for a reason. If only he could see that reason in himself.

“All I can do now is prove my intentions through actions, Ajax,” I concluded. “So take the next few days to consider how you want to proceed. You’ll either opt to learn with an open mind… or close me out entirely. That decision is yours and yours alone.”

With that, I turned to grab two of the plates that were stacked high with pancakes and teleported back to the bedroom in my suite.

Camillia glanced up from the table, her big eyes reminding me of turbulent storm clouds.

The color was enhanced by her all-black outfit—one Melek must have found for her to put on in my absence.

Or maybe he magicked it to life. Jeans and tank tops weren’t exactly a popular fashion in the Hell Fae Kingdom.

A corset and skirt would have been more fitting, to match the female hologram dancers at my nightclub.

An image of Camillia wearing just that flitted through my mind. A dangerous thought, one that quickly morphed into what she would look like tied to my bed with red ribbons around her wrists. Her ankles, too. Splayed. Helpless. Captive. Mine to explore…

She definitely wouldn’t be wearing underwear under that skirt either, I decided. Or I’d fucking burn it off.

Mmm, I like where this is going, my king, Melek all but purred in response. Do continue .

I nearly growled in reply, the fantasy disappearing in a flash.

Camillia didn’t trust me or like me enough to let me tie her up.

Let alone burn her clothes off.

Shaking my head to clear it, I focused on the food in my hand and set it on the table. “I’ll be back with some syrup and drinks.”

“Are those chocolate chips?” Camillia asked before I could vanish, her voice laced with an emotion I couldn’t define.

Or maybe I didn’t want to define it.

Fuck, I didn’t even want to define this experience.

I’m cooking. For her. For Melek. For Azazel and Ajax.

Sure, I didn’t trust anyone else to handle our food. But I… I’d jumped into this without thought. Almost like I was trying to apologize with food rather than words. Or just care for them? I wasn’t sure.

And it didn’t matter.

We all needed to eat.

This was practical.

End of discussion.

Except Camillia had just asked me something. Chocolate chips , I recalled as she leaned down to examine her pancakes. I frowned at the action. “Melek mentioned you like chocolate, so I…” I trailed off and cleared my throat. “His plate has regular pancakes, if you prefer those. And I can make more.”

Hellfire, I felt like I was an inept teenager. What the fae is wrong with me?

“No, I love chocolate chip pancakes, actually,” she admitted, her cheeks taking on a pretty shade of red. “I… I was just surprised. Thank you.” Her alluring eyes met mine, then shyly glanced away.

Another uncanny look from the warrior. But I much preferred this to her fear.

“Do you have a drink preference?” I asked, still feeling out of my element.

“Coffee,” she answered instantly.

“Irish coffee,” Ajax corrected as he walked in with Azazel, the pair of them carrying more pancakes. They could have shadowed and ashed in here, but the kitchen was connected by a door, so I supposed their method was nearly as fast as mine.

“Irish coffee,” I echoed.

“I can make it for her,” he said.

“Or you could show me how to make it,” I suggested, genuinely curious.

He stared at me for a beat. “I was going to use magic.”

“Oh.” That was far less interesting.

“I can show you, my king,” Melek interjected, pushing away from the table. “We have everything we need at the bar, just need to brew some coffee.”

I glanced between them, not sure which offer to accept. I wanted to learn, but I also didn’t want Ajax to feel rejected.

“And some whiskey, actually,” Melek added, pausing beside Ajax. “Can you magic up some for me? Maybe some whipped cream, too?”

“It would be faster to just spell the drink,” Ajax drawled, folding his arms.

“Yes, but it’s not every day we get to teach Ty something,” Melek replied with a grin. “Humor me, please?”

Ajax studied him for a beat, then glanced at Camillia before finally setting his gaze on me. “Fine. I’ll teach you how to make one. But you’re brewing the coffee.”

I nodded and did my best to hide my amusement. Thank you, little prince.

For what? Melek murmured back, his mental tone the epitome of innocence.

However, he knew what he’d done.

Making an Irish coffee might be a small task, but it was monumental in this moment. Because Ajax was showing a subtle willingness to work with me rather than against me.

Assuming he didn’t pour the pot of coffee on my head, anyway.

But it gave me a flicker of hope that I might be able to fix this after all.

A few days , I echoed in my mind. I’d originally stated that I wanted to start training tomorrow. However, I needed Ajax’s acceptance, or my lessons would be worthless in the end. So I’d give him some time to make up his mind.

If this menial activity indicated a tentative alliance, I’d accept it.

And I’d do everything in my power to fortify it.

For Ajax. For Camillia. For Azazel and Melek. For all of Hell Fae and Nightmare Fae kind …